phaNtasmagoria: Nuances of Life

THIS IS IT

2011-09-24T01:37:00.000+08:00

First of all, my gratitude to Kay and bro Faisal for their informal online tutorial and encouragement on getting me to start a blog. I don't know if both of you still remember... But I remember that you both kept urging me to start a blog, saying that it's not difficult, interesting, giving me links on tutorial etc. hehe... Syukran Jazilan :)

Masya-Allah...that was 7 (S E V E N) years ago...!

I considered my early venture into blogging as 'LOST'. You probably would have noticed it if you had gone through those 'infant' posts. I was, really, truly-bruly, a lost dinghy (I'm not sure why I chose that word). Being just graduated and having bleak ideas on the future... I decided to give it a try. It did help though.

However, at some point in life now, I felt something is not right (No, I'm not saying blogging is wrong).

There's this tugging feeling that keep recurring...and tugging...and gnawing at my conscience, ever since 2007...

I read and heard many times, that to start or to do away with something, it has to start with an action. If it is impossible to do so, then do something symbolic for it.

This blog has appeared and survived out of ~~a bad memory~~ an inconvenient truth. No matter how many good stuff I tried to put in, it hangs there. Because I let it.

So, after these couple of very significant last posts I made; on Forgiveness & on Freedom , I figured I can finally take action. It might not help permanently, but at least I know I have closed the book and am moving on, plus Stop hoping that the past could be different.

#Listening endlessly to Opick's Tiada Duka Yang Abadi

It's liberating to see her now

2011-08-09T14:46:00.000+08:00

Nujood Ali Picture – Yemen Photo - National Geographic Photo of the Day

On my last visit to UBI, Kay-eMeM, lady STA gave me the recent Reader's Digest *thank you* & it featured this girl.

Her struggle still etched in my mind.

Nujood, "I am ten, and divorced"

To Forgive & Forget

2011-07-28T19:02:00.002+08:00

It's not about forgetting what had happened... It's not about saying 'it's okay'... It's not about accepting apology...and moving on...

"Forgiveness is
Giving Up the Hope that the Past Could Be Different"

-The Oprah Winfrey Show

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Now playing: Maher Zain - The Chosen One _ ماهر زين - المختار
via FoxyTunes

Ahoyy

2011-07-16T21:48:00.001+08:00

There, where i'm doing my practical. The white block behind those firs ;P
Here, i'm surveying the room. Will be moving in soon, inshaAllah...

A reading triggered this...

2011-07-14T12:20:00.003+08:00

"Do you remember...

walking home from school...

in the middle of hailstones?"

Just Click to Borrow Books? Wow...

2011-07-04T13:50:00.000+08:00

Utusan Malaysia Online - Pahang

Will all libraries have this service? :P

Gunung Lang Recreational Park

2011-06-25T20:39:00.004+08:00

This weekend we are spending our family time at E1 & Ros' rented dwelling in Ipoh - Hlmn. Pgkln. Sntosa. It's the 1st time we've ever been here since they moved.

Apart from that Mak has a wedding invitation from an old friend at Petronas Univ.

So, we took the time prior to sending our parents there to the recreational park. The area isn't so big but it's 'compact' considering you could feed the koi & carps at the lake, take a boat cruise there to the island, scenic park spots, playground & jogging track.

Last tour in Singapore... sans backpacks ;p

2011-06-21T22:59:00.003+08:00

After the U.S.S fling we headed towards our booked hostel rooms. We almost gave up to check in there as we didn't know exactly where it was & we were dying to hit the hay! We only knew that it was in Serangoon Road. We were advised to take the free bus ride to Vivo City & proceed from there with another bus.We asked a couple of girls for directions. They were a bit uncertain too as they hadn't taken a bus for quite some time. But they were helpful enough & even borrowed their friend's phone for GPS function to direct us using the map. Luckily their friends were just lepaking nearby on the carpet grass.

