Bali Hai High


One week of non-computer related activity and i turn into a doofus.

No connectivity whatsoever to the outside world.

Besides the local paper and the Jakarta Post on random days that is.

The trip to Bali was successfull alhamdullillah!

It was amazing!

The WOW! factor was definitely high.


Day 1


We set off from Singapore at 10am from T1 by Garuda on the Boeing 737-400 series.

Small plane, meaning every turbulence could be felt.

There was turbulence while we ate.

Which definitely made me green (not with envy definitely).

We landed in Jakarta to wait for our connecting flight, another 2 hour wait.

But we scoured the Soekarno Hatta Airport for some Starbucks and were treated to some delish coffee by my uncle.

The wait was well worth it.

The moment Bali came into sight, it was clear blue skies and PERFECT weather.

Almost NO humidity! (Yeaaayyy!)

By the time we arrived in Bali, it was 4pm.

The Ngurah Rai Airport in Denpasar, Bali was one of those quaint looking old airports.

Something like our Seletar Airport.

The runway which we landed on was flanked by the sea and it was looking postcard/picture perfect.

The ten of us, (my family of 6 and my uncle's family of 4) were greeted by our tour guide, Pak Ian (Sofian).

You know those people that hold up the cards with people's names on them.

I felt like a rock star then haha.

We took the van to Sanur, Bali to our hotel, Diwangkara Holiday Villa.

My sister and i naturally shared a room.

But the room we were given was boring.

But the room was big.

My brothers got the room upstairs which had a view of the ocean and they had a 4 poster bed (the older one said it was kinda gay cos he was sharing it with my younger brother).

So we switched!

Lawa giler! (but come to think of it, i forgot to take a pic of the room!?)

So the whole day was pretty much spent flying and getting settled into our rooms.


Day 2


I caught a sunset in the most beautiful place of all.

The high cliffs of Uluwatu were spectacular.

The crashing waves and the surfers out at sea enjoying the last rays of light in the surf.

It was amaaaazzziiinnnggg!

And to top it off, we went to Jimbaran Bay for a seafood dinner (sgd$15 per pax) for 10 people and we were stuffed silly with squid, fish and prawns.

Did i mention we sat on the BEACH for the dinner, listening to the waves crashing onto the shore, while we were serenaded by some buskers with Eric Clapton's; Wonderful Tonight.

How was that for an apt ending to a beautiful day.


More tomorrow...hopefully with pics!


Fin.

Did You Hear?


She is considering coming to Singapore to do her Masters.

I am crossing my fingers, toes, tongue, eyes and whatever else that can be crossed on my anatomy that she applies to NTU.

But my dear, are you considering doing a thesis based Master's?

Cos i noe that NTU English Lit. programmes are theses based.

Haven't seen a course based programme.

But whatever it is...

Get your butt down here!

*my excitement is getting ahead of me!*

Oh! And if you can get Prof. Q to write a testimonial for you, you've got a HIGHER chance of getting in...he used to teach there.

Ok...

Neway, I haven't PACKED!

How much clothes do i need to pack for a 5 day trip to Bali???

Anyone have a CLUE!?

I need help!


begin pukefest
P/S: I'm sorry Dear that I brought that thing up. I knew you were not going to be happy, but i just HAD to open my mouth.

I'm really sorry.

Pls don't be angry? Besides, its not even written in stone yet.

I love you.

You know I do.


end pukefest


Fin.

My Condolences.


My deepest condolences to You.


Al Fatehah.



Fin.

Sex and the City


It was more like: No, Singaporeans are prudish about sex, thus we will cut out the sex scenes.

And true to form, i saw some letters about the movie in the Forum page of T*he S*traits T*imes.

My take on the scene cuts:

I was really unhappy.

*no im not a voyeur or porno freak*

I just felt that the movie was disjointed because of the cuts.

There was no reason that the movie had to be rated at M18

If it had to be R21 so be it.

Personally, I HATE CENSORS!

They cut out the parts and give the movie this "cut & paste" feeling.

I do not want to feel this way when I pay perfectly good money (movie tix now very expensive also you know!) to watch a movie.

Besides the fact that the movie was cut at certain places, i felt that the direction of the movie was also good.

