Syazwan's Surprise Birthday x AKYUEM Reunion

Last weekend was super fun - the most fun I had in ages! Started the weekend with having friends over to Bristol and I took them places....... ok so places would just include lunch at Zaza's Bazaar and then we aimlessly walked to find 'coloured houses' because apparently that was what Bristol is known for. Yeah, so we walked here and there because Nens was super determined to find these 'coloured houses'. We did find some houses that were coloured but they were depressing and did not look like anything like how they were pictured on the magnet that Nens got for herself and so we just took obligatory photos and left for the Clifton Suspension Bridge.

It was already super dark and cold and windy so we were at the bridge for just a little bit - Bristol is pretty beautiful at night and when all the lights were lit.

(with Syir, Nens and Fazmir!)

Left for London with Fazmir along at 1pm the next day and settled down at Diy's place before leaving again for Syazwan's surprise do. Met up with Azam because it was a potluck thing so seeing how we were traveling from Bristol, we didn't bring anything along from home (not that I was going to cook up anything but y'know) so we settled for Tinseltown's chicken wings. Didn't get to try them because everyone else brought other things so I was busy eating that lol

But the surprise was a success, nevertheless! It was so nice meeting everyone again! I miss dinner parties like how we would do in KL. It's a bit more difficult to gather everyone as 2nd year becomes more and more hectic so when we do meet up, it's really fun.

So many people who aren't KY think we can be a bit too overwhelming 'cause we are constantly around each other but what can I say, man, that's what 2 years of literally living with each other does to you. From morning to nights, we are constantly around each other and for those 2 years we were each other's family so it's only natural for us to graduate and have that same tight bond. #sorrytaksorry

We played Heads Up (and we separated into Boys v Girls so it was even more kecoh and intense) and Mafia which was EVEN more intense because if you've played the game, it's basically just blaming and betraying each other hahaha but was so funny and fun and kinda wanted to play it the whole night.

So difficult to see Pana around 'cause she's a hermit like me and we hardly go out and we're always too lazy to make an effort and we still complain that we don't meet enough new people hahahah

One with the ladies! 

That night was seriously gila fun because I've not laughed so much in ages so it was such a good stress reliever and very much needed after a month of constant work! 

The next day was our AKYUEM Reunion - our very first one! Told this to my brother the other day and he said 

"... Reunion ? Don't you guys meet up every time anyway ?"

... yeah well ok he got a point

It was great fun despite the late start but it was nice to meet everyone again like how we would for a KY event in the Great Hall. We even took photos by Houses and batch and just like how kecoh it was in the great hall, it was just as kecoh in London! Makes me miss KY more, really. The friends I gained from that place > anything else.

Garnet!!! 

(with Miss Kecoh #1 and Miss Kecoh #2)

1/2 of my fav Diyana's ever. 

L54 was like my second home in KY next to my own. 

Batch 14.0 

With my Garnet juniors whom I love loads and they're really cute lah

 

Missing Amal, Kanda and Marissa especially because my KY experience had a lot a lot to do with them also so I missed them a lot during the reunion because I know they wouldn't have missed it for anything in the world! 

xx

Okay

It's completely normal to feel down in the dumps and feeling like you're in a rut.

There will be days where you don't feel like doing anything and there will be nights where you just can't sleep because you're thinking about way too many things for way too long.

There's no cure, really. There's no real concrete solution to stop the way we're feeling. We want it to stop, obviously but there's nothing we can do.

Feelings are feelings; they're inevitable.

"Why must this happen to me?"

There must be a reason. You just have to know that everything happens for a reason. People come into your life for a reason so it's just as well that they leave for a reason too.

It hurts. Really really hurt. The kind of hurt that you didn't think you'd experience. The kind of hurt that you'd think you'd get used to after some time.

Truth is, you don't.

You won't get used to it. No matter how much you build a fort for yourself. No matter how much you put your guard up. No matter how much you think you're okay.

You bring yourself to that place in your mind and in your heart, and you're back to square one before you even know it.