They told us to cross the road to the nearby bus station & took the bus #165 (if i'm not mistaken or is it #65? :P). Unfortunately, when we reached there, there was a notice saying that the area was under construction and we couldn't board the bus from there anymore. So we had to go below to another bus stop. We actually inquired upon a bus & got assistance from yet another helpful Singaporean. However we were led back to zero. Realising also that we didn't have the bus fare card & didn't have exact money for the fare & didn't know exactly where to go, we decided to try our luck with taxi.

After signalling for like 10 taxis, finally a dark taxi came to a stop in front of us. We stood gaping as it reached us for the taxi was one hel*uva posh display?! What's more surprising was that the driver was a lady. Immediately I thought the driver must have taken curious & pity upon seeing 4 girls backpacking close to middle of the nights by the street where taxis are not supposed to pick up passengers in the 1st place :p But we were SO THANKFUL. Alhamdulillah, another blessing..."You girls just came back from camping?", was her immediate reaction as we all snuggle in the sleek ride. The taxi priced start at SGD2.80 or is it SGD5.00? :P For our 1st taxi ride, in the middle of the night, after hours of walking, we gave it a nod, surely! The lady-driver; Aunt Sally (of Masjih Tanah, Melaka origin), was kind enough to give us a brief explanation to tourist areas, which we passed by en route to The Hive. She even advised us on which bus to take/ a better route plan for our trip around town the next day.

We were warmly welcome at The Hive. We were led to our rooms & briefed upon the shared shower & toilets, kitchen and laundry area along the way. There were free breakfast, wifi & internet service. There's also a stack of free postcards by Zo Cards hanging on a wall :)

The next morning, after a satisfying breakfast of toasts with pandan kaya & orange marmalade, cereals and hot black coffee, we took a walk towards the Melaka-bound bus station. Just after we bought our tickets home for the evening at 5, the lady at the counter offered to look after our backpacks so we could enjoy touring without having to drag them all the way. Oh wow, another blissful offer! We felt so lucky & continued our trip gleefully!

We went to One Fullerton, Tanjung Pagar KTM Station, Mustafa Centre, Orchard Road, Bugis Street & Junction, the Sultan Mosque, Victory restaurant (don't miss the purportedly best Singapore murtabak there) ... Where else aa? Hehe... Of course there are still other places that we didn't have the chance to visit due to limited time. We hadn't scour the Arab Street, the cable car ride, the SkyPark at Marina Bay Sands etc. Definitely have to find time to return there...probably pay a visit to the relatives there too next time, inshaAllah...

Exhilarating Universal Studios Singapore

2011-06-21T13:09:00.004+08:00

Once arriving in Singapore, we were lucky to have come upon a bus that could take us all the way to the U.S.S. The driver asked for SGD5.00 each. We were really grateful for the convenience anyway. I was amused as throughout the journey we were serenaded with classics Chinese songs & even K-rin got her head swaying happily to the rhythm after some time :D

Oh yea, passengers would need to disembark midst of the journey before reaching Singapore for passport & luggage checking (forgot la the name of the station :p At Woodlands la kot)

Once we were up the escalator & saw a whole new 'world' there (excited habih! hehe), we went to find if we could store our backpacks as we roam the place. For want of a systematic & convenient journey, we had decided to go to the U.S.S first before checking in to The Hive, hence with our backpacks & all (though we haven't the clearest idea of where it is situated, thought of having fun first :p). However, we found out that we would have to pay SGD18.00 for a certain amount of time. We thought better of it & decided to literally went backpacking through U.S.S!? Haha...

The Studio Guide was very handy for us to decide on where & what to venture, plus to ascertain halal food outlets. It's available prior to entering the Studio. Remember not to just barge to any food outlets you see including on the streets there. As of last weekend, there are only 6 halal certified food outlets in U.S.S. There's also indications for healthier choice outlets.

Far Far Away Castle

Madagascar ship

Lights! Camera! Actions!

