WaWaWa…

Sadly…

I won’t be blogging anymore…
Here that is.. Hehe…

I’m moving to blogspot…

http://mimcoffee.blogspot.com/

Come on over & spread the love! Haha!

Cheers!

When I was a kid, I’ve always dreaded Ramadan. Cannot eat, cannot drink, so tiring, not much to do, and the list goes on and on… But as I grew older, I’m becoming to love Ramadan… So much so as I was even sad when Ramadan ended each year for the past two years. Couldn’t really explain what it is about Ramadan that I love, but I just do.  Maybe I’m just getting older… Opppss.. More matured…
 

This year’s Ramadan for me is kind of exciting, very much anticipated and a li’l bit scary. I’m faced with a new challenge. This is my first time (in 28 years of my life) that I’ll be fasting in a foreign land. (Cuak ahhh!!!! Huhuhu…) Some of my non-muslims friends freaked out when I told them I won’t be eating & drinking for half a day for about a month. Most of them said they’ll die the very first day. I know there’s more to it than not eating & drinking. I hope I’ll be just as strong as I have been all these years during Ramadan. InsyaAllah…

What is Ramadan?

“Ramadan is the holiest month in the Islamic Lunar calendar. It is a time of spiritual and social rejuvenation and bonding for believers globally, through the ritual of fasting. Although perceived to be somewhat austere, fasting on the other hand is looked upon by Muslims as one of the pinnacles of their devotion and love for God. The month of Ramadan thus facilitates as a personal retreat for believers, who are encouraged to better themselves spiritually, physically and socially.

Ramadan varies between 29 and 30 days each year, due to the Islamic calendar which follows a lunar cycle. Consequently, the Islamic calendar moves back 10 days every year and thus Ramadan starts on a different Gregorian date each year.

Ramadan serves as a positive physical challenge each year. Throughout a Muslim’s lifetime, Ramadan will fall both during winter months, when the days are short, and summer months, when the days are long and the fast is more difficult. Accordingly, it is a test of devotion, in which physical endurance mirrors the inner spiritual state, which a believer constantly strives to improve.”

Taken from:
http://www.ramadan.com.au/

I guess that sums it up.

Mohon dimaafkan segala salah & silap daripada semua & semoga segala amalan kita di bulan Ramadan ini diberkati & dirahmati.

Missing everyone at home & home so much!!! Lots of love!!!

Have a great Ramadan & Selamat berpuasa everyone!!!

As I’m sitting on my desk, pondering my options on a Friday nite; read and study or just go to bed, I had an unexpected, not so bad of an entertainment. To my ears that is. Some guys in the unit above of mine decided to have a jamming session. They are really not bad at all. Of course they did hit some bad notes at times. But, I do know it’s not easy to play the guitar whilst trying to sing. But they indeed made my night. I ended up just putting my feet up and listening to them for  an hour or so. Starting from Wonderwall from the Oasis, to the Eagles’ Hotel California, Yellow and the Scientist by Coldplay, Red Hot Chilli Peppers’ Under the Bridge,  to a whole other bunch of evergreens, classics and new tunes. I enjoyed it very much. Thanks guys! Whoever you are. I do have a bit of them on my mobile recorder… Huhuhu.. Wanna hear them? Nah, I’ll just keep it to me self… Heh…

As entertaining as it is, it did make me miss my guy back in Malaysia. He used to play me songs on the guitar, and yes, with attempts to sing as well. Hrrmmm… I only have one video of him singing and playing the guitar. I guess it’s becoz most of the singing & guitar playing was through the phone. Huhuhu… Anyhow, I’ve always loved it. It’s like, “A dude’s playing a tune for you, girl! How cool is that??!!” Haha..for me that is… It’s like being in cloud nine or something. (Di awang-awangan gitu!!!Hahaha!!!) He even wrote a song for me! Eceh!!! Huhu! Miss him so much. Oh well. I guess I just have to live with it. The past week was kinda crap but it’s all really up to me, I think. If I can make myself feel good, everything’s gonna be just great anytime, anywhere. InsyaAllah.

