Salaam Maal Hijrah 1430!

Thank you Allah for a great 1429H, and I am still blessed with good health. Alhamdulillah

Without Islam and Iman, I am nothing. Nothing...

she has charisma

Every time she walks, every time she speaks, I can feel the ground moving underneath.

Do not know why

Today's classical guitar lesson was different. I mean, I felt different. I could feel a change in my body.

...

Needless to say, it was poignant.

Someday

I wish I own a coffee shop.

I sell good choices of coffee and of course my favorite, Hard Symphony Choco. I love sandwiches and pudding (Ah, pudding never bore me!). I love food. And I love eating them. Snacks, coffee, cakes.. can you imagine how interesting the menu could be?

I love big and comfy couch. And live acoustic band too. So that, customers can relax on couch and enjoy their favorite coffee, indulge a classic home-made pudding while listening to the very good acoustic band in town.

If you are my favorite customer, you'll get the discount.

Sparkles of Diwali

Diwali Night 2008
December 6
Grand Mercure Hotel, Yogyakarta

This warmly welcomed us.

Performances that deserve the applause.

And we let the happiness in.

Good table is the place for good food only.

Two of those who made the night sparkling.

The night would be incomplete without the gorgeouses in sarees.

Photo credit to this Mr. super talented photographer.

Festival of Sacrifice

Happy Eid al-Adha!

Combo Celebration

Last December 3, we had a nice birthday celebration of Toy, Budi and me at Silla.

Thanks guys. Thank you so much.

Not again

What were you doing at 10:17pm last night?
Watching The Namesake on Star Movies

Besides this, what are you doing right now?
Drinking Milo

Will you be up before 7am tomorrow?
Of course I will.

Who’s the funniest person you know?
Atikah?

Are you afraid to grow up?
No.

What was your worst subject in school?
Math and History. We don't mix, like oil and water.

If you just drank 14 beers describe what you would be doing?
Still sleeping?

Do you sleep with the door to your room open or closed?
Never bother about it.

When’s the last time you did something you knew was wrong?
Yesterday. I skipped lectures.

What are you wearing right now?
Shorts.

What are you listening to right now?
Silence

Whats your favorite number?
3

How is the weather right now?
Sunny.

Who was the last person you talked to on the phone?
Aimi

Do you smoke?
No, I don't.

Eye Color?
Ultra dark brown.

Favorite Month?
December.

What was the last movie you watched?
The Namesake

Favorite Day of the Year?
Last May 16.

If you could say something to someone right now what would you say?
Anua, wake up!!

Hugs or Kisses?
Hugs.

Are you still friends with people from school?
Yes.

Right-handed or Left-handed?
Right-handed.

How many pillows do you sleep with?
Three.

Would you rather sleep with someone else, or alone?
I am a loner.

What woke you up this morning?
I slept early last night.

Could you go the rest of your life without smoking a cigarette?
Definitely yes.

Have you ever in any way, been betrayed by someone you trust?
At least once.

Are you picky about who you give your number to?
Nope.

What do you prefer: McDonalds or Burger King?
McDonalds.

Would you rather go to Greece or Hawaii?
Greece.

Did you have a good birthday this year?
A very good dinner, shopping and karaoke on birthday eve and a great birthday celebration and another karaoke session on my birthday, I would say this year birthday was great. Thanks friends!

Last in line

Last In Line

Yesterday's weekend was one of those interesting days in 2008. :)

photo credit here

Chill

UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, my anger only lasts for 2 minutes. So do not worry if you think you pissed me off to no end. At minute 3, you are already forgiven.

Bad draw

When it happened to him, I complained like a little boy.

Today, I am in his shoes and I am totally clueless.

God, I need strength.

Boo-hoo

Let's enjoy weekend with hilarious chick flick, Last Holiday.

My favorite line is when Chef Didier told Georgia, "The start is not as nearly important as the finish"

photo credit here

So I decided to cut

And, the answer is faux hawk. This time, more friends approve it but,

...
....
...

I am silently missing my old unruly hair. It made my life mantra to go with the flow. Hee

And yes, I am writing this in Jogja.

Vertigo

I woke up this morning with bad vertigo. So far as I can remember, this was the second time I had. The first was last year, exactly before going back to Jogja.

And the doctor said it was not very serious except that my vestibular system is always unbalanced.

Sorry my fellow Malaysians for can't be your next national astronaut.

Friends, the strange feeling is still there. A burden is still a burden.

The doctor with Midas touch

Ma bought me 2 bags of 2 kilos Milo to be brought back to Jogja. Actually, they do sell Milo in Jogja but the taste is not the same. This is because Milo there is mixed with milk powder which altered the originality of its taste.

While transferring them into my bag, I found a pack of Nespray milk inside the plastic bag together with the Milos. It must be Ma's I thought.

"Take the milk with you too, it can keep your body fit" said Ma suddenly.

........
..............
....................

Ma, you are always my best doctor. I love you, always have, always will!

Please do not cut my hair off

I have a wide round face with broad wide big nose, eyes and thick lips on it. And, my jaw literally drop unconsciously sometimes.

