Turning 21 only happens once in a lifetime. It's one those ages where your life comes to a turning point and if you let it go by without making it a significant one, it becomes just one of those other days.
My family and I have never been among those to celebrate birthdays. Our idea of a birthday celebration would be a quiet dinner of juicy steaks at our favourite Victoria Station in Damansara. This year however, my birthday fell among the midst of people celebrating Hari Raya Korban with my whole extended family gathered at my late grandmother's house where my aunt now resides. Birthday wishes from my family came in later that Saturday, sudden realizations mostly.
I never sensed a surprise party coming up, made happen by my relatives inclusive of my aunts and uncles as well as cousins. I was led to believe something totally non-existent. Believe me, I was wrapped in sheer shock when I opened the door to kids in party hats popping confetti at my face and blowing horns and singing "Happy Birthday" followed by verses of "Allah Selamatkan Kamu". Prayers were also made led by my uncle before the cake was cut. Nothing beats having family around on of one those important days of your life although it was a shame that I didn't have my best buddies with me. Definitely, a 21st birthday to remember.
My birthday cake.
A big fat baby spoonfed by her father, just like 20 years ago...
The kids who made the celebration all the more merrier.
To those who sent in birthday messages, called from across the seas and even the one who spoilt me crazy with gifts and a lunch treat(Sarah, thanks loads!!), thank you from the bottom of my heart. And to whoever that delivered me a bouquet of flowers sent anonymously, thank you to you too. Please shed your cloak, at least I could convey my gratitude personally.
I am now 21, legitimate to do just about anything :p
They say that age is all in your mind. The trick is keeping it from creeping down into your body. --Author Unknown
My family and I have never been among those to celebrate birthdays. Our idea of a birthday celebration would be a quiet dinner of juicy steaks at our favourite Victoria Station in Damansara. This year however, my birthday fell among the midst of people celebrating Hari Raya Korban with my whole extended family gathered at my late grandmother's house where my aunt now resides. Birthday wishes from my family came in later that Saturday, sudden realizations mostly.
I never sensed a surprise party coming up, made happen by my relatives inclusive of my aunts and uncles as well as cousins. I was led to believe something totally non-existent. Believe me, I was wrapped in sheer shock when I opened the door to kids in party hats popping confetti at my face and blowing horns and singing "Happy Birthday" followed by verses of "Allah Selamatkan Kamu". Prayers were also made led by my uncle before the cake was cut. Nothing beats having family around on of one those important days of your life although it was a shame that I didn't have my best buddies with me. Definitely, a 21st birthday to remember.
My birthday cake.
A big fat baby spoonfed by her father, just like 20 years ago...
The kids who made the celebration all the more merrier.
To those who sent in birthday messages, called from across the seas and even the one who spoilt me crazy with gifts and a lunch treat(Sarah, thanks loads!!), thank you from the bottom of my heart. And to whoever that delivered me a bouquet of flowers sent anonymously, thank you to you too. Please shed your cloak, at least I could convey my gratitude personally.
I am now 21, legitimate to do just about anything :p
They say that age is all in your mind. The trick is keeping it from creeping down into your body. --Author Unknown
Dear Munirah,
Yesterday, your mom called. She told me that you had left something for me and asked of when I was free to pick it up. I told her I'd drop by your place on my way home.
I stopped by your crib later that evening. It felt weird, going to your abode without you greeting me at your front door. Instead, your mom stood there smiling at me, inquiring on how I was getting along and handed over the little beautiful something you got me.
I asked her how her trip to UK was and how you were adjusting over there. We talked outside for supposedly a while but as the conversation grew longer, she invited me in. We ended up chatting about a myriad of things.
When I left, I realized that I had been talking to your mom for over an hour. It sure didn't seem that long while I was in there. I managed to muster up a lot of things about you. Some that made me laugh, some I didn't even know you had in you. But it was all good, buddy.
Looking forward to your return in June.
Lotsa love,
naz
Yesterday, your mom called. She told me that you had left something for me and asked of when I was free to pick it up. I told her I'd drop by your place on my way home.
I stopped by your crib later that evening. It felt weird, going to your abode without you greeting me at your front door. Instead, your mom stood there smiling at me, inquiring on how I was getting along and handed over the little beautiful something you got me.
I asked her how her trip to UK was and how you were adjusting over there. We talked outside for supposedly a while but as the conversation grew longer, she invited me in. We ended up chatting about a myriad of things.
