EMI 08

I saw a firefly for the first time during Camp!:D

Fuddy, bama and me attended this EMI. I will not go tentatively what happened throughout the EMI camp. There are soo many activities, so I'll just write it from an overall point of view:)

The end at the beginning: Fuddy, me, bama at the end of the campXD

Basic Tentative:
The Camp was from Friday 25th til Sunday 27th.
Day 1:The first day, we spent the time at UIA and had all the 'lectures' at the Engineering Kuliyyah. We slept at the Masjid that night.
Day 2: Went to Raudhah Camp (which is right next to Rebutia). Slept in chalets (the girls that is:P). Had outdoor activities plus some talks as well.
Day 3: Some more activities and closing.

Intro:
Firstly, I have to admit that I was not interested at all when i read about the program because it was in Malay. Haha. I have a phobia of BM, in case I can't understand what they say and if they would laugh at me once i spoke in BM (which did happen many times). But then my brother saw it and he said to join it because sooner or later, I have to accept the fact that many things would be in malay and I just have to learn to cope with it. Secondly, Kak Nihlah put up my name when she sent the email, saying that she hopes I would go... Plus, I wasn't (and haven't been) doing anything much, so I decided to go. I know it's not the proper intention, but still, I'm glad I went in the end:)

People:
When I first came, I saw that majority of the girls were wearing baju kurung. I thought they weren't going and when I asked if they're going for the EMI camp, they said, "Owh, it's a camp?"
Lol. I was quite freaked out because all the clothes I packed were shirts and trousers. I mean, how would you go trekking in a skirt??
There were even some people who brought irons (are there any sockets in the jungle and would you even have TIME to iron your stuffs?). So it was really a one-of-a-kind camp. When I asked around, I found out that some people had already been to this camp years back (because this camp was like a follow up), and so they would know what to bring. And also, a girl told me that eventhough it's her first time, she said that this kind of camp deals with 'young adults'. It's not a military camp about discipline where we have to be ready at the first whistle. So okay, I learnt something new and thought that yeah, that's acceptable.
[Fascis] The program was fully conducted by the Karisma youths. They were students; still studying in University; but they were super nice:) Really understanding. Special mention to Kak Afrah, my mentor for helping us out everytime we needed help:)
[Protege Brothers] I admit, I was really impressed with the some of the brothers. Sometimes people would have to go up and present something at the front; and it's really so amazing that they can quote and ayat from the Qur'an and relate it to the topic on the spot. Their sense of analysis and critical thinking skills are high. For one activity, we had to present about "cinta dan cita-cita". Of course, majority's mindset is straight that either it's we get love or we get our ambition. But then there was this one group where their conclusion of this topic was, "Kerana CINTA kepada Allah, maka teradalah Sahabat yang berCITA-CITA tinggi." Well, I can't remember their conclusion properly (more so because it is in BM; but you get the main point right?)
[Protege Sisters] Eventhough we were all from different parts of Malaysia, throughout the camp, they all treated each other like they've known each other for soo long. Of course there were times when they asked questions like, "Dah apply utk matrik?" which of course what they mean is the goverment matriculation. So I would have to explain that I took IGCSE and everything... But it was okay:) They were really lots of fun and friendly:D

Activities:
[Talks] Despite the BM-ness, the talks were really interesting:) Well, the speakers spoke in simple BM, so it was really good and I could follow and everything; though my notes were all in English lol. Plus, the speakers were also youths (majority of them) and even those who weren't, they still spoke the style according to the audience. means, their presentation fit the audience:)
[Trekking] Trekking was tiring. It was the same route which we took when we were at Rebutia. Though one super cool thing was that before we began, we each were given a palestine flag and had to carry it throughout. We took a slight detour where the path was next to the highway; so then we had many heads turned because of the flags and many honked (hopefully, in support). It was a cool phenomenon.

Pictures courtesy of Brother Dhany; EMI Organizer

[CCC] Cergas Cetus Cerdas; a treasure hunt sort of game where we had to collect pieces of puzzles from 10 checkpoints. There were many new activities. For one of the checkpoints, they gave a cup with a raw egg and a plate with tempoyak, ikan masin, this vegetable thingy, halia, and cili. We had to finish them all up. I didn't think I can eat any of those things so i volunteered to drink the egg. Closed my eyes and my nose and drank the whole thing in 3 gulps. It was... slimy. Haha. Amazingly, the plate was licked clean. The rational behind it was that in palestine, some people do not even have anything to eat and sometimes they would have to eat grass or scavenger through the bins. So in eating these 'distorted' foods, we would be able to understand their feelings. I will always remember.

