I've only managed 5 entries since returning from college and that's evidence enough that life doesn't revolve around internet/emails/chatting anymore. When they said working life will change you, they forgot to mention that internet will lose its appeal and that your cyber, ethereal friends have morphed into real, mass and matter human beings with lives other than those you read of in their Friendster.
I guess we're all growing up :)
And to celebrate that, I've moved here in an effort to discern the college me and the grown me (yes, I've grown.. albeit physically and not psychologically :) . Peter Pan, anyone?) so that we don't confuse Yazmin the College Caffeine Hunter with Yazmin the Grave Intellectual Grown-Up Person.
Come join me, it's quite nice here :)
Wednesday, May 09, 2007
Wednesday, September 07, 2005
Potty Harry
I've never been so disappointed in my entire life. Not even when i learnt that a "Bombay Duck" isn't actually a duck, but a fish dish.
I started off reading the latest Potter book late one evening. I couldn't fall asleep so naturally i shuffled to the bookcase to pick out something light. After having re-read the entire Asterix and Tintin collection the last couple of weeks, I decided on something slightly more stimulating. Plus "The Half-Blood Prince" did have a sliver of enchantment to it (even for a book about wizards). Naturally I was hoping the story would play its magic on me as "The Sorcerer's Stone" once had. However, 2 chapters into the book and I was bored to tears at the redundancy of the author's descriptions. Some sentences ran on for whole paragraphs consisting of 4 lines. Most the time I would just skim through her babble and skip pages; I ended up in bed early that night. For lengthy descriptions, leave it to Tolkien (The Hobbit, LoTR) and Arthur C. Clarke (Rama, A Space Odyssey). Chapters 3 onwards proved no better. Nothing significant happened and even the Quidditch matches seemed to have lost its lustre. I found myself simply reading the words Rowling had written and not once did i feel the urge to pick up a broom and fly around chasing after golden snitches.
I totally missed the climax of the story due to the bland events that took place, and was glad (albeit very disappointed, 'cos I'm quite fond of the four-eyed fella) when it ended. If anything, the sixth book is a drawn-out sequence that only sets the stage for the coming book. Hopefully, a better book.
P/S: The Core was on tonight and it looks like a poor reproduction of Armageddon...This is me feeling a little critical >:|
I started off reading the latest Potter book late one evening. I couldn't fall asleep so naturally i shuffled to the bookcase to pick out something light. After having re-read the entire Asterix and Tintin collection the last couple of weeks, I decided on something slightly more stimulating. Plus "The Half-Blood Prince" did have a sliver of enchantment to it (even for a book about wizards). Naturally I was hoping the story would play its magic on me as "The Sorcerer's Stone" once had. However, 2 chapters into the book and I was bored to tears at the redundancy of the author's descriptions. Some sentences ran on for whole paragraphs consisting of 4 lines. Most the time I would just skim through her babble and skip pages; I ended up in bed early that night. For lengthy descriptions, leave it to Tolkien (The Hobbit, LoTR) and Arthur C. Clarke (Rama, A Space Odyssey). Chapters 3 onwards proved no better. Nothing significant happened and even the Quidditch matches seemed to have lost its lustre. I found myself simply reading the words Rowling had written and not once did i feel the urge to pick up a broom and fly around chasing after golden snitches.
I totally missed the climax of the story due to the bland events that took place, and was glad (albeit very disappointed, 'cos I'm quite fond of the four-eyed fella) when it ended. If anything, the sixth book is a drawn-out sequence that only sets the stage for the coming book. Hopefully, a better book.
P/S: The Core was on tonight and it looks like a poor reproduction of Armageddon...This is me feeling a little critical >:|
Tuesday, August 23, 2005
Power-Juicers Anonymous
I developed a cold in the past few days. Most likely to have been caught from Arif, Afiq, Marsya or Nureen. It's easy to catch colds with kids running amok around the house.
Ajim arrived at 10 A.M., just as I was about to nod off, and we headed out to have lunch with the newlyweds, Imaan and Nazmi. Having sniffed all the way up to KL (with Ajim cheekily remarking, "You look so cute with snort dripping down your nose"), I rationally opted for plain noodle soup. It's bad enough that I don't get out often, but to have my lunch choices limited to porridge and chicken broth was really depressing.
When I arrived home, I saw a huge box parked outside my parents door. It had written on it "Jack La Lane's Power Juicer". I know my mum has been eyeing that juicer for at least a year now. She would take breaks from the kitchen in the morning and sit in front of the telly watching all the adverts on kitchen utensils, fat burners, muscle tuners and face whiteners. And at the end of each advert she'd scribble down the number shown on the tv and tell me how good these products are because they're shown to a large audience with a man behind a camera.
Now that my dad has retired and has opted a healthier lifestyle of jogging every other day and cutting down on his sugar, mum must have somehow succeeded in prodding him to pay the RM700 for this nifty contraption. To be honest though, the Juicer has been the most exciting thing we have bought since the Thigh-Burner Bicycle mum and dad bought some 5 years ago (of which less than a year of it was spent using the bicycle).
After dinner dad asked Akak and I to assemble it. (Evidently it takes one pharmacist and one system analyst to assemble a Power Juicer.) Everyone was excited and we all crowded around our new family member. Apparently dad had rushed to the store that evening just to buy RM2 worth of carrots. The 'fridge had already been stocked up with fruits by mum that morning. We started off with carrots.
It took approximately 5 to 6 carrots to fill half a mug and 2 apples to fill the bottom of a glass before the Juicer stalled. I immediately started laughing at the sheer irony of 4 grown-ups standing around a juicer making carrot juice and watching it stall. Mum was adamant that it was supposed to stall for a bit and said that Jack himself had shoved in whole apples, core and all. Not wanting to admit to having spent a fortune on the juicer only to have it break, dad took it apart and made us clean the parts and reassemble it. Thankfully, it started purring again, and out came that apple juice Jack promised.
Although the Juicer stalled the first time, we were all ready to give it a chance. The carrot juice was heavenly and the apple juice, phenomenal. You immediately felt like all your ails were gone and that your body was healthier. Dad and I immediately made a vow to drink carrot juice by the gallon, everyday.
I have a feeling we'll be having just a little too much fun with the Juicer after all.
Ajim arrived at 10 A.M., just as I was about to nod off, and we headed out to have lunch with the newlyweds, Imaan and Nazmi. Having sniffed all the way up to KL (with Ajim cheekily remarking, "You look so cute with snort dripping down your nose"), I rationally opted for plain noodle soup. It's bad enough that I don't get out often, but to have my lunch choices limited to porridge and chicken broth was really depressing.
