When there is NO money, there is frustration

[Before I start writing, I wanna warn you this will be a post peppered with profanity and uncomfortable use of language. Don't say I didn't warn you!]

I'm fuckingly frustrated! I spent the afternoon calling up companies and advertisers to invite them to advertise in Nostalgia magazine this year. And the responses: 'Disappointing' with a big ass capital D.

Some of them refused to even listen to what you have to say and just brush you off. Some even pretended that they did not receive the email you sent to them regarding the advertisements even though you've emailed them at least twice.

Admittedly, the advertisements aren't so much on garnering more business opportunities for themselves but more of giving back to the people. Companies (I'm so pissed off now I can't bother to practice anonymity) like WonderMilk, Hiestand (a leading internationally known gourmet bakery), Pensonic, Big Apple and I could go on until tomorrow morning but the point is these companies make money from people like us who buy their products and stuffs.

And they can't even donate RM 150 to a school! What is RM 150 to them, really? Even if you think RM 150 is just too much than say 'NO' politely la. Dumb asses.

I think we ought to be taught more on ethics and how to give back once in awhile. Denying us a few hundred bucks might be nothing to this business minded people but it's a step away from my school students from having a good magazine.

No money, no mag, remember?

Terror in DJ!

There was a Godzilla in SMKDJ! See for yourself.



Now, wasn't that cool?

Just one of the crazy, creative things the Nostalgia members did while we were on break from the photoshoot.

Notice how Pn Sharon, Pn Joyce and Pn Lim joined in the fun? Priceless!

Credits: En Lerk, Zhen Yang, Luke.

100% Made in SMKDJ!

School has been pretty crazy busy this week. Nostalgia photoshoot is in full swing and for the first time in the magazine's history, the photoshoot is being handled solely by Nostalgia members, no more help from outside.

From the equipments and cameras to the photographers to the people behind the scenes, they all come from the editorial board. While handling things on our own for the first time isn't easy, I seriously think the team is doing a really awesome job and we might even be better than the previous photographers that the school hired.

Now, Nostalgia is truly a homemade product of SMKDJ =D

Busy at work

Luke does what he does best

While I try to keep track of everything

There's still time to joke around

With Elmo as our toy. Lol

And I wasn't trying to pose for the camera. Faiz was just testing his SLR camera. Or so I said. =P

A pledge for a greener world

There was a 'Tree Party' at the Kota Damansara Community Forest, just 5 minutes away from my house. The party was in conjunction with World Environment Day and it had radio DJs from Hitz.fm, Era.fm etc and our local MPs pitching in their efforts to raise enviromental awareness.

There was kayaking, hiking and tree-planting, among others. And I just realized how beautiful the place is and how lucky I am to be living so close to the 'green lungs' of Kota Damansara.

I'm not much of an enviromentalist but I try do just as much. I turn off the tap while brushing my teeth, I reuse and reduce the use of plastic bags and I switch off the electrical appliances when not in used. Sometimes, the small steps do count too.

For more info on KD Community Forest, check it out here.

Kayaking on the lake at the community forest

That's me and Mum on a kayak

Green life

President of WildAsia giving his speech

A local indie band performing

A picture of serenity

Feeling the blues

I'm down with a terrible flu, fever and headache. No thanks to the unkind Malaysian weather.

I was lying down on my bed, shivering in the darkness and wishing things could have been better.

I can't afford to get sick. So many things left undone and unsaid.

Pain, pain go away. Come again another day.

A day as kids...again!

This is a long overdue post, pardon me. So last Wednesday my friends and I managed to celebrate my very belated 17th birthday. Yes, one month after the actual date. It was the only time where we were all free, anyway.

Off we went to Petrosains, KLCC. Haha, yea, out of all the places we picked Petrosains where 80% of the visitors were 5-12 year old kids. Hah.

Well, in a way, I would say that despite loving the feeling of growing up and being older, there is still that kid in me (and in all of us too, I'm sure) that wants to reach out once in awhile. And so, me and the rest of my friends couldn't help but unleashed our inner child and we were like hooligans in Petrosains.

Screaming and shrieking like excited 7 year olds. Haha. But it was fun-lah. A good way to release all the tension before we headed back to school this week.

And Faiz gave me a piece of Chocolate Indulgence from Secret Recipe as a belated birthday gesture yesterday. One month plus after my birthday. But it's the thought that matters. So, thank you! =)

Waiting in line for Petrosains

Wayang kulit

Kami kanak-kanak Ribena! ;P

Honey Bunnies

With the very white-looking Hanna

Lunch at Chilli's

The whole gang in front of KLCC

Hmm tired ke Hanna?

What's up guys? Top secret discussion eh?

=D

Twin Towers

Uh-huh, look at my pout. And Alia's too!

Awesome girls, no? Hehe

22 years and counting....

My parents celebrated their 22nd anniversary on Sunday. 22 years of marriage. Huh, imagine that! We had dinner at a Japanese restaurant, Genji at Hilton, PJ. Food here was definitely better than that Australian restaurant at Hilton, KL.

To Ibu and Papa, Happy 22nd Anniversary!

