The end of Ramadan, and 1st Syawal beckoning

although there are still few more days left of this Ramadan month. I would like to wish a Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri & Happy Holidays to you all!

Take care and don't road hogging eh? or I'll kick your sorry ass haha..

Listen: Suasana Aidilfitri - Annuar & Elinna

State of Play

Hi there.

Have you watched the movie 'State Of Play' ? This is another Political Conspiracy story from The Capitol Hill, DC. The main characters are a reporter named Cal McAffey (played by overweight Russell Crowe, but still brilliant!) who is a college friend of congressman Rep. Stephen Collins (played by Ben Affleck! Not so convincing to me, but oh well, I’m probably so used to congressman being portrayed as old-almost-senile type). 2 murders and 1 near fatal shooting opened the story at the beginning and from then on, the motives and linkages unravel to a more complex conspiracy surrounding the congressman, his sex scandal and more profound reason of all the madness, money (of course). In between all that, there seems to be old wound or history in the friendships between Cal, Stephen and Stephen’s wife Annie (played by Robin Wright). As a friend, Cal seems unrelentlessly trying to protect Stephen, but at the same time he is also a true journo at heart and chasing the scoop of news and bringing out the truth is what he does best. It is also fun to see the dynamic between Cal and his sidekick, a dewy-eye cub-reporter name Della Frye. (Played by Rachel McAdams – I love her!) I feel the movie is refreshing as we are also been thrust to look at things from a newspaper/reporter’s point of view and how things work in a news room. And yeah! Helen Mirren rocks as the tough cookie Editor of the Washington Globe.

Quiz Time!

Hello y'all,
you know there are so much quizzes that you can do over at Facebook, aight? but I came across this one at Ellyn's blog sometimes ago and it was fun. Fun as in ; I'm too lazy to do my work-and-it's Friday-so can't wait for the weekend kinda fun. So yeah, try it. But am not tagging anybody tho..

rules: copy to your own note, erase my answers, enter yours, and tag ten people. use the first letter of your name to answer each of the following questions. they have to be real - nothing made up! if the person before you had the same first initial, you must use different answers. you cannot use any word twice and you can't use your name for the boy/girl name question.

1. what i would prefer to have been my name : Shazmin
2. a four letter word : Shit
3. a boy's name : Shia Le Beouff
4. a girl's name : Shakira
5. an occupation : Stock broker
6. a color : Sparkling Red
7. something you'll wear : Salvatore Ferragamo
8. somewhere you want to go : Salamanca, Spain
(hah! i made this question up, because I dunno where the original No. 8 went to :P)
9. a food : Soup
10. something found in the bathroom : Shower foam
11. a place : Seremban
12. a reason for being late : Stuck in traffic
13. something you'd shout : Sweett!
14. a movie title : Slumdog Millionaire
15. something you drink : Sirap Limau
16. a musical group : Spice Girls
17. an animal : Seladang
18. a street name : Santa Monica Boulevard
19. a type of car : Subaru Impreza
20. the title of a song : Say my name – Destiny’s Child


And now, some flowers and green stuff for our eye's pleasure. Can't possibly put up food pictures now, being fasting month and all, rite?

Okay people, have a nice weekend ahead. I know I will, because it'll be extended til Monday. Woweee! State of Selangor is observing Nuzul Quran (17th Ramadan) so, yeah. I love days' off. Throw it my way. Anytime.

Listen : Have you Ever - Westlife version. Although I also love the original version by Brandy

Malaysia Satu

In conjunction with Independence Day celebration recently, a song-writing competition was launched to find a song that truly representing the spirit of 1 Malaysia concept. When the advertisement for the final shortlisted songs came on air, I thought this is the one with most catchy chorus & it instantly became my favourite. And yeay! to Audi Mok, Nurfatimah & Faizal Tahir coz they won the competition!

The lyric..

Ku teguh berdiri tiada lagi ragu atau gentar
Ku terus berani melangkah maju ke hadapan
Satu impian nyawaku pertaruhkan
Genggaman tanganmu, semangatku terus membara janji ku pada mu,
Harapanmu ingin ku laksanakan
kau adalah ilham pada mereka yang ingin Berjaya
Kau terus berjuang demi membawa perubahan satu impian oh berjuta harapan
Genggaman tanganmu, semangatku terus membara janji ku pada mu,
harapanmu ingin ku laksanakan
Satu Malaysia,
kita inspirasi pada dunia Nama kan dijulang,
kita menjadi kebanggaan
Satu wawasan bersama bergandingan..
Genggaman tanganmu, semangatku terus membara janji ku pada mu,
harapanmu ingin ku laksanakan

And now the song..