So, is it sinful for me to keep hair long?

i don't want to cut my hair
i don't want to cut my hair
i don't want to cut my hair

No political phone calls. Yeah

Little Children is elegantly daring. Enough said.

photo credit here

What is this strange feeling in my chest?

The excitement of going back to Jogja this time is not as high as it used to be. Don't know why I feel empty deep inside. I mean, it is kind of hard to explain.

God, life is so weird sometimes.

Restore us politic peace

I was watching Little Children on HBO, alone. Ma fell asleep already, but Baba was doing something in the kitchen. The picture looked promising, until Kak Ti's call that changed my life into disaster permanently.

"What are you watching?"

"HBO"

"Go get Baba and tell him to watch Awani. Now!"

Hurm. : It was a political talk show.

Dear God, give me peace in a restless world, so that I can catch up the next show of Little Children, peacefully.

Time can't erase a feeling this strong

Sorry for did not give a call, tell my new number, join the gathering and pay a visit during Eid. Extremely sorry.

I miss my secondary school-mates (read: the boys) like crazy, period.

In my place

If you are a woman and attending 'naik rumah' party (housewarming party), do not forget to bring along a pack of sugar as a gift to the host.

So sweet, isn't it?

Thanks to my kindergarten teacher for the invitation. The food was marvelous, I tell you.

Yes, I am not a 70s baby

Ray-Ban glasses, mullet haircut, Madonna, cute girl with side pony-tail in mini skirt, not cute girl with funky and monstrous hairstyle in big loose t-shirt, Michael Jackson, tight fitting pants, Sheila Majid.. uh, they are so irresistable,

but this (below) really made me want to take a time machine and travel back to 80s now.

flirting at its finest, beautiful melody, alive campus life, cute young Ogy and Liza, funny evil Ali and his gang, great movie.

Bring back the good old days of 80s.

Thank you for uploading. Credit here

Dilemma of The Hopeless

If you are a very good medical student unlike me, I don't think this is a problem when non-medical people assume you to know everything about health, diseases and drugs.

I love when people asking my medical opinion and I do feel honored about that, but what has made me feel unpleasant is the knowledge that I have is shallow.

I am so sorry.

No, I should feel sorry for myself. I am a fourth year medical student for God's sake.

I want to be a good doctor. Ameen

I have problems with walking in the gray area of politeness

I thought I was polite. But I was wrong, politeness is always subjective. You cannot justify it based on one line. And, one line can lead you to anywhere, like it or not.

Actually, I did not know whether his/her feelings get hurt with my words or not, but I felt bad after that. You know you get a bad feeling in your stomach after doing things you are unsure about.

Whatever it is, it was my fault. That's a fact. Even though I did not mean it.

So I should be ready if I feel disturbed with people's words, because perhaps he/she does not mean it too. (what goes around comes around. Hee)

Yes, I did babbling a lot about people these days, but don't worry, I did not take them to heart. That was just my way to free my feelings. Yet, I still don't find it helps.

I don't love you love handles

Finally, I able to kick myself out of the house and go for a run!

It was a short run actually, but for people like me, it was an adventure! Now I start feeling dizzy and light headed. My mouth feels dry. And the heart, beats like a 50 caliber machine gun. Where have all the stamina gone? Err, have I ever had it? Ha ha Even memory storage of my brain can't tell me when was the last run. Too bad.

One thing for sure, post-exercise muscle soreness or Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS) will kill me for the next 24 hours! Ah, I hate it!

Run fat boy, run!

The real intruder

Do you do double date?

If yes, do you enjoy it?

I think double date is over-rated.

There were two pairs of lovers and 1 single guy having lunch together at restaurant. So, which one was I? Duh! I was that lonely, single and talking to himself guy. Ha ha.

For your information, I just came back from double date. To be specific, I've gotten myself into double date of my cousins. Yes, I was intruding their dates. Ha ha. If I knew it was an offer to join them for lunch with their life-partners, I wouldn't accept it in the first place. It was not fun at all to pretend haven't finished drinking or read sms while the couples were busy romancing.

Anyway, thanks for the treat, dude! :)

This is not political blog,

...even I blog about vehicle fuels.

To tell the truth, I am not good at engines, cars, petrol price stuffs. They are just not my cup of tea, yet. And please do not bring those topics into our conversation if you don't want to end-up talking to yourself because no one is there to talk to you back because I fell asleep already.

But I have learned new thing this morning. But before I proceed, you are allowed to laugh in my face for how out-dated I am. Please laugh until you cry.

Done laughing? Thank you.

Most of you might have heard the word 'natural gas vehicles' or NGV. (Duh!!) But I just knew it a few minutes ago and now very eager to write this in my blog. For those who don't know, NGV is an alternative fuel vehicles that uses compressed natural gas as a clean alternative to other automobile fuels.

Hello, could somebody tell me what is the 'compressed natural gas'?

Compressed natural gas is a fossil fuel substitute to petrols, diesel or propane fuel that made by compressing the natural gas (methane). Does it sound familiar? Yes it does because 90 percent of those sentences are copied and pasted from here. Ha ha

I do not know and understand how it works and I do not want to copy paste its mechanism of actions here because this is my blog, not chemical engineering lecture notes. If you are very desperate to know what is it, please apply for next year student intake of Petronas University of Technology or you can forget the form and just click here.

