Friday, September 25, 2015

152MB

Guess what, guys.

My WiFi is finally up and running and at 152mb which, although I'm absolutely clueless when it comes to phone speed and internet data, is really fast!

I was so impatient because I had completely used up all my Personal Hotspot data so I was left with just my phone. Man, I don't know how my parents did it, without internet! I know I can't, I'm so obsessed with Internet and this past few days really just left me so bored! I sound like such a 21st century brat but don't lie, WiFi is your saviour.

So!

Classes have officially started and by far, I have the busiest Tuesdays. A 9-6 schedule leaves you so exhausted, man. Despite that, I'm quite happy that my other days are pretty freed up like I don't have Monday classes and I only have one lecture on Thursdays and evening lectures on Friday so I'm quite satisfied with my timetable.

It's only my first day of classes but already so daunting and intimidating. The teachers have told us that this would be an important year and I'm going to change it up a gear this year. InsyaAllah! I'd love to see my parents come to my graduation next year where I hopefully would graduate with a first. Seems like a big dream for a girl like me but I know myself, and if I push and discipline myself, I'll be okay.

Today is Raya Haji and although back home, our family doesn't really do anything special today besides having nice lunch and dinner (but we have nice lunches and dinners everyday anyway), it's quite lonely to be in my home in Bristol without any family. Miss them by the day but oh well, distance comes with studying abroad so I just have to persevere 'til the next time I see them!

Selamat Hari Raya, everyone! 

I, on the other hand, am going to continue watching Korean shows. How I've missed them.

(EDIT : Went out for a Korean dinner with Nana today and before that, we stopped over at a Korean shop where I got cute chopsticks and prawn crackers. The owner was Korean and went I greeted her with an Anyeonghaseyo, she was shocked and told me I had very good pronunciation which honestly, meant so much to me. She was shocked throughout our visit to the store and every time I'd say something in Korean, she would just shake her hand in disbelief and say my Korean was so good, and if only she could learn English the way I learned Korean. She would turn to Nana and just tell her that I spoke exactly like a Korean. This all seems like I'm bragging to the ends of earth but really, more than anything, it means a great deal to me when a native Korean says I speak well with good pronunciation. It's fantastic motivation for me to continue learning Korean. If you've taken up a foreign language and be told how good you sound, you'd understand how I feel. Hehe just wanted to share that here because it made my whole week!)

xx

Saturday, September 19, 2015

To shop or to not shop

You know I'm back in England when I'm excited about shopping for home stuff and groceries. I went out today to get myself necessary things for dinner tonight and I bought exactly all that I needed. I made detours, obviously, to the usual shops but didn't get anything other than the ones I really needed. Which were photo frames, a birthday card for my grandmother, cutleries, a wok, a frying pan, and garlic and cili padi.

I won't say I'm a shopaholic because I don't think I am. Though Tania and my mum would wholeheartedly disagree, I really think I'm not. I mean, have you seen some of my friends?!?!?! They shop up a storm. If you're a shopaholic and you want to stop (bless you, you're so strong), I have some useful tips. These are all things I've learnt over the years and have been quite helpful to me.

Hahahaha no, seriously, here are some things you should try if you want to save some money. This is, especially, for the students who just arrived in the UK and are starting out their first year (hello hi welcome, congratulations! You made it! And yes, the weather has always been like this, and no, you won't get sick from drinking water from the tap).

#1 Don't buy 'cause they're cheap

Don't always succumb to cheap prices. Yeah, they're cheap and a bargain but are you liking the thing more or the price? Because if you're buying it just 'cause it's cheap, then don't get it. You might think you're saving money for buying it cheap but you're saving even more money from not getting it at all.
I almost bought a throw at Primark for a fiver just cause it was a fiver. There was no apparent reason I needed a throw because the selimut I already have is so warm and to be honest, I don't even understand the purpose of a throw... but anyway, that was £5 saved.

This is what Primark does to you also. Cheap prices, tapi lama lama mahal gak kalau beli banyak benda tak guna.

#2 Run it over the next 24 hours

If you like something, hold it off for atleast another 24 hours. If you're still thinking about it then, then you can get it. If you find yourself completely forgetting about it or atleast having second thoughts after the 24 hours, then you weren't really passionate about it in the first place. The amount of things I've held off from buying from using this 24 hours thing is enough to get me a flight back to KL.

But if you find something you really really love, then save it aside. Most stores allow you to have it put aside for a tleast 24 hours so at least you have some security that the thing you want is stored away from other shoppers. You don't have to buy it just yet, like I said, think about it first before you get it. Always a good idea.

#3 Buy weather-appropriate things

Sounds like a no-brainer but I catch myself buying crop tops in this weather and when I try to wear them, I instantly loom over my life decisions and realise that this wasn't a good one. Especially, in this weather, are you really going to wear that flimsy see-through blouse? I'm now strictly avoiding getting fancy tops ever during the autumn/winter season because from my experience of being here for about 2 years, I hardly ever wear them and it becomes such a hassle to pack it home. Tak payah. Only buy them if you really need it for a function; even then, you'd be cursing at yourself for wearing so thin out. I swear, the only times I wore a blouse out was for my birthday and to other people's birthday dinners. Which is about like? Less than 5 times in the whole year??