*All hail Michael Patrick King*

The flow of the movie was great, there were collective gasps and i truly felt that the audience were completely enthralled by Carrie, Samantha, Miranda and Charlotte.

Though i missed the first 10 mins of the show, i'm glad that i followed the series because this movie is like an extension of the tv series.

The on-screen chemistry between the four girls was undeniable.

I was tickled pink and i shed a tear at the end.

But most of all, I loved the way that the central theme of the movie revolved around relationships and more accurately, friendships.

If i were ever in a jam, I'd definitely turn to all my girlfriends for support.

I'm glad i have the same support system that Carrie had when she got jilted.


For all hard-core Sex and the City fans, this movie is not to be missed!

I've finally found my fix and closure for this show.

$10 for a 2hr 25min movie?

Worth it i say.

Sans the cut parts that is.

And what girl doesn't get a kick from seeing a walk-in wadrobe the size of a master bedroom?

I rate it a 4 out of 5.

Watch it before it ends its run!


Fin.

Counting Down The Days...


Its my last week at work here...

>_<


And i honestly don't know how i feel.

Well one thing's for sure.

I am so happy to be rid of LL my sales manager.

*all smiles*

Hahaha...happy taking over my post Kha!

Anyway...yeah...im feeling mysteriously light and carefree.

'Cos my holiday is just around the corner!

Yeay

I loved being here.

*Kha has already kind of taken over the workspace and doing most of the job anyway...hence the past tense*

The atmosphere was not so stressed.

Sans the amount of nonsense that i had to tolerate from LL. Hah.

The guys here have been really great!

Yes. All the people in my office are Chinese guys.

Hence the non-issue of office politics.

They are gerek-nak-mampos people here.

Even our new addition, Jonas.

Whom we both affectionately call Adik Nas.

*member dari Subang...haha...*

But coming to work this whole week has been great!

Cos i have a friend to share everything with.

We share the same workspace (for now)

And we've been giggling while i TRIED to teach her the ropes.

So thanks for making it a worthwhile week!

This weekend...Making The Video: Darwis.

Just a little tribute to him for his farewell cos we won't be able to make it there for his.


Anyway, a little shout-out to a new friend made over the net (via Suli)


Liyah! Happy Belated Birthday!


Fin.

Finally!


Finally, a new blog skin.

I think its been a while since i've changed my blogskin.

The last change i did was back in 2004!

Its taken me FOUR looooonnngggg years to change the blogskin.

That picture on top is Times Square, NY.

That's the closest i'll ever get to New York after plans fell through.

But anyways...do you like it?

Cos i do!


Fin.

The Mango Season.

Remember this photo?

Yup, that was the book that I was devouring after reading Candace Bushnell's dreary Lipstick Jungle.

The Mango Season was soo much better!

There were witty moments and those that kept me at the edge of the seat!

Basically, Amulya Malladi, the author that is; navigates her way into the labyrinth of Indian social and familial customs that seem to faze the rest of us.

She weaves a beautiful tale where the protagonist of the story (your lead character you might say), becomes displaced in her own country and family after her 7 year absence.

The young Priya Rao (protagonist) has come back to India for a visit (note: VISIT! and not come home!)

She finds herself lost in all the intricacies of her own culture.

She takes centre-stage when her parents set her up for a pelli-chupulu or bride-seeing ceremony.

The thing is...she's already ENGAGED to an American which is a BIG no-no in her society.

And that's where all the conflicts begin.

What?

You thought I was going to give you a run down of what happened.

Go find the book and read it for yourself. Teeheehee.


The book's called The Mango Season by Amulya Malladi.

Available at all NLB libraries!

Enjoy the read!

Next up: Unaccustomed Earth by Jhumpa Lahiri.


Fin.

So Much For Losing The Voice on Friday.

Yes pple...prior to my last minute "jom-lets-go-karaoke" by najib i had lost my voice on friday.

YES.

I was croaking.

*hmmm....probably one of the reasons why it rained huh?*

Oh yeah.

And i played hooky from work on Friday.

Which meant that i worked a total of only 3 days this week!

Haha. But after all the merry making i had...i still felt that the weekend was a tad too short.

Yes... now back to the intended post.

I had intended to spend the WHOLE afternoon (or whole day) at home.