And then the tears well up.

"It'll pass" you say to yourself. Almost like a mantra. Like a broken record.

But it hasn't and you fear that it won't for a long time.

The only form of comfort is knowing that this is a phase. You have to know it's a phase. It has to be a phase. This can't go on forever.

"You have to have faith that you'll get over it." - this is what I tell my friends all the time whenever they cry to me or tell me things that have upset them or made them sad.

But it's way easier said than done.

You don't just get over things just like that. Especially not when you've invested in your feelings and time and effort for something and for someone.

It's going to take time, so all I can really say is to you, my friend, is to endure it and hold it out for as long as you can. It's going to be a tough one and you're going to still text me late night asking what to do and pour your heart out to me and you'll ask for my advice and I can tell you everything you want to hear but ultimately, it is up to you.

You have to move on at your own pace. So if it's going to take another 2 weeks or another 2 years, let it be. The problem is when you rush into it. When you are so quick to tell yourself to get up and get out of this rut. You're forcing yourself to be good and do good. It's ego. Your ego is telling you you're better than this and you should quit feeling so low. But shut that ego up and listen to yourself. You're hurt. You're sad. Do that first instead of being coerced into being something and someone you're not at that specific moment. Take it one by one. Don't just snap yourself out of it. You can't. It's difficult.

It's going to hurt. You're going to be sad. You're going to immerse yourself in a pit of self-pity. You're going to drown yourself in a pool of "Why?"'s. You're going to cry when you think too much into it. You're going to be lonely. You're going to feel empty.

And that's okay.

You just have to have faith that there will be a day when you wake up one day and you realise that you're better. You're better and you're finally okay.

That day will come. You just have to believe it will. So I'm not going to tell you to cheer up now and to be okay now.

I'm going to tell you to take your time.

Take your time to be okay, you will get there soon enough.

xx

Box of Lies

This is me attempting to colour my hair all on by my own effort. I was like,

"Right, no big deal, just mix that into that, shake it, and put on your gloves and just lather it all over your hair, psh why do we pay so much for this at the salon?"

Guys.

I didn't even sempat to put the gloves on and I already tertumpah some of the colour cream. The klutz in me never fails to show up at times like these. Thank God I had the logical sense in me to lay the floor with newspaper.

And the universe was telling me I was going to be in a right big mess if I was going to do on my own. And just as I was about to start, my housemates came in to ask about something and when they saw what I was doing, I just succumbed and asked them nicely if they could do my hair for me hihi

So they did! 

I just had to goyang kaki and refresh Instagram and contemplate whether cooking and eating fries at 10:30 is a good idea or not...

As usual, hair colour didn't look like how it was depicted on the box. It never does! I'm too scared to get anything too light because I kinda don't wanna be blonde or anything like that. So I just went with "light golden brown'.

DON'T EVEN LOOK LIGHT NOR GOLDEN.

My weekend officially starts tomorrow after 1pm and I can't wait. I'm super determined to have a great weekend because the past few ones were quite disappointing. I can't wait to see my favourite friends and to genuinely have many many many hearty laughs and good food.

(I'm currently seriously seriously considering having some french fries [who are we all kidding? Of course I'm going to fry them???] and I'm having such good feels from listening to old Babyface songs 'cause they remind me of my parents so much!)

xx

November 2014 Favourites

So I did a huge, colossal mistake of taking a 'nap' at 6:30 pm. Everyone who knows me know that I am severely incapable of just taking a 'nap'. Why 'nap' for half an hour when you can sleep for a good 4 hours?????? Thank God tomorrow is a Saturday!

It's November 7th now and I did a monthly favourites thing on October 7th so I'm going to try and stick to that. Let's hope.

Music

Taylor Swift's 'Style' is a pretty cool anthem, I must admit. It's so catchy and nice to groove to. I'm not really a huge fan of hers because her music is a bit too happy happy jumpy kinda thing but this is a really good one. But 'Style' is my favourite of her new album '1989' everyone's on about.

Other than that, I'm just basically on the same playlist as before.

