on my way back from DC i could have sworn the steward was henry winkler (the fonz from happy days), only older. he talked like him, walked like him and had his hair combed like him. it just reminded me of what a fan i was of the fonz when i was little. he defined cool and set the standard for cool.
ayyyy!
Wednesday, December 31, 2003
Monday, December 29, 2003
SUNDAY SOBS
i spent part of my sunday night crying alone in my room watching armageddon. with my laptop on my lap, a half-empty box of donuts, 2 bags of chips and a 1-litre carton of juice around me on my bed.
i am the picture of depression.
i am the picture of depression.
Saturday, December 27, 2003
D.C.
the orientation in DC wasnt as bad as i expected. in fact lan was right; by the time i had to leave DC i didnt feel like it. and i actually delayed my departure to the airport because i didnt want to come back to pittsburgh so bad. which wasnt a wise move since currently the security level is up to orange alert. i stood in the boarding line for a good 15 minutes and even after all the x-rays, they did a second search on me.
5 days in DC and i met a lot of new people. interesting, i might add. it was 6am every morning and back in bed at 12am every night. the most memorable thing about the orientation would have to be the meals we were provided with every 2 hours or so. i hardly even have 3 meals a day here in pitt, and after those 5 days in DC i realize that i become hungry a lot more often.
suddenly i feel very very incompetent and almost sloth-like. i've been in ever since i returned on christmas eve and have been spending much of my time on my back with the telly on. everything i need is at most 4 feet away and having mel gibson on 24 hours today just makes me happy to stay in bed.
to those who celebrate christmas, hope you had a good one :)
ps: i copied the "perjuangan yang belum selesai" video from kak ayu and en saiful also gave me a cd of pictures that he took during the orientation. message me on my msn if anyone wants it, ok.
5 days in DC and i met a lot of new people. interesting, i might add. it was 6am every morning and back in bed at 12am every night. the most memorable thing about the orientation would have to be the meals we were provided with every 2 hours or so. i hardly even have 3 meals a day here in pitt, and after those 5 days in DC i realize that i become hungry a lot more often.
suddenly i feel very very incompetent and almost sloth-like. i've been in ever since i returned on christmas eve and have been spending much of my time on my back with the telly on. everything i need is at most 4 feet away and having mel gibson on 24 hours today just makes me happy to stay in bed.
to those who celebrate christmas, hope you had a good one :)
ps: i copied the "perjuangan yang belum selesai" video from kak ayu and en saiful also gave me a cd of pictures that he took during the orientation. message me on my msn if anyone wants it, ok.
Friday, December 19, 2003
GOD'S ART
the weather's erratic as always. somehow i'm able to brave the 27 degrees with just a thin coat and no socks. the salt gets in my boots though, and it's pretty annoying that i have to kick my foot in the air to make it go to the back of my shoe. even then, it still annoys my heels, but not as much. one thing i do love about these tame flurries is that the snowflakes come down intact and stay that way until those few seconds after they land on your coat. you can only just make out the intricate spiderweb patterns before they dissolve. it reminds you how great God is.
i'm falling in love with lenny's 'butterfly'. i know i'm 12 years behind the music scene and i'm not exactly miss current affairs, but i honestly love the simplicity of this song. i only wish i had someone special enough to share it with :)
i'm falling in love with lenny's 'butterfly'. i know i'm 12 years behind the music scene and i'm not exactly miss current affairs, but i honestly love the simplicity of this song. i only wish i had someone special enough to share it with :)
Thursday, December 18, 2003
WHO STOLE MY TIME? (And My Coffee..)
i've opted for tea now.
it could be that it's called Rest Assured or that it's been a long time coming, but it surely works and for two nights in a row i've been knocked out cold before the stroke of midnight.
i'll be leaving for DC on friday for an orientation and i'll be spending tomorrow with prof stanton finalizing grades for his class. that leaves me an impossible amount of time to do my laundry. but that's not a priority. people tend not to sweat in winter :p
with all this time on my hands i simply cannot find the motivation to write.
it could be that it's called Rest Assured or that it's been a long time coming, but it surely works and for two nights in a row i've been knocked out cold before the stroke of midnight.
i'll be leaving for DC on friday for an orientation and i'll be spending tomorrow with prof stanton finalizing grades for his class. that leaves me an impossible amount of time to do my laundry. but that's not a priority. people tend not to sweat in winter :p
with all this time on my hands i simply cannot find the motivation to write.