Street performance

Sci Fi City

at Ancient Egypt

Variety of Arab dishes, buffeteria style

the Accelerator

Caution: You WILL get Wet


"Eudaimonia Struts" ;)

There are mainly 7 attractions in the U.S.S.;

Far Far Away - e.g. Shrek 4-D Adventure, Enchanted Airways.
Madagascar- e.g. Madagascar: A Crate Adventure.
Hollywood - e.g. Universal Studio Store, Pantages Hollywood Theatre, The Brown Derby, Mel's Drive In.
New York - e.g. Lights! Camera! Action! Hosted by Steven Spielberg.
Sci Fi City - e.g. Accelerator.
Ancient Egypt - e.g. Revenge of the Mummy, Oasis Spice Cafe.
Lost World - e.g. Canopy Flyer, Jurassic Park Rapids Adventure.

Each attraction/place comprises of the attractions/activities, merchandise & food and beverages. Luckily we managed to go to all 7 places though we made selections on certain rides/activities to enjoy. We were there from about 1.30pm to 10pm. Totally fulfilling; joyrides, thrill rides, aching walks, wobbling waits and all! hehe... If you don't want to spend the time waiting in line, you could pay extra to purchase the Universal Express ticket. We figured the time we spent waiting in line to enjoy some rides were abt 3 hours in whole. But it was worth it :)

inside Mel's Drive In

The attractions/rides highlighted above were where we managed to venture. There are some places/ activities not mentioned in the online interactive map though e.g. the merchandise outlets along New York Street and the Street performance towards the Sci Fi City.

However, people do need to read and be aware of the warning signs posted at risky rides attractions. We had seen people leaving the waiting lines after reading and considering the risks displayed on the notice as well as displayed videos. It could be a wise choice for them as even after the 1st thrill ride of the Enchanted Airways, our 2 friends decided not to board anymore roller-coaster-like rides except K-rin & I. Revenge of the Mummy ride proved the top for me as I nearly choked myself and even imagined having a locked-jaw at certain point :p

I had to reject Kay's plea to board the Battlestar Galactica: Human & Battlestar Galactica: Cylon; the world's tallest pair of dueling roller-coasters. They are the only attractions with warning in red label written on the hand Guide (tho' other rides have abt the same warnings too);

"...is a high-speed turbulent roller coaster that includes sudden and dramatic acceleration, climbing, lifting and dropping. Guests should be in good physical health to experience this attraction".

So sorry la K-rin... After all the other rides, I felt like I could die on this one or suffer a stroke or break my neck...?! Anyway, Kay's determined to board it the next time with other friends, hehe... Good luck Kay!

Oh, some worth-buying merchandise would be the SGD3.90 per piece colourful character fridge magnet (along New York Street) & the SGD11.90 'potion bottle' drink at most outlets there (with a U.S.S character image print). If you have a tight budget that is. Otherwise, go spree.

Our U.S.S closing curtains was the firework show...

p/s: Sorry, hadn't figure how to rotate the videos :p

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Now playing: Daniel Bedingfield - Never Gonna Leave Your Side
via FoxyTunes

Backpacking plan to Singapore

2011-06-21T10:52:00.002+08:00

Weekend of 17-19 June 2011

If not for the invitation from K-rin & her two friends, I wouldn't have dreamed of going to Singapore. My family went last year without me to visit a relative. I was working at the time & couldn't find a time off.

K-rin booked the Universal Studios Singapore online tickets & Ateh booked the bus tickets to Singapore from Melaka Sentral and the reservation for a night's stay at The Hive Backpackers' Hostel. The plan was to meet Ateh 1st & spend the night before the journey at her place in Tengkera.

In retrospect, there were moments when we might have cancelled the plan as some of us were facing certain troubles & difficulties. We also had to change plans at the last minutes i.e. I had to pick K-rin from her sister's place in Cheras, which I've no idea where. Luckily I could rely on the GPS function on my phone albeit it's a mini one & not as practical/ accessible as the stand-alone one or by those using more advanced smartphones...

You know how the elders use to say; when there are so many bad lucks/ misfortunes occur during your journey, it is better for you to cancel it.