TV

How To Get Away With Murder is seriously SLAYIN' it. It's SUCH an amazing show, for y'all who've not watched it, please do yourself a great favour and watch the show now!! There's nothing that Shonda Rhimes can't do and I sound like a broken record but honestly, she is the real TV goddess.

I'm still watching Scandal and Grey's but HTGAWM is kinda my favourite out of the three as of now. However.... I don't know how I feel about Scandal. It's actually getting quite repulsive for me. It pains me to watch it but it's still good. Anybody who watches the show would know the main love story of Fitz and Olivia, right? And it's been a tug of war between those two. And it's getting quite tiring. The new episode is sooooo ugh! The whole time I was watching it, I was just so annoyed and uncomfortable. This is the thing, right. The show prides on being feminist. How can you not be, though? Lead character is a female and she plays such a dominant person, she runs her own mean business and she's feared and loved by so many. She tells people what to do and how many times have we heard her say, "No one tells me what to do. No one!" ? And then her love story is so contradictory to that ? She's being swayed by this cheating a-hole who can't give two hoots about his wife?????? Ugh I hate cheating partners everywhere, I'm so passionately hateful towards them that I might seriously lead a No-Cheating-Your-Partner movement though I won't know what we'd do. But still! And Olivia is so vulnerable to him ALL. THE. TIME. Like, c'mon for someone who stands her ground and ideals every damn time, you'd think she'd have some self control over this guy. And how he always calls her and he looks like SUCH a lovestruck high school boy and it's really sickening. Ok rant over but if any of you feel the same please tell me because I need a Scandal ranting partner!! I'm really trying to not watch more of it because I just feel so peeved after every episode!

Movies

DUDE, I just watched Gone Girl (finally!) with Azam the other day and um???? Pretty sick movie, innit! It was really really good, I love movies like that with its plot turns and twists and just keeps you in the seat the whole 2 and a half hours of it! Pretty long and was a bit dragged out at first but then! When that happened and then that happened, I was just in awe. I kinda want to read the book now. But I always say that and I end up not reading anyway so let's just see how that goes. I've also hopped on the Ben Affleck bandwagon. He's such a superb actor! And not to mention, a swoon-worthy dreamboat.

I can't wait for Mockingjay though! And Interstellar (though it looks a bit trippy) and The Imitation Game starring Benedict Cumberbatch. A good time to be alive, people!

Fashion x Shopping

It's starting to get **real** cold in the UK and the wind and the rain, dudes, they're not playin' around, man. It's so painful to have your face smacked with strong wind with cold rain drops. So now, I don't even bother looking at anything that aren't winter appropriate. I survive last winter with no gloves and got a earful from my mum but I kinda just had them in my pockets but this year, I might just need to get myself a good pair because that's how cold it's gotten! I got myself a pair of knee high boots though!!! And I'm so crazy over it! Been meaning to get a pair but afraid it was going to make me look short but then I figured, everything and anything is going to make me look short anyway right?

Taken from whatthechung.com

(and guys, I've gotten myself an umbrella)

Tumblr Favourites

Have a productive weekend, everyone. Or not. Yeah, just sleep in lah when else can you do this, right?

xx

Brollies

I don't remember the last time I had my nails painted! I keep forgetting to do it and then before I know it, time to cuti ends and bare nails for the next 1 month. Repeat cycle.

ANYWAY

I went to the city again today for the sole purpose of getting an umbrella because yesterday, as I was walking to uni, it rained. And it rained heavily. It was pouring so instead of walking the whole way (which is what I always do), I decided to just wait at the bus stop (that btw does not have any form of shelter) because according to the bus schedule, one was due in like 2 minutes. My umbrella was broken so I didn't even bother bringing it and so I only had my scarf to cover my head.

Guys, it was pouring. 

And 2 minutes passed and then 5 minutes passed and the rain was coming down like no one's business. I could see the pity on everyone's faces who passed me by in their cars. It was 15 minutes to class. So I decided to walk back home and just call a taxi. 