There were NO prior plans watsoever.

I was already plonked on my bed watching Season 4 of SEX & THE CITY courtesy of Justin my colleague.

Then around 2.15pm, I received an sms from my darling Suli.

It an invitation to join her, Shasha and Aisyah Spec at Far East.

Mind you it was a sweltering HOT day.

Even though I had a late shower that day, i was already perspiring buckets.

I was still undecided at about 2.30pm

But then i was like "Ahhh...Wat the Heck....I'm going out!"

I was getting pretty restless at home anyway.

tried to get ready as fast as i could.

Was out the door by 3.30pm.

That was really fast by MY standards.

-the fabulous 5-

Reached my destination and saw Seri!

I was so happy to see her and the girls! (The more the merrier i say)

*get well soon babe!*

But she had to leave soon after to go and get ready to go to Gentarasa 2008.

-tgk mereke berdua di background-

We were then soon joined by Najib.

*mmg tak plan langsung!*

Had lunch at Cahaya and decided to go Karaoke!!!!

My second time Karaoke-ing at Cash Studio.

The first being with my AISS girls.

It was WAYYYY different!

That's cos we sang

a lot of English songs.

This time we sang a lot of MALAY songs!

-Najib tgh feeling sampai naik atas kerusi menyanyi-

*Mary nyanyi lagu melayu???!!!!*

Of course i still sang my english ballads...and i sooooo loved belting out Mariah Carey's "Forever".

-me and my chica; Suli-

-Go Sya Spec & Shasha!-

Hope you enjoyed the pics!

-Left with just the 4 of us; supper-ing-

Fin.

My Not So Hectic Weekend.

Compared to last weekend, this weekend didn't make a dent.

I barely did anything.

Save for going to town to go and get KiKi fixed.

I miss my phone terribly!

I want her back and to cradle her lovingly in my arms.

Okay-okay...i'm sounding a bit like a crazy woman.

Anyways...i really wanted to blog about my last weekend but i kind of got sidetracked by the fact that i went go-karting.

So it totally eliminated the joy factor.

Right.

Last weekend i tried to rally my girlfriends for an enjoyable day out.

Which only resulted in seeing the same faces again and again.

Not! That i'm not happy to see you girls but really, we're turning into this pathetic group of 5 where Hafiz is starting to get cranky about the fact that he's the ONLY guy around.

So PLEASE you other girls, try and make it the next time round okay?

So what did we do besides cracking up with laughter every 5mins?

Just a simple lunch and a game of bowling

Which i might add im pretty bad at.

I can play all other forms of sport save for bowling.

I played quite well in the first game.

But failed miserably in the second one.

Where all 3 frames went down the drain.

Literally.

We only met for the afternoon and parted ways around 4.30pm-5pm.

And mind you, we didn't even leave Yishun!

We bowled at SAFRA Yishun...sad right?

I think its just age catching up with us *Yikes!*

But i realised i wasn't done with my day yet.

Instead of staying home alone (yes the parental units weren't at home either),

I decided to join them wherever they were.

So i went down to toa payoh to meet them at the pool.

And yes! They decided to lengthen their sojourn , my little brother in tow of course,

Plus my uncle's family to Arab Street for dinner.

We ended up having a great big dinner at AlaTurka for some authentic Turkish fare.

Yes I am definitely raving about this place.

Its got the freshest salads.

The best oven toasted bread.

And tasty moussakka.

The kebabs weren't bad either!

And for 10 hungry people, we pretty much scarfed down all that food in a jiffy.

The hummous was DELISH!

The pricing was reasonable too!

And service was TOP NOTCH!

Yes i am totally won over by the hospitality and how fast our food was served.

I would definitely go again (hopefully with the bf one day).

Can i just say how much i've missed middle eastern food?

*And TEH AIS!*

I so miss teh ais for sure.

The closest that i've gotten to M'sian tasting teh ais was at Bilal Restaurant over at Sembawang Rd.

*Okay ter-sidetrack again.*

Anyway...I am UBER excited about my trip to Bali!

Yeayness!

Okay then...

More updates soon!

Promise!

*MY blogging mojo's finally BACK!*

Fin.

On Being "Blah!"