When I arrived home, I saw a huge box parked outside my parents door. It had written on it "Jack La Lane's Power Juicer". I know my mum has been eyeing that juicer for at least a year now. She would take breaks from the kitchen in the morning and sit in front of the telly watching all the adverts on kitchen utensils, fat burners, muscle tuners and face whiteners. And at the end of each advert she'd scribble down the number shown on the tv and tell me how good these products are because they're shown to a large audience with a man behind a camera.
Now that my dad has retired and has opted a healthier lifestyle of jogging every other day and cutting down on his sugar, mum must have somehow succeeded in prodding him to pay the RM700 for this nifty contraption. To be honest though, the Juicer has been the most exciting thing we have bought since the Thigh-Burner Bicycle mum and dad bought some 5 years ago (of which less than a year of it was spent using the bicycle).
After dinner dad asked Akak and I to assemble it. (Evidently it takes one pharmacist and one system analyst to assemble a Power Juicer.) Everyone was excited and we all crowded around our new family member. Apparently dad had rushed to the store that evening just to buy RM2 worth of carrots. The 'fridge had already been stocked up with fruits by mum that morning. We started off with carrots.
It took approximately 5 to 6 carrots to fill half a mug and 2 apples to fill the bottom of a glass before the Juicer stalled. I immediately started laughing at the sheer irony of 4 grown-ups standing around a juicer making carrot juice and watching it stall. Mum was adamant that it was supposed to stall for a bit and said that Jack himself had shoved in whole apples, core and all. Not wanting to admit to having spent a fortune on the juicer only to have it break, dad took it apart and made us clean the parts and reassemble it. Thankfully, it started purring again, and out came that apple juice Jack promised.
Although the Juicer stalled the first time, we were all ready to give it a chance. The carrot juice was heavenly and the apple juice, phenomenal. You immediately felt like all your ails were gone and that your body was healthier. Dad and I immediately made a vow to drink carrot juice by the gallon, everyday.
I have a feeling we'll be having just a little too much fun with the Juicer after all.
Tuesday, August 09, 2005
Beaches and Cream!
Ahem. My new month's resolution would be to travel within Malaysia more.
My sis and I went to Penang over the weekend for Aida's and Imaan's wedding. It was the first time we had traveled alone together and the second time visiting Penang. It was also the first time we had ever been to a dual wedding :) The wedding on Sunday was grand. Both Imaan and Aida looked amazing. And I caught a glimpse of Nicol David too, heheh.
That Saturday we headed to the beach. It was fun just walking around with our shoes off, digging our toes in the sand and avoiding dead squids and sharp shells brought in by the waves. My sis and I were truly tourists that day, having not been to the beach in so long. At the first sight of the sea I couldn't help but exclaim, "Look! The sea!" We stayed at the beach til just after sunset; all of us sitting on a lone log just staring at the sea and talking random nonsense. Such luxuries are definitely absent in Bangi :) Later we had dinner at a mamak stall with 3 flat-screens. All of which were showing Akademi Fantasia :p The food was delicious and surprisingly cheap. RM2.50 for a bowl of mee rebus? Heaven for the unemployed ;)
The weekend proved to be too short for us since we didn't get to do half the things we planned. But it was indeed worth it and great fun. I can't help but envy those who live so near the beach.
It's no wonder Penangites are passionalte about this small island :)
My sis and I went to Penang over the weekend for Aida's and Imaan's wedding. It was the first time we had traveled alone together and the second time visiting Penang. It was also the first time we had ever been to a dual wedding :) The wedding on Sunday was grand. Both Imaan and Aida looked amazing. And I caught a glimpse of Nicol David too, heheh.
That Saturday we headed to the beach. It was fun just walking around with our shoes off, digging our toes in the sand and avoiding dead squids and sharp shells brought in by the waves. My sis and I were truly tourists that day, having not been to the beach in so long. At the first sight of the sea I couldn't help but exclaim, "Look! The sea!" We stayed at the beach til just after sunset; all of us sitting on a lone log just staring at the sea and talking random nonsense. Such luxuries are definitely absent in Bangi :) Later we had dinner at a mamak stall with 3 flat-screens. All of which were showing Akademi Fantasia :p The food was delicious and surprisingly cheap. RM2.50 for a bowl of mee rebus? Heaven for the unemployed ;)
The weekend proved to be too short for us since we didn't get to do half the things we planned. But it was indeed worth it and great fun. I can't help but envy those who live so near the beach.
It's no wonder Penangites are passionalte about this small island :)
Wednesday, July 20, 2005
Oh, Lazy July...
Nothing much happens during summer when you have no school to rush back to at the end of August :)
Luckily Nureen's birthday is this month. The entire family headed to the UKM football field on Saturday to celebrate her birthday, the conventional picnic way complete with nasi lemak, air sirap, tea, cake, sandwiches, tarts, frisbee and soccer balls.
It was a nice family affair, something we haven't done in the past 10 years or so. Along played soccer with the twins and I was very much reminded of our early years where us 4 siblings would play soccer in our backyard in Norwich. Along and Angah would team up with their friends from school and Akak and I would become goalies. Ah, those where the days. When at the end of each day we would all be covered with dirt, grass stains and scratches.
We spent about an hour feasting and playing games before heading back. Even so it felt like we had spent a whole day outside.
Plus, at 23, playing frisbee and football with 2 and 5 year olds are a lot more exhausting :)
Luckily Nureen's birthday is this month. The entire family headed to the UKM football field on Saturday to celebrate her birthday, the conventional picnic way complete with nasi lemak, air sirap, tea, cake, sandwiches, tarts, frisbee and soccer balls.
It was a nice family affair, something we haven't done in the past 10 years or so. Along played soccer with the twins and I was very much reminded of our early years where us 4 siblings would play soccer in our backyard in Norwich. Along and Angah would team up with their friends from school and Akak and I would become goalies. Ah, those where the days. When at the end of each day we would all be covered with dirt, grass stains and scratches.
We spent about an hour feasting and playing games before heading back. Even so it felt like we had spent a whole day outside.
Plus, at 23, playing frisbee and football with 2 and 5 year olds are a lot more exhausting :)
Tuesday, June 07, 2005
Bangsa kita bangsa beradat, Adap beradap bersopan santun...
Ah the sweet smell of belacan and ikan kering. Home, sweet home indeed :)
My jetlag lasted a week or so. I'd be up religiously at 3 AM only to find my mum faithfully sitting by my feet waiting for me to awake. Then we'd tiptoe to the kitchen for an early breakfast. Or what should be an early tea break since we were still on American time.
Anyway, my first assignment as a graduate student was to MC my cousin's wedding at the Marriott Hotel. I had agreed on doing this months ago, but at the time I was too busy battling with exams and work to realize this was a big responsibility. I was just about to bask in my rightfully earned bum fair when my brother Angah gave me a stack of sample scripts to read before we wrote our own for the ceremony. There were probably about a dozen or so pantuns in the script, all written in formal Bahasa and classic Malay. It couldn't have been worst. Memories of SPM prosa klasik and whatnot came flooding back.
