The Joy of Blogging

I spend lotsa time catching up with dear friends the past few days. Well, from the many previous posts you can tell, right? It's partly true that when you're single, suddenly you seem to have more time to devote to your friends, besides work. I felt bad that I didn't put in extra effort last time but I learnt the hard way. Indeed, I fell with a huge "thud" but I thank God, for the many "hands" that pulled me up. :)

So I met Sze Luan yesterday, before the start of my night shift. I last saw her before I went to Bali & she, to New Zealand. She's one of the few poly mates I'm very close to (besides Fizah & Maria). And when we meet up, there are soooo many things to talk about that just dinner & coffee is not enough!



When I came into the back office for my shift, I was surprised to see my colleague, FRANKIE starting his first blog! Haha! It's like...WHOA, I tell you. We should really start a forum online or another blog called "The Conrad Bloggers". I'm touched that some of my colleagues are religiously reading my blog everyday coz I thought, mine is too simple (with no videos & chat boxes all). Anyway, Frankie already started his...so Liah: when's yours????


Oh, I watched the "Cinta" dvd already (the one I borrowed from Maria). It's about 5 different scenarios of love, set in a metropolitan city. It sends out a simple message about love & a great movie to watch with your dear ones. But I watched alone lorr. I like this line from the movie:

"Sometimes, the person we love most, is the most difficult person to love"

How true.

Aromatherapy, Baby!

Yay! I found my aroma burner! Well, not exactly the prettiest, but I'll make do with it. It looks somewhat Zen & Balinese lar. I wonder myself, why didn't I think of getting the burner when I was in Bali. And there are many other things I wanna get over there, can?

Suelyn, Nickole, Liah & Sue: When are we going to Bali, ah? I can hear the waves calling for me again. Keke!

To start on the aromatherapy regime, I also bought a Lavender essential oil & "Tropical Forest" home fragrance at The Body Shop. And Suliana joked with the shop assistant that I'm so stressed that I need to get 2 oils at the same time. Duh! Like feeling lavender-ish in a forest that kind...Goodness!

My Virgin Motorbike Ride

I've been wanting to go to the new Ikea store at Tampines for the longest time. Met Bedah at CCK, took the MRT to Woodlands & then a bus down to Tampines. The journey was about an hour only! It's better than taking the MRT all the way to Tampines.

Suliana was struggling to put on make-up in the bus. She was late (as usual) & STILL, didn't have the time to do it at home. Tsk.

And she brought along her so-thick Harry Porter book....

We both had nasi padang at the Ikea Cafe. The food reminds me of those served in hospitals...

I love my baju from Sydney. I wish I had shopped for more!

We were envious of the stuff in Ikea. I started to dream what my own place will be like. I'm sure it'll be a nice and comfy abode. Anyway, the store is soooo huge. I'm amazed by the self-service furniture area, just before the check out (exit). I was looking for candle holders for aromatherapy but nothing caught my eye. Then I thought of getting a bowl for putting potpourri but was too lazy to bring them back. Haha...so in the end, only Suliana got something for her home & Rina.

The 2 of us walked around for a bit at Tampines Mall before taking a coffee break at Starbucks. Suliana had to go off & I was left alone for a good 1 1/2 hrs. Planned to meet Maria & her friends at her void deck before going for dinner together.

I was waiting for Maria & I realise.....Her block is just opposite Faizal's! By the way, he's touring Europe now, for 18 days! Bloody hell...When's my turn?

Maria & her 3-patties burger!

So, Maria introduced me to her biker friends, called Hairul & "Weird". Now, Mr Weird has a real name of course, but since she calls him by that nick name, I shall address him the same, in my blog at least. Maria pillioned me to Jalan Kayu for Mad Jack. I'm her first pillion (besides her boyfie) & it was also my first bike ride! She was nervous & actually, I was too, though I've full trust in her. She asked me to pillion Mr Weird...but I don't feel right to pillion a guy I just met for 5 mins. Maria asked me hug her & not to let go at all times while we were on the road.