Big Shout Out to a Friend - yes Roz, to you! :)

May our friendship last forever by Nicholas Gordon

May our friendship last forever;

May I sail upon your sea.

May we go through life together;

May there always be a "we."

May I be your endless sky;

May you breathe my gentle air.

May you never wonder why

Each time you look for me, I'm there.

May we be for each a smile

Like the warm, life-giving sun;

Yet when we're in pain awhile,

May our suffering be one.

May we share our special days,

The happiness of one for two;

And if we must go separate ways,

Let my love remain with you.

Happy Birthday Roz, my dearest friend!

What Independence Day did to you..

Yesterday Malaysia celebrated 52nd Independence Day! Yay to my beloved country.

And over the long weekend, I had some time to reflect and ponder. Then, it just hit me. Like 'Bamm!' and I realized that some days on a rare occasion, I kind of like my work and what I’m doing for living. But most of the times, I freaking hate this job. If it isn’t for the money, I’d surely had blown this job into oblivion! Seriously. I cannot fathom the reason why I’m bothered to stay anyway. I’d be whining how much I hate my job to friends and almost bore them to death with my sad & sorry life. What makes it so hard for me to leave? To just walk away from all of these? Apart from the financial reason, I think the single biggest reason why I’m rutting here is due to ‘the unknown factor’. I am scared shitless to start all over at a new place, getting to know new colleagues, trying my best to fit in, urgh! That’s a borderline to a nightmare for me. It’s kind of funny because friends would be saying, ‘it shouldn’t be a problem for you because you’re such a friendly person’ well, as friendly as I am as to the next Miss Congeniality, I actually hate to be friendly all the time, people. Really, I know it’s my nature, being born under star of Pisces and all, but can a person sometimes go against their nature? They can, right? People change every day, I think. And what you read in horoscope not necessarily depict a real you and your truly self. Of course you’ll be a fool to let those prediction rules how to live your life. I am an example of how hard it is to leave my comfort zone. Even the thought of leaving would give me a minor heart palpitation. So distressing. Yep, it’s that bad.

But the thing is, after 7 years and half you know it's high time for you to pack and leave. Things have stopped being rosy many years ago. And it merely just a job now. The hunger has gone, the initiatives has long since wilted away. I need a change. Badly. So help me God.

Listen : Move Along - All American Rejects

Monday

It's monday. I'm fasting. Tummy's singing a sad song. And still have work to do. erghh!

Ramadhan is here!

yes, it's the time of the year again.

It's the arrival of Ramadhan month where all muslims are required to fast for everyday from sun up to sunset for a whole month. Muslim (in Malaysia) will start their fasting from tommorow until September 20th. It'll be a time to reflect, be thankful for all the good things in life and try to optimize the opportunity to score more good deeds (pahala) as much as possible during this holy month. And of course, don't over eat, people! I know it's tempting to see all delicacies and dishes on sale every afternoon throughout the month. Note to self : If anything, I should be watching what I'm eating this time. Haha!

So yeah, have a good ramadhan and hopefully we will be blessed during this holy month. Peace on earth y'all!

p/s: my car's battery died on me this morning! erghh!! but managed to had a good karaoke session last nite with I and her sister A and 3 new friends - A, H & A. Fun time before the fasting month? what a crap concept. But am not paying, so most definitely not complaining. tehehehe.

Taa..

Listen : Yang penting Hepi - Jamal Mirdad

It's what we are

Hi Y'all,

ok, first thing first. I freakingly finished the 'Breaking Dawn' today! yeay!! and am so happy with the ending of the Twilight Saga. Seriously, I love it. Hurrah to Bella & Edward. I'm crazy like that, i know.

Anyway, question of the day. Are we all hypocrites?

Well, I’d say, that depends. How truthful can you be? Or how far you would you go not caring what other people might think of you? For example, if you’re working in an office where you wholeheartedly and absolutely hating and loathing your boss. Would you go to him and tell him to ‘ Fuck Off!’ ? I don’t think so. That means, you still got left with consideration to be respectful in you. That does not mean, you hate him less, it is the afterward effects that you’re mulling with. For once, you’ll have to quit your job and work on finding new one. And you might hesitate to go and run amok because you’re concern with what others will think of you. If you value what other people think of you, then you might feel guilty and always in the concern of what might people think of your action? And seriously, that is one of things I hate most in this world – what other people might think? Why the fuck should I care?

Honestly, there is no way in this world for us to satisfy everybody. You did something and your parents might question, why? You changed your way, and then your friends will think you’re crazy. You did this way, they are rolling their eyes. You did that way; they are not nodding their heads either. So tell me? Who should we care for and be concern with? Yep. Ourselves folks. Other people be damn.

