Relax, Recharge, Revitalise

Mid-term exams just ended. Finally! I've never felt so physically and emotionally drained from exams before. And I'm not sure if I did terribly well this time. Terribly, perhaps. Heh.

But anyway, exams and books aside for now. It's time for me to recharge my soul and energy. Because after the holidays, it'll be another torturous, exhausting cycle of endless homework, memorising, school hours yadda yadda.

Here's a list of things I will have to do in the next 2 weeks of holidays:

1. Finish up left over Nostalgia work. Find 30K of sponsorship for the mag. Ngehh

2. Complete NIE Mag Inc. project (the only reason I'm still doing it is because of the free pizza and extra English marks for trials)

3. Do Civic project -_-

4. 5 Angsana's photo shoot at a studio in Sunway Damansara. Yes, we're going all out and pro for the shoot. You'll see.

5. SPA TREATMENT! To revitalize myself. I need hot stone massage, body scrub and facial badly.

6. Shopping Spree with my shopaholic girlfriends *wink wink*

7. A belated birthday celebration with my friends. Got some stuffs planned already. Stay tuned!

8. Finish up incomplete homework. Gah!

9. And most importantly, catch up on my sleep. I have not been having proper night sleep for the past umm...3 weeks?

It's time to relax, recharge and revitalise!

We're not only debaters.....but also a family

Took a break from studying last night and celebrated Pn Mag's '16th birthday' at Marche, the Curve. The whole lot of debaters were there. Pn Koh too. And the dress code of the evening was 'formal' and so we were all dressed to the nines for a dinner at the market (Marche is market in French).

Puan Mag was pleasantly surprised with the dinner and the gifts and the cake. And it was a good time to catch up with the rest of us. I've not seen the 'Americanised Andrew' in 3 years and it's great to know that everyone is doing so well on their own now.

Andrew is in Swarthmore College, US. Kevin is doing business studies at NTU, Singapore. John is gonna read Law at LSE, London this coming September. Neal is leaving for UWC, India. And Michelle is heading to a college in UK too soon.

And for the current DJians, (me, Daryl, Keefe, Sophia, Rachel and Calvin) we have our own struggles to endure (namely exams and homework -_-) but I hope one day we too we'll get to go places like the seniors.

Happy Birthday again Puan Mag!

Tiramisu cake

The birthday girl. Isn't she the hottest teacher ever? =)

The debaters

After dinner

The gentlemen and Pn Mag

The ladies and Pn Mag

Zaf, Soph, Mich and Rach

Pretty Pretty

With Daryl

We learned how to pout for photos from Andrew

*pout pout*

7teenth Rebirth

I'm 17 today. Another minute passes by. Another day. Another year. How time flies!

My 17th birthday was celebrated with my parents at Senses, Hilton KL. It's an Australian cuisine restaurant with the signature 'Fresh From the Farm'. When they said 'Fresh From the Farm', they meant that alright. The food was darn expensive (the bill amounted to RM 600) but they tasted like they came straight from the chicken/duck coops. Raw and uhh...fishy. After the dinner, I felt like I have lost all my SENSES and wanted to vomit. Tak sedap langsung!

And the waiters came out singing a tuneless 'Happy Birthday' with a complimentary birthday cake, my name spelled as 'ZaRIfah'. Sedih betul.

But anyway, it was better than nothing right? I still enjoy turning 17 and I'm making a mental note not to go to this restaurant again. You should too.

And on my 'seventeenth rebirth', I just have one humble wish : That I will pass through the ordeals and trials that come along with being seventeen. Right now, it is with God's grace and continuous supply of vitamins that have kept me alive.

Wai Meng was the first to call me up to wish 'Happy Birthday' at 9.30 pm on 10th May. A lil too early but equally thoughtful. Thank you!

To those of you who wished me, thank you and I love you. To those who did not, well I forgive you. I know we're all too caught up in our exam moments now.

Happy Birthday, Nik Nor ZaRIfah! (eja nama pun tak betul)

The trio family

My duck dinner that tasted like real, raw duck. Ugh!


The cod tasted a little better

Dessert was too sweet

Hilton's pool

Like father, like daughter eh?

Birthday gal =)

Selamat Hari Ibu!

Niagara Falls, 2007 (look how my dad tries hard to cover himself! lol)

Ain't she classy?