I walked back, drenched. As I approached my house, I called the taxi and as I was about to ask for one, it stopped raining completely.

What.

So I was still on the line with the taxi operator and I was thinking hmmm should I pay £7 for taxi fare (yeah taxis here are RIDICULOUS, you'd think we were living in freakin' London or something) considering it's stopped raining and walking would be free or speed walk to uni since class is starting in 10 minutes time and the walk to uni takes 10 minutes. 

My financially sensible part of me said, "£7 can buy you a GBK lunch, so just walk" so I did. Uphill. I don't make such a big deal because after some time, the walk uphill isn't too bad. Unless, of course you're rushing for class.

Which I was. 

I hate being late for class so I walked as fast as my body could permit (I was on an empty stomach by then) and record time, babes! 6 minutes!! Wahhhhhh so tiring, I was panting so much by the end of the uphill.

I was wearing the flimsiest of flats so I had to battle water puddles and my scarf was wet from the rain and it was cold and windy so by the time I reached the top of the hill, I was breathless and could not feel my legs.

I made it to class just in time but I was still panting ridiculously. One would think I just got done with a marathon or something. But um??? It kinda was like one???

So I vowed to get an umbrella. I told myself "Buy 2 if you have to!" It was a necessity at this point because I don't have a jacket or coat that comes with a hood so I pretty much go around with my scarf as the only form of shelter from the unpredictable rain that UK is all too familiar with. You NEED to get one, I told myself. A must!!! Have one at home, in your handbag, in your school bag, just get a damn umbrella.

I went to the city today for the sole purpose of getting myself one. So semangat to buy.

So firstly, I went to Primark and got a pair of boots to last me til December because my Topshop and H&M flats were not doing me any good and now that it's getting colder, I need to get serious with my footwear (my good ones are at my grandaunt's house in London and I completely forgot to take them back with me) but as always, I got sidetracked just a bit. Then, I went to M&S to get my favourite prawn crackers and some other things. I bumped into Sofia and sat down with her for a bit before getting the bus back home.

On the way home, I remembered something.

I forgot to buy the umbrella.

....................

Clutches and Lush

I've been swamped with work lately so you mix that with my natural born laziness, I haven't been out of the house or anywhere else besides classes this past week. So I thought, ok good good this can go on for another 2 weeks right???? Imagine all the money I can save from not going out!!!! And I'm heading to London for the weekend in 2 weeks time so more money I can spend there right!?!?

Wrong.

I succumbed and went out today. But it took me a long time to really really make a decision whether I should go out or not.

Reason #1 : I've been using my housemate's kettle all this while and I've been on my green tea kick right so I depend on her kettle ONLY. Lately, she was ill so she had her kettle upstairs because she couldn't be bothered to come up and down every time she needed hot water and ever since, she's had it upstairs in her room. So my green tea fix was put on hold. I thought it was just going to be a day but then it went on for 3 days and then 5 and then 2 weeks?!?!?! I can't go more than 2 days without green tea so I thought it was a bit ridiculous that I didn't have my own kettle. So that was my reason #1.

Reason #2 : It was sunny and gorgeous outside. It's rather odd, to be honest. It's already November but it's still nice and so warm but I hope this will go on til the rest of winter lah because it's so lovely to not be shivering to my bones. So I asked myself, "What if this is the last sunny day out???" and I thought I needed some sunshine anyway (I've been cooped up at home eating Fredo chocolates, seriously, it's quite disgusting ok) (as I type this out, I'm reaching out for Fredo chocolates which I've strategically placed on my bedside table) (all 3 packets of them) (each packet got half dozen) (so that's 18 pieces of Fredos) (help please).

Reason #3 : I was out of my favourite facial wash from Lush. And I had no more cotton buds. And my body soap was running out. AND I GOTTA STAY CLEAN, PEOPLE!

Reason #4 : I no longer had to rush to do my work because I was occupied with it the whole of last week and the due date, I just found out, has just recently been pushed for another 2 weeks and I'm already 3/4 done so phew! Figured I should give myself some break.