it's actually peria, ikan masin, halia, tempoyak, budu dan sambal belacan (egg not in picture:P)

[MANIS; Presentation Night] Each group had to do a presentation on the 2nd night. We were each assigned a type of presentation; among them were: Dikir Barat, Pantomine, Boria, Wayang Kulit; and for our group had to do Sinetron. For those who are clueless, sinetron is indonesion drama. I had to admit to my group that I've never watched a sinetron; because the only dramas i watch are korean and japanese. I messaged to the most professional indonesian actor I know, Amalia Afzan Saperi, and her only advice was: Let the Indonesian dramas be your panduan. It didn't really help specially because; again, I don't watch Indonesian dramas. So due to my English ability/malay disability, I was chosen to be the role of an English Professor. But still, I had to do it with an Indonesian accent. There were only two lines not in english which was the salam reply and like Slamat Maju jaya. But everyone still laughed because I think I pressed the slang too hard. Everytime I practice before the presentation, people around me would still laugh. But the star main character of the story is Nabilla and I really have to salute her for her excellent acting skills. aaand.. We won for the best presentation!:D

That's pretty much an overall view:) I'm really glad I went and owh, actually the objective of the program is for us to better understand life in the IPT; higher institution of learning. So that we can cope as well as be good muslims:)

InsyaAllah.

~nadhirah
one o two post meridiem
twenty eight april two thousand and eight

Halu [proof to aki]

You Belong in Spring Optimistic, lively, and almost always happy with the world...
You can truly appreciate the blooming nature of spring.
Whether you're planting flowers or dyeing Easter eggs, spring is definitely your season!

happy bday syarif:)

Today is Syarif's birthday! So I shall dedicate this post to my super awesome cool brother:)


I cannot call any one of my brothers as the BEST brother because I have 5. Unlike them, they can always call me the best sister because... they only have 1. HEhehe.

Anyways, Syarif is... one of a kind. He is a super genius, without a doubt. A super duper real genius. There is not a day that will go by where he will say: "yknow what Kaklia?" followed by facts and numbers, like a really accurate number when he quotes them... Like, he doesnt say "around 200". He will specifically say it's "215.7". You just pick up any random subject and he can go on for hours talking about it.

He usually watches National Goegraphic or Animal Planet and also reads Horrible Science/History/Geography/Maths books. He reads lots and lots of books and has really good vocabulary when he's talking.

Once, when we were vacationing, he started to draw up a plan on perpetual motion. Like how to produce energy without losing any to heat/sound/making the energy itself. To tell you the truth, it was the first time I heard about Perpetual Motion; even more coming from a 13 year old kid. So he explained to me the whole concept and even throughout, he was always devising a plan in his head. When we got back home, he started constructing the experiment... Though I'm not so sure what happened after that:S

He has a list of things that he wants to fulfill. Which keeps increasing as day goes by. Whenever something is too much of a hassle, he would say something like, "One day, I will create a clothes folding machine so that I wouldn't have to fold clothes." One day.. :)

Syarif loves reading Dilbert and Calvin & Hobbes which can explain his quick-wittedness. He can go round and round til you're stumped. He can debate with whatever you're saying; like within two seconds he'll say, "No, because...." or he can come to aid with what you're saying like, "Yeah, what kaklia said is true because.." with additional evidences. He can become a lawyer. I call him my second lawyer (Siraj is my primary laywer). His favourite phrase is now, "Do you have any evidence to verify your claim?"

When we go out or go to school, he can be absentminded sometimes, like even forgetting his socks or shoes or even his schoolbag. Another time, I spotted him lying down on his back on the stairs at school in the middle of the crowd; reading. And when I talk to my parents over it, they say it's because his mind is always elsewhere, thinking. That's why he doesn't fully focus on what's present. And I do believe that:)

These are my evidences to verify that he's a super genius!:D

But apart from his "genius-ness", Syarif is a really sweet lil brother:) He laughs and smiles a lot and I enjoy his company. And sometimes when I tease him, he'd go "Kaklia!!>_<" With the exasperated yet smiling expression. It's really cute:D Though he can sometimes be weird... Like enjoying looking at his prescripted ointment eating up his skin... Or taking out snails from the recycling bin for his animal project. lol.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SYARIF!:)

~nadhirah
eleven twenty one ante meridiem
seventeenth april two thousand eight

Elven Graduation

One morning, (on my graduation day to be exact^-^), I was getting all ready and Ahmad knocked hastily on the door shouting, "Alia, come quick! There's an emergency phone call!!" I was so terrified because Ahmad doesn't usually do that and I thought that something had gone horribly wrong with the Graduation and even my mom and dad came asking me to come out. But I was half getting ready so I was like, "what happened?!?!>_<" while Ahmad repetitiously asked me to be quick. And finally, he was like, "Nevermind. The person will call in another 10 minutes."