When I left, I realized that I had been talking to your mom for over an hour. It sure didn't seem that long while I was in there. I managed to muster up a lot of things about you. Some that made me laugh, some I didn't even know you had in you. But it was all good, buddy.
Looking forward to your return in June.
Lotsa love,
naz
Just about last weekend, my dad practically dragged me out of bed on a beautiful Sunday morning for a shopping spree. Sounds thrilling doesn't it? Waking up with someone announcing "Hey! Let's go manic shopping today!" Sure, only it wasn't for me. Me brother. So there I was looking rather sulky accompanying two men of the house on something I had absolutely nothing to do with.
You must be wondering what purpose I fit? Beats me! I later found out it was because I knew where everything was and that saved up time. In case you're wondering, no, I am not a shopaholic. I'm an eataholic.
Anyway, that really isn't the point of this entry. My dad and I were lounging about in the shoe store while my brother was busy taking his pick when my dad suddenly said, "I wanna buy Safuan and Azri(my OTHER brothers) those shoes with roda. They said they wanted one of those."
Petrified, knowing what he meant I tried to cucuk him, "Buat apa? Where to play pun?"
Battling inside me, I was all... "NoOooOoo!!! Not Heelyssss!!!" I don't want my brothers to be annoying the prick out of everybody circling around in those annoying shoes and running over people's feet!
You know those kids you see around in shopping malls in those shoes? I always have this urge to trip them down. Haha.
For the uninitiated, these are Heelys.
Why is it I never see them in parks like where I used to rollerblade but in shopping malls instead?
You must be wondering what purpose I fit? Beats me! I later found out it was because I knew where everything was and that saved up time. In case you're wondering, no, I am not a shopaholic. I'm an eataholic.
Anyway, that really isn't the point of this entry. My dad and I were lounging about in the shoe store while my brother was busy taking his pick when my dad suddenly said, "I wanna buy Safuan and Azri(my OTHER brothers) those shoes with roda. They said they wanted one of those."
Petrified, knowing what he meant I tried to cucuk him, "Buat apa? Where to play pun?"
Battling inside me, I was all... "NoOooOoo!!! Not Heelyssss!!!" I don't want my brothers to be annoying the prick out of everybody circling around in those annoying shoes and running over people's feet!
You know those kids you see around in shopping malls in those shoes? I always have this urge to trip them down. Haha.
For the uninitiated, these are Heelys.
Why is it I never see them in parks like where I used to rollerblade but in shopping malls instead?
I have always wanted to write on this specific stereotyping that has been bugging me for quite a while. I know of some in my disposition who have written of it in their blogs but I would like to write it in my personal point of view all the same.
The issue? Stereotyping females who wear headscarves not proficient in English.
There is this common misconception that women with headscarves aren't able to converse well in English. I beg to differ. I assure you I have had my fair share of encounters of people doubting my ability to speak the language without having them point it out to my face.
Sometime around noon today, I was stopped by a lady promoting Lingu*phone. Below is the conversation I had with her.
Lady: Dik, nak pegi mana ni? Akak nak ambil masa adik sekejap je.
Me: Nak balik rumah(while trying very hard to look like I was in a hurry).
Lady: 5 minit je dik.
Me: (Hesitated but later gave in.)
Lady: Adik nak belajar bahasa dengan cara mudah tak? Tak payah pergi class... cuma dengar sahaja.
Me: Takpelah kak. Saya dah ada.
Lady: Oh dah ada? Adik dah ada yang mana?
Me: Saya dah ada yang French.
Lady: Comment tu t'appelles?
I couldn't believe she was actually trying to test me! Thank God I could answer. I did think of being evil as to retort with another French question and see if SHE could answer. If not, then I'd make her buy her own product. Haha!
Lady: Macam mana dengan English? Adik faham tak apa yang lecturer ajar kat class?
Me: I think my English is okay, I don't really need it (with a slight whiff of an accent to draw her aback).
Now before some of you start drifting away thinking I'm a show-off and missing the point, these particular promoters somehow had targetted us(females with headscarves) as their potential buyers thus the stereotyping. I was sort of prepared for this beforehand based on what my friends had experienced earlier in the day. But trust me, if I hadn't mentioned that I had already had the French version, I'm pretty sure she would've ushered me to buy the English one like proposed to my other friends. I'd like to note here that their booth was set up in a very strategic place. Point being that of all the students that came and went, I was the lucky chosen one... and of course, many other tudung-wearing people.