So I did. I was still unsure and I was pacing up and about after my shower and contemplating hmm should I or should I not? Sunny days or comfy bed with no make-up? But ooh I need more soap ahh but there's still a LITTLE bit left oh but wait cotton buds ala tapi can borrow from Selina hmmmm I miss green tea but umm I could just hold it out til Monday ?

Nope.

I decided to go out. I needed to not feel like such a damn hermit and I should dress up a bit and leave the house to see the world and to see people. Put on Taylor Swift's 'Style' (it's really good!) and eventually I was done and ready to go out.

So I did get my kettle from Wilko and it's pretty in purple. And UK really has changed me because I left the store feeling so content and I wanted to hug it and I was so happy to get home to make me some green tea.

But all this obviously after an unnecessary detour to Primark. I don't even know why I bother with the amount of people that flood Primark on the weekends. But I haven't been in so long so thought I'd pop by and see what's new and not get anything......

...... um lol you'd think after 21 years of living, I'd know myself more right? Long queues ain't a problem when you find a bag like this...

Dude, seriously. HOW BEAUT!!! It's a baby pink crossbody bag but the strap is soooo long so I'm just going to carry it as a clutch. But when I saw this, I immediately grabbed it and then I saw it in black so...

Sorry guys, but I just had to! And they were only £6 !!!! They don't look like they're from Primark eeep I'm so happy I got these!

And then I went into Lush and the smell my God! So overwhelming sometimes but I always get so rambang mata when I'm in there. But I was sensible enough and only got what I needed. Promise!

Ugh as if it's not enough that I already love Lush's products, now they have cute pink paper bags ugh love it

So only after Lush did I go into Wilko to get myself my very own kettle. Getting my priorities straight has never been my strongest trait.


Ta!

xx

Zs

This weekend my brother came to Bristol to visit his wonderful and lovely big sister (me). And it's always always nice to have family around. That and maybe he wants me to treat him lunches and dinners.......

I'd like to give him the benefit of the doubt and say that he came all the way to visit lil ol' me.

So nice to have him around even just for the weekend because he's my brother and obviously I love him but also because he's one of the funniest guys I know so I had a lot of laughs with him and because we're family, I'm totally myself and chilled around him. LAHV IT!

Anyone can tell you that Zaim has always been the clown in the Zainudin household. He always makes my mum laugh even since young! He has this wit about him that Iman has slowly emulated and she's growing to be more and more like Zaim in her own manner. I love my siblings and I'm really really happy and proud to call them my adik-adik. Also, now that we've all grown older, we've become more close and we don't do petty fights anymore hahahah I'm happy that nowadays they tell me everything that's happening with them and I appreciate them allllll the time although sometimes want to slap and kick but always always want to hug and kiss !

Zaim was craving for burger so I brought him to GBK obviously because once you eat GBK you don't want to eat any other burger joints! And as expected he loved it! This is how I would describe how good GBK is, ok. The past summer, Tania came to London for a month and she is, as everyone who knows her would know well, a HUGE health freak. She finds comfort in eating fruits all the time and hasn't eaten oily or fried food in eons. Basically the opposite of me. I love fruits, don't get me wrong, I do. But she actively goes out to buy fruits and makes her own juices and all that lah. So much effort. So anyway, I heret her to a GBK in London because I was craving for it so after much persuasion, she ordered a burger and their famous famous famous skinny fries. And she loved it so much, we went there several times after that. And we tried to not go to the same eatery because we wanted to explore but she loves the skinny fries like crazy that the times after that it was HER who heret me to GBK. Guys, if that's not good enough of an indicator then I don't know what it.

Zaim loved it so much that we went there again for lunch today, thank God for their student discount and my beloved GBK app!

Walked around Clifton while waiting for Amir to come back to his place because Zaim wanted to watch the MU v Chelsea match at his place. Didn't get to the Clifton bridge though because we were short on time so we just went in to the Bristol Art Museum and that was my first time after being in Bristol for a year lolz I really should do more Bristolian things. The night before, we went to Brandon Hill and that was also my first time there! Not sure if I'm the one visiting or Zaim, really.