But, I'd like to share with you its advantages and disadvantages here. First, lets talk about good things. The advantages.

Since it has a 'natural' word in front of it, we can guess the benefits that offered by this new technology of vehicle fuels. And YES, you are so true, it is safer, cheaper, more convenient, ENVIRONMENTAL-FRIENDLY and stable, lower maintainence cost etc. Even Nair told me that, her uncle cuts the fuels money more than 50 percent per week! It is crazy! Crazy good I mean. My parents spend almost 210 bucks per week for petrol. So if they are using NGV, they might save RM100 a week! And I will have extra pocket money then. Extra comfortable life too.

But, I know we people just love to argue on good things. We will try our best to look for the bad side of it. So I present you, the disadvantages.

First, if you think car power and perfomances are much important than everything, I guess NGVs are not meant for you. This is because NGVs reduce the power. For instance, if a typical gasoline-powered car can go up to 400 miles without refueling, a NGV car can only go up to 200 miles. Then, if the gas run out in the middle of nowhere, you will face another problem. Today, it is still hard to find petrol pumps that provide natural gas fuels. Unless, you love to tow the car, which I do not.

NGVs' size is another drawback. Their bulky and huge tank(s) can make your car look like a taxi. If it looks like a taxi, it is still acceptable, but, what if your car looks like a giant mobile stove or submarine? Hey, if it can save money up to RM100 a week, who cares?

We have been taught in school that fossil fuels are non-renewable energy source. Our oil today is result of compression and heating of ancient organic materials, dead dinosaurs (if you do believe in evolution theory) and other pre-historic animals. It took centuries. So if all the sources are ceased already, then NGVs are no longer important. But in centuries ahead, if fossils fuels are still abundant, our future generations owe the world to death of cows, chickens, monkeys, tigers and us. I can't imagine one of my ears are used to fry a fish. Horror.

And please bear in mind, NGVs are still considered as new technology. Not all cars produced are built with NGV technology. You can click here to check whether your car is in the list or not. And, researchers expect that this technology will be fully applemented in 20 years ahead. Hee

To conclude, you can click here, here or here to read more about NGVs or if you doubt all the informations above. Yes, you are allowed to feel so because I doubt with myself too. Ha ha. I thought it is cool to write this kind of post, but I was totally wrong. :(

Why I said so? This is because, I don't even own a car!

I don't know to whom I should complain/beg/blame

This was not the first case. Indeed, this has happened so many times. At least, once a year. I do still remember when I was 11. It was in fasting months when people went to Masjid Binjai Rendah for terawikh (night prayers). And there was one night when we were shocked with the news that our big cousin, Kak Long died because of road accident while crossing the road to the mosque. Hence, that year we celebrated eid mubarak with heart filled with sorrow and tears.

10 years later, thing seemed unchanged. When her stepfather, our gentle Pok Long, left us forever at the same place and destination.

Last night, when sister just came back from there, she told me that Tok Billal Rozek just hit by a trailer and 3 cars in front of the mosque and died there. Inna lillah wa inna ilayhi raji'oon

It happens. And it keeps happening. The road is wider now. And gives more spaces for road users to speed on that long straight road (with a bend just before the mosque). I wonder why the speed limit sign shows a maximum of 90 km/h which previously was only 60. And I hope the government/state project of building up road divider which has been stopped only few meters from the mosque will be proceeded as soon as possible.

Drive safe

This headache,

is killing me. And I need something to kill it now. Hurm.

Bed rest?

I've bought 6 items only

If you are buying the whole supermarket, then why on earth you queue in 'express (10 items or less) lane'?

Do you know that the supermarket express lane is designed so that us with a few grocery items could get out of the store quickly?

If the sign does say 10 items or less, it means you can check out for 10 items or less ONLY not 10 types and each types consist of 10 items which made up to 100 items.

You don't need a pH.D to understand this.

Okay, you might forget or something. You are forgiven.

I don't blame the cashier. She might be in uncomfortable situation to tell the customers even it is in a polite way.

BUT, what on earth with those three supermarket managers or whatever positions you are, standing like idiots just in front of the counter and doing nothing while these forgetful customers using the inappropriate lane?

Shove it!

Thanks for asking

2005 Eid al-Fitr

Dude A: So, how many years are left?
I: 5 years

Aunty X: Which part of Indonesia are you staying?
I: Jogjakarta. 8 hours from Bandung.

2007 Eid al-Fitr

Dude A: Still in Indonesia? How many years are left?
I: Three

Aunty X: Which part of Indonesia are you staying? Jakarta ah?
I: Jogjakarta, aunty. 10 hours from Jakarta.

2008 Eid al-Fitr

Dude A: Haven't finished your medical study? So, how many years are left?
I: What's wrong with your math?

Aunty X: Is it near from your place to Medan? Where do u live in Indonesia?
I: Hong Kong

Yeay! It's not only me who ask the lame questions. Haha!

