Amsterdayumn

I'm done with my January papers and I have a week 'til classes resume so I have a week to burn and relax and be in bed and sleep all day and eat all night and watch Running Man allllll I want and allllll I can.

Bliss.

I'm going to blog about my recent trip to Amsterdam with my main girl, Marissa! It was absolutely lovelyyyyy, I had such a great time and to be honest, unexpectedly so. I thought I'd enjoy Berlin more! I mean, Berlin was equally amazeballs but Amsterdam took me by surprise!

So we arrived early morning and we took a cab to our hotel.

I loved our hotel SO much that I don't mind going there again on a weekend SOLELY for the hotel. I loved it. It's such a quaint little place but the pillows were heaven, the staff wonderful and the overall service was just so impressive for a small hotel.

This was our room. Every room is said to be "dressed like a model" and all 61 rooms are all differently designed which makes it that more special. We took the 3 star bedroom and it was MORE than enough for us. Loooooved it. It's called "Hotel The Exchange" and go ahead and look it up for your next trip to Amsterdam!

It's SUPER strategically located as well because just a few doors down there was the City Sightseeing shop/office so we bought our tickets there and the first stop was just a 4 minute walk ahead. And it's really close to the Dam Square and Red Light District. We didn't need to take any form of public transportation and on our third day, we realised how close it was to the Anne Frank Museum! 

This was the common area just outside of our room. The WiFi was a bit of a slack in our rooms so we would always hang out in the common area to get WiFi which was super super super fast so it was as bit weird how as soon as you shut the room door close, WiFi is cut off. But nevertheless, gorgeous hotel! 

So our first day! 

We got our tour tickets (personally, I've always always favoured hop on hop off buses when on a holiday, 'cause that way you get to check off all the touristy places without having to trouble yourself with 'How to get there?' and 'What number train?' and essentially wasting precious time. And on our second day, we were somewhat familiar with the city and we just walked around from then on. So it's not like you're not exploring the city anyway) and got on the bus but not after buying yummy fries with cheese! 

And we basically toured the whole city and went to the museums. We went to the Rijks Museum first and there were a hella lot of things to see. I personally really love museums and I take my own sweet time reading every plaque and looking at everything so it was really nice. It was really huge as well! 

This was especially cool. It's just a library within a museum and there were actually people, down there as you can see, reading and studying! In a museum! How cool.

And then we went to the Van Gogh Museum. We weren't allowed to take photos but man, that museum was so cool. To see his history and his work and there was even one section when you can listen in on the letters that he would write to his brother was something. It was so inspiring to be in this museum to be honest, it lets you in on every brush stroke and colours and painting techniques and on the methods he employed for every art work. Art enthusiasts everywhere and anywhere should make it a point to visit this place.

And then we stopped by this waffle place. Hahahaha I've told this on my Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and everything. 

Do Marissa and I a favour and at any time you decide to make a trip out to Amsterdam, go to this small kiosk with the. best. waffles. ever. It's by the 'i amsterdam' sign and on the way to the Van Gogh museum. Serves the best waffles, get the ones with grilled sugar and you are on your way to waffle heaven. We loved it so much that we went a second time on our last full day in Amsterdam. 

And then we got back to our hotel to rest for a bit. Hahahaha Marissa is seriously my IDEAL traveling partner because only we get each other. For me, holidays are meant to be for relaxing. Given you have to still make an effort to go sightseeing but for me, it has to be on your pace and time because then where's the fun in everything if you're always on a rush and on a schedule? Set a not-so-ambitious agenda for each day and just do all that first. That's why I like loooong holidays where's there's no rush in anything. Marissa, you da real MVP for coming back to the hotel that day at like, 4pm and slept til 9pm hahahahaha 

We went to explore the city by ourselves and it was ideal because there weren't many people around so we could take nice photos. See how empty! We went to Red Light District also that night and went into an erotic museum........ which was a disturbing experience. But an experience, nevertheless. We went quite late so it was just the both of us in the museum. Hahahhaa such weird vibes but oh well. 