(Besides, wait til Spring/Summer collection come flooding through shops, so much better than the ones in store now, and a lot more to choose from)

Also, don't buy flats if you're in the UK now 'cause you won't wear that for atleast another 5 months. Not even Ferragamo ones, guys, as pretty as they are. Poor babies will only stay in the box.

#5 "Don't buy for the sake of buying"

... is what my mum would us every time we go out shopping ever since we were young. I would accompany her to the nearby kedai runcit, and I'd get myself notebooks and colourful pens COMPLETELY unnecessary but I just felt like I needed to buy something just because Mum and her wallet were there.

We grew up listening to her say that all the time that now, for us, it's become a healthy habit.

Saves you heaps. Also, stay away from friends who are evil shopping lurers AKA me. Stay away from me. I encourage the heck out of people to shop when they're out with me. Which is probably why I like to shop alone. The only other person I would go shopping with is Tania. She would just flat out say "No, when the hell are you going to wear that" when I was picking out a pair of shorts. They were cute but when will I ever wear a pair of shorts with my Ustaz Papa supervising our choice of clothes before we leave the house. Man, the amount of "Kenapa seluar koyak? Takde duit ke?" I've had to hear...

So, before buying anything, just ask yourself WHEN are you going to wear or use that and if you can't think of a time in the near future to do so, then put it back where you found it and slowly gather your strength and might to walk out the door. You feel so much better when you come back home knowing you haven't spent money, promise!

#6 Pair it with things you already have

If the cobalt blue trousers you're about to buy requires you to buy something else to pair it with, than that's another purchase you have to contemplate over. Picture the thing you're about to buy and pair it with at least 3 things you already have in your closet. Which is why buying a white shirt is justifiable, you can wear that with basically anything, be it skirt or cobalt blue trousers.

#7 Try it on!

Do it. Try it on. It does seem like a chore to try things on especially when you have layers and layers of clothes on, heck, even without all the layers, I'm still lazy to try things on! But you just have to. They have been so many times I've picked out things I was SO sure that I was going to look good in and I was going to buy it there and then.

That was before I went into the fitting room. You can never tell with the fit and silhouette of clothes. They look really great on hangers but you find all sorts of problems when you put it on. They can look awkward and some materials are not even nice to have on so it's always a good idea to take time out to try it on.

I was ridiculously in love with a button-up denim skirt that actually went below the knee (decent lah tu kan) but when I tried it out, it looked so awkward and I knew I wasn't going to wear it any time soon so that was a double whammy.

Did I just use 'double whammy', that was gross, sorry I take it back.

#8 Don't shop at your first shop

It's so typical, kan? To shop at the first shop you're in. Go around first. Finish the day first and see if you still like it. You're more likely to make the effort to come back to the first shop if there was something you really, really, really loved there. Chances are you might find a better alternative elsewhere if you browse around first! It's the vibe of "Ooh, I'm going out shopping!" that plagues with your whole spending habit, with that mentality, you tend to buy things you don't even like that much.

Also! These tips aren't just when you're shopping with your money, it's also, perhaps more importantly, used when you're out with someone who's paying for your shopping. It doesn't really matter if you come from a family of money or not, it's still money. Don't buy just 'cause your parents are using their credit card. They work hard to get what they get so it's always nice and considerate to be mindful of your spending.

So that's all for this blog post! I hope I don't come off sounding like a know-it-all. I just find my shopping habits to have reduced quite well and wanted to share it to some people out there who are looking for ways to save on shopping.

'Til my next preachy post! Hahahaha

xx

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Back in Briz!

Back in COLD COLD FREEZING Bristol!

Can't lie; it's actually really nice to be back in this cute ambitious city. I'm struggling to acclimatise to the cold just yet, I'm already wearing triple layers and didn't think I'd have to already wear boots and a jacket so early in the F/W season.

My flight to London was horrible. I was, throughout the journey, completely air sick. I was just nauseous for the whole 13 hours. There was a delay and we were stuck in the plane for a good 2 hours before we could took off. So that's 15 hours of breathing cabin air. Ugh, thinking about it makes me nauseous even. I could only master the energy to eat 3 bites of the potato they served for lunch and skipped dinner because they were serving fish pasta. It was either that or chicken with mashed peas...

No to both, thanks.

The girl sat next to me chose to eat the fish pasta and she hardly touched it after having her first bite. Ick. They should really try to up the quality of the food lah honestly, MAS hear me out!!

I couldn't even watch anything because I was just too dizzy. All I remember ever thinking on the plane ride was me reciting Ayat Kursi and "Don't barf, don't barf, don't get sick, you're fine, breathe in breathe out, you're NOT going to vomit!".

Half an hour before landing, I took out the air sickness bag and barfed. Twice. I had to measly ask the girl next to me, "Can I please have your air sickness bag..." to which she looked at me sympathetically and gave hers quickly before I could barf on her.

