Tag From Wahidah

“The ink is running towards the page..” Northern Downpour by Panic At The Disco.

As I’m sitting here on the floor of my room staring at my laptop (it doesn’t have a name), innocently blog-hopping, I remembered Wahidah’s SMS telling me that she tagged me, so I hopped over to hers and found myself a long overdue tag to answer. So, instead of sleeping (its now 2.09 am) I’ve decided to answer this tag. Thank you so much Wahidah for giving me something to do tonight!

As with most tags, its in Malay. But, being the PPSMI victim student I am, I’ll translate it for all’a y’all. Whoppee.. >__<

Oh yeah, I’m gonna answer all of the questions starting with an “erm”, so that you’ll think that I actually put some thought into it.

1. Apakah benda paling penting dalam hidup kamu?

(What is the most important thing in your life?)

Erm, I would have to say my Iman. If you don’t know what it is, then look it up. You have google, don’t you? Dude, I don’t know where I’d be in this world (but more importantly, the next) if I didn’t have that.


2. Apakah benda terakhir yang kamu beli dengan duit sendiri?

(What was the last thing you bought with your own money?)

Erm, let me remember. You know anak pak man. His memory never fails to fail him. Erm.. (Wow! A second “Erm”! He must be REALLY thinking hard on this one!) If I remember correctly, a half-hour in the jamming studio. But can time count? If you insist on “thing”, then four ringgits worth of gas for my scooter.


3. Di manakah tempat impian perkahwinan kamu?

(Where’s your dream wedding place?)

Erm, Earth. Preferably in Malaysia. I wouldn’t mind having it in a mosque. Of course, that mosque should be terrorist/Islamic separatist group/ Thai Military proof. I don’t want THAT kind of publicity. Please.

4. Berapa lama hubungan kamu berkekalan?

(How long has your relationship lasted?)

Relationship with Allah SWT, Rasulallah SAW, family = all my life, and hopefully until the day I die.

Relationship with friends = from the first time I met them until now.

Relationship with shopkeepers = from the moment I ask them “Brapa ni kak/abang?” until I leave the premise.

Relationship with cockroaches in my home = from the moment I spot them until the moment I squish them with a thick book.

*The questions COULD be a little more specific, don’t you think?

5. Adakah kamu dilamun cinta?
(Are you in love?)

Yes. With Allah SWT. With Rasulallah SAW. With my family. With myself. With myself. Oh, wait. Did I say that already? :) Oh yeah, I forgot.. Erm..


6. Di manakah restoran terakhir kamu makan malam?
(Where is the last restaurant you last had dinner in located?)

Erm, Bedong. No wait! Dinner-lah! Erm, Bedong.


7. Namakan buku terakhir yang kamu beli?
(Name the last book you bought?)

Erm, To Kill A Mockingbird (by Harper Lee) is the title. But I would have to name it, I Am Spartacus. (Because it rhymes with Atticus).

8. Apakah nama penuh kamu?

(What is your full name?)

Erm, Anak Pak Man.

9. Kamu lebih senang dengan mak atau ayah?

(Who is easier to you? Mother or Father?)

Easy in what sense?? Erm.. *suspicious look*

10. Namakan seseorang yang kamu ingin berjumpa untuk pertama kalinya dalam hidup anda?

(Name a person you want to meet for the first time in your life?)

Erm, myself. That would be a nice conversation..

Me: Hi! What’s your name?

Other me: Anak Pak Man.

Me: Hey, so is mine! What a coincidence!

Other me: Yeah! Totally! Too bad I’m better looking than you.

Me: *Stabs me to death* Pasai dia riak. (Because he was boastful.)

11. Sebutkan 7 sabahat PALING rapat dengan anda?

(Mention 7 friends that are closest to you right now.)

Erm, I would have to say, at the moment-lah.. Atticus, Scout (Jean-Louis), Jem (Jeremy), Calpurnia, Miss Maudie, Boo (Arthur), and of course Dill.

12. Adakah kamu mencuci pakaian kamu sendiri?
(Do you wash your own clothes?)

Erm, I certainly-diddly-do. At the Institute, I hand-wash them myself. At home, I personally put them into the washing machine.

