Today's itinerary...
Rise and shine at 0825hrs today.
Bathed at 0840hrs.
Put on my clothes at 0845hrs.
Left home at 0850hrs for my visa application X-ray appointment.
Appointment at 0900hrs.
Walked home.
Bought post-its at Officeworks.
Grocery shopping at Woolworth's (It's almost a week, last time was Monday).
Bought round steak meat, gravy meat and chicken thigh fillet at Cringila.
Home by 1130hrs.
Had a humungous bowl of Milo cereal.
Nap till 1430hrs (Had a headache since morning, too much studying).
Kak Long cooked sambal goreng for me.
Big Boboy Poji attempted to cook lemon chicken for me. Turned out quite well.
Lunch at 1500hrs.
Studied till 2030hrs.
Dinner - sambal goreng and lemon chicken again.
Watched Oprah 'Friends Farewell'.
Watched The Apprentice.
Update my blog - now.
Talking to Suwaii on MSN Messenger.
Study soon.
Hopefully will last till 0500hrs...
Troy
Watched Troy at the movies today... the way Achilles jumped and attacked his enemies, style ah!! Macam main arcade game gitu...
Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz...
Goodnight my friends, wherever you may be... Singapore, Australia, Turkey, China, Norway, Indonesia... zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz...
BornDay!!!
28th May 2004 - It was Big Boboy Poji's birthday... (I shall not mention his age, hmmmm... I think he's 23...) Dia tengah tido macam baby ni skarang... Anyway, coordinated with some friends and organised a small birthday surprise for him. There was chocolate cake equipped with candles, and what is a birthday celebration without his favourite food - roti kirai and curry ayam... and of course teh halia to wash it all down. Happy Birthday Poji!!!
Language barrier... different accents
Was walking to the carpark with my Aussie mate the other day when he asked me what car I was driving. I answered Mazda 'Shades' and he immediately looked bewildered and amused. He asked me a few times in order to clarify my answer and again I answered Mazda 'Shades'. Initially he was smiling but then he started to laugh uncontrollably. He said he never knew someone could hate their car so much. Knowing the Aussie slang (their 'a' is normally pronounced as 'ay'), I had a first hand experience of how different accents could end up in a comical situation. Guess what??? He heard me saying Mazda 'Shits' all along...
Yeayyyy but No yeayyyy...
Attended my last lecture for the semester this morning... Yeay!
Now will have to study hard and attempt the exams... No yeayy!!
A Hooded Woman's Prayer
Author Unknown
What do you see when you look at me?
Do you see someone limited, Or someone free?
All some people can do is look and stare
Simply because they can't see my hair
Others think I'm controlled and uneducated
They think I am limited and unliberated
They are so thankful that they are not me
Because they would like to remain free
Well, free isn't exactly the word I would've used
Describing women who are cheated on and abused
They think that I do not have opinion or voice
They think that being hooded isn't my choice
They think that the hood makes me look caged
That my husband or dad are totally outraged
All they can do is look at me and fear
And in my eye there is a tear
Not because I have been stared at or made fun of
But because people are ignoring the One up above
On the Day of Judgment they will be the fools
Because they are too ashamed to play by their own rules
Maybe the guys won't think I'm a cutie
But at least I'm filled with more inner beauty
See, I have declined from being a guy's toy
Because I won't let myself controlled by a boy
Real men are able to appreciate my mind
And aren't busy looking at my behind
Hooded girls are the ones really helping The Muslim cause
The role that we play definitely deserves applause
I will be recognized because I am smart and bright
And because some people are inspired by my sight
The smart ones are attracted by my tranquility
In the back of their minds they wish they were me
We have the strength to do what is right
Even if it means putting up a life long fight
You see, we are not controlled by a mini skirt And tight shirt
We are given respect and never treated like dirt
So you see, we are the ones Who are really free and liberated
We are not the ones sexually terrorized & violated
We are the ones that are free and pure
We are free of STDs that have no cure
So when people ask you how you feel about the hood
Just sum it up and say, "Baby, it's ALL good!"
Woolworth's
I achieved sumthin major last week...
One that was beyond my imagination...
One that in the past I could only dream of...
I went to Woolworth's to do my grocery shopping only once in 7 days!!!
