I'm not feeling too well today and Royal's will start tomorrow. Yikes. I'll promise to blog on Royals, whatever the outcome is, as I have this gut feeling that this would be my last Royals!

ps: Semua dijemput hadir!

Just another day

This coming Tuesday and Wednesday - 2 of the most important exams yet.

Stressed out.

Exhausted.

Back and joint pain.

And now, HUNGRY. No food at home yet the weather is 15' outside (plus rainy and windy) so it will take a hell lot of will power for me to brave the cold just to keep the growling noises from my tummy silent for a minute.

Don't you feel sorry for me?

I feel sorry for me.

Someone, feed me and give me a back rub please. Sigh.

I wanna go home.

Slumdog Millionare

 

I just saw the trailer and read the reviews of this movie, and I must say - I'm having great expectations already. I hope this movie will hit our shores, tho I'm a bit skeptical that it would happen. Can't hardly wait...

I am officially SAD

Someone's going to Bangkok for THREE WEEKS next Tuesday and will only come back 2 days before my flight back to KL ='(

I'll put on a smile and try not to do anything stupid, like cry (don't think I will though)

I just hate saying goodbye.

Making sense of Shahril

by Zuhri Aziz

A motion on education at the Umno Lembah Pantai division meeting last week caught my interest. It was for more emphasis on the subject of history in schools a direct response to the Prime Ministers call to make the subject compulsory at primary school level. It ultimately found unanimous support among delegates.

The rationale: History can fill the gaping vacuum that has been preventing the majority of youth from appreciating the socio-cultural development of the various communities in Malaysia.

Admittedly, I too have struggled to find a satisfactory explanation as to why this has happened. After all, I underwent roughly the same syllabus the history of Malaysia's road to nationhood and learnt the importance of harmonious race relations. So, why the sudden need to re-educate our youth?

I met with Shahril, 23, a former student leader. As a representative of his young peers and a proud second generation product of the New Economic Policy, I was hopeful he would be able to provide a thought starter. I was also aware that a conversation with Shahril would not (by a mile) constitute a comprehensive picture of the issue.

As we spoke and I found out more about the diet Shahril and his friends grew up on, it reinforced my initial belief that an important reason behind the different ways we view Malaysia was because of access to information.

My generation had relied heavily on the textbooks, teachers and of course the Government-controlled media. In many cases, whatever information churned out was taken as unquestionable truth. Shahril, on the other hand, had grown up with the Internet.

It was his medium and a strong substitute for traditional information dissemination. His understanding of historical and cultural realities were influenced by the many analysts and pioneer online socio-political commentators like the late journalist MGG Pillai and current MP Jeff Ooi. Although Shahril said he had abandoned most local forums and blogs because of their increasingly tabloid-esque content, the Internet connection was and nonetheless still is the major influencing platform for his generations strong views on issues. Views that were not necessarily the same as those in the mainstream media.

His political awakening, he remembers, came circa 1998 the controversies, and commotion surrounding Anwar Ibrahim. The extensive coverage of subsequent court cases via alternative telecommunications platforms guaranteed that Shahrils generation was arriving at political cynicism much earlier. As a result, although an Umno supporter, Shahril admitted to still feeling some degree of sympathy towards Anwar.

Shahril also seemed focused on the intangibles of a host of different issues including race relations, equality, freedom of speech, and injustices in politics. For example, he couldn't fathom why much of the Barisan Nasional campaign rhetoric of the last General Elections insisted on looking backwards by focusing on physical development. To Shahril and his peers, the physical developmental prowess of the BN was old currency.

In his eyes, Bangsar has always been a thriving entertainment and shopping district. The North South highway has always connected people from faraway places. In a way, this embodies the fact that Malaysia is taken for granted by many and especially by our youth as a constantly developing country. Physically anyway.

So, Shahrils generation is looking out for explanations on certain current issues relating to nation-building and race relations that will shape their future. Specifically, they feel the traditional rhetoric must be modified. The thirst for answers for their analytical and Internet influenced mind must be quenched by laying out the facts, toning down the spin.