The ride was alright & we reached Mad Jack's safely. Had dinner & chatted till about 11 pm before Mr Weird asked if I know my way home. I was like...."Of course I know! It's just TPE, SLE, BKE & KJE". Even though I have no bike or car license, I definitely know directions well. :) I thought he was just asking for fun but he actually meant to send me home. Maria gave me the assurance & I decided..oh well, just go ahead with it. Hmmm....for a person who has never taken a ride on a bike before, I'm impressed with his riding. He has a big bike but indeed, like Maria said "You'll feel safe on his bike". That's ...kinda true. So, thanks Mr Weird, for the cool ride home. :)

Sunday DVD-ing with The Meenahs

Maria, Fizah & I finally met up today after sooo long. Being a Sunday, Maria suggested to just lepak at Fizah's place & watch dvds. I brought along my Australia pics (still in my digicam) & a bag of nachos. Maria brought Uno cards (we don't do mahjong, larr) & more dvds. In the end...we only managed to watch one. It's this malay movie called "Qabil Khushry Qabil Igam" starring Erra Fazira, Hans Issac (so handsome!), Ziana Zain & Rusdi Ramli. The show was very funny in the beginning, before leading to several tragedies. We 3 girls were laughing so hard & then... Maria & I were tearing. Fizah denied crying...But I know she felt emotional too. Hahaha!

7 years of friendship...& going strong. Especially now when one of them is "matchmaking" me with her friend. :)

We ordered Rite Pizza...& they came in Buy 1 Get 1 Free too. I told Fizah to just get a regular pizza but she insisted on medium. Alas....too much food!

I was hoping Maria could finish the food lorr....

Can really tell how MUCH they ate from the faces & how they pose for the pic...Hehe!

I've been wanting to watch this show...Glad I could borrow the dvd from Maria. Shall watch it on my next off day. Yippee!

And Maria is so sweet to give Fizah & I...a earring holder each! There's a thin material with tiny holes attached to the printed cloth. So, I just need to "hang" my earrings into the holes. Very unique!

We gossiped & chatted till about 11pm. Thanks meenahs...for the wonderful evening. Definitely made my otherwise gloomy Sunday, brighter. :)

Time Out

I have a colleague named Emily, who's like a kakak to me. It's been awhile since I really got the chance to chat with her (other than work related stuff). My mom still remembers her when she visited my place for Hari Raya 2 yrs back. Both of us were on the afternoon shift just now & made our way down to the locker rooms together. Emily asked if I wanna accompany her while she has a smoke, & I thought..why not...since I'm already a famous passive smoker.

She enquired about my well-being & how I'm coping with work etc. I told her work's fine coz I'm used to the stress, but when I shared with her about so & so, I felt overwhelmed with emotions & I teared. That so & so must have remembered....how Emily had "comforted" him too, when he lost the Ipod I gave him 2 yrs back. And he told me after that, "Emily is like a sister I never had". I'm moving on..& I prefer to be on my own for now (seeing how scary men can be). On my way to work, I saw a couple in the MRT....& their actions remind me of how he & I used to tease each other. THAT makes me sad...coz I had my hopes high & deep trust for him.

I wish I can give up the thoughts of asking why, what & how (there're so many questions he couldn't afford to answer).

I wish he could tell me the truth (or be a better liar?).

I wish I don't have to remember ANY of our happier times together (I'd rather not have the good memories if he could disappoint me like that).

I wish I'm stronger (God, pls help me).

I wish I can run away from here (I'm seriously planning to)....

Astrology-ing!

I know I shouldn't read into it too much. But I'm loving what I find out about myself! So, I got this from a website, a lil about Aquarius:

"In spite of the often intensely magnetic, forthcoming and open personality of the more extrovert kind of Aquarian, and of their desire to help humanity, neither type makes friends easily. They sometimes appear to condescend to others and take too little trouble to cultivate the acquaintance of people who do not particularly appeal to them.They do not give themselves easily - perhaps their judgment of human nature is too good for that - and are sometimes accounted cold. But once they decide that someone is worthy of their friendship or love, they can exert an almost hypnotic and irresistible mental attraction on them and will themselves become tenacious friends or lovers, ready to sacrifice everything for their partners and be faithful to them for life. However, they are sometimes disappointed emotionally because their own high personal ideals cause them to demand more of others than is reasonable. And if they are deceived their anger is terrible. If disillusioned, they do not forgive".

Friendship
Aquarius rules the Eleventh House of Friends, so it's no wonder that they appear to be friends with absolutely everyone. You'll only be deceived by this circumstantial evidence until you try to get close to the Water Bearer, however. Though they have many acquaintances, Aquarius rarely lets people get to know them on a deep level. They are somewhat aloof when it comes to their actual feelings. The perfect Aquarius companion is one with whom they can make an intellectual connection. If you give them their space while keeping conversation lively, they'll be your friend forever. (P/s: That means don't get on my nerves or be too corny!)