In the past I used to go there at least every alternate nights, but I told myself to refrain and restrain, from the temptations of grocery shopping. There's nothing much to do here, and since Woolies would be the only place open till late, buying groceries became a direct substitute of prata and teh tarik. There will always be an excuse to go there even if I have just spent the previous night buying what I thought would be all that I needed. But no no no, there will always be and there always has to be sumthin else that I can buy there...
Wonder if I can continue maintaining this achievement in the future... let's just start with this week and see how it goes... mmmmmmm, feel like buying some muffins...
More food...
Today we attended a birthday gathering. There was popiah, roti kirai, curry ayam, curry lembu, nasi ayam... I realize that most of my entries revolve around food as the main subject... isn't it? And today is a first for yet sumthin else - I had coke!!! Me! Rizal drinking cold coke at the gathering. I haven't had that in ages, eversince I entered national service. Maybe that's why Im having a gastric pain this very moment.
Spent the rest of the evening at home playing bluff, heart attack, donkey and murderer with our guests till midnight...
Steamed noodles
Is rebus steam in English??? Anyway... last night Me and Poji had mee rebus for dinner. Thanks to the culinary skills of our two invited chefs, Fiza and Juli, hope I've spelled ur names correctly. Had it again for lunch this morning. Hmmmmm reminds me of pasar Geylang...
Discoveries...
Open Eyes blink* blink*...
I've had three new discoveries the past week...
First: There's a dessert place in Wollongong. It's called 'Southern Crepes' I think. Serves crepes and pancakes and even gado-gado!!! Went there last week and had a fresh loaf of bread served with garlic butter and some sauce that tastes like Twisties (or is it Twisty's? U know that snack...) Anyway, had the chocolate sauce pancake and it tasted soooooooooo good. In terms of presentation it doesn't beat Pancakes On The Rocks but in taste, I'd say it beats POTR hands down...
Second: Went for my first UniMovies eversince I started studying in Wollongong. Basically. it's a weekly thingy where the university hall is transformed into a movie theatre. The screen was so big I'd say it's abt Lido's size and it was just an amazing sight for me to see the Uni hall so crowded. It really felt like a real movie theatre, except that the seats aren't as good as Century Square's. Watched 50 First Dates and Secret Window. It's two movies in a row for three bucks!!!
Now I have sumthin to look forward to... yeay... next week will be watching Starsky & Hutch and The Haunted Mansion.
Third: Found yet another huge shopping mall at Shellharbour. And with it came along a scenic drive by the highway. I've discovered this place more in the past two weeks than the whole of last year! Thanks to my tour guide...
Friday the Fourteenth...
2dae the 2-door red coupe buat hal. There was smoke coming out of the engine, but apparently it was a false alarm. Think the engine oil casket is leaking, even the mechanic said so. It must have been sealed incorrectly. Gave it some prescription as suggested by the 'doctor' (mechanic laa tu!). Sprayed some degreaser and washed the engine a little bit, wll have to bring it back to the doc on Monday...
Had Penne goreng for dinner. Besides the usual sauces that I use, today's special theme was OELEK!!! Sambal oelek lahhh.
Also had our usual chinese style brocolli and mushroom stirfry. And tonight's special theme for this dish was... I'm having a mental block I cannot remember the sayur's name... oh ok... took me five minutes to figure this out... ASPARAGUS!!!
Cheh macam Iron Chef gitu eh ada theme theme ni semua... masak pon ada theme, masak ajer lah... theme kan nak tambah kan umpphhh, kasi excitement masak...
KENDURI
Last night there was a baca yaasin thingy at Abang Hasri's house, a Malaysian postgrad student. Among those invited, other than us students, were an ustaz and some Malaysian consulates. Sumer pakai kot kot... get it get it??? Anyway, haven't felt an atmosphere more like home than last night's. The prayers, doa, baca-baca, khutbah and the FOOD!!!! Something that happens oohh so often back home, not in a bad way I mean. There was ayam mesak merah, beef curry, acar, kueh pandan... mmmmmmmm sedapnye... I went home bloated... heheheeh...
Anyway, during the day I attended the weekly video show by MAWU. This time it was "Muhammad: The Legacy of A Prophet". Basically a documentary looking at the historical journey of our prophet. Finally, I had a chance to look at Karen Armstrong, the well known author of Islamic books including one about our prophet entitled Muhammad. Won a book by the way, coz I answered the quiz answers correctly. I was extremely excited when I received the prize coz it was a book written by my all time favourite muslim debater Ahmad Deedat. Went straight to the library to read it...