As much as they look at past history, they are also looking at the future.

People of my generation must admit that the goal post has changed. I feel we may well be playing a different game altogether. As the electorate becomes younger almost 50 per cent by the time the next election comes around there is a need to address the detachment.

Do not get me wrong; it is a good idea to inject history lessons at a younger age. But we need to look at the issue in light of today's realities. It would be simplistic to think the younger generations views are formed by their ignorance of the facts of history, or due to the case of young blood.

As Shahril took leave and walked away from our coffee table, I picked up the distinct youthful swagger in his stride.

I am unsure if we have failed our younger generation, but we have certainly failed to keep up with them.

● Zuhri Aziz is the Deputy Director of Akademi Pemuda. The views expressed here and in his recently set up blog (tgzuhri.blogspot. com) do not represent the views of the organisation he works with.

*Taken from today's Malay Mail

Dropping by

I had a bad week.

So i think i deserve today's delight - the good night sleep, the yummy sushi, the perfect sunny weather, the nice atmosphere outside. Suddenly everything and everyone look picture perfect in my eyes : )

Thursday's a very productive day indeed! Settled all my laundry, petronas claims, cleaned my room so at least I get to breathe fresh air for a start : ) All I need to do left is to vacuum my room (my vacuum cleaner's not working though) AND bring myself to study. Oh my. Okay, I HAVE TO start tonite. I can't afford to screw any one of my papers. Especially not this semester please. So yes Nabila, do yourself a favor and start doing some serious accounting work ok?

OK.

Anyways, that's it I guess.

More of happier days ahead, I hope!

Exams

My finals are coming up in about a week.

Yes, I am currently in the self-absorbed/obsessive mode where I think, eat and breathe Corporate Law and MFI. I wished it had come sooner than this but it's never too late right.

I hope this obsession stays till my exam. I need this sorta momentum going.

And NO, I will NOT drop any of my finance subjects just because some of my friends are doing it hence I will still stick to my old plan of majoring in both accounting & finance cause I love finance. Plus it's good to have finance to balance out the technical and boring aspects of accounting. The calculations and theory in finance can at least keep me sane and entertained for the whole one year plus that I have left.

Et pour votre information, je vais etudiante le langue de francais, encore! Je suis tres heureux! : )

Anyway, wish me luck in my exam! I'll be needing your prayers : )

Have a good night everyone

xxxxxx

I miss them!

Books Galore! MPH Warehouse Sale..

I'm not going to spend any money now on books. I think I spent quite enough money on it to last me for a couple of months especially after the finals. I was a bit disappointed that I couldn't find George Orwell's 1984 and Animal Farm (since the waiting line on Zati's book is so long!). It was really HOT and there was so many people around but it was worth the time and money spent. Books of my selection are priced from rm8, 15 and 20.

I managed to get Zaimah The Catcher in the Rye by J.D Salinger, and if she replied my msg, Dante's Inferno. Got 3 books for Mama - 2 by Lee Child and 1 James Patterson. She really digs into this whole mystery/espionage series and little sister got herself the Twilight series by Stephanie Meyer which is said to be replacing the Harry Potter craze which I don't quite understand because it's nowhere as good as Harry and also Spark's A Walk To Remember. It's filled with raging teenage hormones (yes, I was doped into buying the first book..).

 

I managed to treat myself to classics, something which I want to get for a long time. Bronte, Dickens, Dostoevsky, Oscar Wilde and Henry James. I also managed to get some book by Grisham, Ahern, Zaid Ibrahim, and Picoult. I was tempted to get 1421 but I was trying not to be greedy.

This isn't the right time to be talking about fictions when final exams are coming up in less than 5 days! All the best in your respective finals, whoever you are and wherever you are.

God works in mysterious ways

My dear friend Sara has passed away at 9.15 pm malaysian time in her battle against cancer.

Al-fatihah.

Please extend our prayers to her and may Allah s.w.t. bless her and may she rest in peace, InsyaAllah.