Relationship
The key to real passion for Aquarians, however, is in connecting with that lover who can make vulnerability safe for them. A lover who can help the Water Bearer get in touch with their innermost feelings and teach them to put the analyzing aside will tap into a torrent of emotion waiting to be released. The ideal Aquarius soul mate is an Einstein with lots of soul. The Aquarius lover is unconventional yet innovative, a charmer who can wow a crowd and draws great strength from the partner at their side. (P/s: I think my partner will be a lucky guy worr...& I'll make him feel lucky too! Hehe!)

Beauty
Although Aquarians have the utmost respect for themselves, they lack in the self-esteem department at times. They're always worrying about not looking good enough or not feminine enough. No need to worry, Water Bearers look stunning no matter what they do. Their beauty comes from the ability to accept themselves and make the best of the gifts they've been given. Aquarians set their own beauty standards, and this independence raises their beauty to a transcendent level. Her beauty is not of this world -- it's out of it. (P/s: I certainly agree & I'm feeling good about it!)

Travel
If you hit the trail with an Aquarian, you'll be traveling with the trailblazer of the Zodiac. Those born under this sign are nothing if not different, willing to go anywhere, anytime, with anyone for most any reason. People lovers that they are, Aquarians also feel right at home in the most bustling of cities. Learning about the people and places they visit is probably the number one thing on the Water Bearer's agenda. (P/s: Liah & Hamsa should be glad they could travel with me. Hahaha!)

So...I'm proud to be an Aquarian!

It's to MOS...Again

Thanks to Nickole's superb planning, the usual us could chiong at MOS last night. It's been some time since I went with them. The crowd wasn't that shiok larr... Not that it meant everything but it helps, you see. I prefer to stand at 1 corner, with my drink & dance around my own space. Not many (in fact, all) our male colleagues wouldn't wanna club with we girls coz we tend to just dance with each other. I don't really fancy grooving with people I don't know anyway... But Liah won hands down last night! 4 men (or rather boys) went up to her, ley! Must be the push up bra..... *laughs out loud*

Courtesy of Nickole's new N95!

Lotsa happenings the past 2 weeks.

I wish I can choose not to think about it.

I dislike disappointing others coz I know jolly well how it feels to be disappointed.

I want to be happy.

From This Moment

Was working night shifts ever since I came back from my leave. Liah, Jamadi, Rynn & myself was on night...Faizal & Helmi was on morning shift. We are the only Malays in Front Office & it's not often to see all of us together, larr. So...we took a photo. *winks*


Suliana was so sweet to give me a surprise visit at work yesterday. The little things that made my night... Thanks Bedah! Love you loads. :)



Watched "Freedom Writers" with my bestie just now. It was a great movie...Very inspiring indeed (I'm still not keen to be a teacher though). Mdm Suliana wanted to get a book at Borders but in the end, she didn't get any & I bought one myself! I barely started the book I got from Sydney but I couldn't resist the temptation. The review is kinda interesting. :) I wanna pick up reading EARNESTLY again. Haha!

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I got my long awaited answer yesterday. That someone replied my sms-es, finally. I expected it. I had a feeling how it'll turn out, even before I left for Australia. But being human, I had that much hope that things will go the way I wish for. I wasn't sore by the answer. Disappointment is obvious, of course. I'm upset that the someone didn't have the courage or supposedly, didn't know how to put it across to me. Truth hurts, I know. But I can "swallow" them better than disappointment. I brought it upon myself. I could have stop it but chose not to. Oh well, this is nothing compared to what I went through early this year.

To Suliana & fellow friends (you guys know) : I'll get by. I'll be fine. And I'll be stronger. :)

3 months ago, Liah told me : "Don't lead others on & don't get lead yourself" - I failed.
And she told me this just 2 days ago: "When one door closes, the other door opens". I pray.

She wrote me a nice testimonial on Friendster. I must thanked her too, coz besides Suliana, she & Helmi were my "counsellors" & supporters! They are fast becoming the fans of my blog! Keke!

Anyway, I wanna sit myself down one of these days & think about...what I could have done better & what I wanna do in future. Shall I just pack my stuff & leave?

"This Is For My People"

Since I was off for 3 good days from work after Aussie trip, I made full use of the days to go out with Suliana, ran my errands (like unpacking my stuff) & catch up with my friends. Met Siti & Wayne for dinner at Giraffe yesterday. Wayne was so late...he could have just joined us for dessert! The ambience at the restaurant was nice, service was good but the food choices are very limited. It's more of a place for you to cosy up with ya pals & load each other the latest gossip in town. Drinks menu are rather extensive though (for those people who DRINK, larr).