It was 2 weeks ago but it’s never too late!! Heh…

We were not allowed to take pictures. So, this will have to do, eh…

It was so much fun! Thanks to Aya for her lovely company. Wouldn’t be much fun if I was to go and watch it alone. Huhuhu…

Suddenly had teh urged to blog something out…

Hhrrmmm… There’s so much that I feel I wanna share, but I don’t think I should… It’s just my emotional, negative, not-thinking-straight mind of mine doing it’s not so good thing towards me. What??!! Heh… What I know for sure is that, I’m in need of a dose of MILO AIS, and everything would be just great! Hahahaha…

Eventhough people often say; Home is where the heart is… Rindu lar… Huhuhu… ^_^

Considering my “sour-grape” mood this morning, today turned out to be a great day after all. One of the most productive as well (for me that is… ) Alhamdulillah. My ‘babies’ are growing happily and healthily as on 9 pm tonite. I went to check on them as I just can’t wait till tomorrow.. Hehehe.. I just cultured them this morning!
Anyways, today is a public holiday for Queenslanders. It’s Labour Day! My rommies slept in but I just couldn’t. So much stuffs to do!!! Huhuhu… The day started with a sudden downpour that lasted maybe about 10 minutes or so around 6 am. Nonetheless, it was bright and sunny all through the day. After a shower, I had breakky, went to the lab until noon and came back home for lunch. By the way, I cut my finger while chopping onions for my curry! Ouch!! Didn’t see that coming!! When Rhea finally put on a band aid on me finger, I soon realized that I haven’t much time left. I’ve planned to go to Brisbane and I have to get going by 2 pm. I ended up eating an apple for lunch at the bus stop. Huhuhu… Oh well, chicken curry will just have to wait till tomorrow!! I arrived at Brissie Central at 4:45 pm and went straight to Hilton at Elizabeth St. It wasn’t really that difficult to find. I think I’m getting the hang of downtown Brissie! Eceh!! Anyways, Hilton Brisbane was… Well, unlike my UniCentral! Ahakss! It was grand… It’s been quite a while since I’ve been in a hotel. Let alone in Oz. Oh yeah… I met up with my beloved Prof Khatty. I had a really really great time. A treat of fish & chips for dinner and an exclusive invite to her hotel room! We did lots of catching up and heaps of laughs. After Maghrib prayers and chilling at the hotel room for a bit, it was time to go.. There’s only 1 train left for the night back to Sunny Coast, so I have to catch that train or I won’t be able to get home! Prof. walked me to the station and we said our goodbyes. Pity we had too little time. I wish I could stay longer and hangout a bit more. Huhuhu.. Oh well, come to think of it, Prof. needs her rest as well. I wish her all the best in her work and lots of love. I almost canceled my meeting with her but I’m really glad I didn’t!

Today, I also re-read “The Secret” during my train rides. It’s been a while!! I’m going to start attracting good stuffs more and always as I used to. Huhuhu!!

Cheers!!

Huhuhu… I’m so not in the mood to blog for more than a month now. Well, I have so much stuff in my head to be blogged out but I guess I never got around in actually doing it. It’s just one of those moments when you just don’t feel like it. You know…??!!! Heh…

Anyways, a week before Easter, Mike and Yan successfully persuaded me to go to Sydney for Easter Break. I was quite busy with experiments and didn’t really plan for a long break. I was also planning to go to Gold Coast or somewhere with Aya, but they are willing to sponsor my airport transfer; an offer I can’t resist!!! I’m really glad I went to Sydney though. Missing Yan & Heathcote so much now!!! Huhuhu…

I was camping at East Beach in Kiama for the long Easter weekend. It was loads of fun!!! The beach was nice and the company was great!!! On top of the BBQ food, jaffles and instant noodles, there were lots and lots of chips, snacks, dips, chocolates, chips, dips, Easter egg chocolates, dips, snacks, chocolates… Hehehe.. You know what I mean…??!!! Phase 10 and Squidler were the two card games we played during that weekend. Tonnes of fun!!! I suddenly remembered I made people cried amidst the fun and laughter. Huhuhu… Sorry Bro!!! Well, I was crying too!!! Hahahaha…

Let's go camping!!!

East Beach from up the hill....

East Beach... (Sori ye, senget la plaks..huhuhu...)