When I got out, it felt like waiting for HOURS for the phone call, I was scared at what I was going to hear. The phone rang and I picked it up on the spot and the person on the other end was like, "Hello?"

What kind of emergency phone call starts with someone saying hello? It should have been like: PLEASE I NEED TO TALK TO ALIA RIGHT NOW!!! ahahaha.

I sort of already guessed who it was because when I was getting ready, my dad mentioned it was a long distance call. And..

"Farah?!?!?!"

"ALIA!!!>_<"

"How ARE you?"

"I'm fine!:D"

*awkward silence*

"So you're gonna graduate huh?"

"yeap."

Well, it wasn't THAT plain and awkward actually. I just couldn't remember what we said because I was too excited at the prospect that I was getting a phone call from Farah!:D I haven't talked to her in a loong while over the phone and eventhough we can type a lot while chatting, it can be quite weird talking to someone you haven't talked to in a while.. Especially over the phone. Especially if it's so sudden.

Just a side story; once, Farah called me on my phone on my birthday last year (or the year before) and I thought it was an Indian lady who got the wrong number. And she called a few times and the line wasn't that clear. I was laughing all over when I found out who it actually was:P

Back to the Graduation Day, I mentioned to her I was getting ready and that the ceremony was gonna start at around 9am and that I hope she can be there.

"Oh yeah sure, I'll be there then."

"Aites, see you:D"

So I went to the Graduation Ceremony and then we lined up and sat down and the speeches began. At around 11am, when it was time for the scroll giving, I saw someone at the door looking kinda lost (ahahah). And suddenly the hall got really quite and was looking at her.

FARAH?!?!??! *shock shock*<-- me

So, Farah was quite late because she had to find a personal private jet to bring her to Malaysia from USA within... TWO hours. I do not wish to figure out how she did it. Because the most important thing was that she came:D

And some people were asking, "who's this girl?" and all I can say was that: She came all the way from America!! All the way!!!>_<

We had lotsa fun while it lasted:) But then Farah had to go back quick because Ridy was waiting for her at home and her mom would blow her top if she found out that Farah came all the way to Malaysia. Lol. So she didn't get to attend the Dinner but I was really so glad she made it to the morning ceremony because we have been talking about Farah attending our Grad since .. YEARS ago. Seriously. We would plan and ask her when she's coming back to malaysia and everything... It would have been a really cool Graduation.

A girl can dream. ahahaXD

~nadhirah
twelve fifty five post meridiem
fourteenth april two thousand eight

PS Missy Farah, would you do the honours of writing it from your personal point of view?:P

Travel around the world

I've been wanting to write this post for some time but I have no idea why I kept procrastinating. From Usrah, Teacher rasyidah reminded me: Just do it! (Nike's slogan:P). So finally I'm writing it down.

My employer, Dr Mastura, is an economics professor. It's quite amazing that she started this English Learning Centre. I admire her a lot because of her character and independence.

On my first day (my interview that is:P), I was understandably nervous but then when I talked to her, she was really cool and able to let the conversation flow nicely:) I love the way she talks in English with all the rich vocabulary.. and I learnt later on that she studied in Europe. When I talk with someone who has comparatively better English, it makes me feel like I want to speak better too.

When she holds her classes, she can be really firm like getting mad at them and she is absolutely serious about education but at the same time lenient and soft and treat the kids to sweets and stuffs:P You can notice a good English teacher when she can explain meanings and phrases and everything. The most important thing is actually the ability to articulate and explain to them. No matter how good and how much english you understand and know, teaching is a skill. There are soo many different methods that students can find comfortable with. And she can be really funny and quickwitted sometimes going "Are you crazy??", to the students of course:) hehehe.

Sometimes before or after classes when we're both free, I'd just sit down with her and talk about the progress of the kids or we just talk about random stuffs. She told me that she really loves to travel around the world and have been to places like France and Holland and Spain... All over Europe and more!:) And i love all the pictures I see and the way she talks about the places with passion. I learnt it is not easy to travel around.. it requires really a lot more planning and preparations...

When I listen to her, I think that I want to travel around the world when I'm older, widen my horizon and be exposed to more things!:D Maybe that is part of my soul searching.. that I have to go around the world to find my answer.. Travel around the world...