Well, on the way to Melaka, Syah (the other friend) who was with me in my car, acknowledged the same thing. I mean, K-rin has a lil' prob to settle with a family member, Syah's car got accidentally wrecked by a friend & I had knocked another car while reversing at the toll booth (we were quite annoyed that the booth light turned red when we had arrived into the lane & suddenly had to change lane. 3 cars had to move out including mine, which was in the middle). Not to mention that we almost had a brush with a sleepy truck driver along the hi-way to Seremban; 3 vehicles actually drove within 2 lanes?! Luckily I was driving the mini Kelisa...

But we both agreed that life must be looked upon as an adventure. I remember reading a hadis on it in a newspaper somewhere prior to the weekend. There must be Allah's blessings to the difficulties that we were having at the time in making this weekend plan a success.

How true this was and truly bruly too I learned later that life indeed comes in a pair, not only of a man and a woman, but also of the good and the bad. We must willingly accept 'the package' that comes in/with life. After the exhilarating weekend in Singapore, K-rin fell terribly ill & we spent half a day at Hospital Melaka. Ateh & her mom were besides us all the way. Alhamdulillah now she has recovered & we each has fond memories there in Singapore & hope to pick up where we left off later. There are still so many places to go there! ;)

Thanks very much to K-rin, Syah, Ateh & her mom for realising the plan :)

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Now playing: Daniel Bedingfield - Gotta Get Thru This(Acoustic version)
via FoxyTunes

Am I bold?

2011-06-08T13:08:00.002+08:00

Gastronomically, perhaps...

Abah was justifying why he prefers Vanilla-flavoured ice cream compared to Chocolate (what his children favour most). He insists vanilla is more versatile & easier to match with anything especially since he wanted to pair it with his favourite fermented tapioca(tapai ubi) [although, rather, the ice cream is commonly paired with fermented glutinous-rice (tapai pulut) at some tapai stalls].
And of course we are all familiar with 'floats'; fizzy drinks with floating scoop of ice cream on top (definitely vanilla-flavoured).

I just smiled listening to him since I have no qualms abt anything quirky or fusion in terms of food & I'm not really picky abt them flavours anyway. I'd just buy/eat according to preference but make do with what is present. So i did ate the tapai with vanilla ice cream as he persuaded me to (just because I haven't try it so before). Nothing to be acquired abt it really, just a nice, sweet, cool fermentish dessert ;p

The next day, after dinner, while watching Nigella the kitchen goddess, i was reminded by her previous episode (can't remember from which series), which gives me another try out idea with the vanilla ice cream. She was adoring the Asian sweet chilli sauce readily made in a bottle. Looking at the sweet chilli sauce bottle on the table, a smirk fleets on me face ;p The sauce was there for the dip for our steam boat dinner.

The exact sauce

Nigella, you got me! And .... voila!

Looks like raspberry sauce doesn't it? :p

Verdict: I would say the same thing as Nigella did; "You should try it".

p/s: Cream crackers with sambal belacan & curry puff dipped in sambal tumis are fun & scrumptious! ;)

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Now playing: OneRepublic - Stop And Stare
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Aroma-triggered memories

2011-06-07T18:25:00.004+08:00

"Coffee gives me a pain, which is not without desire feeling. “

-Napoleon Bonaparte

When I was ten, I remember looking forward to smelling my teacher every morning at school, haha... Imagine that?! She literally smells of coffee every single time being near her. The smell evoked warmth & pleasantness of being with her.
It made me wonder really, to have the smell works as 'perfume' on you, does she like, have her home fills with wafting steam of coffee brewing in the kitchen every morning before going to work? And of course, she would always have a mug of hot coffee in her hand every time she arrives to class ^_^ I miss you Mrs. Bernstein...