Was so much fun to have him over because I finally (!!) went out on a weekend night. Quite dodgy and don't know if I'd do it again willingly but definitely enjoyed the company.

Weekend passed by so fast eeeeeek time to face reality now! Hope you had a brilliant one too!

xx

Cape

Anyahangseyo!!! Hahahahahaha my friends are so incredibly peeved that I say this now following my ridiculous obsession with watching Running Man as of late. They just roll their eyes and go all, "Nadia stay strong please you cannot succumb to K-Pop please!!!" hahahahaha I even have a How To Speak Korean app on my phone....... I promise this is just a phase okay guys relax there

SO

This past week, I've watched 2 movies ; Love, Rosie & The Maze Runner. Love, Rosie was sooooo lovely to watch, but yes, I admit it is also very predictable and similar to any love story but I don't know what about it that was so sweet throughout the movie. Lily Collins is really THE most beautiful young actress at the moment. She is so stunning without being so in your face sexy. She reminds me of Audrey Hepburn and the whole time she was on screen I would just mutter how beautiful this girl is!

The Maze Runner was also very good! Had the whole Hunger Games vibe which is what I love! There's a young actor in the movie who was so brilliant, man. Like, ridiculously good. I was so in awe of his acting.

I also got to meet my fellow hermit-like friend, Azam. We used to go out all the time but I live quite far from him so we hardly see each other now (buat gaya macam tak duduk sama city!) so it's always nice to see him even though just for a bit. I miss a lot of my friends actually and there's going to be a KYUEM Reunion in London soon and I was like the first 5 to hit the 'Join' button on Facebook ahahaha can't wait to be reunited with bestie budsssss from all over the UK.

Before that though, I was in Pull & Bear and found this olive green long coat. And absolutely fell in love. The previous time I was there I saw someone trying it on and there was no more in my sizes so I just passed on it. This time 'round I grabbed it and whizzed to the fitting room. It is ridiculous!!!! I rarely like something so much that I texted my mum straight away, of course I still have to ask her permission because it was quite pricey-ish according to me. I started the text by justifying that I've only had ONE coat to last me all of last year (this is true, guys) and that I think it's highly reasonable for me to get a new one to last me all of THIS year, I mean it makes perfect economical sense. My parents have always been kind and very very generous so even before sending the text out, I knew she would say yes to the coat because it's not like I have 15 other coats waiting to be worn. But I just felt that I should let her know and getting a proper 'Yes ok' before I could run back to the shop and snatch it from someone else if I had to!

Ok over but don't underestimate a girl who wants what she wants.

I super looooove it and it's so cool and understated and so wearable despite it being green. My faithful one is from Topshop and it's just a plain black one that I'm sure the whole of UK has seen me in because I wear it all the time.

I was also deciding if I should get this cape from Pull & Bear. I LOVE IT LIKE CRAZY and some people might hate it or love it but I don't know why I like it so much! It's not going to keep me warm at all but it's soooooooo nice I love it. It's been a current trend these winter to wear a cape. I saw a lady wearing one at Paddington the other day and she looked so effortless. It's kinda like an outfit rescuer. Wear a boring jumper underneath and this cape and you look like you took so much effort to dress that day hahaha this cape pretty much useful lah like how it's useful to Superman...... what idk what I'm rambling on about.

I'm telling you it's so cute but so useless hahahahaha doesn't even have proper sleeves. But it has a hood........ which I don't have.............. 

The more reasonable and more sensible part of me would say no but the impulsive shopper part of me says it's really cute and YOLO.

My bruva is coming to Bristol tomorrow and wants to go winter shopping so yay more reasons to go window shopping again. Mum, being mum, texted me saying to take photos with Zaim and send them to her. Haih, mum just say you miss us k! 

Hope you have an eventful weekend, everyone! 

x

Weather

Weather has been up and down kinda like me on that week of the month. It has been cold and rainy these past few days but today was warm and sun was out shining saying "ok ok fine nah, y'all deserved it".

