I wish I could open my own cafe like Whisk one day. I think great things happen at cosy cafes. People write epic stories, they fall in love, heal a broken heart, close business deals, make new friends and accumulate a wealth of knowledge (whether it's by eavesdropping, reading or conversing with other people).
You've definitely got to have good coffee and awesome food. A nice atmosphere is essential too. Sigh. I really wish I could set one up and I do believe some of my gfs would love to do so too.
I've been listening to Lady Antebellum's Need You Now. It's the nice kind of emo. As in it isn't as depressing as a certain mister Blunt. :B
I'm not sure if I'm doing things right and I do know that things aren't peachy but somehow, I feel like sticking around. I guess it has something to do with watching my girls speak up more in class, a certain boy catching up with his friends and letting my babies go onto the next level. The amount of pride surpasses everything I've done so far. These are people's lives we're talking about. It's not personal gain or running the rat race. It's watching kids grow.
I do have to be honest, there are the bad eggs as well who try as I might, can't seem to grow up and are just adamant about being ignorant. There's also my own performance of course. I will never be able to be on par with the seniors and at times tend to struggle with executing my plans. However, it's the tiny improvement I see in myself day by day that makes me strive to keep on going. Sometimes it's a matter of one step ahead and two steps back but it's still a challenge to myself to see how far I can go. I do realise that I may not really be the best for this job but God knows I'm trying REALLY hard. This time I can safely say I mean it.
I just made those for brunch. Oh GLORIOUS. I'm feeling slightly ill today. I've got a sore throat am feeling totally wiped out. But these babies made me grin. And my heart soar. Then i felt sleepy. Imagine all the fibre! oh yes! They're absolutely good for u! Imma go have another one soon. :D
My mom was talking about soulmates the other day. How do you know you've found yours? What in tarnations is a soulmate? Why is my bowel doing the limbo now? Okay abaikan. If you've got answers do tell me. Sounds fascinating!
I was waiting for the bus in front of the hospital for 45 minutes. I was cold, tired and my head was pounding. I look down to see the honey we bought at Balmain markets had spilled all over my groceries. I got really pissed off so I decided to just walk home. At 1045 pm. The moment I left the bus stop I started crying really badly. After a few minutes I saw TWO 400 buses going past me. TWO! wadafak? Of course, I cried even harder. I'm talking deep heaving sobs here.
Then I went over to Unit 39. Had some food and a LOOOONGG convo with Erin. Made me laugh and smile again. Did I hear someone say moodswings??
Man, I'm such a weirdo.
In actual fact, I had such a lovely day yesterday with Hawa and Anas. It's been AGES since I last hung out with them outside. We went to Balmain, bought some Zumbo cakes (SEDAP GILA), walked to Rozelle, ate a super late lunch, went back to the city and looked at a couple of interior design exhibitions. FUN! :D
Oh well. Now it's back to the grind. Oh wait, I have a bday thingy to attend to. Even though malas nak mati. Sigh. Ok kena masak now bye.
Right before she left, Eef served us these babies with some coffee. They're called Stroopwafels and I fell head over heels for them. Like seriously. This is my new obsession. Crispy waffles with caramel/toffee in between. Gloriously delish when warmed up in the toaster oven. Martina says we can get them at the Deli in Randwick. I read on google you can get it in Woolies. So if u see me there, please direct me to the Netherlands food aisle. Thanks. :)
I really am going to miss Eef. She sits right next to me in lab. She's nice although she can be a bit kiasu too sometimes. But I like her coz she's kinda cute. And coz she gave me cookies. :P She's been married for 3 years and she came here to do her phD for 4 months because her husband is here and she couldn't 'miss him for 6 months'. Awwww. She cycles everyday from Annandale to UNSW and vice versa. That's like cycling from Subang to SS2. I think. Haha.
I'm writing here because I'm trying to keep myself sane and positive. You win some, you lose some. You don't get ice cream with HC and Bapok but you get Stroopwafels from Eef. You don't get bowling, MJ appreciation and Cranium but you get to eat Pad Thai and come home before 2am.