Your marriage has taught me that it is not possible to have a perfect marriage where your husband will sweep you off your feet every day of your married life. Or a marriage where couples do not argue and get along well everytime.

However your marriage, my lovely parents, have showed me that it is possible to have a happy and colourful one with your similarities and differences moulded together. As the saying goes, we get both sides of the coin. One can't possibly choose to have just the head or the tail.

I admire how my parents can poke fun at each other but at the same time respect and love one another beautifully. And so I pray that one day my marriage will last as long (or maybe longer) and as strong as you two.

22 years and counting.....

Happy Anniversary!

Heaven, oh Heaven!

Heaven is when you get to wake up at 11 in the morning everyday.

Heaven is when you can spend your day however you want it.

Heaven is when you can laze around without feeling guilty.

Heaven is when you get on the computer and realize there is no work to be typed out.

Heaven is when you can hang out with you friends and not worry about a damn thing.

Heaven is when you can enjoy 1 hour and 35 minutes of relaxation and rejuvenation at the spa.

Heaven is when you can watch Ugly Betty or Desperate Housewives without having to agonize over your Add Maths homework.

School holidays is up and I'm heading back to a place where it's not heaven aka HELL this Monday.

Wish me luck!

Cycling off the fats

I've been eating like a cow for the past few days and if I'm not careful, I might turn into one myself. So I decided to go for a cycle around the neighbourhood with my new cycling buddy, Anette, to lose off some of the fats. Nothing beats the feeling of having to cycle downhill, the cool evening wind rushing against your skin as you let loose of the handlebar. It felt like pure freedom.

Anette invited me over for a cold drink at her house. You know, after all the sweating and muscle aches, a cold drink would be great. And then I remembered I'm fasting for the day so I politely declined. Although I was tempted enough to say yes. Tapi iman masih kuat :)

Something unexpected happened though. Someone stole my bicycle pump! I left it at the corner of the park (Anette wanted to borrow it) for a few minutes and when we came back, it was gone. I'm pretty sure it was the dude on the motorcycle.

If he thought he could inflate his motorcycle tyres with a small bicycle pump, well he's just a daft. It would take him hours to do it and he might as well have gone to the petrol station and do the pumping for free.

*Sigh*

The things people do, sometimes.

Obama on Islam

I'm a sucker for good, moving speeches. And when I heard Obama's speech to the Muslim world on BBC and viewed the full text speech at White House's official website, I thought, 'Damn, it can't get any better than this!'

He addressed the issues that had to be addressed. From abandoning violence to the situation between Palestinians, Israelis and the Arab world to democracy and women's rights. Obama even peppered his speech with quotations from the Holy Quran. He spoke with such eloquence and his words just flowed like water.

But bear in mind, a few beautiful words to Muslims around the world will not erase the pain and the bloodshed of the Muslims caused by America unless it changes its policies and actions. What I'm afraid of is that his speech was just pretty words with even prettier promises. The question is will he walk his walk? After all, he IS a politician.

We'll see. Quoting his speech:

There is one rule that lies at the heart of every religion, that we do unto others as we would have them do unto us. This truth transcends nations and peoples, a belief that isn't new, that isn't black or white or brown, that isn't Christian or Muslim or Jew.

If only it is that simple, we'll be living happily ever after.

You can view his full-text speech here.

Say CHEESE 5 Angsana!

5 Angsana had our class photoshoot today at a studio in Sunway Damansara. Boy, was it fun! It was very professional and creative, thanks to Luke, Yung Tyng, Thasban and the rest. It was as if we stepped into a photoshoot for Seventeen or Vogue magazine.

Everyone dressed up and there were lollipops, umbrella, waterguns, bubbles, sunnies, afro hair, candies, baseball bat etc. made into props for the shots. Upbeat music, gaily laughters, bright camera flashes and dazzling smiles filled our hours at the studio.

I bet none of the Form 5 classes can beat the awesomeness of OUR class photoshoot. Not unless you pay RM 500 for a day shoot =D

When everyone said 'It's a wrap!' after all the shots were taken, I was certain of one thing. I WILL miss the wackiness, humour and the amusement that came along with the people of 5 Angsana once all of us leave SMKDJ.

Here are behind-the-scenes photos of the day. These are not the photos taken by Luke. His photos are more professional and definitely nicer. You'll see them sooner or later.

Busy getting ready

Besties!

Warming up pose before the real shot

Our hair stylist of the day

Amateur photographer, I am

The guys of 5 Angsana getting ready

The girls of 5 Angsana waiting for their shots

Ms Confidante and Mr Muscles

The very 'macho-looking' Rauf

5 Angsana's photoshoot in action

FYI, I wasn't trying to do ballerina dance. That was me before I tripped on my wedges.

Smileee

Ryong Ee at her best

Awww

M-GROUP!

Lady in Red

The bosses

Muhibbah Angsana (Rauf, Chee Fai, Giri)

The Jokers

You can stand under my umbrella, ella ella eh eh

Retro girls

Hit him girl!

Eh, no violence here Jabir!

The guy behind all the great shots, Luke

You know who =P