Side-track:


Yes, thanks for reading even though its been so boring and bland.

But i really appreciate the: "How come you've stopped writing?"

And the "Any new entries?"

Thank you for the concern...hehehe...

I'm touched that pple still read my blog!

Thank You!

And all you CLOSET readers, come out and tell me WHO you are!

I'm tired of thinking I'm writing all this for no-one!


Now back to the intended post.


I know since I've graduated as an English Lit grad I should be picking up more noteworthy and "literature-ish" type books.

But I've picked up MORE chick lit since then.

I know I'm being such a bad example.

But after having so much Literature shoved down my throat for the past 13+ years, the only thing I want to pick out from the library shelves has been trashy chick lit.

Ok..maybe not so trashy but more commercial chick lit.

I mean there's nothing wrong in that, but i REALLY pride myself on being a well read person.

But there has been a silver lining within all that chick lit.

I actually picked up a really good book frm the POPULAR bookstore about 2 months back.

It really began as a love affair with the movie that I watched with my Encik Farhan.

*Thanks for accompanying me to watch the movie!*

You guessed it, it was "The KiteRunner".

I remember reviewing the movie on my blog sometime back.

But anyway, that was a movie review.

Now, i think Khasanah, more than anyone else knows how much i love asian lit.

More accurately;

"displaced-asian-author-trying-to-find-voice-in-adopted-Western-country."


Point in case, Jhumpa Lahiri, Amy Tan, etc, etc...

And my latest find....


Khaled Hosseini!


I've read the book twice.

Both in like very literature type mode.

Yes, I'm anal like that.

Reading it to gain a different perspective.

I loved it.

That's the thing with books.

You can read it AGAIN and AGAIN and you'll always gain a different perspective of the novel.

It was poignant, moving and heart-wrenching.

And the book wasnt written about Amir at all.

It was totally about Hassan.

Yes i only got it after the second read.

So girls, wanna go out and discuss books?

Oh!

And I was looking through Khasanah's Shelfari and I saw "The Road To Mecca".

I was sooo intrigued that I placed a reservation on the NLB website.

And then I was hooked into reserving Jhumpa Lahiri's "Unaccustomed Earth".


Her 2008 offering after her highly successful "The Namesake".


See, when the bug bites.

It doesn't stop biting.

Hahaha...okay that was corny.

Now I'm thinking, should i BUY "A Thousand Splendid Suns"???


Fin.

Pffftt...


I wanted to upload the pics from my spanking new K850i (in Quicksilver) today.

BUT

The phone died on me yesterday.

AaaaccckkK!

Now i can't upload my pics from the go-kart session i had.

And yes...

Now i'll need to revive her (yes she's now affectionately known as KiKi to me)

Boo hoo.

This is so sad.

Everytime i get a phone OTHER than Nokia, I have to send it back for repair in less than 2 weeks!

The last time this happened was when i purchased the Motorola E51 Rokr phone.

The phone would always die on me when i answered a call.

And this was WITHIN the 1st week after i purchased it.

I had to go all the way to Plaza Singapura to revive the damn phone.

And it took them quite a while to fix it.

Now that i've purchased this OTHER model, the phone instinctively died on me.

AGAIN.

Gah!

I am seriously ANNOYED!

Honestly, yesterday i thought the phone died cos the battery was weak.

But the thing that got me worried was, the lights to the keypad were still on and the light on the back where the camera lens was located was also lighted.

Uwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa....

Now i have to go to Wisma Atria to get it fixed!

I'm afraid to go cos I'll end up spending money at DP and Forever21 and Cotton On!

I want my KiKi bacccckkK!


Fin.

Lets Go-Karting! (Part 1)


The best part about being in a small company thats laid-back SANS my anal retentive sales manager,

is that we get to do FUN stuff!

And also cos we have a really generous boss, he foots the bill!



So thanks Mr. L*eow J*uLen!



Today, i got to meet D*awn Y*ang.

Yes, THAT D*awn Y*ang.

So wat did we all do exactly?

We ALL went karting in JB today!

The WHOLE company except the Old Fart.

Kewl right?

Kha, i hope one day you will get this opportunity to go karting with the company some time!

Yes, it was like a mini company retreat.

I tell you it was SUPER gerek to the max lah!