13. Tempat yg paling seronok kamu mahu pergi?
(The funnest place that you want to go?)

Erm, heaven.


14. 5 perkara tentang org yang tag kamu

(5 things about the person who tagged you.)

Erm, well.

First of all, her name’s Wahidah.

Second of all, she’s a girl.

Third of all, she can read.

Fourth of all, she can write.

Fifth of all, she can speak. Yes she can. Oh, yes she can.

15. 8 perkara yang kamu sangat gilai?

(8 things that make you crazy.)

Erm,

i. Watching crazy people.

ii. Listening to crazy people.

iii. Thinking about crazy people.

iv. Acting like a crazy person.

v. Watching crappy Indonesian (and Malaysian, for that matter) soap-operas.

vi. Listening to crappy rock kapak songs. (They just turn my brain to faeces.)

vii. The H1N1 virus.

viii. Answering this tag.

Other me: Hey, did you mis-translate the question?

Me: So what if I did? *Shoots other me on the forehead* That’s for asking one-too-many questions. (But didn’t he ask only one question?) That was one-too-many.

16. Tag 5 orang?

(Tag 5 people.)

Erm..

You know what? I’m gonna open this tag to everybody and anybody who is up for it. (Nobody-la tu..)

Is that all?

Welcome Home and A First!

“Take off the shoes that you hate.” – Right Now by Dustbox

Salutations to all of you who call yourselves land-lovers. To those not so fond of land, go jump off a bridge.

Bungee-jumping is mighty fun!

Allow me to explain my absence to any of you who might have been wondering “Where the *&^% is anak pak man??” I’ve been away on holiday to where else but to my lovely kampung, Kuala Krai, Kelantan. But before we (the family) went there, we took a stroll on the dangerous side. We went to Hatyai, Thailand for a 3 day, 2 night visit to “unwind”. Sure, we went there, “unwound” and stuff. After spending our 3 days there, we shot back home to Kuala Krai through the Rantau Panjang border. We passed through, even had lunch at, Narathiwat, oblivious to what was to happen the very next day. To my astonishment, a car bomb had exploded there, in Narathiwat, and the day after that was to be the day that saddens me to no end. A congregation of people committing themselves to Allah in Isya’ prayers, were committed murder against by “some low LOW people”. Those people, who dare enter the holy house of Allah and commit such a crime as murder unto 12 people, should be called nothing but scum. May we bequeath upon those souls who gave their lives in the road of righteousness an al-Fatihah.

I do consider myself and my family a very lucky bunch of people to be out of that dreadful region of the world a day before the sheer stupidity started. Alhamdulillah. I now hope that I never have to go to that appalling country again. I really do dislike it. I don’t care what you say. I’d take Padang Besar over Hatyai any day man. Any day.

Bloody mess..

Oh yeah, upon 6 hours of our arrival to my grandparent’s house in Kampung Tualang (which has no phone line coverage, by the way) my grandfather suddenly fell quite sick. We were REALLY worried as he didn’t even go to Friday prayers because he couldn’t even find the strength to even get out of bed. We worried that it might be another case of Chikugunya (is this the right spelling?) So we took him to the hospital that night, and after a magic injection by the good doctors of Kuala Krai District Hospital (which also happens to be the place where I was born) had made him feel a little better. All he needed, said the doctor, was enough water and enough rest. So for the rest of our holiday, we gave him plenty of both.

I didn’t want to disturb his rest, so I entertained myself in completing my reading of “To Kill A Mockingbird” by what’s-her-name. (I’m really bad at remembering names of authors). Great read. Makes us realise what kind of world we’re living in. makes us aware of racism and all that gargle. Read it for yourself if you’d like. You won’t regret it. It makes you think. Thinking goooood. Not thinking baaaaad. (Sounding like a retard).