And I would say, we are all hypocrites. Not always intentionally, but sometimes we have to be one. Because my friends, this life is all about balance. You think hardest you can, consider all the actions and its consequences but in the end, they will come down to one thing. No regrets. At least, try not to have any.

I'm off to enjoy my weekend. Hope you'll have a good one.

Now, put your left hand on your heart, and here a kiss to your forehead. Muaashh!!

Listen : Our Song - Taylor Swift

Who do you think you are?

"ergh! am so emo right now. Sorry to bother you who read this. But I need to vent out something out of my system. Damn it la..I hate it when people whom I just met, supposely a new friend but talk bad things about me behind my back. Sheesh! who do you think you are? and to be honest, don't judge me because you ain't got that right to do so. In the first place, you're nobody to me. Nobody. I'm fine with my life before and I'm going to be ok now and I'll be good in future too, thanks. Knowing that you are actually a jerk, poyo and such an asshole is of no regret to me. You are just a speck of unworthy dust that somehow made your way into my universe. And now, would you please get lost and never came into my life again. You means nothing to me. Your friendship is worthless. Nope, I'm not affected by you. At all. If anything, it only shows that I should just trust my instinct more often..haha "

so there..I've said what I felt. Actually it's nothing lah. Forget that you read this.

Now, lets go back reading the 'Breaking Dawn' ..hah! this is another story. A comment from fellow fan of twilight Ann has asked whether I would like to have the e-book. I was so excited and said thanks to her but forgot to leave my email. Anyway, that same afternoon, I went out for lunch and somehow, I went into MPH and straightaway bought the book. Oww! then I realized I could read the ebook and probably get the book as part of my collections in future. Erghh! anyway, I already bought the book and currently on page 300. Arghhh! it's killing me you know?not knowing the ending.

Listen : Cool - Gwen Stafani

Twilight Newborn

Owh..I am soo sucked into this Twilight saga. Yesterday, I finished the 3rd book, 'Eclipse' and seriously, I can't wait to get my fangs on the next one ' Breaking Dawn'. (see, I'm good at Vampire-talk now! haha)

The stories is so interesting. I know it's a fiction, but still..just to come up with that kinda idea, developed it and wrote it down beautifully like that. Wow! a writer never cease to amaze me. They have such strong conviction of their ideas and all challenges aside, I know they thinks it's worthwhile. A good publisher do help, I think. Anyway, I'm enjoying the twilight saga very much and the next movie ' New Moon' is ready to roll out soon.

In the mean time, let me think whether I should ;

1) go spent my money and buy the 'Breaking Dawn'

2) wait until E finished reading hers and borrow it

3) or I should.. slowly throwing my charm and try to coerce an unsuspecting victim to give me their copy, cause if not then I'll turn into one angry vampire & start kissing their neck and sucking their blood! Ew! Gross!

Taa..

Listen : My Love - Justin Timberlake

People From Forks

Since I'm still in the Twilight mode..here goes some pictures to enjoy;





New Moon and Twilight Pictures



New Moon and Twilight Pictures




New Moon and Twilight Pictures




New Moon and Twilight Pictures



New Moon and Twilight Pictures




New Moon and Twilight Pictures


How 'bout that? Nice pics eh.

Btw, I finished reading 'New Moon' and just borrowed next book ' Eclipse' from my friend, Eva.

Listen : I'm me once more - Zee Avi

Edward Cullen & Isabella Swan

erm.. you know who are they right? no? well, nevermind. I myself just started reading about them. And to tell you the truth, it's kinda fascinating story to me. The whole idea that vampires are living and mingling with us, mere mortal, is mind blowing! But I broke my own rule; always read the book first, then go watch the movie/dvd. In this case, I bought the dvd way back early this year and already watched 'em. The film ' Twilight' was a major hit last year and needless to say so is the book sales. Only recently, I got to borrow the book from a friend, KC and got hooked on the series.

Today I bought the second book, New Moon. And knowing myself, I would prefer to read it in a single sitting. I can't really focus on the story if I got distracted, stop and then continue reading a novel. I just don't have the patience.

And oh yeah, I think Stephanie Meyer is an awesome writer. Have a nice weekend y'all.

Listen : Stay – Lisa Loeb

Transformation of a Cat

Weekends looming.

I'm quite bored and it's Friday.