I was so shocked (still is) after I received the news 15 minutes ago . A friend of mine told me 'it's a reminder to us that life is temporary, and can be taken away at any time'.....MasyaAllah.

I love you, Sara.


Prayers,
Your friend Nabila.

L.O.V.E.

Love offers no logical explanation, and it should stay that way.

I am, in love. Which is not necessarily all that good, or bad either. Just in love.

Lalala...

I am blogging from the Law library. You get the coolest view from where I am right now.

Anyways.Supposed to be catching up on my lectures and tute work, but what does a few minutes of blogging do? Well, I'll take my chances.

I admit that I am quite the hopeless blogger that I am when it comes to updating this blog (and I can say the same for you Pipon) =P But in my defence,there's nothing out of the ordinary to write about,particularly cause everything's been more or less the same so why bother boring everyone with the details?

SO...what's going on,you ask? Well, I just finished my 2-week break which, like most cases, suck big time. That simply means sticking back to the vicious cycle of classes, work load and whatnots. And cutting back on wasteful activities which I favour over the one I'm having right now. Nonetheless, I've got to stay focus and keep myself grounded for the remaining part of this semester. I don't wanna screw this one up (God forbid) plus I'm quite looking forward to what would be a probable Europe trip with my family InsyaAllah.

Oh, I forgot to mention about my trip to Mornington Peninsular, which is a 2-hour drive away from inner Melbourne. For the first time, I actually swam with the seals and dolphins in the ocean and it was freaking freaking AWESOME! The beach water was crystal clear and not quite like any beach I've ever seen before and fortunately for us, the wheather was sunny and perfect (though the water temp was a freezing 10 celcius). I'll post up some pics as soon as I get them from the rest :) Other than the trip, I just spent my days just going out, a bit of shopping here and there, PetroVic dinner and of course, raya feast...which reminds me SELAMAT HARI RAYA,MAAF ZAHIR & BATIN to everyone! :) My raya here wasn't nearly as fun as the ones I had with my family and friends back home but I guess it's what you make of it.

Speaking of family, did I mention that my aunt's coming this Sunday? I'm ecstatic! I'm actually missing Malam Gemilang to hang out with her but c'mon,let's be realistic
here: Malam Gemilang over staying at a 5-star hotel with your favorite aunt? Not a chance! So yes, I wish her a safe and sound journey to Melbourne :)

Tun Mahathir's coming this Saturday for the Seminar Pembangunan Ihsan and I'll be expected to be up so early that morning cause me and a few of my friends will have to take care of the registration, which starts at 9am. Uh-huh. Anyhow, I'm looking forward to that event and I'll let you know on the insights on that day.

Well people,I think I've said what I wanted to say..or at least most of it. Gotta start on my work now. Till next time, ciao!

xxxxxx

I'll be Back

I promise..... .SOON!

This time I'll try to be me again after SPM. If you know what I mean, good for you!

Nothing in particular

I've given up trying to find a maxi dress.

Everything that I've been eyeing either isn't maxi enough i.e. a tad too short, or caters only for those with "too small" or "too big" a bust.

I'm starting to feel like they have something against me. Or maybe it's just the 20 or so shops that I've been to. Sigh.

Nonetheless, I managed to buy this gorgeous emerald green summer dress from ishka this evening and I'm really happy with it! Considering the weather in Melbourne is still very much in the winter-cum-spring zone, I think I'd give it another month or so before I can wear it. I guess the beach would have to wait.

Anyways, can't believe September is almost over now and October's on its way - gosh it'll be such a hectic month and by that, I mean raya celebrations, the Seminar Pembangunan Ihsan (something like that) with Dr. Mahathir (yup,the big old man's coming to town) then there's Malam Gemilang on the 12th Oct which will be on the same day my aunt's visiting me (especially looking forward to this). Then of course there's my birthday on the 19th (I'm afraid I'm not gonna be all modest about it...LOL) then there's also exam preps and whatnots. I hope it'll be a good month ahead! Amin to that.