Being in such a kampung-like place called “Kuala Krai” didn’t mean it was really so hulu (rural) that it was cut-off from technology. Not at all. In fact, there are TWO (that’s right, one is so yesterday..) cyber cafes in town. All that was required of me was to drive (or brought) 5 minutes into the pekan (town) of Kuala Krai and voila! Internet access at RM3 an hour! (Expensive for a kampung cyber café, but better this than nothing right?) I kept up my blog hopping, without really having the spirit to write anything. Home is truly where the heart is, and, in this case, where my blog-writing is too! I love you Streamyx..

I have now just returned from my rather long holiday, after saying goodbye and wishing all the best of health to my grandparents.

Inspired by the Inquisitive Instigator’s post, I have decided to put up video that I have been drooling over of late. This is my first time posting a video. Hope you enjoy! (Hit you back, Aza!)

These guys are 9mm Parabellum Bullet, a kick-ass band from Japan. I've only started listening to them yesterday, and they already rank highly among my most favourite bands.Go to http://9mm.jp

Langkawi iwakgnaL

“My friend fancies you..” – Leave Before the Lights Come On by Arctic Monkeys.

.Map of Langkawi Island.

The island of legends, as they say. My class, TESL 2 along with Puan Faridah (Numerical Literacy) and of course Miss Letch (class tutor) went there for our end of semester class trip on the 22^nd to the 24^th of May 2009. And, as promised, here’s the lowdown on what we did there. And lots of pictures, of course.

Arranging the trip wasn’t easy, I must say. Good thing I wasn’t the one managing the trip. ;P It was my cousin, Azie that arranged it all for us. She did a great job, by the way. Thanks G, eh, Azie!!

Azie hard at work on the floor of the Angsana Room.

Once all the formalities prior to the trip was done and done (working paper, dealing with the lecturers, getting the coaster to take us there, etc.), we just went.

Everyone in the coaster to Kuala Perlis Jetty.

From left: Some guy, Azie and Kak Ann.

Oh, Kak Ann was our travel agent for the trip. She was very helpful and smiled a lot. Nice person she is.

Getting into the ferry.

Getting comfy inside the ferry.

In the bridge of the ferry.

Whilst in the ferry, Azie and me were allowed to get into the bridge (the ferry’s cockpit, if you will) to deal with Kak Ann regarding the payment for the trip. That was a good experience, although, I wasn’t allowed to take the wheel of the ferry. I can’t understand why not. I have a grade B2 driver’s licence, don’t I? (Hoih, tu lessen moto la ngong!) >__<”

We stayed at place called Tanjung Malie Beach Resort. It was quite near Underwaterworld Langkawi. But we didn’t enter Underwaterworld, however magical that would have been, because that wasn’t included in our package, and also our wallets/purses.

We arrived Tanjung Malie at night, settled into our rooms, had dinner at the nearby food premises, listened to Azie running down the next day’s tentative, then went to bed deflated.

The next morning we woke up early in the morning to go Island Hopping. Woohooo!!!

The class before Island Hopping with lecturers.

The breeze was great. The scenery, even better.

We took two boats. 12 on a boat, making a grand total of 24, including the 2 lecturers. First stop, Dayang Bunting Island.

Can you see the pregnant lady? (Her head’s on the right)

This greeted us upon arrival.

As well as these little buggers.

First thing we did there was feed the catfish there, not with bread or fish food, but with our feet.

Not for the ticklish.

We indulged in some swimming fun. This was so not like any PISA swimming pool. Hehe.

The lake was 15-25 feet deep, so it was REALLY deep. Good thing I can swim. But it was rather obvious that I hadn’t been working out for a while, explaining my heavy panting and sore thighs after swimming. Phheeww! The others who didn’t opt for swimming or fish feeding went for paddle boat rides. That seemed like fun, but I wanted to swim among the fishes rather than ride above them.

Aqua fun!

We stayed there for a bit more than an hour. Then we proceeded to eagle feeding. We couldn’t get close enough to the eagles for there to be any good shots, so there aren’t any pictures of that. Then we moved on to Beras Basah Beach.

The class at Beras Basah. (Proof)

TESL 2 beach line..

Some guy thinking he’s all that. (On the sand is written TESL, by the way)

Najihah buried. She was the Dayang Bunting on that day. :)

Them kids were KERRRAAAYYYZEEE!!