Beloved momma

It's Mother's Day! Ok, I'm feeling really guilty for not having any gifts for my mum. Things have been crazy busy lately and I seriously didn't have time to go out and get her something. So, I decided to write her a poem (at 12.30 midnight), letting her know no matter how busy life is, she's never forgotten. Ibu, (that's what I call my mum) this is for you:

Ibu,
Your love is beautiful,
Nothing is more blissful,
Than the love you pour,
I couldn’t have asked for more.

Ibu,
You were there when I was sick,
Nursing me with a slick,
You were there everytime I fell,
Telling me everything will be well,
You were there when I brought home victory,
Never fail to be proud and happy,

With every Oprah show we watched together,
With every lame joke we laughed at,
With every heated argument we had,
With every cake we baked,
With every travel trip we made,
With every birthday we celebrate,
Comes ever-lasting memories,
That make us smile, frown, laugh, cry, grow and mature.

Forgive me,
For slamming the door,
For avoiding the housechore,
For making your heart sore,
I’m not the best daughter around,
But I’m working on that ground.

Ibu,
For all that you do,
THANK YOU!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

17...coming soon!

My Sweet 16 days are numbered. In approximately a week, I'm gonna turn 17. That's a pretty big number, no?

This year's birthday will be a modest one. I had a magician and floral tea-party for my Sweet 16 but this time around, it'll be a small, quiet celebration with friends or family, perhaps. What with exams coming and all, no time to party like a rockstar.

If 16 was the year to hoo-haa around, 17 is the time to ponder and reflect on who you are, what you have, where should you go, your dreams and ambitions etc.

I'm blessed with so many things. I had the opportunity to taste more of life and experience new things for the past 16+ years. I have a supportive, loving family and I'm surrounded by equally loving, caring friends.

I'm still searching for myself. It's too early to tell who you really are anyway. But I think I roughly know who am I. I'm a girl who has my own insecurities and fears and weaknesses. But at the same time I believe I possess some strengths and vigors that will perhaps bring me somewhere great in the future.

I sense that 17 will be an interesting, awesome year. You're not quite an adult, but you feel like you've left your childhood behind (reminds me of Britney Spear's "I'm not a girl, not yet a woman").

It's an awkward stage of adolescence: of multiple homework and SPM's stress, of cute, heart-warming crushes, of fights with your parents, of all-nighters, of fond memories of beautiful friendships, of tears and mood swings -- and hopefully, of non-stop new adventures and discoveries.

I'm slowly turning into a lady from a young girl. There'll be so many facets to being 17. And I can't wait to experience them all!

Sweet 16 days

Memories that last a lifetime

Me a year ago

Lovelies!

A woman of wonders

The last few days have been a busy one. Been busy studying for mid-terms (ggrrr!!) and also been busy playing host to my mum's Filipino friend, Baibonn who has been staying over our house for the past 2 days. She's a youth activist who works with Arroyo and handles problems related to the youths.

Went for a mini-shopping with her at the Curve on Friday night and I brought her to my favourite restaurant, Bubba Gump Shrimp. Even with the large age differences between us (she's 40 and I'm 16), we managed to have interesting chats all the way till 11 pm. She talked about her experiences travelling all over the world (Palestine & Israel, UK, Indonesia etc.), her views on the Islamic world, about men and love and also the bone-chilling story of her mother getting butchered during the Marcos' cruel leadership.

Baiboon is a woman of wonders. She had a tough life but that did not stop her from being where she is now. Now, she's just happy being a jet-setter and seeing the world from different angles.

Okay dokey! Time to get back to my books :(

With Baibonn at Bubba Gump

I Love. I Hate

I LOVE chocolates
I HATE Maths

I LOVE Lenka

I HATE animes

I LOVE blog-hopping
I HATE backstabbing

I LOVE secrets

I HATE rumours

I LOVE flowers
I HATE lizards

I LOVE love

I HATE hatred

I LOVE choices
I HATE limitations

I LOVE faith

I HATE doubt

I LOVE Oprah Winfrey
I HATE Amy Winehouse

I LOVE you

I HATE you

Choices and the Future

I love and hate thinking about the future. It's exciting to wonder about the things that you will go through and experience 5-10 years down the road. But it's equally daunting when you think about the things that you would have to leave behind as you take new steps each time.

The familiarity and the comfort zone that you would have to move away from. And the new things and people that you will encounter. They can be interesting but my biggest fear is making the wrong choices.

I don't want to pick the mistaken road. I don't want to be in the wrong circle of friends. I don't want to stray away from the planned path due to my off beam choices and decisions.

But what if it happens? Will I be able to handle the mistakes of my bad choices? I'm the kind of person who gets really distressed when the order of life is being messed up with.