Meh. What a sour tradeoff. Oh except for the Stroopwafels. Those are the SHIZNIT. I'd eat them everyday if I could! Yummaaaaaayyyyyyyyyy!!! :D
Oh, and Anne is also leaving. She's going on a 6 months/1 year break. She's going to travel all over Australia and South America. JEALOUS! Haha. But I'm sure she deserves the break. Can't wait to do that too. I'm so taking a 6 month break after honorrea.
Ahh Stroopwafelsssss......wonder if they can get em in Germany..hmm. I just read a list of Dutch desserts and am drooling now.
By ordering a kilo of mussels with a side of french fries and mayo. I didn't finish my mussels but I think I've gone over my monthly quota of cholesterol. :D I also managed to cap everything with dark hot chocolate frm Max Brenner. Am I a glutton or what? :P
What better way to chase the blues away than by frittering away your money. Not only did I indulge in dinner, I also bought a pair of wool blend tights from Myers and some awesome goodies from Sugar Fix. Yes. Sugar Fix is my happy place. I wanted to get them Reese's Clusters but they were too expensive. :(
Oh Butterfinger, you are my saviour!
Oh oh, and I think the BESTEREST part of tonight was, laughing really long and hard at Max B with Jams, Yai, Ainul and Sab. I'm telling you, I haven't laughed that wholeheartedly in a VERY long time. Must've been the sugar high. Thank you SO SOOOO much guys! :D
Ah. So tomorrow it's back to work and lab! Yaaaayy rasa happy nak balik kerja! :D Yes, because I took today off. ;)
Ifan gave me his weekly pass which expires today. Traipsed through Balmain and Rozelle. Found my way up to the Sydney Observatory Hill and took this picture. It was just AMAZING up there. It would be a nice place to just read and eat a sandwich. :)
Cumulatively, I have eaten 6 different flavours of Zumbo's macarons. He He He. I especially love the Blue Cheese n the Coconut & Pandan. :D Hawa, please come with me next time?
Loving yourself does not just mean cleansing your soul or finding happiness, Shaheera. If you really love yourself, you'd pull yourself up. You'd work hard. You'd carry out your potential. It's not enough to walk through woods finding peace of mind. You need to fulfill your responsibilities well and keep yourself on track constantly.
That's my last.fm playlist being wordledusing some coding program from Master Giraffe. Don't judge me! :P
Been listening to Red Jumpsuit Apparatus on replay since dinner at Mongers. :D
I've been increasing my food intake recently for these reasons:
1. It's getting colder, therefore I get hungrier. Go figure.
2. I'm becoming happier. When I'm happy I eat more. It's simple really.
3. I just got my big P. PMS makes you ravenous and crave things. Like salt n pepper calamari. And chocolates.
4. I have friends who eat nice food. Enough said.
But I do not like increasing my girth. EVERYONE KNOWS I LOOK BETTER NOW. Dont pretend its not true. I KNOW you think I look unhealthy all bloated and fat. And I like playing with my ribs, thanks.
So what do I do now? Yeah. I can hear you rattling off all the typical responses. Exercise, eat less, cook yourself, dont eat junk food, put up a pic of Jessica Alba or that dress one size smaller to motivate yourself. Right. It sounds so easy saying and writing doesnt it? Pah.
Wait. Why am I cantankerous? Oh. Lit review not done. Right. Okay toods!
My mom asked me last night, "How come your blog ni, one day so chirpy and then next day so encouraging and then suddenly so dark?"
I replied, "Mummy, hidup ini bagaikan roda. Kadang2 kat atas, kadang2 kat bawah." At which point I burst out laughing. That ayat was stolen from Fini because she loves reciting it in the weirdest of contexts.
This IS a personal blog. If Dirah wears her heart on her sleeve, I wear mine on my blog. (lame).