Tuesday, December 16, 2003
PILE ON THOSE CALORIES, MISTER!
my favorite dessert, without a doubt, is apple pie with ice cream and caramel.
Wednesday, December 10, 2003
I ATE SANTA *Burp*
i was walking back from school and this lady was walking right behind me. it wasnt weird at first, but as i walked further, she was still a few paces back and still following me. she could have been heading the same direction. but the creepy thing was that she walked directly behind me even when we were walking down the sidewalk which could fit 3 people walking abreast. i dodged around a bit, which resulted in me looking like i was drunk or maybe doing a little dance, and somehow she did the same. i kept turning back but she had her eyes down the pavement, probably hard at work trying to memorize my steps :p
anyway, somewhere between forbes and south craig she dissapeared.
yesterday during finals they served bagels and other breakfast goodies. everyone ended up having bagels upon bagels on their tables, munching away while they answered the exam questions. this guy kept going to the back of the room to get more and tripped on his way down to his seat; bagels and all flying everywhere. it was quite a hoot. i think i snorted.
by the way, if santa doesnt come round your block this christmas, that'd be 'cos i ate him.
anyway, somewhere between forbes and south craig she dissapeared.
yesterday during finals they served bagels and other breakfast goodies. everyone ended up having bagels upon bagels on their tables, munching away while they answered the exam questions. this guy kept going to the back of the room to get more and tripped on his way down to his seat; bagels and all flying everywhere. it was quite a hoot. i think i snorted.
by the way, if santa doesnt come round your block this christmas, that'd be 'cos i ate him.
Monday, December 08, 2003
THE TORTURE CHAMBER
yes. the torture has begun. in 8 hours time i will be bent over a desk drenched in sweat for 180 minutes of answering sadistic questions on the software development process and all that good stuff.
exams make you hate your major; they don't necessarily make you learn stuff better.
i'm glad i'm not in it alone. everyone i know is working their sweet behinds off and i'm not about to claim that i'm working a lot more than anyone else.
right now i wish i was president.
exams make you hate your major; they don't necessarily make you learn stuff better.
i'm glad i'm not in it alone. everyone i know is working their sweet behinds off and i'm not about to claim that i'm working a lot more than anyone else.
right now i wish i was president.
Saturday, December 06, 2003
CHATTING CATCHING UP
it's snowing pretty heavily outside. no surprise there; it is, after all, december.
however, i did take a walk outside to get a cup of coffee from kiva (where else??). and it was surprisingly pleasant. although the road is fast disappearing under the accumulating snow, there was only a mild wind that could pass off as a spring breeze. with the entire street lit up and decorated with fir and christmas ornaments, i couldn't help but feel the holiday spirit; albeit i don't celebrate christmas myself. no harm in joining in the fun and soaking up the atmosphere, yeah? (^_^)
in the past few nights of sleepless exertions, i have been actively accompanied by endless chat sessions. hats off to whoever invented instant messaging.
while catching up with my colleague En Hasan, i was informed that Pn Khairi has been promoted to e-learning ibm asean level. Congratulations to her. it's very well that they should all be having fun at work while i sit here on tenterhooks waiting for my finals to be over :p.
i also just got off a very girly conversation with kerr and idd. aah.. to be immersed in gossip and feminine banter! sometimes a girl needs her dose of reassurance to celebrate her womanhood (^_^). thanks duddettes... you guys made my night!
now, back to my science paper... and more importantly, my cup of coffee.
however, i did take a walk outside to get a cup of coffee from kiva (where else??). and it was surprisingly pleasant. although the road is fast disappearing under the accumulating snow, there was only a mild wind that could pass off as a spring breeze. with the entire street lit up and decorated with fir and christmas ornaments, i couldn't help but feel the holiday spirit; albeit i don't celebrate christmas myself. no harm in joining in the fun and soaking up the atmosphere, yeah? (^_^)
in the past few nights of sleepless exertions, i have been actively accompanied by endless chat sessions. hats off to whoever invented instant messaging.
while catching up with my colleague En Hasan, i was informed that Pn Khairi has been promoted to e-learning ibm asean level. Congratulations to her. it's very well that they should all be having fun at work while i sit here on tenterhooks waiting for my finals to be over :p.
i also just got off a very girly conversation with kerr and idd. aah.. to be immersed in gossip and feminine banter! sometimes a girl needs her dose of reassurance to celebrate her womanhood (^_^). thanks duddettes... you guys made my night!
now, back to my science paper... and more importantly, my cup of coffee.