I admire Dr Mastura:) Once, I even scratched her car when I was doing a 3 point turn with the Unser on this small dead end road (it was a TOTAL accident, who wants to purposely scratch their employer's car??). When I came into her office, i was like, "Dr mastura, I'm so sorry I scratched your car." and she was like, "owh, that's okay:)" I felt so horrible.. and she didn't even deduct from my salary.. at least I dont think so...

But that's not the reason I admire her (that she didnt deduct my salary for scratching her car:P).. but because of her strong character and sure-ness and yknow.. the only way a business can grow is if you are really organized and everything.. The way she talks with wisdom and like she really knows a lot of things... And that's her:)

~nadhirah
seven o three post meridiem
thirteenth april two thousand eight

Up close and personal with..

the Elephants! Gajah.. olifont, sol, fiil... hentetaki (i think.. i forgot what is Elephant in korean:P)

Ahahah. Anyways, today had a trip to Kuala Gandah to see the elephants with the Little Olive kids:) (the place i work).

Well, 95% were korean kids so when we went, it looks like a tourist bus:P hehehe. Which it sorta actually is.. lol.

In the morning departed at 8:45am:) I set my alarm at 6:30 but i absolutely do NOT know what happened and the next thing i knew, it was already 8:15!!>_< I rushed to get ready and pack lunch and everything:P Good thing my workplace is only 3 minutes from where I live:P

The ride there was.. normal.. to me:P Ahaha. I guess because I've gone through it so often when going camping and when balik kampung.. all the scenery and greens were... normal. But then I guess it's something different altogether for them:) And probably I would miss it too if I don't get to see it often..

Anyways, reached there about 11am... Watched this video about how people took over the elephant's homeland and turned the area into a rubber and palm oil plantation... and the elephants of course were 'enraged' and 'stampeded' through the place which destroyed the trees... thus, there was a task force which had to remove the elephants to a more conserved reserved jungle ie Taman Negara..

Had a hearty BIG lunch which Dr Mastura packed. THere were also some other people who packed and cooked the food too. There were like.. meehun and nasi goreng and ayam goreng, ikan masak asam pedas, sotong, nasi impit, kuah kacang and soo much more.. seriously it was sufficient for 100 people! and there were only about 20 of us (teachers plus dr mastura's relatives:P)

After that we went to the elephant area and there were two baby elephants!:D Not really a baby.. I went to Kuala Gandah about 2 years back and they were much hairier:P but they've grown now:) There were about 3 adult elephants and about 2 juveniles.. I judge them according to size:P Whether they are adults or juveniles is totally my opinion. Ahaha.

Well, at first they had a bath at the river. The elephants I mean. After that, we could feed them with the fruits provided which included papayas, bananas, watermelons etc. You can either just put your hand close while the elephant's trunk takes it from your hand or if you're more daring, feed it directly to its mouth. Kevin (my student) was like, "Teacher, feed them!" while pushing one of the fruits into my hands and I was like, "Shirooo!!!>_<" (means "Don't want" in Korean:P).

Next activity was elephant riding. Of course I didn't ride them:P ahaha. and after that, there was meant to be bathing with the elephants but then it's been raining so the water level was quite high up so it was dangerous. We didn't have that activity and so went home early...

Sometimes my students like to ask me words in Malay just like I ask them words in Korean.
He asked me something (I cant remember what) to which I replied "Mulla" (don't know)

So he asked me: "Teacher, what is Mulla in malay?"

"Mulla is 'Tak tahu'."

"Tattau?"

"Yeap."

"What is 'everything'?"

"Semua."

"Tattau semua."

Lol. So, i shouldn't have taught him that. Else he'd be repeating it in class everytime I ask him something:P Though overall, it was a really good trip:) Haven't gone out in a while so it was excellent to be outdoors... Only once in a while though:P

~nadhirah
six forty nine post meridiem
thirteenth april two thousand eight

still searching

I suppose I would have to write more posts because I have not been writing. And for some reason i feel like typing lots today!:D Ahaha.

Umm.. A lot of people has asked me why I write for my MSN personal message "Soul Searching" or even my blog title "in Search".

Ahmad asked, "still lost?" ahaha. So mean of him>_<

hmm. Maybe i am lost. A lil. I mean, sometimes I wish I have my future planned out. Not necessarily every single detail but I wish at least some general stuffs so that I know which way I'm heading and like.. when I'm 100 years old, I won't look back and say: I wish I had an aim. Like for example my dad, he's planned out things even until he's 99. Seriously, I don't know anyone who is as meticulous of a planner as my dad. He can even memorise dates and days and has already every single day of this year planned out. Every weekend booked. It is amazing. How I wish I can be like that sometimes.