We went for dinner at this Italian restaurant nearby and had some good ol' pasta. I've deducted that the best Italian food I've had have all been in Malaysia. I've not been to Italy yet so I can't say how it'd be there but seriously, Italian food here is just tak sedap. 

Day Two

Second day, we resumed our tour around but not before having breakfast at the little cafe attached to our little hotel.

... which served the BEST green tea. It was so so so so so good and you're probably thinking how the hell can green tea be 'SO' sedap but it really was. It was so fragrant and didn't taste like paper at all. I actually Googled where to buy it and lo and behold, Selfridges Food Hall! Was so excited to get it (which I did!) and try it out on my own. 

We went to Anne Frank's museum which was the highlight of my whole trip! I loved it. It was so SO chilling and I don't know how else to describe it to you. It was just something that was so unbelievable. Like how the narrow staircase up to their rooms was blocked by a book case and the book case was actually STILL there and the celebrity photo cut outs from magazines that Anne Frank had stuck on her wall were all still preserved and there which was beyond for me. To finally read and understand her story was a whole other level for me. I left the museum being very VERY grateful that I never had to go through that kind of hardship in my lifetime thus far. It was pretty brilliant and I would honestly go there again. What an experience! And we were lucky enough that we didn't have to queue AT ALL. There's been a pretty big fuss about long lines and that you have to book online for  tickets in advance to save yourself from being kept in line so long but when we went there, I thought the whole place was shut for the day because not a single soul was lining up. It depends really, I guess on your luck and on the day itself. 

Then we walked around and we got ourselves to the Nutella Ice Bakery that Marissa had read online about. We managed to walk towards the shopping district and to the flower market which didn't really have a lot of real blooming flowers because it is winter and so we just walked around. Marissa got her waffles with Nutella and we took the cab back to our hotel and chilled for the rest of the night.

Day 3 

Day 3 was just a day to chill and yes, we actually went to the waffle place to eat our waffles again because we couldn't just leave Amsterdam without tasting what might be THE BEST WAFFLES EVER hahahaha I've been raving it so much, I feel almost like it'll ruin your whole experience because I've put such a high benchmark and expectations for you lolz 

And we took more touristy photos with the 'I Amsterdam' sign before going back to the city and walking aimlessly around and exploring the place even more. 

I looooove this city because the Dutch were just absolutely friendly and I was super impressed with how fluent they were in English! And the food we had was just brilliant all around and that was surprising also but EVERY place we went to eat, the food was just amazeballs. We questioned ourselves though whether it was just sedap because we were hungry and tired from walking everywhere but seriously, really good! 

We left for Berlin the next day and our train station was literally a 5 minute walk from our place which was such a huge plus point with our hotel again. I loved the place so much I actually even had the effort to write my review on it on Tripadvisor because I felt like they deserved it! 

Amsterdam was beautiful and so so so lovely, I'd love to go again! And to know it's just a 45 minute plane ride from London is so appealing and I'm so tempted to go there again over the summer! 

Celine Belt

Anyone who knows me knows that once I get a nice handbag, I use it 'til its death. I don't like the idea of changing handbags every so often because then you'd have to transfer the contents from one bag to another and it's just very troublesome and I'm wayyyyy too lazy to colour coordinate my handbag with my outfit. Which would explain why my last 192819382 handbags have always been black.

But today.

Today, I am in love. I am so deeply ridiculously crazy in love. IN LOVE.

With the Celine Belt handbag.

Ok.

Let me just gather myself and pull myself together and breathe.

I need to breathe.

Inhale.

Exhale.

Guys.

I am insanely in love with this handbag, I don't think I have ever wanted anything more in my life (in terms of a materialistic context of course) (I still want the love of my life to appear soon lah but I mean, let's be real here).

Also, if you know me, you know that I am obsessed with the colour 'tan'. Anything tan I'm all for it. Tanned coloured anything, I'm into. Even with make-up.

So can you just imagine. A tanned coloured handbag.

And that's not even the best part, guys.

I mean, if it wasn't already so freaking beautiful in its structure...