Yesterday's yesterday
Me and Poji had a craving for sushi. He's been wanting to eat sushi since the first time he had it when Suwaii was here. Poji has been converted. To all the conservative people out there who don't dare try new stuff, whatever it may be, here's a living example of how taking that little extra step of courage can change your life... Anyway, so we experimented and tried to make our own salmon sushi roll. Tasted really good... yummy!!!
We had too much sushi that it even gave Poji some ilham he came up with a brilliant and original tongue twister!!! Check it under today's joke...
To U with Luv...
Suwaii,
Every night I pray, I'll have you here some day. I'll count the stars tonight, and hope with all my might, that when I close my eyes, you'll be right by my side...
Goodnite... sweet dreams from Wollongong... zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Annual Games
Today the Annual Uni Games among the respective Singapore student's societies was held in Wollongong. It is the same event in which I had my unfortunate ankle breaking accident last year. It was a painful trip down memory lane, to see the guys running and kicking the ball on the tip top soccer pitches, only from the sidelines and not being able to take part. The weather here is great, cool and windy. The soccer pitches here are in excellent condition, good grass and soft ground. It is the best opportunity to play great soccer, yet I am unable enjoy it. It's just my luck. By the time I can play again, I'll be back in Singapore's humid weather... sigh...
INSOMNIAC???
It's already past five in the morning and I'm still wide awake... Fauzi's fast asleep and he'll probably wake up soon... I'm hungry, should I eat or sleep??? Dah subuh pun...
"In the Hands of the Taliban"
Attended a video talk in Uni yesterday, organised by the Muslim Association of Wollongong University. It was a speech by Yvonne Ridley, the British journalist who converted to Islam after 9/11. Hers was an interesting story in that she basically converted to Islam in the hands of the Taliban. Brief info of her speech/story: She was supposed to be on her way to the US to cover the Sept 11 attacks. She was stranded at the airport due to the US closing its airspace. Boss decided to send her to Afghanistan instead. Couldn't get a visa there (or sumthin like that), so through contacts, she smuggled herself in, by putting on the burkha and riding a pony from Pakistan into Afghanistan. It was a smooth entry into Afghanistan coz she wasn't noticed dressed like that. Unfortunately, her pony ran amok and she dropped her camera (which was hidden under her burkha) right in front of the eyes of a Taliban officer. Chaos ensued. Cameras are banned in Afghanistan. She was let off but not her guide. So she took off her burkha and exposed herself, thinking that would save her guides from the Taliban. She was caught and jailed, her cellmates were 6 staunch Christian ladies who were allowed to practice their religion freely in the jail. She said she was caught - between the calls for prayers and the Christian singing their hymns and reading their bibles. Basically she was highlighting several kind acts of the Taliban, like bringing her specially prepared meals and begging her to eat even though she refused to, and finally letting her go when the US and British bombs started falling. It was in the jail that she met a cleric. She made a promise to him that if she was released she would read the Quran, she kept her word and is now a Muslim advocate. This is just a brief summary of her speech. It was really good. You might want to check out her book "In the Hands of the Taliban"...
UPDATE
Just came back from Sydney with 'Big Boboy Poji Who Is Now Slim' and Sanjay. Somehow the fresh air in Wollongong makes me think and act healthy when it comes to dietary consumption. More specifically rather, I have been refraining myself from coffee and oily food eversince arriving here this year. I have managed to resist the temptations of International Roast and Jarrah that Kak Long puts in the kitchen cabinet. It is amazing this willpower that I have, for now at least, considering that last year I really depended on coffee, what more with the stress of Uni and winter... oooohhhhhh, coffee never tastes better.
Anyway, going to Sydney once a month or so is the day all hell breaks loose. We had dinner at 'Laksa House' @ Queen Victoria Building. I had rice with beef rendang, chicken satay and sambal sotong. Yes it was delicious and yummy, and extremely filling. Yes we were bloated, but most importantly, we received our much needed intake of oily food, typical of Malay cooking. Now my stomach lining is all soaked in oil, even Dettol can't remove it...