And then, after landing, I had to calm myself and I left the plane quite late which was a huge mistake because the line for immigration was ridiculous!!! It was so long and it was such a drag! And worst of all, I was still feeling sick and nauseous. I was so close to passing my bags to Najwa and Shaza who were also in the line and making a run for the toilet.

We had a good 15 minutes before the bus came and Iqbal and I left for Bristol. That was another 2 hour journey. By then, although I had slept on the flight, I was just exhausted. Traveling is no joke.

After finally arriving in Bristol and catching a cab back to my place, I settled in because I never like to unpack late because I know if I hadn't done it then, I would probably live my next few months out of my suitcase.

So as tired as I was, I managed to actually unpack and reorganised my beyond-help closet and cook Maggi for dinner. Not before getting sick again. I don't know what was wrong with me, I never had to vomit 3 times in a row in a day.

I am currently staying at a friends place because guess what. There's no WiFi in my place. How the heck am I suppose to survive with no Internet?!?!?!?! No Korean variety shows?!?!?! No Youtube ????? No Whatsapp?!??? And to top it all off, I misplaced my UK simcard so I couldn't even go on my phone for Internet if I wanted to! You can imagine me on my bed tired and frustrated and on the near end of pulling my hair out.

And the cold is not helping. My sinus is back and with a vengeance, I haven't had time out from sneezing so much and I'm also coughing up a storm. My skin has gone so dry now that I have rashes breaking out! I never had this in Malaysia so it's definitely the sudden weather change that has caused a havoc party on my skin. I'm itching all the time and my skin especially on my legs and arms, have these mosquito bite like bumps. (I Googled - they're hives. I have hives.)

...

Guys, what I'm trying to say is that I haven't had a good few days in the UK and I only hope it gets better from now on.

xx

Saturday, September 12, 2015

Did nothing

I'm clearly procrastinating on my packing. Leaving tomorrow morning and I'm just dreading the whole flight. I hate flights, I can't stand the smell of the cabin, I hate that I can't sleep even though I want to, I hate the screaming babies, I hate airplane food (how on earth do they get nasi lemak to look so incredibly dull, I will never know), I hate sleeping for what seems to be 7 hours only to realise it's only be 45 minutes, I hate it alllll.

I mean, the thought of going back to the UK is not unnerving, I guess. I've grown to like Bristol and living independently. I complain about cooking and washing for myself but I have to admit, it's quite fun handling things on your own. It's just that, I've got it so good here at home that the thought of going back to a routine is so dreadful. But I guess I'll get used to it.

My Mak Tok asked,

"So what did you do on your summer holiday this time?"
"Nothing... but that's exactly what I wanted"

I foresee third year to be a bit daunting, with coursework and assignments coming at you right left centre, so ideally I wanted to just spend the summer being a complete bum! And I did, so I'm quite pleased. And I went to freakin' Seoul which was if you didn't already know, the best trip of my life.

But I know the next 10 months I'm abroad will just pass me by so fast like how it has been the past 2 years so I'm okay and cool with things. And the fact that I have friends all over the UK is comforting because they're kind of like home to me. I don't mean to sound ungrateful in this blog post, I know a lot of people love the mere idea of studying overseas and I am, I thank God every single time but man, leaving home isn't easy. This has just triple assured me that I want to come back to Malaysia and work here and stay put.

When will Malaysia Airlines have WiFi on board please lah it'll be great to have internet access where I can watch 10 episodes of Running Man berturut turut, flights will be a lot more enjoyable and tolerable with internet, guys!!!

Wish me a safe flight!! Bye Malaysia love you forever and ever and ever will see you very soon insyaAllah!

xx

Sunday, September 6, 2015

T-minus 1 week!

Can't believe I'm a week away from going back to the UK for my third year of degree.

The prospect of returning back to cold, gloomy UK got me having mixed feelings. I really want to prolong my stay in KL just a little bit longer but at the same time, I kinda miss Bristol. I don't however miss the cold. But when I'm in the UK, I'm essentially living alone so I have to cook for myself, go grocery shopping (or rather, have it conveniently delivered hehe) by myself, walk to uni by myself, it can be quite tiring and lonely, if I'm completely honest with you.

These past 3 months in Malaysia have been so nice and my mum used to always tell me to not always use the word "nice" because it's so common and vague especially with my English essays. "Be more descriptive!" she would say. But Malaysia is just that for me, it's nice. It's warm and it's comfortable and it's familiar and it's home. It's just nice.

Not looking forward to the imminent cold for 5 months straight but liking the idea of not having to sweat under the sun and my make-up melting off my skin.

Not looking forward to having to think of what to have breakfast, lunch and dinner but quite excited to start cooking again.

Not looking forward to walking uphill to university but anxious to start the new academic year with a new kind of semangat.

Not looking forward to living alone but at the same time, can't wait to live alone. Not because I don't miss my family (I do, everyday!) but because Bristol is like my time-out place, I don't know how else to explain it to be honest.

Like I said, mixed feelings.

xx