However, we managed a decent script for the ceremony. Naturally, I had to put up with a lot of nonsense from my brother since he's older and gets to bully me. Whenever I'd try to strike a conversation with him to calm my nerves before the ceremony began, he'd shush me and say, "Please Min, no talking. I'm in the zone" and he'd draw an imaginary box around him to punctuate his point. Brothers.
But he did prove to be a great mentor. Thanks Angah for helping me out. I know you had as much fun as I did that night though I know it'll kill you to admit it :p
Anyway, here's one pantun we came across that I really like :)
Jangan diraut mengkuang darat,
Rotan saga dibuat raga,
Ikan di laut asam di darat,
Dalam belanga bertemu juga.
...for the curious, the rest of the pantun from the headline above goes like this...
Bangsa kita bangsa beradat
Adap beradap bersopan santun
Yang tua perlukan pengalamannya
Yang muda perlu dipandu
Agar adat tidak terbuang
Adat yang lama masih dipegang
Tidakkan rugi bangsa tak hilang
Tak lekang dek panas
Tak lapuk dek hujan
Adat dikelek agama dijunjung
Now with that MCing out of the way, I'm officially bumming around with my nieces and eating to my heart's content. I'm currently in the middle of cleaning out my room that I've left in a wreck for 4 years. I just realized I have 2 Michael Jackson cassettes stored at the back of my cupboard and a 'Raw is War' magazine stowed under it. I wonder what other treasures I will find today.
By the way, here are pictures of my graduation. Naturally, my trigger-happy mum snapped about 9 rolls of film :)
Dig in!
Newark
Virginia
Washington
Pittsburgh
New York
My jetlag lasted a week or so. I'd be up religiously at 3 AM only to find my mum faithfully sitting by my feet waiting for me to awake. Then we'd tiptoe to the kitchen for an early breakfast. Or what should be an early tea break since we were still on American time.
Anyway, my first assignment as a graduate student was to MC my cousin's wedding at the Marriott Hotel. I had agreed on doing this months ago, but at the time I was too busy battling with exams and work to realize this was a big responsibility. I was just about to bask in my rightfully earned bum fair when my brother Angah gave me a stack of sample scripts to read before we wrote our own for the ceremony. There were probably about a dozen or so pantuns in the script, all written in formal Bahasa and classic Malay. It couldn't have been worst. Memories of SPM prosa klasik and whatnot came flooding back.
However, we managed a decent script for the ceremony. Naturally, I had to put up with a lot of nonsense from my brother since he's older and gets to bully me. Whenever I'd try to strike a conversation with him to calm my nerves before the ceremony began, he'd shush me and say, "Please Min, no talking. I'm in the zone" and he'd draw an imaginary box around him to punctuate his point. Brothers.But he did prove to be a great mentor. Thanks Angah for helping me out. I know you had as much fun as I did that night though I know it'll kill you to admit it :p
Anyway, here's one pantun we came across that I really like :)
Jangan diraut mengkuang darat,
Rotan saga dibuat raga,
Ikan di laut asam di darat,
Dalam belanga bertemu juga.
...for the curious, the rest of the pantun from the headline above goes like this...
Bangsa kita bangsa beradat
Adap beradap bersopan santun
Yang tua perlukan pengalamannya
Yang muda perlu dipandu
Agar adat tidak terbuang
Adat yang lama masih dipegang
Tidakkan rugi bangsa tak hilang
Tak lekang dek panas
Tak lapuk dek hujan
Adat dikelek agama dijunjung
Now with that MCing out of the way, I'm officially bumming around with my nieces and eating to my heart's content. I'm currently in the middle of cleaning out my room that I've left in a wreck for 4 years. I just realized I have 2 Michael Jackson cassettes stored at the back of my cupboard and a 'Raw is War' magazine stowed under it. I wonder what other treasures I will find today.
By the way, here are pictures of my graduation. Naturally, my trigger-happy mum snapped about 9 rolls of film :)
Dig in!
Newark Virginia Washington Pittsburgh New York
Tuesday, May 17, 2005
Thank you, Pittsburgh
Change is inevitable and can be disheartening, but life is made up of memories - snapshots of success and failures we carry around wherever we go - that adds color and hope to an unknown adventure.
Four years can fly by without you realizing it until the day comes when you need to pack up and leave. I never realized I would become so attached to Pittsburgh and the people I've met here.
The excitement of graduation and the days preceeding it is gradually dissipating,
and now I can finally sit back, reflect, and bask in the fact that I am now a Carnegie Mellon alumnus :)
Thank you, Pittsburgh, for all the memories.
It's been one hell of a ride :)
She welcomed me with loving arms,
From cold, wet Falls to wintry Springs,
And now she waves and bids farewell,
Leaving memories to share, and songs to sing.
Four years can fly by without you realizing it until the day comes when you need to pack up and leave. I never realized I would become so attached to Pittsburgh and the people I've met here.
The excitement of graduation and the days preceeding it is gradually dissipating,
and now I can finally sit back, reflect, and bask in the fact that I am now a Carnegie Mellon alumnus :)
Thank you, Pittsburgh, for all the memories.
It's been one hell of a ride :)
She welcomed me with loving arms,
From cold, wet Falls to wintry Springs,
And now she waves and bids farewell,
Leaving memories to share, and songs to sing.
Monday, May 16, 2005
All good things must come to an end...
Indeed they do. Four years of no regrets but full of great times :)
Congratulations Class of 2005!
Take care, all the best, thank you and god bless...
Congratulations Class of 2005!
Take care, all the best, thank you and god bless...
Friday, April 29, 2005
Riding With Jab
I've been hitching rides with Jab to school this semester. We both have a scandalously early morning class, so for those days I wake up only in time for a cursory face wash and a Listerine gargle, I call him up for a ride.
For the past 2 years I have known him, Jab has been notorious for his court hearings and speed tickets. Rumors had it that he was banned to drive in DC and that his license has been suspended more often than the number of times Bush has said the words "weapons of mass destruction" in a single speech.
On one occasion, Jab had sped down Fifth Avenue just to beat the light. We were about 10 minutes early to class and I wasn't sure whether he was anxious to get to school or if he were suffering from irritable bowel syndrome.
"Wow, what must have those policemen been thinking to take your license away from you.." I began.
"Those policemen were wrong!"
"I'll bet they were."
"I wasn't even speeding!"
"Idiots."
"Yeah, and I had to go to court, man! They haven't even given me my license back"
"Wh..they what? You don't have your license? Right now?"
"Nah. Stupid policemen."