But then again, isn't that what life is all about? Let it mess up once in awhile and in time, you'll learn how to straighten it out again. Nunu and I frequently thought about our future while on the bus and where will we be after SPM etc.

I gave it a long thought and it's decided, whatever comes my way, I'm gonna take it all in stride, be it the good or the bad choices made.

A Step Closer To Him

I only slept for 1 hour and a half on Friday night. The Muslim students had this 'kem ibadah' where you spent 2 days getting yourself closer to Allah. It was an eye-opening experience. It opened your eyes to the things that you have done and have not done to Him.

It questioned your exact purpose living in this world. It reflected the inner you, the good and the bad. It closed the ranks we had. It was just you, me and Him.

There was this one session where we talked about how great our parents have been to us and how we sometimes forget to appreciate the things they have done. One girl was literally crying her eyeballs out. Crying on the floor and screaming "Mak, nak balik! Nak mak!". I was afraid that she was possessed by some sort of spirit. Banyak dosa kot. Errk!

The rest of us had been so busy with our own things that we hardly hang out and gossip around anymore. But we finally managed to squeeze in a lil bonding moment with the gals. Gosh, how I miss laughing with the 'Nanisia' until my stomach hurts! Hanging around in the surau, munching on junk foods and acting like Indon maids (Bibik Wanted!). That was hilarious! Haha.

The camp has brought me a step closer to Him. Every so often, we're too occupied with the worldly stuff until we're drawn away from the power above.

So I need to constantly remind myself, there's only so many things I can do but at the end of the day it ALL goes back to Him.

With Mimi and Nunu (lol what's with that face?)

Ayu bertudung? =)

Smelly feet!

The guys

And of course, the girls

Lovely Saturday

I joined my mum's brunch meeting with Patrick Yeoh at Dome, KLCC today. Patrick Yeoh is a renowned Malaysian author/playwright/film director/columnist and I was enthralled by the meeting today. I didn't know much about him but my mum loved his writings and told me how she grew up reading Patrick's columns in NST.

From the conversations we had over coffee and cookies, I could tell that Patrick is a man of many stories. He lived his life well. And he's here now to share his wonderful stories that could inspire and move people, young and old.

He talked to us about his experiences living in various parts of the country (Kelantan, Sarawak, KL) and how they influenced his writings. He shared with us the saga behind the Malay feature film he wrote and directed, KAMI (starring the late Sudirman). He also told us his tales of teaching Malaysian students English and promulgated his passion for teaching.

And he said that EVERYONE has their own stories to tell, no matter how inconsequential it may seem. But if it truly comes from the heart then it can move feelings and stir emotions even if it's about the death of your cat.

After the brunch, the trio familia (me, mum and dad) went for lunch at a Persian restaurant. Awesome food, I tell you.

Lovely Saturday =)

With Patrick Yeoh

Lunch at Al-Marjun

Don't

*Random thoughts

DON'T bite the cake if you want a smaller bum

DON'T waste your time if you know you can't chase after it

DON'T be a leader if you're going to lead in a dirty, unethical way

DON'T nag tirelessly if you're here not to inspire

DON'T put yourself off the ground when you taste success

DON'T take my heart if you're just here to toy around

DON'T make bad choices if you know what are the consequences

DON'T go after him even if you know he is out of your league

DON'T blame me for the things I didn't do

DON'T.....Just Don't

April Fools!

I'm not much of a prankster but I was in a playful mood today and decided to prank a few friends. Since it's April Fools' Day. Not that I'm a believer or an avid fan of it. But just for the sake of playing a fool on that day, you know.

Everyone loves Oreo cookies, right? But does everyone love Oreo cookies with toothpaste in them? Haha! I substituted the white cream with some toothpaste and offered the cookies to my friends.

And the reactions were hilarious! Some almost ate the whole thing thinking it's some kind of 'chocolate mint Oreo'. I hope none of you had stomach aches because of the toothpaste.

April Fools!

Can you tell which one is the original Oreo and which is the 'chocolate mint Oreo?

The bottom portion would be the pranked cookies!

Crazy Bus Tales

My ride home from school is an old orange Mercedes Benz bus. It's been 5 years (and counting....). And this bus tells 1001 different, wacky, crazy tales each time.

The screaming and hollering of excited kids from the Effingham School are just unbearable. I get really pissed off everytime one of them knock my head with their elbows. And they have really hard elbows, I tell you. So it hurts.

I couldn't stop laughing when I thought about one of the kids throwing guava to Nunu's face or an eaten rambutan to one of us. I get really annoyed when I remember one of the kids stealing my PJ clothes and probably threw them out of the windows after I told them to shut up.

