susah tak?

This story took place that one time when Amalin came to London and DID NOT BRING MY FABER CASTELL LEAD like I politely asked her to. 

Anyway. 

We met up at the London Eye. Actually, no, I met up with her parents whilst she abandoned me, choosing that overrated wheel over me. Priorities man, I'm telling you.

I spent a little over an hour with her parents. They were cool, and I now have much blackmail material.

Somewhere on the banks of the River Thames, Aunty Mahani asked me, "Macam mana? Susah tak kat sini?" 

I thought about it. I have never ironed a single thing here, my tudung is constantly crumpled, I can't wait to go home in two weeks and bring my tudungs with me. It's been three months. Wait no, I can't tell her that, that'd be weird, quick make something up.

"Oh... susah jugak. Kena seterika baju, belajar berdikari..." - and I went on about how I had to take the bus, alone at that, yadda yadda.

She looked at me odd. Then she blinked.

"Maksud makcik, susah tak belajar? Study semua ok?"

Oh. Ohhh.

Why I always embarrass myself will never cease to be a wonder.

Um, Ain, my Photoshop proficiency is six feet underground, but we can all assume you're floating on the water somewhere. 

you know what

Okay imagine: bad tudung day. Your best friend is absent. Your Maths was 1% short of a 100 (???). That teacher didn't smile back at you. To top it all, Marissa cut your queue during lunch and acted like it was no big deal.

Ok, now, you have a choice.

a) You tell your best friend about Marissa.

You know, so today, I was queuing for roti canai, and I waited for so long, then suddenly Marissa went to the front, just because she said she asked the other girl to jaga her queue. So rude man. And then, the other day, oh my God... She was just too stubborn! I mean it's a group work, but she wouldn't listen to our opinion. She's so egoistic, never admitting that she can make mistakes too... 

b) You let go. 

Maybe Marissa had a rough day too, she forgot her etiquette. Maybe she wasn't brought up the way you did - she didn't get the love, affection and parental guidance you were blessed with. Maybe Marissa could do better, had she known that what she did wasn't exactly pleasant. Maybe underneath all that, she has a heart of gold, even better than yours. Maybe sometimes, whether I notice it or not, I do the little pesky things Marissa does too... Or maybe, Marissa desperately needed to pee, if she queued any longer... 

"O you who have believed, avoid much (negative) assumption... And do not spy or backbite each other... " (Quran, Al Hujurat, 49:12)

Who on earth eats roti canai for lunch anyway...

Edit: Several people congratulated me for the "99%". It's not me la it's YOU hahaha. And asked who this Marissa person is. She doesn't exist, this story is completely made up. Hehe.

shoe-safe guarantee

Back in the land of calorie-laden food! 

Sure, fun to see my family and all that, but let's focus on the main point here...

Is it just me, or boutiques are crazy popping up in Bangi? I'm not a jubah person (as you would already know...) but man, these places have the nicest jubahs in the world. 

We went to several stores with Aunty M to choose her birthday present (fail). Our efforts weren't in vain though, because I did learn something that day - well, more like, pondered something.

WHY DO BOUTIQUES ASK US TO TAKE OFF OUR SHOES?!

I assume the logic behind shoe removal is for hygiene reasons, or they're worried we'll get their wooden floors pierced by stiletto heels?

But what if some people feel exposed or vulnerable upon removing their shoes? And how would you guarantee that we'll see them again when we leave the store? You never know if a cat would nick those shoes outside, do you...

Some don't even give salaam! Please, go ahead and coldly look at me in the eye and then ignore me, so nice to shop here.

Bahahah forgive me, clearly something horrible has gotten into me.

God's little (big) gift

Shoutout to the most beautiful people out there, whoever you are!

I think it really is a blessing from God when you know how to make people happy, and how you radiate happiness to those around you. I mean, masyaAllah dude you just know all sorts of way to bring happiness to people.

Say you might get a teeny weeny bit sad or frustrated when people don't do the same to you, but friend, they might not have the same talent as you do... forgive them, yeah?

If you feel unappreciated because they don't do the same in return, don't worry, I'm sure Allah has lots in store for you, and who knows, somebody, too, has been praying for your well-being, day and night. 

Keep up the good work! 

I pray that Allah will grant you eternal happiness, here, and in the afterlife.

how do you skirt

Ignore those pictures. That's just Amalin blocking what would have been some beautiful view. Bahah.

How do people wear maxi skirts? Do they have a superpower that I know nothing about? 

I could pull skirts off with baju kurung, but other than that, I truly, truly, fail.

I know Amalin puts on skirts for everyday use, and I thought, what would it hurt right? I was wrong.

It keeps touching the floor oh my God. Plus it's soooo flowy and smooth it's weird. I have no idea what I did, but the skirt managed to get a tiny smudge of mud on it and I. just. wanted. my. pants. back. OK??? I don't deserve this kind of pure torture. Whoever invented pants (and high heels), I love you.

Needless to say, I only wore the skirt once. It's been in the closet ever since. 

And then, there are girls whose skirts are their travel staples - be it a trip to the zoo, beach picnic with all the wet sand in the world, climbing up the Eiffel tower - let's face it, they might even go the Amazonian jungles in a skirt.

I'm pretty sure this is sorcery, guys. 

blue skies ahead

Bla bla bla, me mumbling some stuff. 

Endless Horizon, Blue Skies Ahead

Do you recall sleepless nights, group discussions over lunch, copying and trading notes with your classmates last November? If your answers are yes, yes and yes, I'm guessing you are one amongst 455,849 students who sat for the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) in 2014. Allow me to extend a hearty congratulations to you!

In 2014, a total of 11,289 students scored straight As in the examination, a slight dip compared to 13,970 students in 2013. Additionally, there is a decrease in the national average grade (GPN), which measures overall performance in the examination. A lower score indicates better achievement, and for 2014, the GPN was 5.08, a short fall of 0.15 from 4.93 in 2013.

How anxious were you on the day results came out? Did you compare your A, B or Cs with your friends and relatives? Put that aside. Just as every snowflake is unique, there could be one hundred reasons for that difference in your number of As. 

Some of us may have exceeded our expectations, whilst some of us may have not. Be optimistic, for opportunities are endless. I know many wonderful, awesomely talented peers whose true potential cannot be measured with their grades. What matters most is the courage, personality and perseverance to explore the new possibilities beyond SPM, not your numbers and letters. Once you have these three keys checked, you will achieve even greater heights. 

Life is bigger than SPM. Look further, my friends!

http://niexter.nst.com.my/2015/03/

Shut up shut up... so what if I used my housemate's History textbook...