Earlier this morning, I woke up late having studied the entire night with Iron Chef America playing in the background. I call Jab for an emergency ride and he comes swinging by 10 minutes later. We were already late so I figured there'd be no need for a rush. But at the junction of Morewood and Forbes, just as the lights turn yellow, Jab steps on the accelerator and I feel my breakfast sloshing around in my tummy.
"You're crazy," I finally say.
"Why?"
"Because of how you drive!"
"What?? Those people are slow!"
"I think it's called 'abiding the law'"
"Hahahaha!"
Jab's a great guy. He's always offering to take me to malls and once he helped drive me around downtown looking for my Professor's office building when I badly needed a letter of recommendation from him for a job. He's a nice fella and even takes notes for me in class when I fail to show up (it only happened once, I swear).
But he's a pure maniac on the road.
Anyway, as graduation nears, the prospects of ever riding with Jab becomes dimmer. And so, with much appreciation I raise my glass to him for always getting me places in one piece, albeit a little flustered and disoriented.
May you speed with the wind and never lose your grip on the wheel. Cheers!
For the past 2 years I have known him, Jab has been notorious for his court hearings and speed tickets. Rumors had it that he was banned to drive in DC and that his license has been suspended more often than the number of times Bush has said the words "weapons of mass destruction" in a single speech.
On one occasion, Jab had sped down Fifth Avenue just to beat the light. We were about 10 minutes early to class and I wasn't sure whether he was anxious to get to school or if he were suffering from irritable bowel syndrome.
"Wow, what must have those policemen been thinking to take your license away from you.." I began.
"Those policemen were wrong!"
"I'll bet they were."
"I wasn't even speeding!"
"Idiots."
"Yeah, and I had to go to court, man! They haven't even given me my license back"
"Wh..they what? You don't have your license? Right now?"
"Nah. Stupid policemen."
Earlier this morning, I woke up late having studied the entire night with Iron Chef America playing in the background. I call Jab for an emergency ride and he comes swinging by 10 minutes later. We were already late so I figured there'd be no need for a rush. But at the junction of Morewood and Forbes, just as the lights turn yellow, Jab steps on the accelerator and I feel my breakfast sloshing around in my tummy.
"You're crazy," I finally say.
"Why?"
"Because of how you drive!"
"What?? Those people are slow!"
"I think it's called 'abiding the law'"
"Hahahaha!"
Jab's a great guy. He's always offering to take me to malls and once he helped drive me around downtown looking for my Professor's office building when I badly needed a letter of recommendation from him for a job. He's a nice fella and even takes notes for me in class when I fail to show up (it only happened once, I swear).
But he's a pure maniac on the road.
Anyway, as graduation nears, the prospects of ever riding with Jab becomes dimmer. And so, with much appreciation I raise my glass to him for always getting me places in one piece, albeit a little flustered and disoriented.
May you speed with the wind and never lose your grip on the wheel. Cheers!
Friday, April 15, 2005
Drumming Up A (Mild) Storm
My weekly drum lessons have become almost therapeutic. Just the sight of the College of Fine Arts building soothes me. I know that as soon as I step inside, I can escape from being (or pretending to be) the IS student, and be the rockstar, ehem, that I truly am. (Do I hear the sound of snickering out there?)
I discovered within the first couple of weeks that I can be an uncoordinated fool, with arms thrashing everywhere as if I were having a spasm. I might aswell have been foaming at the mouth... But Paul, my instructor, always has something nice to say. He is by far one of the coolest people I've met, always ending his sentences with, "You dig?", to which I would reply tentatively "Err, yeah. I..dig..?" I'm not even sure what I'm supposed to answer to that.
We started the semester with some swing and cha-cha beats. I guess I was doing well until we started drumming to some rock songs...
"Hey, you're getting it!.."
"Thank you, sir"
"...but your snare still sounds a little wuss-y"
"..aah.."
Apparently Paul seems to think I'm a sweet, dainty girl. Every week he'd be saying stuff like,
"You gotta let your inhibitions go!"
"Let your hair down! Go against your nature!"
"Go like this!" (and he'd demonstrate by making a kick-ass metal face) "You dig?"
And so I'd make what I think are metal faces, but they don't seem to help with my drumming. Plus I think I might be freaking him out...
Now, with two more lessons left, Paul is letting me bring tunes I like so we can jam together. It'll be a nice conclusion to a fine semester. And I've been practicing in front of the mirror too. So I hope I'll be able to impress Paul with my best impression of Lars, if not my drumming skills...
I discovered within the first couple of weeks that I can be an uncoordinated fool, with arms thrashing everywhere as if I were having a spasm. I might aswell have been foaming at the mouth... But Paul, my instructor, always has something nice to say. He is by far one of the coolest people I've met, always ending his sentences with, "You dig?", to which I would reply tentatively "Err, yeah. I..dig..?" I'm not even sure what I'm supposed to answer to that.
We started the semester with some swing and cha-cha beats. I guess I was doing well until we started drumming to some rock songs...
"Hey, you're getting it!.."
"Thank you, sir"
"...but your snare still sounds a little wuss-y"
"..aah.."
Apparently Paul seems to think I'm a sweet, dainty girl. Every week he'd be saying stuff like,
"You gotta let your inhibitions go!"
"Let your hair down! Go against your nature!"
"Go like this!" (and he'd demonstrate by making a kick-ass metal face) "You dig?"
And so I'd make what I think are metal faces, but they don't seem to help with my drumming. Plus I think I might be freaking him out...
Now, with two more lessons left, Paul is letting me bring tunes I like so we can jam together. It'll be a nice conclusion to a fine semester. And I've been practicing in front of the mirror too. So I hope I'll be able to impress Paul with my best impression of Lars, if not my drumming skills...
Monday, March 28, 2005
Thursday, March 24, 2005
A Brush With Fate
I was walking home from class late last evening when I bumped into an old friend. I was about to say hi but stopped short because for the life of me I couldn't remember her name. Luckily she was on the phone.
She was walking two or three steps ahead of me and I could've walked right past her to avoid any embarrassing moments. But since she was on the phone I thought it could buy me time. So I tried hard to recall her name.
I remember it was the type of name with two initials like JZ or JT. So it kind of helped. However, I had to decide what two letters they were.
I finally got down to 2 possible names: JC or TJ. Mainly because they just sounded right to me. We had taken a class together about 4 semesters ago and so I knew that these two sounded close enough. So I kept saying both names under my breath, just to see which was more comfortable saying.
After awhile I finally decided to go with 'TJ'. So I hurried my steps to catch up with her to say hi and strike a conversation. At this point she was already at the other side of the road, still talking on her phone. I was just about to cross the road when a white sedan with hanging side mirrors stopped to turn into the junction. It was rattling so loudly that my eyes instinctively looked over at the exhaust pipe.