I spent the rest of the week with Yan. After sending off Mike to the airport, we basically ate, watched the television, cooked, ate some more, cooked some more, watched TV shack, shopping at ALDI, Yan cooked Laksa Johor and baked a cake, bought chicken wings & drumsticks, went to Miranda Fair, made biscuits, buat kuih seri muka, went shopping at Salvo’s, tried to finish all the food, and on and on…. Hehehe.. Well, Yan did go to work (Booo!! Hehehe…). I also did some studying (Errkkk…tiny winy bit!!! Isshhhh!!!), and help around the house (OKlah… huhuhu…). I also learned how to knit from Imelda!!! So excited to start on my knitting project!!! Yeehaaa!!! Huhuhu… I so love Heathcote & the Shire!!! Ahaksss…

Chicken chop with egg... (It Roo style?? Hehehe...)

Chocolate Banana Bread... Yummy!!!

Sweet patato soup & bruschetta...

Freshly baked bruschetta...

Anzac cookies (Malaysian version.. Ahakss..)

I went back to Sunny Coast on Tuesday evening. Sydney Airport’s T2 terminal was packed. So was my flight. I sat beside an elderly lady with her grandson. She’s friendly and it turns out she dreads flying. Scary she said. I tried to get some sleep but couldn’t. I end up chit-chatting with Mary instead. We landed in Maroochydore airport 10 minutes earlier than scheduled and everyone was in a hurry to get off the plane, but not me and Mary. We decided to let others off first. As I was innocently sitting at my seat, THUMP!!! A laptop hit the left side of my forehead!!! Adoiii!!! Well, I didn’t say Adoi! I think I just cried out an Ahh! sound… Huhuhu… It fell from the overhead compartment right above me. It was a middle-aged man’s laptop. Errmm…come to think of it, he didn’t apologize to me. Well, it’s not really he’s fault. It’s not really a biggie, I just felt like sharing my first experience of having a laptop dropped on me forehead. Hope it’s the last!! Huhuhu… It’ll be awesome if it actually fell on my lap and it could actually be mine!! (Malay saying – Macam bulan jatuh ke riba!!! Hahaha… pastu dapat laptop tu trus!! Bestnyerrrr!!! Hahahaha.. Berangan!!!) Ahaksss…

Sunny Coast is not as cold as Sydney!!! Thank God!! Huhuhu… It’s really nice to see my bed and be at a very familiar place. I guess I’ve missed Sunny Coast!!! Heh… I’ve started my work in the lab on Wednesday. After 6 hours of labwork, I got really really tired!!! Huhuhu… After I finished my work, I went to the Grad Centre to get my things and stopped by at the library for a while. It was around 4 pm and just as I was starting to walk back to UniCentral, I realized I did not have my gold rings with me!!!! I was stoked!!!! I went berserk and without thinking, went to the lab and of course, the rings weren’t there. Then, I remembered that I did go to the toilet at the Grad Centre’s building and I think I did take off my rings as I was washing my hands. Alhamdulillah, even after more than 30 minutes, they were still there!!!! Panik gilerrr!!!! Huhuhu… I can’t imagine if they are not there! Errkkk!!! Don’t wanna think about it!!!

Last but none the least, we have an inspection tomorrow!!! Yes, our unit’s cleanliness will be inspected, including our rooms and en-suites. I’m suddenly reminded of my boarding school days! Hikhik… We received e-mails from the administration of UniCentral that actually tell us about the inspection dates and what we have to do. We have to actually defrost our freezers, clean the microwave, the oven and make sure everything is neat and tidy. Should they feel that our unit is not clean and tidy up to their standard, we will have to pay! Literally! We will be fined. I couldn’t really remember how much. Whatever it is, I wouldn’t want to give them more money than what I’ve been paying every week. Huhuhu… We did our cleaning up of the kitchen and common room this morning. Quite tiring!! Penat seh!!! Hahaha… That reminds me! I do need to clean my en-suite. Well, it’s not dirty at all; it’s just a bit dusty. Abandoned for almost 2 weeks. I guess that’s what I get! Heh…

I can’t wait to be back in Sydney in June-July!!! InsyaAllah… Hehe..

Peace! ^_^

See you later!!! :)

30 days… That’s how long i’ve been in the land down under. I’m still missing home at times. I miss him so much..always.. Ahakss… And I’m starting to miss Malaysian food nowadays. Huhuhu.. (Hari tu eksyen dgn Yan.. Yan suruh bawak rempah kari, etc, Wa tak mau. Padan muke!! Huhu..)