After that the boat came and picked us up and took us back. We went back to our rooms after that, after thoroughly enjoying the Island Hopping experience. After resting and performing our Zohor and Asar (Jama’) prayers, we were off to Gunung Mat Cincang to ride the cable cars there. But not before having lunch first. After having lunch, we realized that one of our vans (to travel around, we rented vans) had a flat tire, so we squeezed 13 people into one van, 4 into the lecturer’s car, and 5 in a car borrowed from one of driver’s there. Then, more drama ensued as the van that fitted 13 people broke down in front of the cable car gate. It couldn’t start. Dude, we’re in trouble, I said to myself. Good thing Mr. Bagan immediately called The van rental place and they replaced the tire and fixed up the van befor we got down from the cable cars. Lega aku~

Crazy high yo.. Scared yours truly.. huhu

The peak, the destination, the sanctuary.

That’s pretty high up yo.

Bapok prasan ensem. (Fag thinking he’s all that.)

We also went to the petting zoo in the place. Fed some deer, held some rabbits. Cute things, them. We eventually went back to our rooms, only to grab our wet clothes to go to the beach again! We walked to our lecturer’s chalet (they stayed somewhere else, Langkapuri Inn, if I’m not mistaken) nearby and went for a banana boat ride! Yeehaww!! (well, at least 10 of us).

Beautiful!!

Ride ‘em cowboy!

During the banana boat ride, they toppled us twice. The first time was accidental, but I enjoyed it. It was quite far from the shore, so there was that enticing thrill of the possibility of getting eaten by barracudas that kept me smiling. But it seemed that not everyone shared my feeling of excitement (nor anyone, for that matter). They were worried that something might happen to them. *Sigh*, these land lovers. How they worry too much over something that makes 75% of their own bodies. We finally got back on land, but not before the boat people toppled us again, but this tie, nearer to the shore, making us swim on our own to the beach. I had to help a few non-swimmers to the shore, but it was all good fun.

That night we went for dinner at our driver’s (Pak Cik Din’s) wife’s laksa shack. It was good laksa, and good coconut drinks all round, baby.

Happy bellies on happy faces..

The next day we packed up and checked out of our rooms in the morning. We had another full day ahead of us though. Our ferry back was scheduled to leave at 4pm, so there was a lot of things to be done from 9am. First up, we went to a gamat processing factory. (Gamat= sea cucumber). Their medicinal qualities are irrefutable, and are renowned all over Malaysia. We Malaysians use them for a whole myriad of reasons, from healing cuts to increasing our “power”. Hehe.

Atie, the gamat model for our class. (Not really). ;)

We then went over to a factory in a niche market, that is “dingie making/repairing”. They’re the only ones in Malaysia who do what they do. Huge respect given to the by me for surviving and thriving through all the hardships they have gone through. Unfortunately, no pictures were taken there. I guess everyone was awed by the awesomeness of the boats there until they forgot to take out their cameras. *Sigh*

After spending an hour there, what else was there to do but GO SHOPPING!!! Yeah, the girls went crazy there, with cheap chocolates, cheap bags and cheap cigarettes. (What? Girls buying ciggies?) Why not?

All them green bags is chocolates!

After shopping, our Langkawi trip came to an end. We got onto the ferry heavy-heartedly, leaving good memories behind. (Note to self: must take family there to hop islands and ride bananas some day.)

Goodbye Langkawi! We’re gonna miss you!!

The guy in the hat sure nampak garang gila.. huhu

No Reasonable Reason

"Shaping clouds with our own fingers.." - This Is Ours by Yuna.

I was getting high on Yuna the other day, playing "This Is Ours" over and over again on my phone while lying on my bed in the Gajus Block. While listening, a line from the song (refer to the 1st line of post) attracted my attention. I dwelled on that line, thinking of how we would such a thing. I came to my own consensus that she was most probably lying on a lush and wide field of grass, inhaling the freshest of airs, uncontaminated by the methane that is excreted by cows (through farting), looking up to the blue sky which is dabbed with clouds here and there just so that it wasn't tagged a "boring sky". And thus, I wondered. "Wouldn't you get itchy after lying on the grass so long?" And so, I made a poem out of that one line, the opening line of the following poem. Hope you enjoy it! (Disclaimer: This poem has nothing to do with what has happened to me or any other person. It's just an idea that I decided to put on paper.)