Oooh did I mention that I'm on a 2-week break right now? One word: HEAVEN. Just what I need after a not much sought-after first half of the semester. But I suppose I cant complain much cause so far things aren't that bad, academic-wise. I got a H1 for my cost management mid-sem test (yeay) but on the other hand, sucked badly in ACE (Accounting for Corporate Entities). So bad that I thought I was gonna fail the test so I'm really thankful that I didn't! But that's not an excuse for my shitty result so I really have to start putting more effort into ACE.

Anyways, I've got so many things that are bugging me right now. My mind is in such a mess and not in its best state yet since these last few days. In fact, I'm quite surprised at how NORMAL I seem to be blogging. I do not and will not mention it here but I'm thankful to have this blog as a leverage for me to vent out some stuffs that people consider to be so trivial yet so significant and important to me (like the maxi dress that doesn't fit me, for example). That's the only way I know on how to help me deal with a bad day - writing. It helps me focus on other parts of my life and the more trivial it is, the more I tend to take things around me lightly and with a sense of humor. Maybe that's why I'm a sucker for stupid sites like perezhilton.com or online shopping like e-bay or gojane.com (girls, you HAVE to check out the shoes!!!! It's bloody nice and filthy cheap). It helps me shift my attention from the problems that I have, even if it's temporary. It works for me...

Hrmphhh I'm sleepy as ever hsjfhfhsgdfhsdgfhgsdhfgs....so sleepy that I can't type right. Heh.

Will update some other time. Until then, later!

Happy ramadhan

1) I've got so many things that I'd like to add and improvise in this blog yet I am, unfortunately, technologically-challenged in every sense of the word. Does the thought count, though? :P

2) I can be totally self-absorbed for 4 whole days and then lose it the next second. I was so engrossed in my work that I completely didn't think about Daniel and now I'm missing him like a fat boy misses his treats on a strict diet regime. I've made a point only to see him occasionally throughout Ramadhan and by that, I mean just dropping by at the restaurant to say hello. It's been 5 full days and I find that it's bearable but sometimes, I can't help but miss him a lot :(

3) I didn't celebrate merdeka in ANY way. Slept the whole day after a long night-out. Now I feel like a lousy good-for-nothing Malaysian citizen. I've definitely lost my social independence this time around. I can count how many times I've been out with my friends this semester and trust me, it doesn't even require me to lift my other hand in doing so.

4) I'm so proud of my sister, I know she's working hard and most importantly, trying her best and giving it her all. That's all that counts, Sarah.

5) I miss Bazaar ramadhan - I especially miss bubur lambuk and taufu fa - my puasa necessities.

6) I've got 3 mid-sem tests next week - Cost Management & MFI on Tuesday (yes, TWO papers in ONE day) and ACE on Thursday, which accounts for 20% and 30% of my overall assessment. I've studied quite a fair bit but there's still HEAPS more to go. Hope I do well in all three. Wish me well, people : )

7) I'm addicted to the tuscan olives + sundried tomatoes they sell at the deli section in safeway. I wish I had a backyard full of olives and tomatoes. I've also tried the char-grilled mushroom and grilled eggplants with herbs. Yes I know, I'm a sucker for antipastos.

Kita mudah lupa

Guru Oh Guru

Berburu ke padang datar
Dapat rusa belang kaki
Berguru kepala ajar
Ibarat bunga kembang tak jadi

Dialah pemberi paling setia
Tiap akar ilmu miliknya
Pelita dan lampu segala
Untuk manusia sebelum jadi dewasa.

Dialah ibu dialah bapa juga sahabat
Alur kesetiaan mengalirkan nasihat
Pemimpin yang ditauliahkan segala umat
Seribu tahun katanya menjadi hikmat.

Jika hari ini seorang Perdana Menteri berkuasa
Jika hari ini seorang Raja menaiki takhta
Jika hari ini seorang Presiden sebuah negara
Jika hari ini seorang ulama yang mulia
Jika hari ini seorang peguam menang bicara
Jika hari ini seorang penulis terkemuka
Jika hari ini siapa sahaja menjadi dewasa;
Sejarahnya dimulakan oleh seorang guru biasa
Dengan lembut sabarnya mengajar tulis-baca.