... iT FREAKING HAS A PINK INTERIOR.

I mean.

SERIOUSLY. I AM CRYING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I. AM. CRYING.

IF I WAS A HANDBAG THIS IS WHAT I WOULD LOOK LIKE OKAY!!!!!!

I wantttttttttt. This is my idea of a PERFECT handbag.

I mean, look at how it's so structured but not too office-y with its dangling loose ends. And the colour is just absolutely stunning. It's so classy and so timeless, I can see myself wearing this for YEARS ON END.

I can see myself toting this to the office. I can see myself carrying this on a date night. I can see myself using this to pick up my kids from school. I can see myself using this handbag ANYWHERE AND EVERYWHERE FULL STOP END OF THE STORY GOODBYE.

And I mean, to top it all off with the pink interior is just the ultimate deal breaker for me. 

It is seriously, THE most beautiful handbag I have EVER seen and I might just cry if I touch it (and then I'd caress and cuddle it obviously). 

Dude, not funny.

This is THE handbag for me. 

And I don't usually dedicate a whole blogpost on an item so you HAVE to know how special this is to me.

I'm going to start saving up for this because I don't think I can live without it. Ok over gila but can't help it this is too beauts and you guys might not understand and might not like it but leave me be!!!!!

#saveforCeline

#tabungCeline

BRB while I scour for coins in my room.

January 2015 Favourites

I just realised this doesn't make sense. That I'm doing a 'January Favourites' when it's only so early on in January hahahahha ok total fail. Just look at it as what I've been enjoying for the past month lah k. I'll correct it next month hahah

To be quite honest, I have not stepped out of the house AT ALL since the 29th of December when I got back from London.

So I guess you can say, I haven't really seen 2015 out yet.

Which really questions my social life.

I have exams in a couple of days so I've been occupying myself with my Economics book and lecture notes and all that boring jazz. After my last paper on the 12th, I have a week off 'til classes start again. I'm not really looking forward though because my schedule is ridiculously hectic. I have so many 9am starts which is far from funny because geez, even the thought of walking that steep uphill is making me tired. Hwaaaaa cry me a river, everyone.

I'm doing this Favourites blog post a little earlier because I reckon I'm going to do my last-minute revisions on the 7th (what's new, really). I mean, I could do it later but I've been itching to blog now so figured why not at 5 am in the morning zzz

Music

Don't have any new favourites because I'm really very boring when it comes to music so I've just been listening to the same ol' tunes. I have, however, been listening to random music on Spotify because I wanted to do a little holiday video compilation so I needed some background music and some that I've found were really up my alley

Lindsay Lowend's 'GT40'
Blackbird Blackbird's 'Happy High'
Harrison's 'Still Anticipating'
Teams vs. Star Slinger 'Punch Drunk Love'

Give them a listen because they're all such good music to chill out to and just really gives good vibes. Lahv itt!

(Edit : Jessie Ware. Jessie Ware. Jessie Ware. Dare I say the female version of Ed Sheeran? Yes. I'm so glad for the existence of Spotify because I wouldn't have known about her! Amazing. My favourite is 'Say You Love Me'. Just give it a listen and thank me later please thanks xx)

Movies

'13 Going on 30'. Puchee slept over my place the other day and we watched this movie and I've forgotten just how much I love this movie! In fact, I think I love it more now that I'm a bit older to understand. I mean, I've always thought it was a great movie but damn, when we rewatched it, we were just IN LOVE and Jen Garner is ridiculously so underrated, she's such a good actress. Mark Ruffalo tu jangan cakap lah, he can act anything and still ace everything lah. But yeah, this movie is definitely up there in my list of favourite chick flicks ever.

Fashion x Shopping

I don't know why I've only gotten on the whole leather jacket bandwagon. I've only got one that's in light pink but I'm digging the style. Obviously, it's too cold to wear one now but I think I might get myself one for the Spring/Summer climate soon (which btw I'm counting the days to, heck, I even Googled, 'when exactly does it get warmer in the UK?' but damn it, 'March and April' is not good enough of an answer, Google!!!) and pretend I'm all bad-ass with my black leather jacket....