And there on the carplate were the letters "KJH 18Y".
And suddenly it clicked. KJ!
As it was, her name was KJ. And it also happens to be that her surname starts with 'H' aswell.
I'm a believer of fate, of course. But sometimes such serendipities like this is just downright spooky.
She was walking two or three steps ahead of me and I could've walked right past her to avoid any embarrassing moments. But since she was on the phone I thought it could buy me time. So I tried hard to recall her name.
I remember it was the type of name with two initials like JZ or JT. So it kind of helped. However, I had to decide what two letters they were.
I finally got down to 2 possible names: JC or TJ. Mainly because they just sounded right to me. We had taken a class together about 4 semesters ago and so I knew that these two sounded close enough. So I kept saying both names under my breath, just to see which was more comfortable saying.
After awhile I finally decided to go with 'TJ'. So I hurried my steps to catch up with her to say hi and strike a conversation. At this point she was already at the other side of the road, still talking on her phone. I was just about to cross the road when a white sedan with hanging side mirrors stopped to turn into the junction. It was rattling so loudly that my eyes instinctively looked over at the exhaust pipe.
And there on the carplate were the letters "KJH 18Y".
And suddenly it clicked. KJ!
As it was, her name was KJ. And it also happens to be that her surname starts with 'H' aswell.
I'm a believer of fate, of course. But sometimes such serendipities like this is just downright spooky.
Sunday, March 20, 2005
The Phantom of Pittsburgh
I have been donning a Cavaliers cap all week now, wearing it so low over my face to hide my huge zit that's been threatening to pop. Believe me I'm doing society a favor by wearing this cap. Thankfully, the Cavaliers name printed on it attracts more attention in this Sixers infested city. Sometimes I feel ready to be pounced on by some drunk Sixers fan as I walk to school. To which I would respond to by taking off my cap and displaying my yellow, throbbing pimple. Hah!
Anyway, to continue to carry the baton fatma passed along to me..
1. What is the total amount of music files on your computer?
10.2 GB
2. The CD you last bought?
I only own 4 CDs (I'm a downloading slut muahaha). I think the last one was "Riding With The King" by B.B.King and Eric Clapton.
3. What was the last song you listened to before reading this message?
"Deeper Underground" by Jamiroquai. Hooo yeeaah...
4. Write down five songs that you often listen to or that mean a lot to you.
5. Who are you going to pass this stick to (3 persons) and why?
Nazha - 'cos she always makes up her own lyrics :p I honestly want to know if the songs she listens to have different lyrics from what the rest of us listens to
Izan - 'cos he's a pilot (eh?)
Adzim - 'cos I once saw an Ashlee Simpson CD in his car and am wondering who else he listens to :p
Anyway, to continue to carry the baton fatma passed along to me..
1. What is the total amount of music files on your computer?
10.2 GB
2. The CD you last bought?
I only own 4 CDs (I'm a downloading slut muahaha). I think the last one was "Riding With The King" by B.B.King and Eric Clapton.
3. What was the last song you listened to before reading this message?
"Deeper Underground" by Jamiroquai. Hooo yeeaah...
4. Write down five songs that you often listen to or that mean a lot to you.
- "At Last" by Etta James - you don't need a whole lot of instruments when your voice is as beautiful as this. Plus the lyrics is simple :)
- "New York State of Mind" by Billy Joel - ironic since I've never been there myself (yet), but somehow this song moves me. I make believe he's singing about Pittsburgh :)
- "Life by the Drop" by Stevie Ray Vaughan - it's like a duet between man and guitar. I like.
- "Stranglehold" by Ted Nugent - I think this song is sexayy!
- "Nothing Else Matters" by Metallica - made me pick up the guitar. And Hetfield? Grrr!
5. Who are you going to pass this stick to (3 persons) and why?
Nazha - 'cos she always makes up her own lyrics :p I honestly want to know if the songs she listens to have different lyrics from what the rest of us listens to
Izan - 'cos he's a pilot (eh?)
Adzim - 'cos I once saw an Ashlee Simpson CD in his car and am wondering who else he listens to :p
Tuesday, March 15, 2005
I Love Pi(e)
Back at home, where days are written before months, today (14/3) would be "I Love You" day. 1 being "I", 4 being "LOVE" and 3 being "YOU" (the number of letters correspond to the numbers of the date, for those who need help).
Here, the date is 3/14. Hence, it's Pi Day.
With the help of Math freaks and Computer Science '1337's, the campus pavements have been decorated with the pi number 3.141592653589793238462643383279502884197169399375.... you get the idea..
Anyway, for Math lovers everywhere, here's a reason to celebrate. And if you celebrate 143 instead, take a while to pay respects to your math books with a plate of pie (and a loved one, if you wish).
Cheers!
Here, the date is 3/14. Hence, it's Pi Day.
With the help of Math freaks and Computer Science '1337's, the campus pavements have been decorated with the pi number 3.141592653589793238462643383279502884197169399375.... you get the idea..
Anyway, for Math lovers everywhere, here's a reason to celebrate. And if you celebrate 143 instead, take a while to pay respects to your math books with a plate of pie (and a loved one, if you wish).
Cheers!
Monday, March 07, 2005
Winds of change...
I haven't been to Kiva in so long that John once asked me,
"You're not going to Starbucks are you, Yazmin?"
"Oh hell no, John! I'd never do that to you in Pittsburgh!"
That was our last conversation, about 2 months ago. Today I dropped by again on my way to work and John was there handing his workers his new business card to be distributed to customers.
"What's up m*****f*****?"
"I'm good. Nice to see you too, John"
"We've missed you here"
"Right back atcha..."
I only go to Kiva about once a week now, and even then I just order to go. Plus I've opted for tea and have been abstaining from my usual cup of Milky Way, not too sweet, extra whipped cream, please. My change in taste probably has to do with the fact that I'm getting older. Maybe not. Either way, the change has been good to my wallet.
It's weird how you think you can't possibly live without something, then suddenly find that you can and won't die without it after all. And you realize that change is good, and not all bad. More than anything, I think I'm starting to believe that we are, in fact, creatures of habit. It takes awhile to adapt, but once we do, we can't help but become slaves of our own devices: cravings for coffee, the need for the internet, that strong desire to watch a particular tv show religiously, the obligation to play video games til your hands go numb.
Maybe it's just a way of displaying personality. Maybe we just need the validation of being our own person, and defining our own character. Whatever it is, it doesn't take much to be caught up with life and the things it has to offer.
But while we can accept the fact that developing habits is part of nature, we should remember that life goes on, and changes will definitely take place. Whether you like it or not, that series of Alias is going to end eventually and you're gonna need to find some other show to dote on!