The previous title is rude. Sorry for my stupidity

DISCLAIMER

I DID NOT do hair REBONDING/STRAIGHTENING. Hair rebonding is a process where the chemical bonds in your hair are broken, rearranged and bonded again permanently using very strong chemicals. (source here)

I did hair SMOOTHENING (also known as RELAXING). It softens or relaxes natural curls or waves but may not make hair completely straight. For some people it will give a completely straightened look but for the majority of super curly or wavy tresses people, the results will be more relaxed than straightened. (source here) It calms my unruly hair!

Thank you to my classmates for educating me this.

I know I can't stop you, you and you from making fun with my new hair. Your versions of sarcasm are priceless. Well, what makes me feel better now is I do know rebonding and smoothing are two different things but, you don't.

Give comments/opinions or stating that you dislike is different from making fun/sarcasm. I do respect comments.

Happy Eid al-Fitr!

Happy Eid Mubarak!

Syyyyyyyyy...

Do you want to know a secret?

.......
...........
.....................
...........................
....................................
........................................

I was secretly wearing tight waist pants of Baju Melayu (the traditional Malay costume for men) for the whole day of first of Syawal. It was horrible, but by 3 p.m, I got used to it already.

Blame the stubborn adipocytes under my belly skin. And hell yes, beauty is pain.

Two biggest issue

First, Eid al-Fitr without variety of never ending special TV shows is not Eid al-Fitr in Malaysia. And, it is the only chance for me to watch last year's Bahasa movies on cinema that I missed. Out of the blue, my Astro (local satellite tv provider) decoder went off this evening. Fork.

Second, to visit all aunts and uncles of both parents' side is a must. I am the type of people who easily feels ackward to communicate after long time no see. Or else, I will end up questioning them same lame questions which I surely would not remember all of the answers after 5 minutes. So, one of strategies to reduce the degree of ackward-ness is not going there alone. I used to follow my sister's family. But, this year, her 6 kids grow bigger and healthier and limit the car space.

Argh, I so need a wife.

Happy Eid al-Fitr people!!

It good to be home

The pirates and I

I had superb sambal, ikan panggang and tēnē petola for iftar. What a combination!

Food, here I come!

Ooookay..

Another 5 weeks holidays. Hopefully everything will be fine. No more wasted days and nights, no more boring days. Bring back your unfinished research, do early comprehensive osce revision and go somewhere, please.

Yes, I'll be back home for Eid al-Fitr today.

Give respect get respect

SOMETIMES, different is good. Reason for us to get to know each other better. And, reason to respect.

To get respect, you have to give it - Erin Gruwell

Please, I don't want to hate you.

photo credit here

Guess what?

I am googling my ex-girlfriend. And I have tried different keywords, but none is positive.

Wonder where and how is she doing now?

All I really want

Farhana, Swarna Nair and my long lost Canon's PS A700 (how are you doing dear?) at 2007 Diwali Night

I always feel guilty whenever I borrow repeatedly my friends' digicam/camera phone. Very bad.

Yet, the feeling never stops me from keep bugging them same thing all the time. :(

Umbrella

I went through old photos collection in my laptop. And suddenly, this picture hit me right then and there.

This was taken during our first year when friends from Bandung, Indonesia paid us a visit here. We were at Borobudur Temple, Jogjakarta and as you can see all of us shading ourselves under those colorful umbrellas, the weather was quite unfriendly. Yet, we were still having fun!

Sheep! I was so skinny during that time. Thank God I am fatter now.

photo credit Helwa's

A tribute to weirds

I have been tagged by N.K. about weird things of myself.

So here they are:

1. I think kitten's meow is irritating.

2. Family (except nieces and nephews) calls me Kero. When texting them, I use Kuden. But, whenever we have conversation, I use 'kita'. Neither Kero nor Kuden.

3. Besides my ex-girlfriend, the only person I use Kuden when talking is with my cousin Yi.

4. I used to be scared of lightning and thunder. I cried and hugged my ustazah's legs when I was standard 6.

5. The best way to eat nasi lemak and nasi goreng is poured with half-cooked egg.

6. When it is the time to get new hair-cut, I am the laziest man in the world.

7. I eat quite fast.

8. My all time celebrity crush is Renee Zellwegger.

9. When I was in primary school, I used to think that I have Chinese blood and my mother's Chinese name is Sally.

10. I watch Kuch Kuch Hota Hai more than you thought.

11. I love sleeping while watching television.

12. My cell phone is Nokia 1100 which I think the most out-dated in my batch. Proud of it.

13. My default ringtone is 'Suasana Hari Raya' song. And, I haven't changed it for 2 years (errr.. not so sure)

14. I do not share my Milo with others. Haha

Not weird enough? Read the last one.

15. Some friends call me 'weirdo'

Happy Fasting people!

Now I can tune guitar by myself

I do not consider myself musically-talented. To be precise, I am somewhat a slow-learner. And tone deaf too.

Yes, I am telling you the truth.

I have joined classical guitar lessons for more than one-year, but still having difficulties to differentiate two distinctive notes. And this, irritates me so much. I can't even tune my own guitar.

So, I bought this.

It is BOSS's TU-80 Tuner & Metronome. This was the best thing I could have done. It works beautifully. And the metronome, it helps me to control myself from being out-tempo. You know, I always do that too. Sigh.