.... I can almost hear laughs from here, guys....

I'm also slightly frantically obsessed with co-ords and an all-white ensemble. So chic and so effortless and anyone and everyone just looks good in a tailored white shirt and trousers.

So put-together and so timeless this trend is! 

Tumblr

I've mentioned this in my last Favourites blog post but I've taken a lot on my dad when it comes to his personal aesthetics - that of minimalism. In this case, less is always always more and clean lines and structures are so God damn attractive to me! I even have a document folder on my laptop for all these photos for future references hehe

Who wouldn't want to come home to a place like this?!?!?!

__________________

Now that school has resumed, I think everyone might be on their post-holiday depression phase still. I know I am! I've even checked when my next holidays are and have been mentally taking notes on where I wanna go for the Easter break. Hahahaha such a long way to go (and so many horrendous 9 am classes away) but a girl can dream... and organise ahead!!!

I have Vienna and Budapest in mind because they look absolutely stunning in photos so I can only imagine how beautiful they really are up close. I'm also looking to go on an all-girls getaway.... but we'll see how that goes hahahaha

Hope you're well and cheers to a bloody good year ahead!

xx

My 2014

My 2014 brought me to places I didn’t think I’d travel if you asked me 5 years ago. I went to the South of France with the most unexpectedly amazing company of friends (all 11 of them) I could possibly ask for. We climbed great heights to see the most spectacular view in the evenings where I don’t think I could possibly accurately describe to you the beauty that engulfed Nice, Monaco and Cannes. And then in the summer, my sister and I went on our own little adventure to Barcelona and Paris where we traveled the two cities in absolute awe of the architecture, of the history, of the food, of the people, of the new experiences, of the new culture. We explored the city, with ice-cream and fruit juices in hand, fumbling with the map and cameras. 2014 was also the year when I finally went to the City of Love, Paris. It’s always been a girly dream of mine to set foot in this fashion capital so when I finally did, I was in love. We were on a train and after coming out of a long tunnel, I saw to my left the amazing Eiffel Tower. I don’t think I’ve ever been awe-struck over a landmark building but there I was, almost moved to tears when I saw the Eiffel Tower in all its Parisian glory. And just last 2 weeks, Marissa and I went to Amsterdam and Berlin which was brilliant because I’ve always wanted to go to those two places so it was the cherry on top of my favourite cake that I got to do that with my best friend. Taking history as a subject for A-Levels taught me a lot on European history during the Cold War so going to these two places was really something else, it sent chills down my spine and there were moments where I was just in absolute awe because I was actually at the place where it all happened and instead of just reading it off my textbook and watching documentaries, I was actually there. It was a brilliant experience and I would go again and again. 

My 2014 gave me great live music. Started the year with my first concert gig in London - Phoenix. Only 3 rows from the front, Sofia and I were constantly singing over everyone else, our hands linked and I didn’t think I could enjoy music as much as I did when Thomas Mars entertained us with all our favourite songs. Then Beyoncé. I mean. Hello. Beyoncé. I went with my favourite Beyoncé friends/fans which made the whole thing even better. 2014 saw me waiting in line for ridiculously long hours sitting and then standing. I still honestly cannot believe that I actually got to watch the one and only Queen Bey perform live right in front of me. And then in June, I went to Manchester for One Direction with Sofia where we waited in line just as long and screamed our hearts and lungs for Harry, Niall, Louis, Liam, Zayn and it made up my whole childhood for not having a favourite boyband. Got a last-minute ticket to watch Ed Sheeran in October and I can tell you genuinely that this might have been my favourite concert because I was jivin’ and singin’ throughout and so was everyone else in the arena. That man has talent beyond his age and lifetime and I was the happiest girl when I got to see one of my favourite ever songs to ever exist (‘Thinking Out Loud’) performed live by one of my favourite singer-songwriters to ever exist.