Now most the Kiva crew have become faceless strangers as more of the old ones have started graduating. Mike graduated about a year ago and Ant's waiting for a job offer in Japan to teach english. None of the people I used to exchange silent greetings with are there anymore. People still go about their business as usual, but there's a feeling that times-a-changing.
It's a whole new crew, but with John still commandeering the ship.
...Maybe some things don't change much after all.
"You're not going to Starbucks are you, Yazmin?"
"Oh hell no, John! I'd never do that to you in Pittsburgh!"
That was our last conversation, about 2 months ago. Today I dropped by again on my way to work and John was there handing his workers his new business card to be distributed to customers.
"What's up m*****f*****?"
"I'm good. Nice to see you too, John"
"We've missed you here"
"Right back atcha..."
I only go to Kiva about once a week now, and even then I just order to go. Plus I've opted for tea and have been abstaining from my usual cup of Milky Way, not too sweet, extra whipped cream, please. My change in taste probably has to do with the fact that I'm getting older. Maybe not. Either way, the change has been good to my wallet.
It's weird how you think you can't possibly live without something, then suddenly find that you can and won't die without it after all. And you realize that change is good, and not all bad. More than anything, I think I'm starting to believe that we are, in fact, creatures of habit. It takes awhile to adapt, but once we do, we can't help but become slaves of our own devices: cravings for coffee, the need for the internet, that strong desire to watch a particular tv show religiously, the obligation to play video games til your hands go numb.
Maybe it's just a way of displaying personality. Maybe we just need the validation of being our own person, and defining our own character. Whatever it is, it doesn't take much to be caught up with life and the things it has to offer.
But while we can accept the fact that developing habits is part of nature, we should remember that life goes on, and changes will definitely take place. Whether you like it or not, that series of Alias is going to end eventually and you're gonna need to find some other show to dote on!
Now most the Kiva crew have become faceless strangers as more of the old ones have started graduating. Mike graduated about a year ago and Ant's waiting for a job offer in Japan to teach english. None of the people I used to exchange silent greetings with are there anymore. People still go about their business as usual, but there's a feeling that times-a-changing.
It's a whole new crew, but with John still commandeering the ship.
...Maybe some things don't change much after all.
Thursday, February 24, 2005
Sneakers...or Stillettos?
I was flipping through a friend's photo album when I came across pictures of some girls looking so stylish and grown up. They were your typical 'Versace' and 'Vera Wang' billboard ladies; tall, thin, primped haired smiling girls complete with stillettos and baguettes. Looking at these girls I suddenly felt a little insecure about myself, so i bugged Idd on MSN and asked what she thought....
y a z m i n: u still up ke?
n a d i a h : yes
n a d i a h : why?
y a z m i n: no was wondering
y a z m i n: i oso cos i got exam tomorrow
y a z m i n: huhuhu
n a d i a h : same la, aku ade hw and paper due tomorrow
n a d i a h : bwahahahaha
y a z m i n: hehe ok
y a z m i n: ok wait one question then i leave u alone
y a z m i n: is it better to be stylish, or conservative but ok looking
n a d i a h : dude, soalan yg tak patut tanye
n a d i a h : sungguh abstract
n a d i a h : it can be either one, depends on the person la
y a z m i n: ok
y a z m i n: was wondering cos browsing thru my friend's photo album, i came across a girl i don't know
y a z m i n: but only our age and she's sporting ferragamo's and manolo blahniks and all
y a z m i n: and i realized many people our age are like that
y a z m i n: i kinda feel like a kid trapped in a 23 yr olds body
n a d i a h : wow
y a z m i n: tu aa
y a z m i n: aku cam gelabah pon ada gak
y a z m i n: i feel like i havent grown up!
y a z m i n: i know its trivial
y a z m i n: but it just got me thinking
y a z m i n: is it me that hasnt grown up, or are they the ones trying to be too grown up, too fast
n a d i a h : i have friends like that
n a d i a h : aku selalu rase selekeh
n a d i a h : tp dr kau pakai bende yg kau tak comfortable in
n a d i a h : baik takyah
y a z m i n: dude how can u not be confortable wearing designer clothes
y a z m i n: hahahhaa
n a d i a h : bukan dr segi how it feels on your skin
n a d i a h : dr segi how you feel you look
n a d i a h : paham ak?
y a z m i n: paham dah
y a z m i n: still, the 'woman' in u cant help but feel the want to be like that
n a d i a h : mmg pon
n a d i a h : tak salah kalau kau nak try
n a d i a h : you don't know how you would feel until you try it
n a d i a h : you might like it
y a z m i n: doubtful...
n a d i a h : but at the same time don't feel bad that you're not wearing dresses and heels
y a z m i n: actually this conversation just made me feel better again living in my jeans
y a z m i n: haha
y a z m i n: ok iddy, question answered
y a z m i n: i go read my 8 chapters now!
Yes, it might sound like a silly thing to brood over. But there are times when you can't help but feel envious of those who define the words classy and stylish. Then again, like Idd said, you're more than welcome to be like them too if you want. But if you don't, don't feel bad that you're not wearing dresses and heels.
And just to keep you guys from wondering, yes, i still do dress in jeans, tshirts and sneakers :)
y a z m i n: u still up ke?
n a d i a h : yes
n a d i a h : why?
y a z m i n: no was wondering
y a z m i n: i oso cos i got exam tomorrow
y a z m i n: huhuhu
n a d i a h : same la, aku ade hw and paper due tomorrow
n a d i a h : bwahahahaha
y a z m i n: hehe ok
y a z m i n: ok wait one question then i leave u alone
y a z m i n: is it better to be stylish, or conservative but ok looking
n a d i a h : dude, soalan yg tak patut tanye
n a d i a h : sungguh abstract
n a d i a h : it can be either one, depends on the person la
y a z m i n: ok
y a z m i n: was wondering cos browsing thru my friend's photo album, i came across a girl i don't know
y a z m i n: but only our age and she's sporting ferragamo's and manolo blahniks and all
y a z m i n: and i realized many people our age are like that
y a z m i n: i kinda feel like a kid trapped in a 23 yr olds body
n a d i a h : wow
y a z m i n: tu aa
y a z m i n: aku cam gelabah pon ada gak
y a z m i n: i feel like i havent grown up!
y a z m i n: i know its trivial
y a z m i n: but it just got me thinking
y a z m i n: is it me that hasnt grown up, or are they the ones trying to be too grown up, too fast
n a d i a h : i have friends like that
n a d i a h : aku selalu rase selekeh
n a d i a h : tp dr kau pakai bende yg kau tak comfortable in
n a d i a h : baik takyah
y a z m i n: dude how can u not be confortable wearing designer clothes
y a z m i n: hahahhaa
n a d i a h : bukan dr segi how it feels on your skin
n a d i a h : dr segi how you feel you look
n a d i a h : paham ak?
y a z m i n: paham dah
y a z m i n: still, the 'woman' in u cant help but feel the want to be like that
n a d i a h : mmg pon
n a d i a h : tak salah kalau kau nak try
n a d i a h : you don't know how you would feel until you try it
n a d i a h : you might like it
y a z m i n: doubtful...
n a d i a h : but at the same time don't feel bad that you're not wearing dresses and heels
y a z m i n: actually this conversation just made me feel better again living in my jeans
y a z m i n: haha
y a z m i n: ok iddy, question answered
y a z m i n: i go read my 8 chapters now!