15 days… That’s how long I haven’t had any meat except fish. I’ve been having lotsa fruits and vege too. Yup, very healthy eating! (Konon..nak sedapkan hati..ish..heh..) I’ve also realised that I do not have limited internet access. My daily donwloads are 50mb. Quite a lot considering anything i download i.e. journal papers through the uni’s databases will not be counted in the 50mb. To start of, I was given 500mb of downloads. OK lah… I also have a workplace and a PC in Grad Centre. A room only for research postgrads. Really cool!! With our own pantry that has fridge, microwave, etc and has a phone, a photocopy machine cum printer and scanner, and I can use it all for free. Yippee!!!

5 days… to Brisbane.. Yup, baru nak pergi. Will be going to Brisbane (UQ) for a Welcoming BBQ. Can’t wait to see Su and speak Malay language! Hehe… And before happy times in Brisbane, I have to submit my writing to my advisor. Errkkk.. So, i think i do that first. Will definitely update me blog soon. InsyaAllah.

Pray for me all!!! Jya mata! Hehe…

Salam…

Hi peeps…huhuhu… I’ve posted this entry at my facebook notes too. Ok lah… 2-in-1 and also, I do have limited access of downloads i.e. internet access. That really sucks!!!

Well, I’ve officially done with my second day of orientation today. Huhuuu! Yesterday was all about international students. It was ok. We had sessions mainly in the lecture theatres. Today, it was a fairly busy day. All 1^st year students turned up. It’s a bit intimidating at times. Being alone most of the time and, I was the only one with headscarf. Anyhow, we had an all student induction ceremony. There was a welcoming dance from the Gubbi Gubbi dancers. They are the aborigines of the Sunshine Coast. It was very interesting. Then the VC gave his welcoming speech and it seems that the security people in this uni are one of the most important people we should get to know. This whole orientation program is unlike in Malaysian uni. First of all, there are the clothes. Here, you can wear practically anything. Jeans, shorts (like, really really short shorts!), sleeveless t-shirts, miniskirts, doesn’t matter if it’s not a collared t-shirt for guys, and I thought I saw some guys with what looks like boxers shorts. Huhuhu… And then there’s the thongs, sandals, and just about anything. It doesn’t matter at all. Yeah yeah… I’m a bit jakun! Anyways, the MC for the ceremony was a funny guy. He dances on stage! And of course there are the jokes he makes about the VC, lecturers and fairly important people in the uni. Yup, I’ve learned that here, they can make jokes even about their PM on national tv. And yes, the VC sat on an ordinary plastic chair, just like all of us. No special comfy sofas or anything! Hhhrrmmm…

Well, I’m currently staying in a student accommodation, UniCentral. Apartment concept with 4-ensuite-bedrooms with kitchen, laundry area (with washing machine & dryer… ), lounge with tv & dvd player, and dining area. I have a local girl, a Japanese girl and a German girl as my roomies. They all seem really nice; friendly, considerate and easy to talk to. All good for me. It takes me about 5-10 minutes’ walk to the main campus. Love it! And tonight, as I’m writing this, there is a welcoming BBQ party going on at the pavilion (like a gathering place for parties & stuffs) very near to my room. Yeah, I can hear the loud music and people talking and laughing and obviously having fun. So, why am I not there? Well, I thought I should attend it in respect of the organisers and widen my social skills, but, it’s not wrong in not going, right? I don’t know. I can handle the loud music and being thick-skin and talk and smile to all the other students but I don’t think I want to. And there’s also the drinking. I don’t think I want to even go there. Besides, I can’t even enjoy the BBQ which smells really good!!! Or, is it my age??? Huhuhu…

Thinking and writing about all these things makes me miss home so much. It’s hard not being able to do and have what I’m used to back home. L I have to go back to my room every time for prayers because the uni doesn’t have a proper prayer room and the uni people are still in the means of getting together a room. The sessions do not allocate time for praying, so it’s all up to you. I still haven’t found a halal butcher shop nearby. I miss my car and being able to drive. It’s a 25 minutes’ walk to get groceries and my shoulders are aching due to heavyweight lifting. Huhuhu… and I do get stares and people don’t really want to talk to me. Well, that’s just maybe me but yeah… I think I’m a little bit homesick. Booo!!! Huhuhu…