My 2014 saw a new independent me. I’ve always been thankful my parents brought me up in a household where we were highly encouraged to do things on our own accord and on our own consequences. But this year was when it really took place. I’ll be the first to say that I’m incredibly spoilt at home so living abroad and starting the year on foreign land for the first time ever forced me to do things on my own. Doing my own laundry, cooking my own meals, doing my own grocery shopping, paying my own electricity bills, handling my own finances, traveling alone and making plans on my own, it was a lot but I managed to do it all pretty okay I guess. 

My 2014 enabled me to realise that friendships are going to come and go and that it’s okay to fall out of one just as how you would with love. I found that I was going to be completely okay without some people in my life. Before, I’ve always thought the more friends the better. But I’ve only just come to the realisation that it has always been and will always be, quality over quantity. There’s absolutely nothing wrong in falling out of a friendship with someone, although at first there might be hurt and frustration but there is an incredible form of liberation to rid yourself of bad vibes and negativity. I have a group of friends who I just know will be around for the longest eternity and I treasure them tremendously so I’m good. 

My 2014 showed me that no matter how much you travel and how far you go, there is nothing quite like being in the comforts of your own home. No matter how small my bedroom is, no matter how hot KL is and no matter how frustrating the people are like at home, there is nothing quite like Kuala Lumpur. I truly am incredibly happy to be in the UK for my studies and I love everything this place has to offer me but Malaysia has my heart. When I was back for the summer, I ate a lot, I went out a lot, I took in everything it had to offer at the time and and I took it all in with a lot of gratitude. Gratitude for being born and bred as a Malaysian.

My 2014 saw a new level of maturity. Turning 21 this year probably made me realise that I’m an adult now and I have to be responsible of my own actions and I have to deal with the consequences that followed. Personally, I feel that I’ve grown to be more matured in my thinking, in my actions, in my relationships, my role as a sister, as a friend and as a daughter. I’m still pretty carefree and I do go ‘YOLO’ sometimes and I still am a ’21 year old’, it’s just that I feel I’ve become more accustomed to being an adult than anything else. To be able to express my feelings and being more comfortable to write sensitive things on this blog also proved that I’ve grown quite a bit from my old self. 

My 2014 taught me a lot of life lessons. Not just through personal experience but through people around me. It taught me that friends give you utmost strength when you need them and that no matter what happens, they are there for you and with you and they can and will move mountains for you. My small little shoutout to my friends (they should know who they are by now) for being the people I confided in when things got a little tough for me emotionally and who were the ones who got me going again. 2014 taught me that no matter how much you pride yourself on being strong, to never deny the powers of what a heartbreak can bring you. It taught me that no matter how much I pride on being independent that I should not belittle the power of being around good company. It also taught me that people will walk out of your life as easily as they walked in. I questioned this all the time but I concluded that if it was good, it would’ve stayed. It was never you so don’t put the blame on yourself. This year taught me the power of an apology and of forgiveness. 2014 saw me in a rut I wasn’t familiar with at all. I was stuck and I didn’t know what to do and I portrayed myself as being put together but really, I was just stuck and it was all so painfully foreign to me. I don’t know if I’m out of it yet completely but what I do know is that I’m trying my best to do okay. 

Most importantly, it taught me that when you can, love. Love recklessly and love indefinitely. Love with all you have and love with all your heart. Love your past and love your present. Have so much love in you that it radiates from your body and so much so that people can’t help but love you back. Being hurt is inevitable but that shouldn’t deter you from loving. Love and care for your friends, for your family, for your siblings (hug and kiss them when you can), for your significant other, for your ‘almost’ and for your ‘definite’. 

And although it’s honourable to love and care about the people around you, it is so important to know that you are your own number one. I think more than anything else, I realised this year that it’s okay to take time out from everything and everyone and put yourself as your own priority. I’ve always taken other people’s feelings into great consideration and I always put them before mine and although seeing other people happy made me happy, I realised that seeing myself happy was even more fulfilling. So fittingly, when you are broken, you do that first. Take time out for yourself first. It doesn’t matter what people think or what people say, you are your own number one priority. It took a lot of people to tell me to cut myself some slack before I finally did. It took a lot of late night texting with friends and long Whatsapp paragraphs of good vibes to tell me that I should take care of me first. 