The weather has been pretty unpredictable but I mean, we shouldn't complain. We did, after all, work tirelessly to get where we are so it'll be pretty ironic for us to complain. Just remind yourself that you're in this country to pursue your studies and you're doing what you've always dreamt on doing.

Bersyukur.

Although yes, the weather can be quite tiring, you just have to keep yourself in check and be thankful that we are amongst the fortunate to be able to further our studies abroad. Not many people are able to do what we're doing (although many many of them would LOVE to) so what's a little rain and a lot of shivering, eh?

EDIT : I'm typing this out the day after this post was published but I woke up and opened my Instagram to see a junior of mine, Izzat, writing a really long caption on Instagram with a photo of him in Malaysia on his new university venture. He said that he shut off from social media because he unfortunately was not able to continue with his studies in the UK even though he made the grade [just not to his sponsor's par, which is the worst innit] and he explained how miserable he felt and geez, I can't begin to imagine what a horrible time he went through knowing that he wasn't able to live out his dream of studying abroad.

Which just made me appreciate studying and living here more and more. I still sometimes can't believe that I am in the UK after years and years of dreaming of being here. I count my blessings all the time and I'm sure most of my friends here do too.

So maybe we can live without complaining about the weather sebab bila lagi kita nak experience 4 musim.

Maybe we can live without complaining being so homesick ALL THE TIME. Bila lagi kita nak experience living alone in a foreign country and learn how to stand on your own two feet? Rindu tu of course akan sentiasa rindu tapi cheer up, you have been given this huge opportunity and chance to live the life many other students can only dream of.

Basically, all I'm saying is that we should be very thankful and grateful that we are in this enviable position to be studying abroad and learn as much as we can, not just from books but take in everything and learn everything around you.

I don't think some of us understand that and take it for advantage which is seriously very frustrating to see.

SO, don't complain, be humble and appreciate everyday you're here, rain or shine!

x

Mr Ed Sheeran, ladies and gents

Guess what, guys.

I went for the Ed Sheeran concert........ AHHHHHH still so hyped over it!!! It was an amazing gig! And that's the best part about the whole thing, it was more of a 'gig' than a 'concert'. Beyoncé's was a real concert; with dancers and a whole band and costume changes, all that jazz. But Ed Sheeran was so chilled, he got on stage with no impressive huge headlights or any countdown or anything of the sort. He just sorta walked on stage, grabbed his guitar and started singing. How amazing, right?? Ahh I was in awe of such talent!!

I practically jived and danced and sang along to most of his songs. He was incredibly interactive with his audience and we sang so much of his songs, it looked like we were part of a massive gospel choir!  Really, if you are anywhere NEAR a fan of his, you should go for his concert if ever he comes to wherever you live because that man can perform his heart out and he really looks like he's into it 100% for every show he does. I think coming from such a difficult background makes you more appreciative of what you have kan so I thought that's how he has his mind set to. Damn brilliant, blew me away!

Of course, when he crooned to Thinking Out Loud (one of my favourite songs to ever exist ever in all of history), I was stunned. My favourite song to be performed live??!?!?!?! YES EVERYDAY PLEASE! Singing along with the crowd to Ed Sheeran playing right in front of my eyes was really something. Chills all over!

But of course, what is London without it's chaos?

The concert was a last minute thing for me because up til that weekend, I couldn't get hold of tickets at all. They were all sold out and the resells were so expensive! Finally on Twickets, someone offered 2x standing tickets for the Monday show. Booked my bus ticket and right after my morning class, I headed straight to London.