Yes, it might sound like a silly thing to brood over. But there are times when you can't help but feel envious of those who define the words classy and stylish. Then again, like Idd said, you're more than welcome to be like them too if you want. But if you don't, don't feel bad that you're not wearing dresses and heels.
And just to keep you guys from wondering, yes, i still do dress in jeans, tshirts and sneakers :)
Tuesday, February 08, 2005
UPLOADING UPGRADES...
I purchased a 120GB hard drive last semester, and only got around to buying an external enclosure last month. It finally arrived last Thursday and I unwrapped my new AMS Venus enclosure (80mm cooling fan included, hell yeah!) like a kid unwrapping a Christmas present. After I had finished formatting and transferring all my music and movie files into my new hard drive, I sat back in my seat, listening to the content purr of the 120GB Seagate.
On Friday I left for DC to meet up with friends preparing for a mock interview by Petronas. Weeks before, Paddy messaged me asking for resume samples she could look at. Soon all Petronas scholars were busy updating their resumes and filling in job application forms. The sudden change in interest (as opposed to normal gibberish we talk about concerning MTV and VH1) was quite an eye-opener. And quite frankly, also quite frightening. In less than 4 months, we'll finally be stepping into the unknown realm of 'careerhood'.
Yay?
While it's exciting to entertain the thought of no classes, exams, papers or class discussions on a book you haven't read, it's equally distressing to think of 6am traffic, monthly bills, merciless employers and nonexistent midsem breaks. The leap from grade school to high school was a little disorienting, and the leap from high school to college, exhilarating. But college to work? The transition will be so drastic that a catapultic hurl won't promise a sound landing onto the career crash pad (if there are any, that is).
It's times like these you begin to retrace your academic experiences and start looking for the 'Maturity Manual' or the 'Guide To Excelling Before You Turn 20'. And when all you find are 2 copies of 'Green Eggs and Ham' and stacks of magazines discussing 75 shades of lip color, you realize that 11 years in the educational field does not quite prepare you for the real world.
And yet with 91 days left til I leave this comfort zone, I still don't see my copy of the 'Congratulations You're Now Ready To Conquer The Working World' certificate at my doorstep.
Sometimes I wonder if our expectations are too high and that we plough through years of school expecting to be supplied with all the answers. Maybe some things you'll just need to wait for and plunge into with eyes blindfolded.
Facing uncertainty right in the eye with no definitive checklist or instructional Cliff Notes, I can, at the very least, be assured that my machines are constantly upgraded with automatic installations.
On Friday I left for DC to meet up with friends preparing for a mock interview by Petronas. Weeks before, Paddy messaged me asking for resume samples she could look at. Soon all Petronas scholars were busy updating their resumes and filling in job application forms. The sudden change in interest (as opposed to normal gibberish we talk about concerning MTV and VH1) was quite an eye-opener. And quite frankly, also quite frightening. In less than 4 months, we'll finally be stepping into the unknown realm of 'careerhood'.
Yay?
While it's exciting to entertain the thought of no classes, exams, papers or class discussions on a book you haven't read, it's equally distressing to think of 6am traffic, monthly bills, merciless employers and nonexistent midsem breaks. The leap from grade school to high school was a little disorienting, and the leap from high school to college, exhilarating. But college to work? The transition will be so drastic that a catapultic hurl won't promise a sound landing onto the career crash pad (if there are any, that is).
It's times like these you begin to retrace your academic experiences and start looking for the 'Maturity Manual' or the 'Guide To Excelling Before You Turn 20'. And when all you find are 2 copies of 'Green Eggs and Ham' and stacks of magazines discussing 75 shades of lip color, you realize that 11 years in the educational field does not quite prepare you for the real world.
And yet with 91 days left til I leave this comfort zone, I still don't see my copy of the 'Congratulations You're Now Ready To Conquer The Working World' certificate at my doorstep.
Sometimes I wonder if our expectations are too high and that we plough through years of school expecting to be supplied with all the answers. Maybe some things you'll just need to wait for and plunge into with eyes blindfolded.
Facing uncertainty right in the eye with no definitive checklist or instructional Cliff Notes, I can, at the very least, be assured that my machines are constantly upgraded with automatic installations.
Saturday, January 15, 2005
REGISTRATION 101
First week of classes...
As always, the first week is the week where you register for as many classes as you can, attend them, and then drop them after deciding that it's either a) too rigorous, b) has too many assignments, c) has a professor that stares at the students the way an owl eyes a field mouse or d) it's on a day where if you were to drop it, you'd have no classes at all and can celebrate a three or four-day-weekend. Nyaha.
In the pursuit of wanting to have as much fun as possible in the final semester without having to bear unbearable final exams, I painstakingly planned the semester to be undemanding. I think it's the hope of every senior to be able to take classes flagged by others as "easy A" courses. The phenomenon where students target certain professors as being "easy A"-ers has become so popular that a handful of professors have become celebrities amongst the CMU students. Even before the semester begins, the waitlist for these celebrated courses are as long as the maximum amount alloted for the class. And the only thing a student on the waitlist can pray for is that a registered student in that class will fall ill and decide to quit school.
There are other ways, however, to play your cards. You could butter up to the professor and show up anyway (some professors are touched when students are obstinate and want to take their class). Or you can use the "pity card". Such as the one I had played in order to get into a marketing course:
Dear Professor,
My name is Yazmin and I came to your class on Tuesday. I am
currently number 1 on the waitlist and was hoping you could add me into the
class. I really hope to take this course since this is my final year. I
also hope this course will benefit me in the future as a system analyst.
I have met with Kxxxx Dxxxxxx in the English Department, and she says she
can add me to the class after she receives consent from you via email at
xxxxxxxx@andrew.cmu.edu.
I really hope to be a part of this course.
Sorry for the inconvenience and many thanks for your time.
Sincerely,
Yazmin
...to which he replied:
Yazmin,
I'm sorry to say that we are already above capacity for this course, so
we have decided not to add any additional students.
Thanks,
Bill
Of course you can always play the "obstinate-and-very-eager-student" card, in hopes to impress him with your enthusiam to learn...