The story of a couple of girls (I shall not name names *wink!*) peeing in the hole at the back of the bus appalled me. Nunu's head and mine practically get out of the window when we fall asleep on the bus, sometimes. We're lucky that no lorries have ran over our heads. Haha!

Even though I hate the fishy smell and the humid air of the bus and the noisy kids, I can't hate the fact that it has been my only mean of transport home for the last 5 years of high school. There are times when I feel like jumping off the bus but I know it won't get me anywhere nearer to home.

So, looks like I have to suffer on the crazy bus for the next 8 months or so. At least I have Nunu with me.

Here's what the bus looks like. It's a whole different world, I tell you.
*Pics stolen from Rose Sharon's blog!

Welcome to the ultimate 'bus life'!

Vandalised seats

Debate talk by Yours Truly

I had a debate talk today at Sekolah Menengah Agama Kuala Lumpur (SMAKL), one of the best religious school in Selangor and KL. But instead of listening to the talk, I was the one GIVING it! Pretty cool, eh?

I'm the not the best debater around. I'm not even close to being the best. But I've had a fair share of debating experiences and so, while I may not be the best but they had a thing or 2 to learn from me. I shared with them my experiences of being a member of a national champions team and the basics of debating and a few pointers on what it takes to be a debater.

We had an impromptu mock debate on the motion 'Handphones should be banned in school'. Just a simple one. I just wanted to see where do the debaters stand. Overall, they're not as good as DJian debaters (duh! lol) but they have great potentials in them and with the right consistent coaching, they can go far.

Some of the students were not that proficient in English, mostly the younger kids (Form 1/2) but they have a great hunger for knowledge and they wanted to know more. So I had to explain to them again what I talked about earlier in Malay language.

But that was fine. They still wanted to learn even with the language barrier and I truly respect people like that. Wish I could do more to help them but I did what I could today.

A defying act

I, for the first time in my 5 years in high school, defied the system that has been a suffocation and a nuisance to most of us. Here's what happened this morning when I walked into the school gates.


Prefect: Excuse me, but you're late today. (The prefect was ready to jot down my name in her notebook)

Me: I'm late? What time do you consider people late?

Prefect: Umm...7.26 or 7.27 am.

Me: Last time I checked the time before I got out of the car was 7.25 am. Don't tell me it took me one minute to step into the school compound from the front entrance. I arrived just in time. NOT late.


And I walked away from the lines of prefects, with them staring after my back. Hah, take that! I have nothing personal against the 'blue people' but really, sometimes they're just too much. Like their main scrutiny is to complicate our lives even more.

Oh, your socks are too short. Oh no, your nails are too long. Excuse me, your fringe is an inch longer. Hey, you're late!

Every minute and inch matters to these guys.

Calling ALL DJians!

Calling all DJians! I'm carrying out a survey on Nostalgia. This year, we want to produce a magazine of the best quality that caters to ALL of our readers. And in order for us to do that, we need to see it from the readers' perspectives.

So share your opinions and suggestions on how to make Nostalgia magazine a better one. Tell us what's hot and what's not about it. Enlighten us with the stuffs that you would like to see in this next edition.

You can drop a comment at this post. It's the year of revolution, people! Let's make the best out of it =)


Cheers!
Nik Nor Zafirah
Editor-in-Chief
Nostalgia 2009

Potluck-ing

Ashiqin's 17th birthday was celebrated at Central Park near OneUtama. We prepared a 'potluck party' where everyone brought their own food.

I baked my oh-so-special bread pudding. Alia brought sandwiches and choc muffins. Hanna and Anis bought Big Apple doughnuts. Wai Meng and Syamir bought Jusco chickens. Fadzil opted for something healthy by bringing his own fruit platters. Nunu fried some chicken nuggets (that's a first for her) and Naj even baked some brownies of his own.

With the food spread on the ground, we had a party of our own at the park. The guys caught a tortoise from the nearby lake and the cruel Wai Meng even stepped on it. Heesh!

But anyway Happy Belated 17th Birthday, ASHIQIN!!!
Kau dah semakin tua nampaknya. Lol!

Besties Forever!

Gadis-gadis ayu

We love to pose, don't we?

With the cheerful birthday girl =)

Ooo la la!

Jabir climbing on the post. How brave!

Group photo, everyone!

Lelaki melayu (yang bukan melayu) sejati DJ

Jabir looking victorious with his tortoise

The guys

The girls

The girls...again

Awwww.....