Anyway, good news for slow learners and tone-deafs out there. These so called disorders are curable! (YAHOO!) We will eventually get better at it, but we just need to learn the right way to do it.

With practises, we can get better! Believe it.

photo credit here

August 24th

Gana turns twenty-five on August 24th. Dear housemate, so today you added one more year. Now, where are we gonna put that other candle? Lol. I know you are not reading this but I still would like to wish you peace, happiness and good health. Just live life to the fullest! It is kinda cool having a housemate like you. And you, are such a positive force to us. Hehe. Enjoy your day, man!

And to my favorite shopping-karaokeing partner, Miss Kepam, enjoy your big twenty-three. May all the love and kindness that you show others be returned to you not only today on your birthday, but on each and every day. It is an honor to call you my friend!

What the world needs now..

... RESPECT

GOD, I so want to write more, more and more until you people get it. But it is not me. And I still think that talking about feelings NEVER help. Especially, if they are difficult.

Please understand me. Please.

Convergence insufficiency

We were so excited testing each other's eyes. We used Snellen Chart to check the visual acuity. Then we performed swinging-flashlight test to see the pupil function. But just before we finished our that day's skills lab, doctor demonstrated how to assess convergence (eyes coordination). It started with moving an object (for example, a pen) towards nose bridge.

Physiologically, both eyes will be approaching each other, in other words they are sustaining convergence. But mine, and another group-mate have negative results (Huh?). One of my eyes failed to move. Then, the doctor checked for my extraocular muscles condition, using Hirschberg test (she shone a light to my eyes and see the reflection). Thank God, I don't have strabismus (squint-eyed). According to doctor, mine is because accommodation of eyes is very weak. So nothing to worry about.

Hirschberg test in strabismus patient (see the assymetrical white dots)

Chill! It is not serious. I do have blurred vision after prolonged visual fixation (e.g reading) but it last only up to few seconds (there are cases of people who have blurred vision for more than 15 minutes!) . For the record, most of the blurred vision I have are always after having a very long and serious reading. Which is so RARE ha ha!

Now I know when I really really read lecture notes or not.

post-script: I really need an ophthalmologist or whoever knows better than me to correct me and tell me what really happens here. If it happened to be wrong.

photo credit here

Stammer?

I don't know which one is my real problem. It is either my English is getting worse and worse or I have a stammer. Or, I have both? Or, the stammer is because of the trouble getting out English words (because my English is poor)? I also don't know.

I hate myself. I know I don't have any kind of speech disorders, but being such a big loser. I am scared to speak English. I am scared if people laugh at my pronunciation. I am scared if people gossip with others how suck my English is. I am scared to death to look stupid. See. How loser I am. And let this bad mentality ruin my future. So pathetic. In fact, I am surrounded with friends who give me so much support.

I do not love myself until I do something to improve my English.

And, to fake having stammer just because cannot speak English is so not cool. Remember that.

Kung Fu Flying Torch

Whose idea was that, hoist Li Ning high into the air with cables, carrying Olympic torch and 'running' around the stadium?

Spectacular.

If Always is a 2009 movie, I bet Ted Baker would say the perfect ten ideas are democracy and penicillin and Olympic 2008 torch opening ceremony. Ha ha!

I like the running part. Perfect

photo credit here

Kick Start

Yes! Yes! Yes!


I finally watched The Dark Knight!

The movie was freaking great and The Joker, what a terrific performance!

What a great way to start my first day of fourth year of medical school. La la la la la

photo credit here

Once

Beautiful musics are played throughout the movie. Only the heartless do not fall into 'Falling Slowly'. Brilliant!

photo credit here

What i hate most

I hate the journey. It takes almost half of a day (if you count Terengganu - KL in) to be there. And you, have a hard time of waiting. But deep inside, you are so excited. Feels like your heart pondering outside the ribs.

Which then brings you the second hate.

I hate the excitement. You daydream everything full with colors and magic all the way to the destination. Then you smile to yourself, how big your dream could be. It is full of hopes, people. Hopes that blind your eyes and spoiled decisions. In the end you will hate yourself for hoping too much. Because, there is nothing real in there.

Ni'-mat

chocolate chips walnut cake..
sister's nasi beriyani..
mother's pengat durian..

O Allah, Thanks for all the nikmat.


A simple family celebration of my pirates', Ainur (16th) and Aminah (1st) and Amir (9th) birthday. Belated. What a blast!

(sigh)

I know I screwed up holidays. Spend 5 weeks with doing nothing. And sometimes feel like do not belong to 'the' place. Well, I think I deserve it. Thank God I am going back on Sunday.

But I know, Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful, still bless me with good foods. Alhamdulillah.

O food, I am sure going to miss you!

super-corn

Getting bored with air batu campur? Read this.

Awesome, I tell you. AWESOME!!!

A bowl of air jagung, (shaved ice mixed with corn and milk) at Kak Na's, Gong Badak is groaty to the max. If you are a regular visitor to Terengganu, or local people and looking for a nice new taste of hi-tea, set a spell to Kak Na's small and modest stall in Gong Badak. The stall is small but, the taste of air jagung 'rocks!'.