So that’s what I’m going to do. I’m going to live by my own advice and I’m going to love all I can and care with all I have and I’m going to put myself first because it’s about time I did.

May 2015 bring us all that we want and more and may it shine brighter on us and let this year see us laugh more and love more. To many more great years.

xx

Happy 2015!

"I hope that in this year to come, you make mistakes. Because if you are making mistakes, then you are making new things, trying new things, learning, living, pushing yourself, changing yourself, changing your world. You're doing things you've never done before, and more importantly, you're doing something."

-Neil Gaiman

It's 11:49pm so a little over 10 minutes 'til 2015.

I can't believe 2014 is coming to an end and it's been a surreal year to say the least. I'm currently on my bed with my huge Economics book laid in front of me and the house is still and quiet. This time last year my friends and I were at at a shisha place in London after giving up on London's chaotic madness and settled in a quiet corner of Bayswater.

It's a bit different because well, I'm not in London and I am by my lonesome. I don't know if I like it to be honest. I usually opt to be alone and by myself but knowing my friends are celebrating together makes me miss company haha

I'll make a longer post in the near future after my exam's done and dusted with but for the time being, I'd like to just say

Happy New Years to everyone reading this! You may be a complete stranger who just came across this blog or you might be a friend of mine or you might be my family but whoever you are, I'd like to wish a sincere and heartfelt happy new years to you all and may 2015 be nothing but absolutely wonderful and amazing and better than 2014 has been for you. I have an oddly good feeling about this year and I am praying it brings me more adventure, more friends, more love, more laughs, and more happiness and I hope it'll be even more lovely this year for everyone.

Let's make this year count!

Lots of new year love,

Nadia

xx

AMS

In Amsterdam now! Will blog more soon when WiFi is steady and predictable. In the meantime, I shall eat more waffles and discover more of what this lovely city has to offer!

xxxx

December 2014 Favourites

SO it's December 7th already! So fast time has gone, before I know it I'll be 22 (that's January 19th guys, just to refresh your memory hehe) and man, this year was good. But I'll save that for my end of year post later this month!

I've been drowning with work load this past month - just one after another! Soooo tired and really just looking forward for my holidays!!!! Counting down the days now!

Music

Beyoncé's 'Ring Off'. I can listen to this song ALL DAY. She literally wrote it for her mum who went through a divorce and how she got back up again after, yes, taking her ring off. It's about how there's freedom after finally moving on. I love it I love it I love it, it's been on repeat on my Spotify.

"Dust yourself off and you love again" is my favourite line from the song because it's so simple yet so strong. I was talking to a friend who had long broken up with her last boyfriend and although she's completely okay with everything, she said that when she met him the other day and even though they spoke like normal and assumed everything was fine between them, she did come home and she did cry. I think a little bit of our hearts will always be for that someone, regardless of how long it's been since you've broken up or been apart. So that's why I say that line was my favourite. She's saying that there will be a time where we love again. Haih, girls. Why are we so damn emotional all the damn time?!?!?!?!?!

There was also a nice snippet of Tina Knowles' (her mum) speech at the end of the song,

"If you're going through it, just know it's called going "THROUGH" it. You're not going to get stuck there. You're gon' survive."

And Sam Smith's 'Make It To Me'. I don't know how and why I've not listened to this song any earlier; it was on the 'In The Lonely Hour' album and I had that on repeat my entire summer in KL so I don't know how I've managed to miss this song completely. But it's a beautiful tune and Sam Smith is unquestionably one of the best voices today. Really hope I get to go for his concert in March!!!

Movies

Interstellar definitely lived up to the hype. It was pretty spectacular. More than anything though, I left the cinema feeling pretty damn small. Tiny. Minute. I was just in absolute awe the whole time and I was thoroughly entertained the whole entire 169 minutes (yeah googled that) and man, the movie was so out of this world (hehe)! If you've not watched, treat yourself to a bloody good movie and go watch! It's also very very emotional and I teared up like 3 times. Prepare to watch fantastic cinematography and bloody ace acting! Brillzzzzzzzzzz and that really is all to it!

