Fell in love with boy....band...again!

Darn it! Sorry for my curse but I think that that is something I can do. I fell in love with a boyband again, I mean come on, I'm 32 goddamnit, it should happen. I suppose to be mature and love mature song, you know like Adele or even Bruce Springteen, but no I fell in love with the cutest and talented boys, 5 of them, One Direction

They are a British-Irish boy band consisting of members Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, Liam Payne, Harry Styles and Louis Tomlinson. They were formed on the seventh series of British television show The X Factor. Their album, Up All Night is a massive hits and become the fastest selling album in UK in 2011. 


Well, I knew them because, well every Friday I will browser Billboard and UK Top 40 websites, you know just to know who is number 1. Well I think in late September, I found out that What Makes You Beautiful is number one in UK Top 40 chart. Well, never heard of One Direction so I thought I google it and found the band. Well, I thought they are cute and the song is great.


Not until, I heard the song again in the radio that I started to pay attention to them. What Makes You Beautiful has become my favourite song or in the Top played list in Winamp (yeah I love Winamp!). But still doesn't make full impact to me at all. Ok, they great and they cute but that's it. Then, this year in February, while browsing youtube, found out they got another single, One Thing (hmmm, I think the song is ok but still download it to my tabby). I forgot about that song until again, I saw it in MTV, and I listened to it again and instantly I love it so much. 


I played before I sleep, in my car, while checking report and the video was short in town of London itself, and they are so handsome. I kmean with Zayn in his suit and Louis in suspender. Love Harry hair and Niall blonde look and Liam is soooo cool. Yeah I probably sound like teenager back there. They have good voices especially Zayn (he is muslim) and others can sing too. 


I started to browse youtube for their auditions for X Factor, I think Harry, Zayn and Liam have impressive auditions. I just somehow buffled how Simon Cowell can think to group them together and become more successful than the winner of that season itself, which is I am not sure who it is and frankly, I don't care, not even to google it.


I can't pick up who do like most, like in Westlife I love Kian, Nsync, JC but for One Direction...I can't choose at all. They all cute like buttons and so young, no I'm not a cougar at all....I just wish I was young so that it makes sense.


Well, they are doing well tour in US and I hope that they will be able to have a successful breakthrough in US which Westlife and Take That not able to make it. I think boyband is coming big as The Wanted (more mature and sexy, yes I'm talking about Max) is doing quite well as their Glad You Came singe is number 4 in Billboard 100 Chart. The song is also covered by The Warblers in Glee.


Ok, enjoy the videos of One Direction that I love, below:

                      What Makes You Beautiful

                            One Thing

Save you tonight 

                             I wish


The review of the tracks in Up All Night can be seen here: 
http://www.billboard.com/features/one-direction-up-all-night-track-by-track-1006388352.story#/features/one-direction-up-all-night-track-by-track-1006388352.story 


So, good night and feeling like teenager again listening to One Direction before I sleep!

My first step for The Shoestring Project

Well, I will try to documented my preparation for Europe Trip next year aka The Shoestring Project. Well, the budget is RM 8000 including plane ticket which I will be look out from now on. With Air Asia cancelled their flight to London and Paris, I will be looking out for another alternative such as KLM, Etihad or any other airways that I can afford of.


I have not finalized the route yet, still looking out for interesting places to go but the confirmed ones should be Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany and Keukenhof near Amsterdam. Well, I plan to go end of March or April as Keukenhof park only open end of March.


I know that I already talk about going to Europe for almost 2 years now but nothing happen but I will make sure my long time dream will be realize next year, by hook or by crook. I can't wait anymore for a friend to accompany me or to have enough money because face it, people change and we can never have enough money, I mean who will? So, I can't control what others doing or thinking but I can control myself, (I think) , so I'm trying to brave myself to face the fact that I might go to Europe alone.


I already look out for tour such as Kelana Convoy and Perantau Holidays but they didn't suit me. I mean for Kelana Convoy, they separated tour for Keukenhof and Neuschwanstein castle but the plus side is I can meet new people that have the same interest with me and .....(if you know what I mean ; ) while Perantau Holidays is quite expensive but they cover all even the gondola ticket in Venice but unfortunately, they don't have the castle tour, which is the deal breaker.


So, what a girl to do? If I want to go to an expensive trip, I must do it right and my own way because, this is a trip of a lifetime. So, I already taken the first step, bought the Lonely Planet travel book (which hence the title of the post) and this weekend, I will go to MATTA Fair to scout the plane ticket and what they have to offer. I will not buy or commit to anything yet as the money is tight right now and will try to scout again on the next MATTA Fair.


Wish me luck and hope my dreams will come true!

  The Travel Guide (bought with 1Malaysia  book Voucher..I know...