They serve pisang goreng (fried banana banana fritters) and laksa Penang there too. Give them a whirl.

post-script: Thanks to Marwan for correcting me the correct words of pisang goreng.

photo credit goes to cousin and his Sony Ericsson W700i

Best from local

It was heavily raining outside and nobody home when I came back from Gong Badak. I saw a big plastic bag hanging to the main door handle. As I looked into it, numerous dark purple round fruits inside. I was completely astounded. It's mangosteens, people! The last time I had must have been 3 years, maybe more. As soon mother got home, I told her about the mangosteens. Then, I know, it is from Umar, a lad that helps renovating our house. I am so thankful to him.

In the compound, there are 3 rambutan kerök nyör trees which already full with ripe rambutans. It named Kerök nyör because of the sweet flesh which as hard as coconut flesh and detachable to the seed, or in Terengganuspeak, called lököh. But, no matter how many people would fell in love for its sweetness, for me it still cannot beat rambutan gading, the striking yellow outside but juicy inside rambutan, and lököh too. Its almost perfect round shape, haired with smooth light green filaments. And the taste, will take you to someplace called dreamland. It is hauntingly sweet and juicy. Can I say any more than that? But do not get confused with rambutan rakyat, which so not lököh and a bit sour too.

You know what, talking about that already made my mouth water. Serious, I have to have it before going back to Jogja. Hmm.. I guess 5 days are enough for me to complete the mission of 'rambutan gading hunting'.

Some evenings, mother would look so busy in the kitchen with a bowl of durian fleshes in her hand. On the stove, a pot of water is boiling and a glass of santan, coconut milk she then pours into it. While stirring, nnissang, our local sugar is mixed together, giving the sweetness and adding the brown color to it. And finally, our pengat durian is now ready to eat with pulut, glutinous rice that mixed with santan and a bit salt. But in this case, I prefer bread better. I think I've had enough cholesterol.

photo credit here

vs Chuck

House succeed grab my attention and seduce me to watch the series back to back. It amuses me with much things that beyond my knowledge. And put a smile on my face in a very very rare occasion when they mention terms that I have had a glance in text books. Feels like you really not wasting your first three years of medical student. Hoho.

And suddenly came Chuck.

Our first meeting was when 'he fought with the sizzling shrimps'. And I am hooked. Chuck is charming, funny and blended with suspense and actions. It is really a kick to watch. And last night was the final episode of first season. No more 'Chuckles' on Monday night.

Well Chuck, you wow me. And leave House and his colleagues behind. Congrats.

Second season is on Sept 28. This nerd can't wait for it.

photo credit here

I can't wait for the 215th day of 2008

I do not blame the state government for no any cineplex built in town after two big companies terminated their businesses more than twenty years ago. For me, it has its own positive and negative opinions which you people can figure them out by yourselves.

And I will not stand up or lead an illegal demonstration along the road to plead particular body to build us, movie maniacs a cineplex and cry my heart out days and night. But, if there was one, I would not think twice. Buy ticket and enjoy movies as much as possible. :)

I hate to say this but, 'the bat is back'.

Sob sob..

Whilst The Dark Knight has swooped into theatres and got great responses from moviegoers all over the world, I am desperately counting days to August 3 to go back to Jogjakarta and praying that Batman will be still screened.

But. Think of all previous Batmans that I watched from cds and tv and never at cinema. Was I asking why then? And if not, how dare I start questioning it now.

But, I so want to see The Joker.

photo credit here

A Beautiful Mess

Dear you,

You can say all you want. And I, do not give a damn what do you say about it. At all.

The criminals lock and load their guns as rhythmically as rock drummers. Then, it throws me into a bloodbath. Fuh!

Well people, it is loud. It is bloody. And it is dirty. But for me, Smokin' Aces works and I love it.

Go download or grab the dvd now. Yes, NOW!

photo credit here

The Stubborn Iwe

There are two horses. One is a black beauty Ayu which is thin and easier to ride. And the other is a handsome white horse, named Iwe. Both are my favorites. But Iwe, his stubborn really stimulates my curiosity. Plus, Iwe's back is broader than Ayu and this does make him so comfortable to ride.

Sometimes, Iwe can be so naughty. It is very hard to tame him to put the bridle on. He knows what we are doing, saddling and bringing him to the paddock. He also knows who is new and afraid of him. As we get closer, he will be pretending not to finish eating yet. But as we give up, he stops eating. Such a naughty horse. To be honest, when it comes to groom him, Kiru will take over it. She is much braver than me. She calmly approaches him and put the bridle on his face. And I, cowardly stand on the far side.

Iwe can be restless too. There was one day when only Ayu was joining us for practice. From the paddock, we could see him inside the stable, lifting up and down his head as a sign of how much he eager to join us. But we just ignored him. Suddenly Dina shouted, "Iwe escaped!". All of sudden, Iwe already galloped wildly in the compound. He scooted around trying to get away from us. Luckily, Mahyas was there. She then sowed dried grass on the ground and tied a rope around Iwe's neck while he is eating it.