Anyway, Omigod, I just saw some pictures from the Taste of Sydney festival. I would really love to go to these sort of events because I think it would be an awesome culinary experience. Sydney's food culture is something I'd thoroughly miss when I'm back home. (Although we DO have our own fabulous food culture). However, being a Muslim, it's a bit hard to indulge in all the samples because they're obviously NOT halal. I'm pretty sure I can get away with sampling some of the desserts and vegetarian or seafood stuff but come on! It would be SUCH a waste to not try the Wagyu Beef Bourguignonne’ with Truffled Cauliflower and Onion Rings or the Loin and Crumbed Belly of Lamb with Basil Mayonnaise and a tomato olive jus. It's okay if these events had free entry so I wouldn't feel so shortchanged but they don't. Or do they? Hmm...
But you know what? I think I'll just try going to the Good Food & Wine Show somewhere later this year. I know I'll never get that chance once I'm back in the Motherland. I should add it to MY bucket list. Who wants to join me? (I can hear Sab volunteering enthusiastically from here). And I shall quell the perceptions of not being able to enjoy the food/exhibitions just because I can't have meat/pork/alcohol.
Crud. Now I'm getting all excited way ahead of schedule. Hee Hee.
Oh and to those who are concerned, my appetite has returned. Probably due to the onset of my pre-period routine. And also the fact that my friends cook wonderful meals. :D
It's so hard to juggle between taking care of your food intake while you take care of your finances while taking care of your studies while u take care of your broken heart.
I have only managed to work on my finances and my heart. Even then, it's not looking pretty optimistic with 820 dollars to pay on a 5 week month. Sigh.
And now, i like to admire my new found hip bones and play with my ribs. woo hoooooo! I also enjoy staring vacantly at those toilet seats and choosing which one to wipe down. I also love the fact that this house has no detergent or toilet bowl wash. And who could forget those cockroaches colonising the bottom of my printer and spreading their filth around my room.
Wow. I LOVE Sydney. Don't you love it too?
I woke up with this resonating heartache. Not literally of course. Don't ask me why. I can't explain it to you if I tried. It's just one of those days you know?
ps: Penat la asyik nak paksa diri jadi happy je kan?
I had a sleep in today and now my head feels like lead. Well, I'm sorry, this week has been hectic and I never got the chance to rid my jet lag or get fully settled in the routine of things here.
Watched Watchmen last night. Probably another reason why my head feels like lead. I never got round to finishing the comic because of the massive theories they imparted and it was too deep for my liking. The movie was pretty good nonetheless. The fight scenes especially the ones involving Rorschach are just badass. You can read a fanboy's review right HERE.
And if you're not into that kind of thing, here's something for all you foodies out there: The History of the McGangBang. It's come to a point where the staff at Maccas don't even flinch when they take your order. There are a few variants too, like using Spicy McDeluxe instead of a McChicken. And of course, you can add on as many patties as you like to create your own McOrgy. (hahahahaha).
Not into that either? “I believe in pink, I believe that laughing is the best calorie burner. I believe in kissing, kissing a lot. I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong. I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day and I believe in miracles.” -Audrey Hepburn- (I believe in miracles...where you from? You sexy thing.....) So stop whining and be happy!
I just realised, after all this while, that my dad only has THREE colours of shirts in his cupboard. Not three shirts only mind you. Just three colours, in various tones. Blue, Yellow and White. Amazing. This just proves that he's a classic man who doesn't take big risks. I've also learnt the merits of loyalty from him. Haha.
There's this line in Motion City Soundtrack's song, Antonia which goes 'She shaves her legs with Ginsu Knives'. I just saw a man getting a pedicure using Ginsu Knives. Dead skin cells AND dirt. Lovely. If you still don't catch my drift, these knives are actually used for COOKING.
I'm craving cupcakes topped with pink cookies. Don't ask me why. I don't know either. Oh no, scratch that, I want red velvet cake sandwiches with cream cheese filling. Yumz.
I had a pretty DARN good birthday, thank you very much! 12 hours of pure fun and happiness. :D
First stop was The Coogee Bite where I had brunch with Sindy, Dinesh, Andrew and Balqis. I had the heavenly Salmon Benedict. We then walked along the beach and enjoyed the scenery as tiny raindrops pelted our hair.