Dear Professor,
Thank you for replying my email. I understand the situation, however, would it be OK for me to keep showing up with the hopes that a student might drop the class?
Yazmin
...but evidently, it's not a fail-proof plan...
Yazmin,
I discussed the situation with Kxxxx Sxxxxxxxxxxx, who is my faculty advisor for this course, and we decided that if any students do drop the class, it would be best to reduce the size of the class rather than to replace those who drop out with students from the wait list. We currently have 7 more students in the class than we had last year, and I think that 23 students in this class is not optimal for a number of reasons.
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news for you, but I don't want to raise
any false expectations.
Thanks,
Bill
Naturally, I got booted out of the class since it was already full to the brim. On the bright side, that was $117.79 saved on books.
The nature of course registration can be harsh. And if you're not tough enough to bear the ruthlessness that is course registration week, then it's best you take all the classes whose ratings are 1/5.
To those fighting a similar battle, all the best.
As always, the first week is the week where you register for as many classes as you can, attend them, and then drop them after deciding that it's either a) too rigorous, b) has too many assignments, c) has a professor that stares at the students the way an owl eyes a field mouse or d) it's on a day where if you were to drop it, you'd have no classes at all and can celebrate a three or four-day-weekend. Nyaha.
In the pursuit of wanting to have as much fun as possible in the final semester without having to bear unbearable final exams, I painstakingly planned the semester to be undemanding. I think it's the hope of every senior to be able to take classes flagged by others as "easy A" courses. The phenomenon where students target certain professors as being "easy A"-ers has become so popular that a handful of professors have become celebrities amongst the CMU students. Even before the semester begins, the waitlist for these celebrated courses are as long as the maximum amount alloted for the class. And the only thing a student on the waitlist can pray for is that a registered student in that class will fall ill and decide to quit school.
There are other ways, however, to play your cards. You could butter up to the professor and show up anyway (some professors are touched when students are obstinate and want to take their class). Or you can use the "pity card". Such as the one I had played in order to get into a marketing course:
Dear Professor,
My name is Yazmin and I came to your class on Tuesday. I am
currently number 1 on the waitlist and was hoping you could add me into the
class. I really hope to take this course since this is my final year. I
also hope this course will benefit me in the future as a system analyst.
I have met with Kxxxx Dxxxxxx in the English Department, and she says she
can add me to the class after she receives consent from you via email at
xxxxxxxx@andrew.cmu.edu.
I really hope to be a part of this course.
Sorry for the inconvenience and many thanks for your time.
Sincerely,
Yazmin
...to which he replied:
Yazmin,
I'm sorry to say that we are already above capacity for this course, so
we have decided not to add any additional students.
Thanks,
Bill
Of course you can always play the "obstinate-and-very-eager-student" card, in hopes to impress him with your enthusiam to learn...
Dear Professor,
Thank you for replying my email. I understand the situation, however, would it be OK for me to keep showing up with the hopes that a student might drop the class?
Yazmin
...but evidently, it's not a fail-proof plan...
Yazmin,
I discussed the situation with Kxxxx Sxxxxxxxxxxx, who is my faculty advisor for this course, and we decided that if any students do drop the class, it would be best to reduce the size of the class rather than to replace those who drop out with students from the wait list. We currently have 7 more students in the class than we had last year, and I think that 23 students in this class is not optimal for a number of reasons.
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news for you, but I don't want to raise
any false expectations.
Thanks,
Bill
Naturally, I got booted out of the class since it was already full to the brim. On the bright side, that was $117.79 saved on books.
The nature of course registration can be harsh. And if you're not tough enough to bear the ruthlessness that is course registration week, then it's best you take all the classes whose ratings are 1/5.
To those fighting a similar battle, all the best.
Friday, December 31, 2004
A LITTLE PRAYER...
We held a majlis tahlil for the victims of the tsunami disaster today. It's times like these when you fully appreciate having a community that shares the same faith as you do.
Upon returning from the majlis, I spent an hour infront of the screen reading report after report on the calamitous event. I had only been aware of the tragedy a day after it occured, and didn't truly realize the magnitude of the aftermath til yesterday. The Cornwall flood dwarfed in comparison.
Somehow it is incomprehensible to imagine that something so fluid can cause destruction to such extent. Somehow it is incomprehensible that things are fine one minute and they aren't the next.
I was watching Arnold Schwarzenegger's "The 6th Day" a couple of nights back, a story about scientists cloning humans. In one of the earlier scenes, Arnold's pet dog dies and his wife insists that they clone it to prevent their 6-year-old daughter from grievance. But Arnold objects, arguing that the child needs to learn about life and death, eventually.
In some ways, we are spared from making such choices. And that these choices are best left to God. Sitting in a comfortable bed with abundant food stored in my 'fridge, it's easy to be rational. For the thousands who have lost their loved ones and the world that they know of, it takes much more to overcome and persevere.
Hopefully, what little prayer we've uttered for the souls lost and the souls battling for life, will make a difference. Al-Fatihah.
Take care all :)
Upon returning from the majlis, I spent an hour infront of the screen reading report after report on the calamitous event. I had only been aware of the tragedy a day after it occured, and didn't truly realize the magnitude of the aftermath til yesterday. The Cornwall flood dwarfed in comparison.
Somehow it is incomprehensible to imagine that something so fluid can cause destruction to such extent. Somehow it is incomprehensible that things are fine one minute and they aren't the next.
I was watching Arnold Schwarzenegger's "The 6th Day" a couple of nights back, a story about scientists cloning humans. In one of the earlier scenes, Arnold's pet dog dies and his wife insists that they clone it to prevent their 6-year-old daughter from grievance. But Arnold objects, arguing that the child needs to learn about life and death, eventually.
In some ways, we are spared from making such choices. And that these choices are best left to God. Sitting in a comfortable bed with abundant food stored in my 'fridge, it's easy to be rational. For the thousands who have lost their loved ones and the world that they know of, it takes much more to overcome and persevere.
Hopefully, what little prayer we've uttered for the souls lost and the souls battling for life, will make a difference. Al-Fatihah.
Take care all :)
Monday, December 20, 2004
BEAUTIFUL 4 YEAR OLDS :)
Happy 4th Birthday (Dec 4th) Arif and Afiq!
...and Happy Hari Raya to Marsya and Nureen, since you're in the picture too :p
Marsya, Nureen and birthday twins Arif and Afiq :)
Here are my lovely nephews and nieces, collectively known as The Fantastic (Mischievous, more like :p) Four!
Hugs!
...and Happy Hari Raya to Marsya and Nureen, since you're in the picture too :p
Marsya, Nureen and birthday twins Arif and Afiq :)
Here are my lovely nephews and nieces, collectively known as The Fantastic (Mischievous, more like :p) Four!
Hugs!