Once in a very blue moon, Iwe can be as fleet as deer. I just have to held the rein steady and do not hurry him. I ride him first slowly. When we are on the common I gave him a light touch with my whip, and we have a splendid trot.

Last Sunday, while cantering, I accidentally rolled down on the ground after Iwe suddenly fell down. Alhamdulillah, there was no serious injury. But, the incident did wake me up. Mas Doni told me that Iwe was still tired. He went for an enduring jungle tracking yesterday. After all, I believe that horse riding is just not grooming nor riding a horse. It is far more than that. It starts with mutual respect and trust between horse and human. We do rely on each other.

Nasi Lemak

It was another bright and sunny Thursday at Faculty of Cultural Sciences. And yesterday was an oppurtinity for me to try out different kinds of food from all over the world. I am no food connoisseur but I do love food.

Many countries participated in this International Culinary Festival. There were Korea, Japan, Thailand, Madagascar, Germany and many more. And each stalls was selling their traditional food. From Australian stall, I have had a scrummy Australian brownies. Those brownies do look gorgeous, beautiful and moist on the inside. And the cookies from Spain, they had a nice crunch!

But how could I forget the delicious cuisines of my country, Malaysia. The taste of appetizing home-made egg tart, toothsome vedu and scrumptious nasi lemak really reminisced me my hometown. As a multi-racial country with her three most-populated races; Malay, Chinese and India, I have always been fascinated with the food, especially nasi lemak.

I have an unforgettable experience with nasi lemak when I was seven. Every early in the morning before going to school, my aunt Mak Lang provided us two packets of nasi lemak. She used to sell nasi lemak during those days. And her nasi lemak was delicacy!

Teacher asked us to place all the food on the special table at the back of the class. We just can have it only during recess time. One day, after hours of tiring classes, we hurriedly rushed to the table to get our yummy nasi lemak. Surprisingly, we could not find our food. We were so sad but did not know what to do. So we went to the school canteen and bought keropok lekor and drinks. Few minutes before the bell rang, a girl came to us and handed us a plastic with one nasi lemak inside and said, "Sorry, I mistook your nasi lemak, I thought it was mine"

I looked at my cousin. And, we did not say a word. Are you serious?

Anatomy

"This is the prepuce of clitoris" recalled the doctor during an anatomy class on reproductive system. Like prepuce of penis, prepuce of clitoris is the external fold forming a cap over the clitoris. "And this is the part that is excised during circumcision", he added.

I remember at fourteen watching my few-months niece, Aida cried out loud when my late grandmother, Tuk Wan 'circumcising' her clitoris. As a male and young, I was not allowed to watch the procedure and waiting outside the room with my first niece, Ainur. As I heard Aida crying, I looked at Ainur and jolted, "It is your turn next" which made her bawled louder than her sister.

For years, Tuk Wan helped mothers for the birthing of their child. Being a midwife, she has done a lot of obstetrics jobs including female circumcision. Indeed, after retiring at seventy, she still providing female circumcision service. And she is the first reference whenever her granddaughters getting pregnant. Her 'rasa perut' or 'palpating of the uterus' skills (which in medical terms is called 'Leopold Examination') is at the finest. She simply predicted the due date and it turned out to be concise plus minus 1 or 2 days from the expected date. I have seen the procedure for many times, and the overwhelming smell of 'minyak urut' is still fresh in my mind. Although, I was never allowed to see the female circumcision. But I know, Tuk Wan circumcision procedure was very traditional and far from aseptic. In fact, she used a pen knife to 'cut' it. Surprisingly, none of the complication of genitalia cases has been complained until today.

Well, this is new to me. All the while, I used to believe that female circumcision is cutting part of glans of clitoris, not its prepuce. Hehe.. Plus, I just knew that clitoris itself can be subdivided to 3 parts; prepuce, glans and frenulum. Huh, anatomy is so 'over-acting', right?

Ironically, my sister called me last night. She just came back from doing a 'prepuce circumcision' for my youngest niece, Aminah at the nearby clinic.

The Overlooked Phase

Once upon a time, we had a warm conversation about me which I could not remember when exactly was it. There was my mother laughing heartily and my father laughing too. I was so busy baking kuih-muih, she said, so, I had to put you in a baby-walker most of the time. You just loved kicking the floor and gliding all over the house. My eyes smouldering up at her. You wheeled to your mother, and cried "Nok Uwe! Nok Uwe!" (Want the cake! Want the cake!), he added.

"There was one bright day, when you surprised everyone. I took you out of the walker to the floor, and you, miraculously ran toward us with hand full with 'apam'!" said mother. "We surprised to see you running but never see you crawling!"

Decades ago, the direct selling business was only a part-time business because my father is still active as a pots-and-pan dealer while my mother sells traditional cakes 'kuih-muih' at Pasar Payang. But, it lasted when I was in standard 2, if i am not mistaken.

Well readers, there is a simple phase of very early human development - you have to crawl before walking. It is a human nature to go through those phases. But, did I skip the crawling phase? Or just them who miss that historic event?

After all, I do believe that breaking the 'law of human nature' will withdraw your certain ability. So readers, maybe this is the best answer I could give if people asked me why I am not good in sports. Cheers!

What do you think?