Second stop was The Australian Museum! Oh boy, all four of us managed to indulge our inner child as we stared in awe at all the fascinating displays. And God knows how much I enjoy having geeky conversations with 3 other science nerds. :P I honestly absolutely enjoyed myself at the museum on my birthday! :D Thanks you guys!
Stop 3.1 was at The Coffee Club where we let our tired feet rest and I nursed my sleepiness with an Iced Coffee. More random discussions about uncles and schools ensued. Stop 3.2 was KFC for Wicked Wings. (I know, I'm such a glutton). Stop 3.3 was Woolies for their dinner. (Don't worry, not mine).
I bade them farewell and headed off to Stop 4, Kinokuniya, where I killed time before the next destination. I found which hard copy comic book I want for my birthday! It's Neil Gaiman's Endless Nights. Even though I have the soft copy in my hard drive, I still want to have my own hard copy. I might just get it for myself before I leave Sydney. :)
Fifth stop was Glebe where I traversed up and down Glebe Point Road as I awaited the arrival of my compadres. Fini, Hawa, Anas, Jaih and I had a superb dinner at Al Mustafa restaurant. Oh my, I haven't had Lebanese food for ages and tonight's meal tantalised my tastebuds! We then had sweets and coffee with Kak Sha and Puan Lin.
The sixth and final stop was Hawa's house where I was presented with ANOTHER cake. I think soon I'll be having a sugar induced coma. The cake was luciously moist and the icing was absolutely delish! A++ for effort and taste! :D Thank you SO much! You guys are SOOO SWEET!
And when I got home, I spent a considerable amount of time thanking all the well wishers on my facebook page. Hehe. It's totally unbelievable that I got that many wall posts. Thanks again! Thanks also to EVERYONE else who called or messaged me. From the one who made her siblings serenade me, to the ones (there were MANY) who forgot what the time difference was. Special thanks to Afir for being all excited with me and making sure I feel special. :D Also special thanks to Liz who wished me through all possible means from phone calls to fb wall posts. And also thanks to Jenny and Nanda for the awesome cupcakes!
I had an amazing day and this definitely beats the past 2 years hands down. I know now that I shouldn't expect anything on my birthdays unless I plan them myself. It's better to prepare yourself and ensure you have a good time rather than allow strict schedules or circumstances to restrict you from enjoying your birthday. So from now on, even if I'm stuck in the car and at someone's wedding in the middle of nowhere, or if I'm hanging around a highly humid airport waiting for my flight home, I can always make sure I do something to make my day special and happy. Just to make things worthwhile.
The emo on the bus goes upside down, round and round, up and down.
Tonight was the last night the housemates sat in Ayin's room eating chocolates and laughing. Sindy teared up. Grr. Goodbyes keep getting harder as the days go by. Dec 12 is when Afir leaves for good and Ayin moves out. :S
*shuts ears with both hands* Lalalala
Man, I SO want some Captain Crunch. Anyone know where I can get me some of those in Sydney? I used to eat the Peanut Butter one and those Waffle Crisps back in school. Crud. Now I'm hungrayh.
Want to know how I feel now? Listen to Antonia by Motion City Soundtrack. If you understand what Justin is trying to say then you've got my emotions down to a pat.
Sometimes I don't know why I even bother getting a 60 dollar haircut. It looks just like how it normally would. Just with no split ends.
Today it's Rick Astley's Never Gonna Give You Up and Kate Voegele's It's Only Life.
I think Unagi with Cream Cheese is the most sinful thing I can eat. Can you imagine how clogged my arteries are right now?
I don't want new housemates. I want the ones I have now. Please stay? Pretty please? Well unless of course, the other option is what Sindy suggested, then I'm all for it. :D
This round of PMS is brought to you by the letter B (for bloated), L (for lazyass) and R (for ravenous). It's probably a half truth to say I'm feeling antisocial as well. I think it's more of me just wanting to sleep.