So, let's have a look at this super cute transformation (no, not the Transformer the movie. which I'm yet to go and watch! lame, I know) of my favourite cat- Kodok! I met him again recently, and I was so amazed to see that he had grown soo much!No wonder his owner, Y is missing him badly. You see Y is currently expecting her first child and she & hubby have to find new home for Kodok. I am soo wanna take him in! but being away for work regularly might not be practical factor. So, check this out.

pictures above were taken on January 18th, 2009. Next, have a look at him with pictures dated February 10, 2009.

How about that? Next, these are most recent images of Kodoks taken last weekend (July 19, 2009). Hold your breath, folks!



Hah! he's obviously getting bigger and bigger now. What a cute cat!

Now that, really makes my day.

Listen : Bubbly - Colbie Callait

A Note..

Dear self,

I don’t know why I’m writing this note. I just thought that I would like to remind myself that some things just won’t go my way or turn out as what I wish for. So, please, just move on. Don’t dwell in the past, take heed and learn your lesson, dear. You know the drill; there is no point of lingering around and harp on the past mistakes. There is a whole wide world out there to be explored and the guilty feeling is one baggage you’ll want to leave behind. Go on love, you deserved so much better!

XoXo,

Shue

Listen : Already Gone - Kelly Clarkson

2nd half of this year..

has finally arrived. It's July 1st today and I was wondering where the last 6 months have gone to? Time really do flies folks.

And apparently, somebody is starting his new job today. Good luck Ben! and you know you're a subject of jealousy from all over the world.

Listen : You should've said no = Taylor Swift

The Way You Make Me Feel..

Goodbye to King of Pop - Michael Joseph Jackson (Aug 29,1958 - June 25, 2009). You're truly talented and one of greatest entertainer. You'll be missed by your legions of fan worldwide. And this is my favourite song of Michael Jackson. What's yours?

Arrghh..these last few days

are truly testing my patience. I'm sitting here(while trying to look super busy) and counting how many hours left before my departure time from Sarawak to KL. It'll be around 6.15 Friday evening.Woot! Can't wait to go back and meet my new gadget! Finally! it's a long awaited present for myself..err from myself!( i bought it on my own laa) How lame is that? no matter.

Anyway, I took some more pictures this last couple of days.

It was sunny and blue sky on Sunday..

when I heard a buzzing engine/motor sound nearby..

Owh! these are so cute. I don't know what's its name (a kind of Glider with engine-powered and the controller is sitting down) but in CSI last night, they called it 'Airlite'. And the person who's handling it got so near to the hotel building..

And then, it's back to peaceful sunset again..

Taa..

Listen : White Horse - Taylor Swift

Back to nature

Well it seems that I took a small step to conquer my own fear yesterday. Me and few friends went to visit Niah Cave and to tell you the truth, I have not walked that far for quite sometimes. The journey from Miri town to the Niah National Park took about 1 and half hour drive and then we have to take a boat ride to cross over a river (shortest boat ride - abt 1 minutes!) and started walking the trail for about 3 Kilometres to reach the Cave mouth. Owh! if it's not for the proper pathway/plank walkway, I don't think we'll make it less than 1 hour to the place. We first reach the Trader's Cave, it was name for the trading activities that took place there since long time ago where the collected birds' nest exchange hands between the traders and the birds nest collectors before it were taken out and sold at markets in town. We further climb up the steps and reach the main cave mouth of Niah Cave, they called it West Mouth and it's huge and very cooling inside. There is a gated area of archeology excavation site inside the cave where the archeologist have discovered existences of human as old as 40,000 years and remnants of early settlements in the cave. There is this eerie feeling to the whole cave and I have a new respect for the birds' nest collectors. Really, they would climb up a makeshift bamboo poles to reach the ceiling of the cave and collected the Swiftlets Nest which would end up as delicacies to others. It's a tough way of making a living, I'd say. I did not further climb up the trails into the deeper parts of the caves as I was bone tired at that point and make my way back outside to wait for my other friends. But anyway, having reached the main Niah Cave is a small accomplishment to me already. Haha! These are few pictures and sorry for the not-so-good quality as I was only using my handphone and regretfully did not pack my camera (sheesh!) for this outstation trip. Now I'm off to rest my blisterred feet. Ouch!

Listen: Girlfriend & Hot - Avril Lavigne (accompanied me along the walk back from the cave) Phew!

View from here..

I love checking out the view from my room balcony when I woke up in the morning and again when I came back from work in the evening. The sounds of waves kinda soothing. And I would love to have a home by a beach someday in future. Imagine, to have an ocean view from your kitchen windows, a deck to hang out and nap in the afternoon, reading for whole day while enjoying the breeze and walking on the beach watching the sunset.Bliss!

However, at the moment, these view will do.

Listen : Footprints in the sand - Leona Lewis