A Favourite of Mine

If ever a band can be said to have gripped my soul, it is an Indonesian band, Sheila On 7. It has started so long ago, when they first entered Malaysia with their phenomenon-Sephia, and I was 15 years old. This urged me to buy their second album, Kisah Klasik Masa Depan (Classical Story for Future) which for me, is the best album of them!

While Duta the vocalist singing with his soothing voice, there is Eross the Genius, with his flawless guitar technics and wonderful melody. The album really hypnotized me with its great words and compositions. I do not know when I officially became enthusiast with this pop-alternative band, but I am very sure that I will not be late to have their new albums. And finally, I have compiled a collection of all their albums.

Pictures of my secondary schoolmates as we used to study together, burn the midnight oil for tomorrow exams while listening to Sheila's songs or when my father starting to grumble about the overplayed Bila Kau Tak Disampingku (When You Are Not With Me) in his car spring to mind whenever I listen to Buat Aku Tersenyum (Makes Me Smile) or Sahabat Sejati (True Friend).

Well, perhaps not many people know that one of the reasons why I chose Jogjakarta, Indonesia to do medicine is because Sheila On 7 is originally from here. Hehe. Unluckily, after almost 3 years here, I have never got a chance to meet my all-time favourite band, Sheila On 7. *wishlist*

Believe it or not, Berhenti Berharap (Stop Hoping) is one of the hardest song for me to sing at Happy Puppy Karaoke. *wishlist*

That's all for today, finger crossed for the wishlist.

I am glad there is you..

When I was standard 5, I followed my mother to English class twice a week. Yes, my mother was joining English class when she was 48.

She started with zero since she finished her school before 12. And when she was early 20, she and my father joined a direct-selling company which during that time at my place was not as famous as today. After years of struggling and commitment that they had poured to this new-passion, they turned out to be one of the successful bussiness-couple of that company in my hometown, Terengganu. This impressed the head of that company so well. Few names came out to be nominated as the first 'leader' in Terengganu, and their names were there too. But, the only two criterias that made their names out of the list were, too OLD and cannot 'speaking English' at all.

I know, for them this can be quite frustrating. But this also never stopped them. Thing that does not kill you, makes you stronger, right? I think this is one of the motivation that has inspired my mother to take English class.

At 48, my mother joined English class which situated somewhere along Jalan Tok Lam. She insisted me to join too, and as a small kid of hers, I joined. When I first entered the class, I could see a very wide range of age inside it. There were only few small kids like me and one or two seniors like my mother, and the rest were between 15 to 25. I do still remember our teacher, super-size Madam Jothi who drove a mini Kancil. She is so nice. She taught us without discrimination of age. But the most terrible part was when we had to copy an essay on the whiteboard. As a fragile slow-writer, it really tortured me so much. I quietly started to shed tears. Then, my mother, as angelic as always, slowly pulled my book and copied the whole essay for me.

My mother finished the 1 year course, but apparently she still cannot master the language until today. Well, it might sound pathetic, but for me, I am very proud of her. She is extra-confident to read English articles and letters out loud in front of my father, which he is envy it so much. And, she does enjoy watching English movies on HBO without subtitles. But the most precious part is, her extra-ordinary spirit that I never had, made me never stop running.

Reminiscence

I do still remember my first English teacher, Teacher Zaleha. As a young boy, I have always been fascinated by assortments of new vocabs about things that we can find in classroom like duster, blackboard, cupboard, chalk etc - but amusingly, all of them was wrongly pronounced. Then came Sir Ramli who loved telling stories with diverse intonations depending on how many characters inside his story. Or lovely Mrs Low, who appeared with various notions of teaching English. She first introduced us with her 'English corner' at the back of the classroom or her 'New 3 Words a Day' program. At almost every recess time, we had to go meeting and telling her what are those new three words that we had learnt.

But of course, people will not forget Teacher Rozilin, the fiercest English teacher that I ever had. Before starting the class, 30-plus of us had to stand up on the chairs unless you can answer her 'Tense Pop Quiz'. The trouble is, when you were the last five or three people standing, her extremely painful pinch on your tummy will be awarded. Then there was Mr Jaya, a replacement teacher who asked us to write 1-paragraph essay entitled 'My pet' which i had none. Truth to tell, he did love my imaginary pet, a monkey named William.

Yup, I miss those days like mad.

Bismillah

P Hsia told me to blog in English. I nodded my head and say, yes.

But it made me think, this is not that easy. I scared to blog in English.

The problem is not because I don't want to blog in English, but I really cannot write English properly with perfect tenses and variety of bombastic words. This is one of my biggest problem; English. I hate seeing myself talking or writing in English. I found myself 'funny'.

I told P Hsia that I even could not start blogging if I use English. I will be getting stuck in the middle of writing and blocking myself from expressing my true feeling. P Hsia just being as sweet as usual, "Write like you talk"

You may call me insane, talking alone and no response, but hey! It really helped! In fact, I can finish my 'muqaddimah' post even I can smell 'my standard 1 English' here.

But, please. please, please people, I really need your help to positively support me improving my English. Do leave comments and sit back. This will take some time.

*muqaddimah - introduction