I still admire & wonder abt. it now as whenever I smell coffee, be it at home/ the previous office, it never gives the same effect as I used to have 20 years ago...The smell never lasts long enough.
But at least it still triggers the pleasant memories...of her & now of my office buddies in KayeMeM ;)
I find that I drink coffee more often now... not like 3 or 4 times a day but just, daily in the morning :)

Too much of everything is definitely not good, eh? hehe... I read that caffeine is a diuretic drug. So u need to replenish your body with more water when you take coffee. Caffeine also hinders calcium absorption thus it is advisable to drink it with milk. But I know my buddies would say "Black is better!" I couldn't agree more of course ;p


Gasp...! Coffee at home is abt. to finish!?


Parents' friend got this for us when they went to Vienna


Can you smell it?


Hmmmm...smell it??

S M E L L that

Some private moment, please

Rakott Krumpli (Layered potatoes)

2011-06-05T01:31:00.000+08:00

Eat alongside the salsa

Baked Rakott Krumpli (I didn't fully covered the top)

The 2nd Rakott Krumpli (boiled eggs substituted with steamed eggplant layers & shitake sauce-courtesy of FJ)

Refreshing salsa (too much juice this one :p)

The layering process by Ms. FJ

Saw this Hungarian dish in Food Safari, i think... Except I decided to serve it with salsa, just so something 'green' is on the plate also ;p Well, my family could never have enough potatoes, hehe... Made this twice within 8 days recently. Simply fulfilling! I'm sure you can estimate the ingredients' measurement :)

Sprinkle breadcrumbs (I use oats instead) & chilli powder as the base in a casserole
Layer the sliced steamed potatoes
Layer the sliced boiled eggs/ steamed egg plants
Layer the sliced sausage
Mix fried onions with sour cream (I use whipping cream instead + milk + cheese+1 egg) & pour onto the layered ingredients
Repeat the layers once more & Lastly sprinkle the breadcrumbs/oats & chilli powder again.
Bake at 180c for 10-15 minutes.
Serve with salsa

Salsa

Cutely diced tomatoes & japanese cucumbers
Finely chopped spring onions & cilantro/ coriander leaves
Some sugar & salt
Some black pepper
Lemon/ calamansi juice
Olive oil

Mix all & serve.

Nailed!

2011-06-02T12:16:00.003+08:00

Some time ago it was a prick,
Then it was a slash,
This morning it was a nail
in my own coffin.

A hundred times over
and a hundred times more,
Each time it gets heavier.
It hurts to the core.

Mind over matters,
matters over heart.
Take a deep breath,
to know where to start.

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Now playing: once-falling slowly
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The three in my list

2011-06-02T11:10:00.000+08:00

Berita Harian Online | Peranan editor tingkat budaya membaca rakyat 31 May - 1 June 2011 at MIECC, The Mines, Seri Kembangan

Handled another 3 people actually but luckily for that session the resolutions have been made earlier. So my friend asked me to leave & standby for gift-presentation...

Innalillaahi wa inna ilaihi raaji'uun...

2011-05-14T18:59:00.002+08:00

At 1540; Atuk died...

Alhamdulillah a week before that my parents & I get to see him, get to salam & kiss him... for the last time...

Alhamdulillah it went well... Allah knows best.

Al-fatihah for Atuk

p/s: Nenek still asks of him at times... & Aqis would hold and play with his cane until she falls asleep next to it sometimes...

Teriyaki Eel with Rice @Ice Room, Bangi

2011-05-10T22:26:00.005+08:00

It's been really hot these days...& we can't seem to get the word 'Ice Room' off our minds even tho' our last & first visit there was unsatisfactory (the food).

But we really wanna have some ice! So we went today for lunch at the outlet purportedly showcased in JJCM, TV3 (well, Serina's JJCM frame is on the wall there).

Alhamdulillah, no one complain abt the food we had today. I was the only one who had rice even tho' earlier on i didn't want to as I knew I'd be eating icecream :p But seeing the Teriyaki eel served with rice on the menu, reminded me of my disappointment on not being able to eat it the last time there (unavailable). So i craved for it today.