The thing I look forward most to when going to Sydney is nothing but a cup of coffee. Need to satisfy my cravings for Caffeine. And no where better than fav hangout for the moment - Starbucks Hyde Park. Guzzled down a Grande latte with Extra SHOT... mmmmmmmm... such a reward... the pleasant aroma of coffee beans thru my nostrils, and the taste of strong coffee down my throat... mmmmmmm... simply heavenly...
Two nights back, me and Zee were at Woolworth's (the equivalent of NTUC FairPrice) doing our grocery shopping, when my trolley sort of bumped into someone else's. What happened next, I thought, was such an unusual sight. The man suddenly asked where we were from. I said Singapore and he asked if we could speak Mandarin. I said no but I can speak Malay. Then this white ang moh guy smartly dressed in a suit complete with tie started speaking Malay loudly. He was so animated (I think he was overjoyed to be able to use his Malay speaking skills in an Australia supermarket) it was hilarious. We chatted for a good ten minutes, me listening to his baku accent while he practiced his spoken Malay. He said he was a professor (he sure did look like one) and that he worked in Indonesia and KL for several years. So that was a funny moment to an otherwise monotonous lifestyle here.
Another incident to remember happened about two days before that. As usual, the three of us were out again. This time we were on our way home from what I know is the biggest shopping centre in the area. Yes it's huge. There's Coles, BigW, KMart, Woolworth's - 4 market players all on the same floor plus hundreds more shop... Anyway, we were driving home when we were stopped by a police patrol car. The three lady officers noticed that my 2-door red coupe had a broken side view mirror, and turned out that it was against the law not to have it fixed. As usual the officers asked for our drivers license. What was funny was that I think they couldn't find my name (the car registration) in their system. I think they were trying like Mohamed and Rizal and Mohckeram, etc. After a few minutes, the officer came back to the car and asked which is my family name. I said I don't have any. Pointed to her my name and my dad's name and since I don't have a family name and it is a requirement to register a family name, I simply can't remember which name I used as my family name, get it? So she said that was a new revelation for her. We learn something new everyday don't we. We were nervous not coz of the broken mirror, but more so coz I have moved since last November but I only informed the relevant authorities two days ago. Would have been in trouble had there been any outstanding fines, but thankfully not.
So that's the update of my life here...
Wait, one more thing. This might be relevant to some, though not important. Was at Sydney's Centrepoint just now, a busy shopping area with lots of buskers, working people, etc when we came across LINCRAFT. It was the name attached to one of the entrances to Centrepoint and AMP Tower. Even took a picture of it. Just some info for those who know what I'm talking about.
Alritey, gotta chat with Su Way now... adios!!!
Yang Terindah Bakal Menjelang...
Finally!!! Some air to breathe... I've been working my ass and my brain off the past two weeks. Squeezing three essays with all its research. Submitted one essay today. Supposed to submit two tomorrow, but guess what??? It wasn't that necessary after all to be working so hard. The lecturer postponed one of the essay submission till next Monday. Damn!!! Shouldn't have let the bags sit on my eyes... Now I could have done the other two with more care. Anyway, what the heck! I'm not gonna resit, go through my extended essay and try to edit it further. I've had enuff for now at least. Need to defragment my brain...
Anyway, here's a picture that I've been wanting to post. Recognize the 3 faces upfront? Yeah... the good old AC days... see how skinny we all were... I've gained 12 kilos since then, yang tengah tu jangan cakap lah... tak tau dah tambah brape kilo dah... tapi ok... prosperous... this pic was taken at Macritchie Reservoir during our cross country... must have been sec 3, coz otherwise i was running like mad in the race pack... see the title of this entry, was just trying to translate the ACS motto 'The Best Is Yet To Be'... hmmmm... sigh... wish I am fit now as I was then...
I live alone Dear Allah, stay by my side In all my daily needs, be thou my guide... Grant me good health, for that indeed I pray To carry on my work from day to day... Keep pure my mind, my thoughts, my every deed Let me be kind, unselfish in my neighbour's need... Spare me from fire, from flood, malicious tongues, From thieves, from fear and evil ones... If sickness or an accident befall, Then humbly Allah, I pray, hear thou my call... And when I am feeling low, Or in despair, Lift up my heart and help me in my prayer... I live alone, Dear Allah, yet have no fear, Because I feel your presence ever near...
Today's Quote
I've wed not whom I can live with. I did whom I can't live without.
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