I asked them to pose & they shook hands instead. I know why! Siti & Wayne made an agreement to settle down with each once they reached 30 (If they're still single AND available by then). Haha!

Siti was telling me that she saw Ariff & his current squeeze while I was away in Australia. She was so pissed that she called me 3 times & she felt like slapping him. Oh well... Siti: Remember you said I'll be much happier without a jerk like him? Insyallah, I will.

To all my friends & colleagues who knew Ariff (& understood what happened): Please, if you happen to bump into him, you can stare as long as you can, but just ignore him for me. He became someone whom I don't know anymore & I don't wish to have any updates about him. You guys should get him out of your life too. What matters is that I'm glad you all stand by me & thank you, really. :)

After dinner at Giraffe, I went to Borders while waiting for Liah & Sadiq. Liah was sooo late (coz she had something on) that Sadiq & I went ahead to Mr Bean's Cafe. Helmi joined us after his shift & he called this meeting....A Reunion of the Boyanese Clan. Haha! Liah, Sadiq & I stayed out till about 3.30am!

Sadiq: Be strong ok...The Boyanese never admit defeat! The"road" will be difficult to travel but we are all behind you. I hope you'll find happiness soon. *hugs*

By the way, I got a slightly new hairstyle...to match my new eye-shadow colour from MAC. Loving my up-to-date look.. :)

Helmi took this pic of me secretly from his handphone. I thought I looked kinda distracted but Sadiq said that the shot has "attitude". Obek Mi Mi (Helmi, larr!) & Mat Boyan (Sadiq) are becoming professional photographers...so if they said the pic is nice, means it's super nice lorr! Hehehe....

The Holiday - Aussie Style (Part 3)

Finally...the last entry to my Australia saga! I just felt like sharing what I bought during my trip. Honestly, they didn't really do much of a damage to my purse coz I love what I bought! I wish I had gotten more though..Retail therapy lar..

Bought in Melbourne: A brown short dress (A$49.95), Hard Rock Cafe T-shirt (A$38) & printed top (A$29.95).

I like this dress! There's a small "cut" at the back, just below the neck line. :)

A pair of Dotti's jeans from Sydney (A$69.95) & Bonds' hipsties (A$11.95 each).

I got all these clothes for less than A$40! NOW you know why I said I should have shopped for more? Sheesh... Any ladies going to Sydney, please keep a lookout for shops called SES, Tempt, Cotton On & Dotti. Great buys at very reasonable prices!

I got a book by an Australian author & an aboriginal cd. I'm really feeling Down Under...Hah!

Read what's on the back cover of the book. Can anyone find their soul mate? I thought I found mine. *rolls eyes*

Instant coffee in a toothpaste-like form & Hudson's french vanilla syrup!

Hehe...beef Maggie noodles! I wonder how it'll taste....

I didn't really get much souveniers for my friends this time. Just got things for my family, Suliana, Naz & Hamsa. Remember I blogged about me asking someone something before I left for Australia? Oh well, I haven't got the answer still. Liah & Helmi said everything should be fine. If THAT someone happens to read this or my past entries, I hope you get what I mean, ok? You still owe me sms-es anyhow... :)

The Holiday - Aussie Style (Part 2)

Day 5: Sydney - Here We Come!

This poster compliments me larr... Hehe!

Flew a Qantas domestic flight to Sydney & reached there at about 1pm.

And we simply luuurve our room at Hilton Sydney!

We got a room on Level 38, mind you! Fantastic views of the city. The shopping & makan areas are spread nicely around the hotel too. So good location!

After cam-whoring a bit in the room, we went to check out Queen Victoria Building, which is just opposite the hotel. The stuff sold there are kinda upmarket & the structure of the building reminds me of those in Melbourne. We got hungry & thought of an early dinner. Took a taxi (coz we were tired of figuring out the map) & proceed to The Rocks! Fairoz told me to try this eatery called Pancakes on The Rocks. We ordered Chicken & Mushroom crepe, a bowl of nachos & a side salad. Not forgetting Devil's Delight, which consist of 2 chocolate pancakes, topped with chocolate ice-cream, strawberries & chocolate drizzle! Yummy yum yum!