On another totally different scenario sometime late last year, I accompanied my mother in her hunt for a new handbag. You would rarely notice this in department stores but if you enter boutiques(especially those situated on the 1st floor of KLCC) you would somehow sense yourself being ignored, given the circumstances. Why? Because you wear a tudung and can't speak English thus you can't afford to buy anything from their extravagant range of outrageously expensive items.
How to detect the ignorance? Simple. Firstly, instead of automatically being entertained as a rightful customer, you are forced to call them to assist. Secondly, they speak to you in Malay with a slight wave of ignorance assuming you don't speak English. Thirdly, when in comes a foreign customer/mak datin, Poofff! they act like you are nowhere in sight.
There are a million of other examples I could quote here. In France, they disallow their female students to wear any form of headgear that could display religious motives. Which brings me to arise this question "If your own people look down on you, how are you supposed to gain respect from others?"
Never judge a book by its cover.
It's been a beautiful 2 years of blogging, of getting to know(and stalking) people through this medium, of reuniting with old friends, of sharing interests, of learning new things and even exchanging ideas from bloggers all over the world.
What started of as a meek attempt to polish my writing skills and as a channel to express myself, has now blossomed into something so much more. It's amazing that I've really lasted that long.
This entry isn't supposed to be long, just to remind myself that it's been 2 years already since I embarked on this journey of blogging and if I keep myself driven to my goals, I could very well succeed at what I put my heart to. Optimism. Azam tahun baru. Hehe.
Happy 2nd Anniversary Silver Lining!
If you have to do it every day, for God's sake learn to do it well. --Mignon McLaughlin, The Neurotic's Notebook, 1960
What started of as a meek attempt to polish my writing skills and as a channel to express myself, has now blossomed into something so much more. It's amazing that I've really lasted that long.
This entry isn't supposed to be long, just to remind myself that it's been 2 years already since I embarked on this journey of blogging and if I keep myself driven to my goals, I could very well succeed at what I put my heart to. Optimism. Azam tahun baru. Hehe.
Happy 2nd Anniversary Silver Lining!
If you have to do it every day, for God's sake learn to do it well. --Mignon McLaughlin, The Neurotic's Notebook, 1960
My nose is a current tsunami(boy does that word sell these days!). I sneeze and sneeze and it annoys me especially during class. My nose goes numb to the extent that at times, I can't feel the thick mucus dripping(yerghh!). My body's temperature for the past few days has gone up and down whenever it likes. I can't savour what I'm eating and it's really frustrating for a food-lover like yours truly. Nikmat merasa ditarik olehNya buat sementara.
We are never prepared for what we expect. --James A. Michener, Caravans
I still recall the excitement of going back to school after a long holiday. Everything was all brand new and it sort of exuded this new spirit of turning over a new leaf and starting afresh. A feeling I don't seem to get in my tertiary level.
My very first Monday morning of 2005 was spent accompanying my mother to my little brothers' school settling fees and buying P.E attires. While my mom was queueing up, I was making myself busy looking around the kids in my 8 year-old brother's class and snapping a few pictures. The class teacher had apparently given handouts of one of those join-the-dots activity and making them colour the picture while he attended the parents.
Now upon connecting the dots, the picture I saw was obviously of a frog. What tickled me was the colour the frogs were represented by. Some were yellow, some half green and half another colour, some even had the center of the froggy coloured in a different shade like Barney! These kids... they must've been exposed to frogs of endangered species. Heheh.
My brother the lefty and HIS frog. In green, thank God!
My other brother, pretending to be studious. It's all fake I tell you!
A child educated only at school is an uneducated child. --George Santayana
My very first Monday morning of 2005 was spent accompanying my mother to my little brothers' school settling fees and buying P.E attires. While my mom was queueing up, I was making myself busy looking around the kids in my 8 year-old brother's class and snapping a few pictures. The class teacher had apparently given handouts of one of those join-the-dots activity and making them colour the picture while he attended the parents.
Now upon connecting the dots, the picture I saw was obviously of a frog. What tickled me was the colour the frogs were represented by. Some were yellow, some half green and half another colour, some even had the center of the froggy coloured in a different shade like Barney! These kids... they must've been exposed to frogs of endangered species. Heheh.
My brother the lefty and HIS frog. In green, thank God!
My other brother, pretending to be studious. It's all fake I tell you!
A child educated only at school is an uneducated child. --George Santayana