Do you ever get tired of expressing your love for people? Like you know how certain things trigger memories of people you miss and love, or the people you meet everyday. Then you keep gushing mentally about how much you adore them. What if you get tired of doing that and you fall flat on your face? Not to say you don't feel that way about them anymore. You just get so tired of repeatedly tearing your heart out and attaching it on your sleeve for all to see.
Susah asyik beremo ni. I just want to be placid. Word.
I feel like I have a hangover. Not that I know what hangovers feel like. But I reckon if I had one, this is what it would feel like. My head feels heavy. I can't really think straight. Hmm. In addition to that, I feel bloated and swollen all over. Relax, this is mere exaggeration. But I do feel like an elephant. For some reason I think the insides of my nose is swollen too.
Anyway. My weekend was the shiznit. I had quality time with Hawa and Firza at Paddington. I bought lip gloss and a dress. Woo Hoo! I had lotsa noice food. And I read some comics at night. And yet, even after 6 hours of walking along Oxford Street and staying up til 2am, I still couldn't sleep.
Yup. That's why.
And then the next day, I had the Mfest agm. I got to read Zek's speech so I got my 15 minutes of fame. Muahahaha. People made fun of me coz Afir and I were wearing matching clothes. You either think it's cute or annoying. We all know what I think. I swear we didn't plan it. Haha. Anyway, I'm finally free of responsibilities!! Yayyyy!! Now I can concentrate on those personal issues I have. Hahaha.
Then I spent the rest of the day with the boyfriend. Hee. Happy. Oh and please watch Eagle Eye. It's just mind blastingly superb. And Shia is so hot.
After that, I dropped by Puan Lin's place for her open house and after gorging on satay, laksa, macaroni and cheesecake (crud, I sound like a pig again), we had a few rounds of KARAOKE. Hurr Hurr. By the time I got home it was 2 and by the time I snuggled under the covers it was 3 something. Thankfully I fell asleep quick. But not before singing this a few times:
ARGH. Stupid bioinformatics assignment. Its pissing the bejeezus out of me.
Must be all the innapropriate distractions the internet has served up on a plate for me.
I shall now proceed to bed while I dream of the 2008 Vendys. Crap. All that street vendor food made me drool. I want to visit the Treat Truck! I wish they had good and cheap mobile desserts where I am right now.
How is it that when the whole world is cranky due to the rain, I'm reveling in the fact that I can stay at home and drink coffee with my blankie wrapped around me?
Crap. Now Im craving Peanut Butter. Shalalala, my oh my.
Selamat Hari Raya! Today was just awesome. I thought it would be pretty lonely this time around but everything worked out SO well. Thanks to all my friends especially the sweetheart in Macquarie. :D
I played the Takbir Raya on Imeem just to psych myself up for Solat Raya this morning. I had good quality family time at Unit 39 after that. I had a nice loooong chat with everyone in Oma's house as I waited for the bus (it was so great to talk to everyone. I love you guys LOADS!). I spent time at the boyfriend's open house. :D. I watched in pure amusement as SIX cars came all the way from Kingsford berkonvoi. Plus the few of us who went by bus. I went off to UniLodge for ANOTHER open house. And now, I'm all beat, writing this while I wait for my hair to dry.
You have no idea how happy I am, considering how sucky I've been feeling this past week.
More Open Houses to come! Wheeee! :D
Oh and did I mention I got Nastar from Vanna? My god, I was only joking but the sweet girl really made me some. :) And I also had a blast at the Last Iftar and Takbir Raya last night. It truly felt like we all had 'Balik Kampung'. Hehehe..
Minta Ampun For All My wrongdoings okay? Slamat Lebaran again!
ps: Okay. Dgr takbir balik sebak. Pastu Zek kasi mesej sedih. And then I had this HUGE swell of affection for everyone I love. Sigh.