It felt like an extra weekend altogether! :D

I'm going to miss the people i work with for the past 5 months!

Pics up soon k?

And i WILL elaborate more!

Finally, something REALLLLY worth blogging about!


Fin.

Not!Stressed out

The Blushing Bride (Fadhiilah; The Duchess)

and the Dashing Groom (Ustz Khidir)

This picture would have looked spectacular had Ekhsan zoomed in!

But even so, good picture composition!

This would also have been a gd shot if MY hands were more steady!


The ethereal Duchess...

This picture of US and the bride looks AWESOME!

Nice colours! I loooooovvveeedd Hasanah's tudung kaler!

I seriously think we make a cute couple!

I wish i knew how to keep my head straight when taking a photo!

Notice that there were mostly just pics of girls? Hahaha...

It didn't even occur to me till I uploaded them to my Facebook account.

One more wedding in June!

Hasanaaaaahhhh i can't believe you're tying the knot already!

I will TRY to be @ your wedding.

I want to upload all the pics i took on sunday but Blogger is not cooperating as yet.

Stay tuned pple!

Fin.

Pardonnez Moi...


Please excuse me for the lack of updates.

It is the lack of a social life that's keeping me from updating this dusty old blog.

Some days i really wish i were back in uni.

Blogging about classes was fun even though it was routine.

These days the routine is go to work, after which i head for tuition and only reaching home close to 10pm or later.

After that i only make a date with the bed.

And then the whole process begins again till Friday.

The only exciting thing that happens is my blood pressure that happens to rise whenever the sales manager is in the house.

The fact of the matter is, we're of same personality traits.

Therefore there is some clash.

Even HE senses it.

And he'll back off for awhile before stalking me again.

Aaarrggghhh.

Thankfully for me, he isn't in the office today.

Some nasty flu bug has put him under the weather.

Lets just hope he doesn't pass it to me when he comes back.

Anyway, this week will be a packed weekend.

Starting friday, with my medical checkup.

Then a date with the UIA girls on saturday

And a wedding of Duchess on sunday.

Yes MY beloved Duchess is getting married to her Goosey!

Finally.

*smiles*

I remember the inane talks we had on the bus on the way back to singapore.

Goose and Spidey.

*okay that was an inside joke just between me and the Duchess*

I don't even remember HOW the term Duchess came to be.

And thanks Dear for the Nasi Briyani.

The meat was super scrumptious.

Even though i had a little headache from all the lamb i ate.

Oh and as a parting note, please wear SUNSCREEN pple!

Even if you're indoors.

Cos all the UVA and UVB rays from the lights and PC can make u age faster too!

Minimum SPF30 pple!

Take care of ur skin and PREVENT premature ageing!!!


Fin.


p.s: Your skin starts to age at 21 yrs!!!!

What is to come...


I have so many things to say but when i start typing or when i see this page, all activity in my brain seems to shut down.

Or is it the stress in churning out something for readers to enjoy getting to me?

I honestly wonder how all those S*TOMP bloggers do it on a deadline.

Sure they have a topic to follow.

But how can one POSSIBLY write about something so lame and mundane?

Okay that's another thought for another day.

So excuse me if i start spewing nonsense all over this blog.

How has life been since turning 24? (Qn asked by Huda the bestie)

Not much different compared to the 365 days that have passed.

Okay maybe this year's was better.

I spent it with family and friends prior to the actual birthday.

Had a birthday dinner with my aunt, uncle, grandparents and family sans my sister and father.

Like i've mentioned countless times already, 2008 has been kind.

Allah has bestowed me countless things that i feel truly blessed.

I have my health, i have food and shelter over my head.

I have clothes on my back.

I have my family.

My friends.

And best of all i have my AH *smiles*

Amiin.

That shall remain a mystery for now.

In due time.


Plans for New York and Europe have been scrapped this year. Haha...so much for putting all my eggs in one basket.

But the good thing is, I will be going to Bali this June.

One week of sand, sun and sea!

This will definitely happen cos my dad has already gotten his leave approved.

And i definitely need a break before i teach.

Oh and have i mentioned that i've told my Director that i'm leaving?

Yes...its official!

No need to walk around with a big load on my back anymore.