Maybe Clichés Aren’t So Bad

My skin is getting itchy from the grass,

But I don’t care,

So long as rain clouds don’t appear,

That’ll be fine.

I could feel the warm radiation,

From you to me,

I could feel your eyes looking at mine,

Probably.

If it was another person, I’d get angry,

I’d be upset and all the things that don’t make you smile,

But because you went back to Him,

I don’t mind.

I’ll try to be strong,

I’ll try to be cool,

I’ll try to be the orphan that keeps going back to school,

I’ll learn a new life,

I’ll go through this strangeness,

Until it’s my turn to join you.

Cheers!!

Where To Start?

"Today I fell and felt better "- A Box Full Of Sharp Objects by The Used.

Erm.. First of all, Assalamualaikum and Goooooood *checks time* morning. (It is currently 1.26 a.m. in the morning)

It has been a long time since I've posted anything and a very very long time since I've posted any pictures. So you know what? Seeing that I've finally returned to my streamyx-ready home, I'll give you guys a treat! I'll post lots and lotsa poctures with cool captions on them! Hooray for Anak Pak Man!!!
*crickets*
Ahem.

.Batu Feringghi Trip.

4 chicks and a pimp. (kidding, of course!)
From left: Atikah Biru, Atie, Natrah, Lara, and some guy.
My Social Studies (SS) group rented a car to go up to Batu Feringghi to celebrate 1) Natrah's Birthday. 2) Completing our SS exhibition earlier that week.

It ain't no birthday without no cake, no?

.ELOP.

Don't look at the camera!
This is us (TESL Cohort 2 Cycle 3) during our English Language Outreach Programme at SK Titi Tok Bandar, Kangar, Perlis, posing in front of our mural to the school. Cool right? Credit for the mural design goes out to the Mural comittee (Afifi & the gang).

Lots and lotsa children..

Scary kids scaring kids..

It's dirt cheap!
Some of the girls helping out during community service to the Kampung area.

Vandalisme?
Me and the girls doing the mural.

.Team Building.

League of the Disabled.
During our team building activity, tower building, at Aqua Inn Homestay.
The objective of the game was to build the highest tower out of the 5 groups using newspaper. The catch was that each team member had a disability. (I was a mute.)

Handsome Threesome?
From left: Afifi, Syazwan, Amirul (the one at the back).
The boys resting on our bed in our house for 2 nights.

"Don't cry Najihah.. They're food. They don't feel any pain.."
During our barbeque night (the last night there).

"I'll tell you one thing.."
Mr Frank (Miss Letch's friend, second from left) certainly said more than "one thing" that night.

What camera?
Some guy walking around with Azie (his cousin) at Padang Besar. We didn't actually buy anything for ourselves. We bought comforters for Zalya's and Azie's mothers which had both helped us out tremendously on this project (ELOP). May God bless you both.

.Lela Mayang.

"I smell sirap!"
I entered a play entitled "Lela Mayang", and we (Persatuan Anak Drama IPGM KPP a.k.a. PADI) performed it in P. Ramlee Auditorium in Penang on the nights of the 8th and 9th of May 2009. Alhamdulillah, it was a success. the picture shows some guy who played a character named "Andak", a dude caught up in his little brother's sin of getting a girl pregnant and dealing with the problems that surfaced afterwards. Poor guy. Dies in the end. *WUPS~* I didn't just spoil it for you guys, did I? (macam la depa taw benda apa..) huhu.. Aa! And credit to Mr. Paan, whom I stole this picture from.. Thank you Mr. Paan!

"Camera shy? What's that?"
The whole PADI family responsible for the Drama performance that night.

And that's all from me. Won't be uploading photos again in a long time again, I guess. Next up, TESL 2 Langkawi Trip. Hope that goes well. I'll write about it, InsyaAllah.
(Now to finally start doing my Pendidikan Islam Folio..)