                                                             
                                                                             
                                                                         

Windmills and Tulips...





My dream castle....

Language that we choose

Some might ask why do I blog in English, well it just came naturally. Sometimes, I do blog in Bahasa depends on   my mood and the subject I guess.

Believe me, I'm not so good in writing, you will see a lot of grammar mistakes while you read this, but for me it is more on how do I express myself. I love Bahasa Melayu and I think it has the best sound in the world but sometimes if I blog in Bahasa, I feel that I can express myself enough as I keep looking for that Malay word and sometimes I feel the word is too "jiwang" haha. But it doesn't mean that I will not blog in Malay, like I mentioned earlier, it depends on mood and subject.

Well, I guess it doesn't matter what language that we use to express ourselves, what important is to get the message across and to let our voice to be heard. It doesn't matter if the reader understand or not but as long as we have something good to say, people will find the way to understand it. I mean that is Google translate for, right?

I'm 32....

Yap, tomorrow I will be 32...wow 32...never thought that I'll be single in this age. Well, just happy I'm still alive, healthy and somewhat happy.

When I'm picture what would I be in 32 when I was a little girl, perhaps married with 2 children a girl and a boy. But I guess Allah has another plan for me and I'll accept it with all my heart.

At first, it kind bothers me when I'm still single when I'm 30 but when you come to my age,you learn to accept that you may be single for quite sometime and it is ok to feel so. The more important thing would be what do you want to do with your life. Marriage and kids are what we all want but it is not ultimate goal of woman's life. Yes,marriage and kids might fulfilling your life, so if you don't have it, it is the end of the world for you?

Don't sweat, love will come and love will go but what stay with us is who we are inside, our essence and our believe. Just take this free time for us to reflect, do what we want and enjoy ourselves as we might not have the time later and we will began to miss the time that we have when we are single and carefree!

Happy Leap Year!

So today is quite special because it only come every four years. Sometimes, I just wonder what would happen to me in the next leap year...have I achieved my dreams and where would I be?

Well, enough is enough about my blabbering life but what I want to share about Academy Awards, mostly about films and actors that win the award. Well, I only manage saw part of ceremony in hotel but for this year, there's no surprise at all, as The Artist has won for best picture. Well it won every awards prior to Oscar so is there any surprise at all?

For some reasons, sometimes I make myself to watch some of nominated movies whether for the best picture or best actor or actress. Well, I guess I just want to judge whether the movies or actors are that good and worth to support to. Some movies also did change my perception and understanding of the world. Below are some of my favourites nominated movie that won the awards:



The Blindside 

One of my favourite movies of all time. I can watch it over and over again without fail and Sandra Bullock did deserve the Oscar. The movie is based on real story of Michael Oher who is an NFL player that being adopted my Tuohy's family. I learn that you have to believe in people, and their kindness. Sometimes, I do "obsessing" with the real people of the story just to find out whether it is really happen, and indeed after many hours in youtube watching their interviews, I feel that When I feel down, I do watch it to make me believe in people again. I do recommended this movie to everyone to see it.



The Help

I forced myself to watch this movie as I heard that it is a very good movie, and indeed it is. I watched it on flight on the way back from Osaka and never regret it a bit. Well, shed some tears and luckily no one saw it as they busy sleeping hehe. Viola Davis did give a good performance but Octavia Spencer did steal the show. What I can say that I can see a chocolate pie in a different way now...err...





The Sixth Sense

The one and only thriller film that I like. I hate "seram" movies because I tend to imagine it when I go to sleep. It is up for Best Direction, Film and Best Actor in 1999. I was so stunned on the surprise ending and have to re-watch again just to put the clues back together. Still if I watch the movie, I need to hide behind my hand or pillow and make sure I go to youtube to watch funny videos (HIMYM or Scrubs) just to let it disappear from my mind.





The Social Network

Well, of course you need to see this movie as it depicted the famous trend right now, the facebook. I think that Jessie Eisenberg (love him in Rio) has done a fair portrayal of Mark Zukerberg and played it brilliantly. You feel sorry and sometimes annoying at his character but in the end the real person  portrayed is still filthy rich. Justin Timberlake also is not bad  in the movie. The actors in the movie have somehow manage to become even bigger for example, Justin got lot movie deals after that, Andrew Garfield become Spiderman and Winklevoss twins, Armie Hammer has manage to become a leading man in adaptation movie of Sleeping Beauty, Mirro- Mirro with Julia Robers and Lily Collins.

Well, I guess there are move good movies to watch and right now I'm trying to get myself to watch The Decesdant (George Clooney) and also Moneyball (Brad Pit). Wish I have time to do it!

It's been a long time...

It has been a long time since I update my blog. Lost of interest is the main reason. So, just want to recap what happen in my life recently.