After the sumptuous dinner, we walked down to Sydney Opera House & Sydney Harbour Bridge. It was a lovely sight....I wish THAT someone was around but I enjoyed Liah's company too. We talked about life, future..stuff like that. :)

Then it's to Hard Rock Cafe next! My sis was bugging me to get something for her from Hard Rock's collectibles. I already bought myself a shirt from Hard Rock Melbourne so I just got her one from Sydney's. Walked back to Hilton Sydney, put our stuff in the room & head downstairs to Zeta Bar for drinks. There was a small alfresco area at the bar where you can see the Queen Victoria Building smacked right in front. Beautiful....

Day 6: Shopping & Bondi-ing.

After breakfast, we went to Paddy's Market, near Chinatown. Most of the shops are selling the same stuff, it's like Bugis Market actually. I got my bro a shirt & 2 mats for my mom. Then to Pitt St (which is just beside Hilton Sydney) for serious shopping! Bought a few tops, a pair of jeans & a bangle!

And we had Krispy Kreme! The doughnuts are soft & tasty. Best larr!

Bondi Beach to look for surfer dudes! I wanna get a house there too. :)

By the time we got back to the city, it was rather late & we were so hungry! You see, we had a big breakfast at the hotel & doughnuts for like lunch cum tea time. After so much walking & braving the cold wind throughout the day, we could eat like carnivores! Liah & I decided to get take-aways & enjoy them in the comfort of our gorgeous room. :)

I had lahmachun (Turkish styled pizza), Liah bought a kebab & then we were craving for sushi! Buy 2 sushi & get 1 free. We were greedy lar....so we got 6! We were struggling to finish them! Haha... Heavy dinner but a good one!

Day 7: Blue Mountains & Jenolan Caves

Liah & I would take pics EVERY morning by our room's windows. It's nice to see the bright & sunny view of the city. I especially like the above, first on the left pic of myself by the glass window. Even Helmi said I looked good. Now...it's not easy to get REAL compliments from Helmi, ok. :) Anyway, we waited to be picked up for our tour to Blue Mountains & Jenolan Caves after breakfast. The journey to see the mountains took about 2 hrs from Sydney. We had 2 handsome Italian men sitting behind us in the coach. They were talking so loudly that I couldn't catch a proper nap. Tsk!

Blue Mountains & The 3 Sisters. Whoa....

It took another hour to reach Jenolan Caves from Blue Mountains. The cave tour was interesting AT FIRST. Liah & I got bored somehow & we were yawning non stop. Haha! I felt a lil claustrophobic being in the caves for too long. 2 hours, ley! We climbed up... walked down the small steps. Gosh...this holiday is really testing my stamina!

Was thinking of dinner at Hungry Jack (the logo is EXACTLY like Burger King's) on our way back to Sydney. We dropped at Darling Harbour & gladly saw an Oporto outlet there. Oporto is this famous fast food chain in Australia that serves flame-grilled chicken & burgers larr. I had a Bondi Burger Meal (How Sydney-ish is that!) & Liah had 1/4 chicken meal, dipped in Oporto's special chili sauce. Just beside Oporto, I saw Cold Rock ice cream parlour! Marc told me before how wonderful their ice-cream is. So, it's another must try!

I only understood the tagline AFTER I got my cuppa...

I chose Double Chocolate ice-cream & cookie dough as the topping. The staff then placed the ice-cream on a cold board, (Liah said it's ice. I'm not sure either) add the cookie dough on top of the ice-cream & started to "smash" & mix it with the ice-cream! I'm impressed!

Still mixing...making sure it blended nicely for dearest me.....

It's almost like Ben & Jerry's! Just that I see the making of the cookie dough chocolate ice-cream live at Cold Rock! Hehe~

Our last night in Sydney. Kinda sad to leave....

Day 8: Home Sweet Home

So it's our last day in our gorgeous room! What else can we do besides making the best out of the camera, the room & myself! I like my outfit AND the poses. Haha...feeling model for a while. And Hamsa said I'm not photogenic enough. Such audacity! *Laughs out loud*

Thank God our luggage didn't exceed the allowance of 20kg!

I insisted on grabbing a bite before boarding our flight back. The food served on planes are usually sucky anyway. I was happy...that I got my favourites. I couldn't ask for more. Starbucks' Mint Latte (Starbucks in S'pore only carry mint syrup during Christmas worr), Jester's beef & mushroom pie & Krispy Kreme's Easter bun! Who cares about calories..for now at least. :) And guess what Liah ate? Oporto's fries & special chili sauce!

A trip with all the delicious food!

Goodbye Australia & welcome home to us.....

Liah: We shall make our JB outing come true, ok? Insyallah. And where are we going next? Though you are such a camera whore & couldn't get directions right for Heaven's sake, I still wanna travel with you again larr...*winks*