I like it but i wish they put more than just one little weeny cut of broccoli. I wish they put carrot pieces too like the one I saw from Nilai outlet. I didnt finish the soup as it tastes MSG-y

Funny, i didnt bother to take photos of the ice creams that we ordered :p

p/s: RS informed that there's still no Halal certification for IceRoom outlets. I checked also & it's true... Looks like we have to steer clear from it until then...find another outlet with best icecreams during this hot weather! *sigh* Remembering the JJCM, TV3's frame on the wall there, whylah they did not ensure halal certification before featuring it??

p/s: Bought 8 pieces of Fruttare new flavours recently. So satisfyingly, thirst-quenchingly cool!

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Now playing: Michael Learns To Rock - 25 Minutes
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Michael Learns To Rock @McDonald, Genting Sempah

2011-05-01T18:14:00.001+08:00

Man...30 minutes standing next to them waiting to order...! o_O
They had a concert the night before in Kuantan.

Paint my love, you should paint my love!~

KLIBF 2011 after all...

2011-04-27T01:54:00.002+08:00

I actually went there yesterday... To fulfill our lecturer's invitation to a forum; Malaysia to publish 26K books per year: A challenge or a Problem (trans. loosely). Yea, pity no government rep was there to actually take note of what was being discussed. It was said that on average Malaysia only publish 16K.

The 3 of us (NIM, TSY & me) went together via komuter. Surveyed several booths, I bought 2 books from GaleriIlmu(but both were presents for others :p).

Then we watched Adiputra the whiz kid with Mail XPDC (he was x-Terra Rosa right?) from above (5th floor) while waiting for the forum to start. Mail sang 'Bunga Angkasa' & he got the kid's new book for free?!

Kuala Lumpur International Book Fair 2011

2011-04-24T11:54:00.000+08:00

HOME

I still remember last year's visit with some UBI clan... It was a joy to be together with the seniors; the KU, Nyonya STA, the 'Aunties', & my buddies.... outdoor away from Londang. It was amusing to see the bunch when they were nursing their tired legs, hehe

Can't go there this year... It's final exam & assignment week for me :(

Well, I haven't finish most of last year's books anyway, from the BBW BFair :p

Last day at class...

2011-04-21T18:30:00.004+08:00

& the requested pot luck!

This was what we had to face during 3-hour lecture before the feast!

She made mean spaghetti! Yum!

Oops, sorry girls coz Dr. looks at my camera ;p

"Here's A+ to all of you in exam" ^_^

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Now playing: Bruno Mars Travis McCoy - Billionaire
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Varieties of Choc Gifts

2011-04-19T14:07:00.000+08:00

Simply Sisters Idea

I'm sharing here my friend's sister's home business. The sister is a housewife & has just started it. Why not try?

I might try also some day ^_^

10 Signs It's Time To Quit Your Job - Yahoo! Singapore Finance

2011-04-04T22:02:00.001+08:00

10 Signs It's Time To Quit Your Job - Yahoo! Singapore Finance

Worry if you make the wrong decision? Try wait & see if all the signs take place at the same time.

Now, does that help clear your mind? :)

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Now playing: One Republic All the right moves
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Relieve Stress - Emotional Wellness - Boost Self-Esteem

2011-04-04T19:17:00.001+08:00

Relieve Stress - Emotional Wellness - Boost Self-Esteem - Health Tip - RealAge

A colleague of mine shared with me a mantra,
"Thank You 'Body' for tolerating all the hard work I give you and the abuse I put you through".

This reminds me of a du'a an Ustaz taught that should be recited daily,
"Ya Allah, please don't place me among those who do injustice unto self and unto others ".

How much have we given ourselves and How much should we?

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Now playing: The Fray - over my head
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Life is like Coffee Movie

2011-03-28T23:50:00.001+08:00

Life is like Coffee Movie: "Do you know people that just seem to be happier in general? Do you say to yourself, "I want to be more like them"? Often, the happiest people in the world don’t have the best of everything...they just make the best of everything!"

Courtesy of www.simpletruths.com

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Now playing: Bruno Mars BoB - Nothin' On You
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