Previous months have been quite hectic and challenging but manage to complete something. For example last September went to Korea, even to Jeju Island, so off Korea from my travel list. Went to Japan, again for one week. Quite hectic and  meaningful experience. I was accompanying my Instructor for Japan Conference presentation which I was co-presenter. Proud of myself. Went to visit a centre one of the best Instructor in Japan Mrs. Tabayashi, and sit on VIP table during KAO Dinner. Highlight of my life.

Last October, I've become an aunt. At first I'm not sure what to address me, I don't want mak long because I feel old, since my sister take "mama" why don't I become "Ibu" since an aunt is still a mother, right. Alyssa (pronounced Alicia) Nur Irdina is the most beautiful baby I've ever seen. I've become those aunts that keep their niece/nephew photos in phone, and proudly shows to everyone how cute she is. I can't keep myself to buy her toys and now planning to buy her first book. Since she is the first grandchild for both families, she is going to be spoil by everyone, I'm sure.

My student life is the same and most stressed ever last semester. The subjects that I've thought can get A, got B- and subject that I though I'm going to get C got B+. I was so stressful last year that I thinking to flunk the subject but thanks to my personal advisor and a lot help from Allah that help me to go through it.

Year 2012 was started with a great change for me. I was transferred to another division and taking care outstation, which is my own hometown. I was actually "redha" in my previous division to take care only local centre but Allah has mysterious way and here I am in another division. At first I was nervous, because I am taking over the area that the previous staff has done a lot with it. It is hard to fill his shoes and his achievements. I was sad for him because I know how much work he has done and he is not able to feel and see it. But I promise myself, I would not take credit for his achievements and should be happy that he has set-up a good ground for me to continue his work.

I start 2012 with no resolution at all, nothing, nada, zero. Why? I just though maybe I need to be lay low this year. I feel that I just go with flow and see what's coming up. But after a while, it hit me perhaps I need some changes. Most of my activities revolve around my friends, if they don't want to do it, I can't do it too. They don't want to travel anymore and event go out like last time, for karaoke or bowling. It is hard to ask them out now. I understand, perhaps their priorities have changed or perhaps only with me. But I can't complain much because I can't force them to do something that they don't want to do anymore. So, I said to myself, why don't just I do it all the things that I want to do without waiting for them. Previously, I can watch movie by myself, why can't I do it now? I still can travel by myself and just go if I want to. I'm starting to feel some kind of feeling that now I have time, money and my youth ( I guess) Why don't I do the things that I want to do because I might not have the luxury to do it in case if I don't have all things I mentioned just now.

I just to accept the fact that I'm a lone ranger now. The more I accept it will becomes easy for me not to depend on others. I already started to go out every week by myself and sometimes it makes my tired for weekdays. The things I can do by myself like shopping and eating alone are becoming habit. I don't care anymore to tell waitress a seat for one and just eat there alone while playing with my tabby and took my own sweet time. I can go to bookshops and linger there as long as I want and perhaps go to Secret Recipe to eat deserts after long day at the mall.

I just think, who knows how long I have the time for myself now, because in case I ever meet someone and have children, or even, there is some unfortunate think happen to me, I think this is the time I will miss the most. So, I would like to enjoy it while I still have it!

 My precious niece, Alyssa, Chica....










At Nami Island










Took train from Kobe to Osaka, by ourselves








at Toru Kumon Musuem...

During presentation in Kobe...

Song that I feel right now....

Get It Right

What have I done? I wish I could run
Away from this ship goin' under
Just tryin' to help, hurt everyone else
Now I feel the weight of the world is
On my shoulders
What can you do when your good isn't good enough?
When all that you touch tumbles down?
'Cause my best intentions keep making a mess of things
I just wanna fix it somehow
But how many times will it take?
Oh, how many times will it take for me?
To get it right
To get it ri-igh-ight
Can I start again with my faith shaken?
'Cause I can't go back and undo this
I just have to stay and face my mistakes
But if I get stronger and wiser
I'll get through this
What can you do when your good isn't good enough?
When all that you touch tumbles down?
[ From : http://www.elyrics.net/read/g/glee-cast-lyrics/get-it-right-lyrics.html ]
'Cause my best intentions keep making a mess of things
I just wanna fix it somehow
But how many times will it take?
Oh, how many times will it take for me?
To get it right
So I throw up my fist
Throw a punch in the air
And accept the truth that sometimes life isn't fair
Yeah, I'll send down a wish
Yeah, I'll send up a prayer
And finally, someone will see
How much I care!
What can you do when your good isn't good enough?
When all that you touch tumbles down?
'Cause my best intentions keep making a mess of things
I just wanna fix it somehow
But how many it times will it take?
Oh, how many times will it take for me?
To get it right
To get it ri-igh-ight