Thursday, December 04, 2003
BIRTHDAY BOYS
Happy Birthday my lovely Arif and Afiq!!! two classes ended for good today, and there's only two days left til the end of semester. Finals are next week and i'm more excited than i am scared. Though i doubt i'm prepared for it :p
i'm on my 3rd cup of coffee already and i don't think i'll be sleeping until the 12th. yep, it's that time of year and i'm stocking up on caffeine.
anyway, here's a prototype of an educational software on photography i created. there's still some glitches but i'm not bothering myself to fix them right now. my Lingo programming skills is questionable, i'm proud to admit.
anyhoo, check it out and see if you learn anything from it. if you don't, i'm pretty sure the music will irritate the hell out of you :p
Photography: The Gift of Vision - An Educational Software for Amateurs by Yazmin Islahudin... or if that doesn't work, try this...
Photography.exe
Tuesday, December 02, 2003
FATMA'S 10 THINGS
this is just about the most honest and funnest entry i've read in a long time.
fatma dear, i hope you don't mind that i'm posting your entry here (^_^)
Ten Things I Learn During Thanksgiving Break by Fatma Nazihah
fatma dear, i hope you don't mind that i'm posting your entry here (^_^)
Ten Things I Learn During Thanksgiving Break by Fatma Nazihah
BALIK KAMPUNG PURDUE :)
Alhamdulillah we got back safe from the wonderful trip to Purdue! Purdue people, you are great :D
Raya was not as bad as i thought it would be. I gave myself a treat by skipping my 2 classes and going to the salon (Actually the trip to the salon was an unprecedented emergency. I foolishly lopped off a fistful of hair the night before due to extreme boredom). Then there was all the rendang i helped finish over at K-syu's.
Going to purdue was like going back to kampung. The food was awesome and the density of the malay community hit me like a bullet. It was so fun to see so many malaysians! Best of all though, was meeting up with all my dear friends :D
On saturday i got to see bands performing raya songs and other more guitar laden ones. Then there was the usual scurry for supper at Denny's. if only all veggie burgers were made that way :(
anyway, now i'm back in school, all safe and comfortable in my room, and all i have to look forward to for the next 2 weeks are my finals.
Pray i do well!
Raya was not as bad as i thought it would be. I gave myself a treat by skipping my 2 classes and going to the salon (Actually the trip to the salon was an unprecedented emergency. I foolishly lopped off a fistful of hair the night before due to extreme boredom). Then there was all the rendang i helped finish over at K-syu's.
Going to purdue was like going back to kampung. The food was awesome and the density of the malay community hit me like a bullet. It was so fun to see so many malaysians! Best of all though, was meeting up with all my dear friends :D
On saturday i got to see bands performing raya songs and other more guitar laden ones. Then there was the usual scurry for supper at Denny's. if only all veggie burgers were made that way :(
anyway, now i'm back in school, all safe and comfortable in my room, and all i have to look forward to for the next 2 weeks are my finals.
Pray i do well!