Ahmad says that our aim in life would change as time goes on because our views and opinions would change too...

I know that I want to study medicine. And after that I'm not so sure anymore. Maybe work? maybe settle down? Maybe work for NGOs? Or i wish i can look further than that... But still I'm not so sure. Another person I know who always got her future planned out is Iman Azman:P getting married to a white guy.. living in vienna.. becoming a journalist.. I wonder (and am amazed!) at how certain people just have that 'sure-ness' feeling like: YES that's what i want! And i'm gonna work my all to get it!

Sigh.. someone please advice me on what to do>_<

~nadhirah
eight o nine post meridiem
eleventh april two thousand eight

New Post

Sorry for the lack of a better title:P ahaha. Oh well, some people has been asking me if I've updated my blog yet.. or subtly hint: "u've not updated ur blog in a while.." ahaha. Yes2 i get what you mean:P

Anyways, by right, i should talk about my Graduation Day and Dinner. But it's been so loong and quite tiring and at the same time I'm quite relieved that it's over in the sense that there's no more of that apprehensive feeling whether things will go right or not. I mean, I'm glad that it went well. A lot of smiles and tears in the day... but overall, it was good:)

Ahmad says this holiday will be like.. my last ever holiday, thus i must enjoy it:P Ahaha. Oh well, during my Form 5 when I was having my exams, Kausar introduced me to One Litre of Tears, this japanese drama and it's like.. on every Saturday evening. And I couldn't quite follow it because either I had plans or something and when I watched it, I was already halfway through the series.. Ahaha. So I told myself that I would be patient and watch all the dramas I want after my Form 5. After my IGCSE. Ahaha. And true enough, for these past .. umm.. Since november *gasp* I have been watching japanese, korean, taiwanese dramas. No thanks to Aki for having the dramas and making me watch them. And also for introducing me to the website!!>_< Now i have become addicted which is no good. Seriously.
So a lot of the plots are the same... I like to watch them because I guess u can say it's cute and also the way the story develops is pretty unique:P ahaha. Hmm.. u can say that it's pretty slow at some parts. I have to admit *with apologies to Aki* that I always skip to the end when I'm halfway through the drama. It's either it's really so boring and I need to know the ending. Or it's so good that I HAVE to know the ending. The suspense kills me.

THere's a PC fair coming up here and I thought of getting a Graphics Tablet due to a few reasons. One, i need to distract myself from... myself. Ahaha. From watching too many dramas and wallowing myself in selfpity:P And secondly, i told myself i would upgrade my critical thinking skills or public speaking skills and all.. but when i started to read on ahmad's critical thinking book, i absolutely cannot go on. I have no idea why. Maybe I just have no interest or maybe the book is too difficult for me that i LOSE interest. Ahaha. So i told myself I have to get at least one skill this holiday so I thought since drawing is my absolute hobby, might as well bring it up to a new level!:D My dad says fine and I have to get it with my own money since I'm working anyways. I'm the only one out of my siblings who is working at the moment. Ahaha.
Actually, it seems that my oldest bro is more excited about getting a graphics tablet than I am:P Ahaha. He did all the research and everything and even found articles and stuffs. So now I'm opting for a Wacom Intuos or a Wacom Graphire. most likely a graphire though. I'm comforting myself by saying that I would do my very best and can produce an artwork as professional as an Intuos when using a Graphire:P

I've considered getting a graphics tablet since the very beginning but I thought I wouldnt use it much because i would start University soon and it's not like I'm going to take graphics designing or anything. I'm opting for medicine and as much as I CAN do like heart diagrams and everything, i don't think medicine requires much of the use of a graphics tablet. But oh well, it's an investment. Who knows it'll come in handy some day...

So in conclusion, instead of spending hours with pencil and paper, I would be spending hours with a stylus and the computer:P ahahaha. I have only 1 more page til I finish my sketchbook!:D so it's a good err..closing? ahahaha. It took me 3 years to finish drawing in it. Ahaha. I can't help it, the paper is so nice and smooth, I just can't start drawing in it unless I feel total inspiration so that I would draw something nice. And so because of that, it's taken soo long for me to fill it up. But then someone got mad at me and so i started drawing in it no matter what, even if i don't feel total inspiration and finally, it is done:) With a mixture of my total inspired and not-so-totally inspired drawings. Ahaha.

So here, a loooong post. Chalga:D

~nadhirah
one fifty two post meridiem
eleventh april two thousand eight