Di mana-mana dia berdiri di muka muridnya
Di sebuah sekolah mewah di Ibu Kota
Di bangunan tua sekolah Hulu Terengganu
Dia adalah guru mewakili seribu buku;
Semakin terpencil duduknya di ceruk desa
Semakin bererti tugasnya kepada negara.
Jadilah apa pun pada akhir kehidupanmu, guruku
Budi yang diapungkan di dulangi ilmu
Panggilan keramat "cikgu" kekal terpahat
Menjadi kenangan ke akhir hayat.

-Usman Awang, 1979

Not liking it so far

You know when your head is cluttered up with so many things yet you just find it hard to organize your thoughts and effectively communicate it?

Writer's block.

Anyways.

I am, first and foremost, unhappy with the way I've been leading my life, academic-wise. I feel so left behind in some certain departments, especially in terms of managing my time. I've been too caught up with the Olympics and maybe cramming 3 days of uni is not such a good idea after all? Yes, I think so. And to make things worse, I've got a back-to-back mid sem tests in approximately 2 weeks and I am, a bit....clueless (especially with MFI). So yes, there will be NO Merdeka celebrations for me this time. Certainly no clubbing, parties or any of the likes. I'm going to make a point to stay in the library after uni till night and get the work done cause I know there's a huge chance I won't be able to do it at home with all the distractions and all that.

Why is it that I'm not as efficient as last semester?

I really don't know. I don't think it's the case of contentment or taking things for granted. I mean, I do almost all my tute work and all that and I try to attend all lectures but I guess I'm finding the subjects this semester really, really hard. A senior of mine did say to us (us being me and my fellow 2nd year commerce comrades) that the 2nd semester in 2nd year would be the hardest part through out our whole course so I guess reality has really started to kick in right now.

Anyways.

I've got to really start thinking hard bout my near future. Having said that, I'm gonna have to fast for these remaining days before puasa starts again and as I've mentioned, start doing the extra work.

I want to be that nerd I thought I was last semester, and so I think it's best for me to stipulate some self-interest by saying goodbye for now.

Have a nice day, people and wish me luck! : )

What is reading - but silent conversation

"Lawyers, I suppose, were children once" - Charles Lamb

"You really never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view...until you climb into his skin and walk around in it."

"Before I can live with other folks, I’ve got to live with myself. The one thing that doesn’t abide by majority rule is a person’s conscience."

-Harper Lee, To Kill A Mockingbird (1960)

I'm really glad that I read the book.

My top 3 pick. Amazing people.

Gosh, I still have another 6 days to fast before Ramadhan comes again.

6 days.

Should be easy peasy.

Yeah right!

In this cold weather (it's around 5 degrees right now), all I ever want to do is eat and just hibernate in my comfy blanket with a hot chocolate or teh susu in my hand. Haha. So, fasting will be a tough thing to do, but I don't really have a choice now, do I? =/

Anyways, I spent a good deal of time on my MFI tute work and I have to say that the second part of the tute questions were tough! I mean, I'm pretty sure I could've done it IF I did attend that particular 9AM thursday leture lol. So yes Nabila, you shouldn't miss any MFI lecture that has to do with freaking liquidity premium theory and expectations theory and heavy stuffs on loans and deposits. Serves me right. Nonetheless, I'm pretty sure I can catch up especially after my tute discussion tomorrow morning. Hopefully : )

On a separate note, I'd like to profess my deep interest in the Olympics this year! Man did you see the basketball match between China & USA? I thoroughly enjoyed it! =) And of course, swimming - Libby Trickett was just awesome, along with the US relay team (Is it just me or is Michael Phelps really cocky?). I thought rowing and weightlifting (LOL) were also fun to watch. Basically, I can safely say that I'm addicted to it especially over the weekend but somehow, I've managed to cut down on the hours I spend watching it.

I'd love to write more, but I should stop. Gotta wake up for sahur tomorrow and make it to my 9 am class. Yes people, my Monday blues are actually on Tuesday =/