Tuesday, November 25, 2003
Monday, November 24, 2003
Tuesday, November 18, 2003
LOST IN OHIO
i think i'm ready to be rich now.
you see, i have my eyes on a powerbook. it's not something i need. no. not at all. but it's something i really really want. mainly because it's cool. rich people get cool stuff they don't need all the time. which is why i should be rich.
something awful happened on saturday. i went to watch the Sixers play against the Cleveland Cavaliers. We went all the way to Ohio to watch it. it was bad enough that we were surrounded by cavaliers fans, so that we couldnt cheer that much for the Sixers. I'm sure they would have let us, but then again i dont think it was worth getting beaten up for.
and of course the Sixers had to lose that day.
the game ended pretty much around 1030. and the two and a half hour trip back didnt sound that bad since i planned on sleeping anyway. however, the bus driver drove WEST FOR AN HOUR AND A HALF before someone realized that we heading further into ohio rather than heading back home to pittsburgh. what was that all about???!! getting lost is fine, but driving in the opposite direction altogether????!!
so, we ended up taking about 4 hours to reach pittsburgh instead. the best part of the entire journey was when we stopped to eat, only to find that Wendy's doesn't have fish sandwich. So Lan and I pigged on 2 large fries each. i am so close to being a full-time vegetarian.
oh well, it was still an interesting experience. now if someone asks me for a funny story at least i have something to tell. i'm sure a lot of people are tired with my knock-knock jokes anyway :p
you see, i have my eyes on a powerbook. it's not something i need. no. not at all. but it's something i really really want. mainly because it's cool. rich people get cool stuff they don't need all the time. which is why i should be rich.something awful happened on saturday. i went to watch the Sixers play against the Cleveland Cavaliers. We went all the way to Ohio to watch it. it was bad enough that we were surrounded by cavaliers fans, so that we couldnt cheer that much for the Sixers. I'm sure they would have let us, but then again i dont think it was worth getting beaten up for.
and of course the Sixers had to lose that day.
the game ended pretty much around 1030. and the two and a half hour trip back didnt sound that bad since i planned on sleeping anyway. however, the bus driver drove WEST FOR AN HOUR AND A HALF before someone realized that we heading further into ohio rather than heading back home to pittsburgh. what was that all about???!! getting lost is fine, but driving in the opposite direction altogether????!!so, we ended up taking about 4 hours to reach pittsburgh instead. the best part of the entire journey was when we stopped to eat, only to find that Wendy's doesn't have fish sandwich. So Lan and I pigged on 2 large fries each. i am so close to being a full-time vegetarian.
oh well, it was still an interesting experience. now if someone asks me for a funny story at least i have something to tell. i'm sure a lot of people are tired with my knock-knock jokes anyway :p
Saturday, November 15, 2003
BASKETBALL TREAT
i wonder how long a person can be deprived of sleep before they finally crack up and become insane? i know i'm most certainly heading there :p
it's 838am on a saturday and i've been up since 3am. programming, naturally. it's probably not as hard as i make it to be, but then again programming is not something im best at.
i code by my window and it's quite a pleasant thing being able to see the day turn from dusk to night to dawn. i miss the chirping sounds that use to accompany the turn of a new day. obviously the birds are busy packing up to fly south now. it's still a bearable kind of cold. but soon i know i'll be putting on sweaters on top of sweaters and be walking around like a multicolored sack of potatoes. who says winter isnt colorful?
i cant wait for the afternoon to arrive though. i'm heading off to watch a basketball game. woohoo! of course there's the dreaded program i have to trudge over before and after the game. whoop-dee-doo.
so, apparently Idd thinks i am evil. heh heh heh. i have somehow managed to lure her into buying stuff that she most probably doesnt need. i gave her a link to this coat i liked a couple of days back. and she ended up browsing through the net looking for one too. she ended up buying one, while I, didnt get anything. nyahaha, my work is done. Idd girl, have some self control. muahahahahhaa (evil laughter).
to nabe, i love you dearly!! thanks so much for the chicken pie recipe :D. i'll let you kno how it turns out (when i finally do get down to doing it of course :p)
amir, happy birthday!
oh and by the way, i'd like to introduce everyone to some new-comers: my mentor from IBM, Encik Hasan, and of course, Irfan.
take care all, and enjoy the remaining days of this holy month :)
it's 838am on a saturday and i've been up since 3am. programming, naturally. it's probably not as hard as i make it to be, but then again programming is not something im best at.
i code by my window and it's quite a pleasant thing being able to see the day turn from dusk to night to dawn. i miss the chirping sounds that use to accompany the turn of a new day. obviously the birds are busy packing up to fly south now. it's still a bearable kind of cold. but soon i know i'll be putting on sweaters on top of sweaters and be walking around like a multicolored sack of potatoes. who says winter isnt colorful?