The timing couldn't have been more perfect.

So, anyone in search of a job can contact me here for more details.

Or u can just reach me at my email located on the side bar.

June Bali, and insyaAllah KL in the early part of July.

Trying to make an effort to keep in touch with friends and my oh-so-fab-lecturers!

Ok now that i have exhausted all my brain juice, i can go now.


Fin.

Happy Birthday To Meeeeeeeeee!


Dah tua² bangka still perasan muda like dat! hehe.

my father said the nicest thing: "macam tak nampak 24 eh?"

Wahhhh syiok arh he say like dat!

Heheheheheheheheheh.

24th birthday...

I've been alive for 24 years (plus another 9 months or so in my mother's womb)...

Wow...

That's a long time.

My wish for this year?

Be a better Muslimah, insyaAllah.

Be a better granddaughter, daughter, niece, cousin and sister.

What about being a better girlfriend eh?

Hmmmmmmmm....

You all help me fill in the blanks lah eh hehehe.

Poor AH still feeling jetlagged.

If i had a more than 24hour journey, i'd feel the same way.

I hope you'll feel better soon.

And i did tell you you'd have a culture shock right?

Hehehehe.

Waiting for your call :)


Fin.

Panickus Maximus.


I can feel the anxiety building up.

Geez...turning 24 oredy as of tomorrow.

I'm like a REAL adult already lah.

Boo hoooo.

I want to run/fly/jump/hop/skip to Neverland, can?

Decisions, decisions.

Thankfully I'm not making any LIFE altering decisions yet.

Not yet anyway...2009 onwards right AH?

Speaking of which, he touched down yesterday! :))))

The whole weekend i was fretting and worrying about his flight.

Couldn't contact him at all, what with his 17hour layover in Abu Dhabi.

And true to his word, I was the first one he called when he touched down. 2140

*silly grin*

Pity he was calling from a payphone. If not it would have been a longer phone call.

Yesterday was an extreeeemmmeeelllyyyy long day for me.

I had my extended family over and 4 friends for a small get-together.

Celebrated my sister's belated 2oth bday, my nyai's 70th bday yday and also my advanced 24th bday.

Ohhh and i got my Coach wristlet yesterday as a present from my mother!

*if i knew she was going to pay for me i would have picked out smthing bigger & more expensive! hehehe*

I've been feeling stuffed since yday.

Too much good food.

And this marks the 451st entry.

I can't believe i've been at this since 2003.

The amount of rubbish i've spewed here is tremendous!

And i've made up my mind.

I'm going to let them know that i'm gg to leave the company.

I'll let them know by this week.

Finally.

All the nonsense from HIM that i've tolerated.

*sesungguhnyer aku tak paham macam maner ko buat kerja*

Good riddance!


Fin.

AH....


is an acronym.

an acronym close to my heart.


if i could have just one wish i'd wish to wake up everyday to the sound of your breath on my neck feeling ur heartbeat together with mine knowing i could never find that feeling with anyone other than you...


*swoon*


Fin.

Loving this...<3


Missing you is my pastime,
Caring for you is my job,
Making you happy is my duty,
And loving you is my life!




when u feel alone just look at the spaces between your fingers remember that in those space you can see my finger locked with yours forever




you want to know how great my love is? count the waves...



Love, AH.


sungguhromantic.com :)))))



Fin.

It's Been Awhile...


I know i havent written much the past few weeks.

Honestly, i was caught up in something really spectacular.

2008 has really been fantastic.

And its only the first quarter of the year!

And its APRIL!

I was speaking to Kha yesterday and told her that i'm already starting to feel the jitters.

It ALWAYS rolls around this time of year.

The anxiety of turning a year older.

I can feel my tummy clenching, my mouth dry, my head spinning.

In exactly ONE week!

Oh but there are things that im definitely looking forward to this month.

For example, getting my Coach Signature Hamptons wristlet! Yeay!

Getting a new *and quite overdue phone* for myself. 5mp y'all!

And waiting for someone to touch down in Singapore *goes all smiley & dopey*


Girls! Come home soon yeah! Izhar says that we should all go to Macritchie for a hike.

And Nora, have a safe flight to Beijing and back!

Enjoy yourself! You've earned it. :D



Fin.