However, there are people who are very kind to me from the beginning. There’s my lovely supervisor. She really takes care of me but I just don’t want to trouble her so much. The uni’s staffs are always so friendly and helpful. There are also students who are kind and welcoming. Some of the locals I met around here are also not so bad. Nowadays, I can still hear the athan (azan) from my laptop whenever I’m in my room for calling of prayers. It’s really cool because I kind of missed it as I could hear the nearest mosque athan from my room back home. And Azif often calls me up and I can speak Malay then. There is also of course my sister, Yan, which really makes me feel that I’m really not that alone here. She really showed me how to survive in a foreign land. Finding practical spaces in the shopping mall to pray, cook Malaysian food the easiest way and using whatever is available here and then, and at all time try as hard as you can to be a practical good muslim in a majority of non-muslim society. I know now not to take for granted the privilege we have as a Muslim country especially in Malaysia. On that note, I’m going to go find other Malaysians nearby. I’m going to plan a trip to Brisbane soon. InsyaAllah.

PS: I’ve uploaded some pictures of me in Oz and around and about the Uni at facebook. Enjoy!

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=62294&id=697177908&l=2c93f

First thing’s first. I’m not working anymore = No (fast and unlimited) internet connection no more… :(  Anyways, i’ll usually borrow limah’s celcom 3G modem and connect to the internet. Briefly. Huhuhu… Ok lah…at least something. So, it’s already been 2 weeks of me not working and so far, it’s been great. I get to have my sleep-ins, a day of doing nothing, reading storybooks all day, going to shopping malls on a working day (means no need to brave myself through crowds. Totally haven!!!), forgetting what day it is, playing with my nieces and nephews during the day, staying up as late as i want, get some cleaning done and eat at any time of the day…hehehe…

Limah is not working today and she’s out with her girlfriends, hence giving me a chance to go online a bit longer.. I didn’t really plan to update my blog but considering i don’t wanna hurt the feelings of a pregnant lady (hehehe…), Why not??!!!… :p

Yan tagged me (Sorry, tak sempat nak bace blogs, lambat skit la respond) and here I go!!

Rules:

Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird. Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs. Let them know they are tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

1. I tend to be irritated and annoyed by people who mess up my stuffs (especially which i personally bersungguh-sungguh kemas). I think most of my siblings know i’m a tidy-up freak. I like to tidy up (mengemas). But of course, i have my ’malas’ mode and with age, i tend to be less concerned on this matter. However, when it comes to having lots of things to be stuffed in a not so big bag, call me!! *wink2* Can also ask my eldest sister for reference. Haha!!

2. I do make sure my clothes’ pegs are the same colour in a row most of the time. But that’s it. I don’t go to the extend of having the same category of clothes in a row hanged to dry (like my dear sister, Yan.. Serious ke??? Wa baru jek tau…huhuhu…).
3. I love to sleep!!! It comes with the ‘golek-golek’ also lah… I’ll choose sleep over food.. Boleh???!!! huhuu…

4. I can sleep anywhere, anytime if i’m really sleepy. Head on the table, lying so uncomfortably on the floor, with the lights on, with the yelling and screaming of my nieces and nephews on the background, sitting down, on the bench at the park, in the car, waiting for my number at the bank… You name it! Ish2…

5. If i’m watching tv and really concentrating (which i do most of the time), i don’t really hear or actually realize when people are talking to me. Or is it because i can’t?? Hhrmm… Well, I don’t mean to be rude, but i guess that’s just how i am… Is it bad?? Hhrmmm…?

6. I sometimes lack self confidence. I think i still am experiencing inferiority complex.. How arr?? huhuhu…

7. I still kinda own a ‘bantal busuk’…  Well, i don’t exactly owned it since i was a baby or anything. I had it when i was 13. Papa bought it for me (well i think i was the one who wants it) when i was going to attend boarding school. We where actually looking for clothes, pails, etc. No intention at all whatsoever to start having my own bantal busuk!!! huhuhu… It’s been 14 years now and it goes everywhere i go. It actually became my comfort zone and my bestfriend. Haha!!! Desperado la plak bunyi nye!!! However, i can definitely sleep if it’s not around. Then again, i guess old habits die hard, huh?? I wanted to put a picture of it, later lah…

I think that’s about it. I’m not tagging anyone. A bit malas lah.. (Yang sebenarnye, i just heard Alol came back from buying murtabak!!! hehehe… I need to act fast!!!nanti abes!!!!)

 Chalos everybody!!! Till next time!!!