i cant wait for the afternoon to arrive though. i'm heading off to watch a basketball game. woohoo! of course there's the dreaded program i have to trudge over before and after the game. whoop-dee-doo.
so, apparently Idd thinks i am evil. heh heh heh. i have somehow managed to lure her into buying stuff that she most probably doesnt need. i gave her a link to this coat i liked a couple of days back. and she ended up browsing through the net looking for one too. she ended up buying one, while I, didnt get anything. nyahaha, my work is done. Idd girl, have some self control. muahahahahhaa (evil laughter).
to nabe, i love you dearly!! thanks so much for the chicken pie recipe :D. i'll let you kno how it turns out (when i finally do get down to doing it of course :p)
amir, happy birthday!
oh and by the way, i'd like to introduce everyone to some new-comers: my mentor from IBM, Encik Hasan, and of course, Irfan.
take care all, and enjoy the remaining days of this holy month :)
Friday, November 14, 2003
TIME GOES ON...
sorrow is such an agonizing emotion. it's puzzling how it can exhaust both mind and body. the past few days have been filled with confusion as i still try to comprehend the tragic event. yet i would be lying if i were to say i am not envious of the two arwahs, for they are surely blessed. (Al-Fatihah).
it is snowing outside, much to my amusement. it's sunny and the wind is blowing at 28mph. almost seems like all the seasons are playing up today. if i had less work and more time i would just sit outside and feel the wind against my cheeks. then again it's too comfy in my chair, now that i've warmed it up.
it's a busy day out there and i am enswathed in indolence. i darent puzzle over what tomorrow brings me.
one thing's for sure though: life is ephemeral, time is incessant, God is eternal.
... and programming is due on Sunday.
it is snowing outside, much to my amusement. it's sunny and the wind is blowing at 28mph. almost seems like all the seasons are playing up today. if i had less work and more time i would just sit outside and feel the wind against my cheeks. then again it's too comfy in my chair, now that i've warmed it up.
it's a busy day out there and i am enswathed in indolence. i darent puzzle over what tomorrow brings me.
one thing's for sure though: life is ephemeral, time is incessant, God is eternal.
... and programming is due on Sunday.
Monday, November 10, 2003
Sunday, November 09, 2003
MOTLEY CREW
there's an interesting mix of people in my photography class: there's andrew the architecture student with his precise and "Architecture Digest" cover pictures. Amul who photographs models (and body parts...hmmm), mark the almost-pro who has only like 4 or 5 SLR cameras, jeremiah the CMU CS graduate who left IBM to study law (what's up with that?), and of course dear ruth, the sweet grandmother who snaps photos of her pregnant daughter-in-law, puppies, little muppets and baskets of fruits :)
the perfect motley crew.
btw, does anyone agree with me that Vinnie Jones is the next Arnold Schwarzeneggar?
the perfect motley crew.
btw, does anyone agree with me that Vinnie Jones is the next Arnold Schwarzeneggar?
Monday, November 03, 2003
SHORTLIVED SURPRISE
how bizarre!
i thought i was late for class this morning. it was exceedingly hard to leave my bed today since i actually did wake up at 5 for sahur. however i did get to class at a reasonable time.
just as everyone was settling in their seats, craig comes in, makes small talk, lets alison announce her charity event held tonight (where KJ summarized it to be somewhat of a "don't give a man a fish, teach him to fish" and where jason replied "dont give a man a duck, teach him to duck") and finally tells us,
"Since it's a nice day outside, I don't think we should be sitting inside. Which is why i'm giving you the day off"
yay! now i can... study... for tomorrow's test?!
i thought i was late for class this morning. it was exceedingly hard to leave my bed today since i actually did wake up at 5 for sahur. however i did get to class at a reasonable time.
just as everyone was settling in their seats, craig comes in, makes small talk, lets alison announce her charity event held tonight (where KJ summarized it to be somewhat of a "don't give a man a fish, teach him to fish" and where jason replied "dont give a man a duck, teach him to duck") and finally tells us,
"Since it's a nice day outside, I don't think we should be sitting inside. Which is why i'm giving you the day off"
yay! now i can... study... for tomorrow's test?!