I've found myself a new love. Mandarin Preserves + Nutella on Poppy and Sesame Seed Bread. (Bajet Gourmet habis). But seriously, its reminiscent of Jaffa Cakes, my favourite cookies out of UK. :P
The sun is shining, heat waves are permeating my skin and the wind is sending my head into a whiplash. And the couples making out on the Physics Lawn do not help me purge my sins this Ramadhan month. Not that I'm fasting anyway. Oops. What? I'm on holiday!
Hanim aka Sabby tagged me to do some random stuff. Since I love talking about myself, I'm gonna torture you guys with nonsense.
1. I think I need to pee. *presses bladder to check*. Oh. No.
2. I want to swim in Greece. This weekend. Now also can.
3. I think after drinking Sprite, my liver is starting to talk to me. It's telling me to lay off the sugar.
4. I haven't read a good book in months. I hate not reading for leisure.
5. My friends find it entertaining to set me up with every other single guy out there. My mom finds it entertaining too. My dad, not so.
6. I'm getting anxious with the fact that Auli hasn't accepted my fb friend request. Oi. Even Hud dah accept request Kakak okay?
7. I wish I had Mummy's legs. Instead, I got Daddy's share of genes in that sector. Actually, the whole bottom section is from Daddy's genes. Dang.
8. Number one on my wishlist: A pair of Jem Earrings.
9. I really cannot stand seeing a certain someone's ex bf loitering around my house. Not that I don't like him. I really do. I just can't stand their situation.
10. I'm washing my hands of ALL my friend's relationship problems.
11. My balcony door is squeaking.
12. I feel like either baking chocolate chip cookies or cake pops. But then I still have an ice cream container full of Tiramisu.
13. I always stop whatever I'm doing to watch my guy friends walk home from class from my room. It sharpens my stalking skills.
14. Ever since I joined the household internet, I've found comics and music all on my own without having to rely on Zek and Chomet. :P
15. And finally. I'm going to pee for real now. Toodles! :D
My room smells like decaying flowers. No seriously. The daffodils I bought from the Cancer Council are wilting. Sigh.
Zek and Hawa. You're both right. I am hopeless.
Dear readers, your princess is going to dissappear for a few days okay? She's goin to retreat to that place where noone can touch her. Just so she'll save you the effort of listening to her complain. :) Btw, I'm going through extreme moodswings. So if you see me in public, pray its one of those high emotions. :D
Oh! I had a Vege Pie from Hannah's Pie in Ultimo for brunch today. I've ALWAYS wanted to try it. So I scarfed it down under the warm sun in front of the Powerhouse Museum. Man, I felt so cool and indie. Ha Ha Ha.
Oh Hello. I got my new laptop today! I haven't opened the box yet. But I'm feeling tingles in my tummy at this moment. Or maybe it was the petits fours I had for breakfast this morning. Oh boy, that new patisseriein Randwick, the one Zek and Siew Ching says is just 'alright' is like magic to me. Then again, cake displays always seem like magic to me. But you should see the range of pretty culinary treats they have. Unfortunately, they were out of brioches. :(
Okay. Now that that's settled, please tell me why I'm still lethargic and bored and unmotivated.
Oh, and while you're at it, please go and watch ATL's Poppin' Champagne on Youtube. Those adorable idiots actually danced in this one. Moves that resembled an aerobic warmup, square dancing and boyband 101. So yes, that made me smile.
Okay. (I say that a lot don't I?) I'm off to do some readings! Bye!
A dash of Disney, a sprinkle of pop punk, lashings of sweet treats, a pinch of superheroes, bundles of laughter and a tinge of crankyness.
All wrapped up in a pretty package that resembles the Cookie Monster.
Also self proclaimed Princess of Le Cupcake Kingdom
People I love. Music. Sweet treats. Singing animals. Movies. Princes. Books. Fables. Hindustan Heroes.
Sinks my Ship
Rude people working in hospitality and sales. Long queues. Idiots CUTTING long queues. People who Patronise.
Wishlist
To finally figure out what I'm meant to do. To travel the world. To eat anything without gaining ungodly amounts of weight. To get my happily ever after. :)
image from 101 Cookbooks
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