What is Bristol without its persistent rain? Waited at the Megabus stop by UWE for half an hour in the freezing cold and the rain was ridiculous. The bus was so late that I even managed to send out a tweet to them and ask where the hell was their London-bound bus. When I finally got on the bus, I didn't think it was going to be a 3 and a half hour journey because there was some accident and it stalled us like crazy! I was already getting so anxious because I kinda wanted to get to O2 relatively early to get decent standing spots. So frustrated. AND it was raining and I had this heavy bag lugging around with me. Of course in true Nadia manner, I somehow got on the wrong tube and I was already late as it is!!!!! And when I did get on the right tube, that tube stalled for 10 minutes?!?!??!?! WHAT????? WHEN DOES THAT HAPPEN??? Went to Diy's house, plopped my things there and rushed out the door with her to O2. Ridiculous. I felt so sorry for Zain who had to wait for us for so long and he was so patient about it! Blessss him.

We did get decent spots in the end and I can't help my height (or lack thereof) so I still had to stand on my tippy toes to see Ed. But that's the thing though about his shows, you could be all the way up and blindfolded and still have a damn good time! I wasn't complaining at all (maybe 'cept for the annoyingly mushy couple in front of me who blocked my view!) because I was too busy singing along and dancing and screaming with Diy to be peeved about my whole day leading towards the concert.

Thanks for the gorgeous night, Ed Sheeran!!! Now time for me to stay in Bristol and be a good girl hahaha xx

Bruva

Was in London for the weekend to see my brother who just got to the UK the past week.

My parents, as much as they say they trust us to be the independent kids they've taught us to be all our lives, are still parents. And parents, regardless of anything, are worrywarts! I admit I was also worried because I'm the eldest in the family so I've always assumed the role of the gelabah sister and I always keep check of my siblings once in a while to know how they're doing and what they're doing and where they are. Sometimes, I act as a liaison between them and my parents as I assure them (my parents) that for the millionth time, they're (Z, T and I) alright.

But yeah, so when he came, he didn't have his sim card for a UK number yet so he had to heavily rely on readily available WiFi and I've been there before so I understand how frustrating it is to not be able to contact anyone. When I first got to the UK, I was still on my Blackberry. GUYS, if you only can understand the difficulty in that alone. My Blackberry that died every 3 seconds. I was trying my ultimate best to be a Blackberry advocate but it got too hard on me so I ditched it and hopped on the iPhone wagon not too long after that. But thankfully, I traveled to Bristol with Azam and his very very kind father so I had help the whole time. Zaim didn't so lagi lah kan. And I had an iPad so I carried that everywhere I went and stealing WiFi from cafes and iMessaging everyone. Basically, it was difficult and annoying.

Contacting Zaim to ask where he is and how he's doing was so troublesome! That boy doesn't have his Whatsapp last seen feature (he chooses not to let people know when he's on Whatsapp or not) (whatever) so it was difficult for us to know his whereabouts. Alhamdulillah syukur, he was fine and dandy and managed everything on his own. Proud sister right here! I'm actually really proud lah that Zaim and I managed registering university all on our own considering I have some friends who have their parents with them the first 2 weeks they're in uni.

But yeah, all that got me thinking. How did my parents manage without the use of phones or emails or FaceTime or Skype and all that! I remembered Facetiming my parents ALL the time during my first few months in Bristol hahahaha and to think all they could do was write back home.

My mum told me she would write to my grandparents every fortnight just to let them know she was doing alright. And now we can do it in less than 10 seconds via Whatsapp. Times have changed, and all for the better, I must say!

Before flying off, my dad confided in me and told me that he risau a bit with Zaim flying alone to the UK and handling everything on his own and went on to say during last Summer when Tania was here for a month, he didn't have a SINGLE worry with his 2 girls off to Europe alone. He was more than confident that we could more than manage ourselves. We did. But that just goes to show the difference between boys and girls, I guess. Of course, this is me broadly generalising but in my family, Tania is the most independent followed by me and then Iman and surprise surprise, Zaim comes last. LOL.

But phew, my brother now has a sim card and I can Whatsapp and call him as much and as often as I want. However, I'm a cool sister so I'm not going to do all that. He still doesn't have his Whatsapp last seen feature switched on but all is right in the world again, alhamdulillah.

This is me and him on Raya Haji in Hyde Park with the beautiful sun glowing on us. Our Raya getup is so happening, right guys?????

xx