(I won't write on TV shows because they've all gone on hiatus and I figured I was going to be speaking on the SAME shows every month lol)

Fashion x Shopping

I have a minor obsession with turtlenecks. Yeah. Turtlenecks. Oversized, chunky turtlenecks. So if you go on my Tumblr, you'd see my many many reblogs on turtlenecks and how these ladies style it. So effortless.

I've always been a huge fan of minimalist style ; everything from home decor, architecture, dressing, everything. My pops is an architect and his way of architecture is very simple and very minimalist and he doesn't believe in colour basically hahaha I've always loved that since I was young so I grew up appreciating simple and understated art.

(Got this all from my Tumblr)

I mean, c'mon! Even by looking at the turtlenecks is making me all cozy and comfortable hahaha

It's so difficult though to find a decent one that isn't going to break my bank! Geez. I remember seeing them everywhere I went and the one good time I want one for myself, they aren't any around. But the colour palette for the photos above are my absolute EVERYTHING! I live for a white on white outfit and but I'm such a clutz so I can only do white on white if I don't i) eat ii) drink iii) move.

Tumblr

Been on a flower frenzy lately and have I told you the story of how my mum can count the exact number of times my dad has given her flowers?

4.

For every child she gave birth to.

And every time, my dad chose the flowers and they all weren't the typical roses. There weren't just roses or the other bouquets that were all tied and ready to be bought. He chose them and there were uncommon and wild flowers and each flower different from the other. I can totally imagine my dad at the florist being incredibly picky with his flowers - he is an architect, after all. I think that was incredibly romantic. That each flower he chose on his own because psh, what are roses anymore if not prickly little things. I mean, they are beautiful but I choose beautiful and rare flowers any day any time!

So I've gone a bit cuckoo with flowers on Tumblr and I'm just so in love.

_____

I've been super busy with work and I'm only blogging this now because I just finished half of my assignments last night so my burden has been halved so I can breathe a little now. I was supposed to go to the city today to get moisturiser for my face because I've completely run out but woke up super late and I was supposed to Skype my parents but they're not answerin' so I'm still at home and it's a bit too late now since shops close early.

School officially finishes Thursday and I'm allllllll freeeeeee for this semester!!!! So excited for my winter break and to see my mates from all over UK again!

Everyone's been crazy occupied with work and it's made us all realise second year is no joke so I'm glad Christmas break is around the corner; giving all of us a bit of time to recuperate and breathe.

xx

(Edit : So my mum just told me that my dad used to give her flowers a lot more than 4 times........ haih ok still cute) 

Bath Spa

Yesterday, I spent the whole day in my room as the sun shined through my windows and everyone was out and about. And I was in bed the whole day because I look at my weekends as my guilt-free relax time.

And I had an epiphany - I'm in the freakin' UK. My dream from since I was 7 when my mum would tell me of her uni stories abroad. It's been my dream since forever and I was annoyed at my own self that I've been indoors. So I decided - a daytrip to Bath. Bath is so near to Bristol - just about half an hour with train (and for only a fiver!) and I have Puchee and Syir there so there really was no excuse to not go. 

So I did! And I'm quite glad I did because I loooooooove Bath. It's absolutely beautiful and it's so old and so precious. It's such a small city but I love it. It's so intimate and cosy. They had small cute cafe's and I just loved it. The last time I went it was a bit warmer and the park was gorgeous but nevertheless, Bath is such a precious city and I foresee more daytrip visits!

Reached and walked around the city for a bit while I wait for Puchers to come. Waited for Syir before settling in at a Thai restaurant. I was looking forward to have hot and spicy and masam tom yam but alas, it wasn't spicy nor masam. It was okay, I guess but makes me miss Chieng Mai's tom yam.

Then we walked around and went to the Christmas Market. They had so many stalls and it was scattered all over! Made Bristols' look so tiny and boring hahaha but it had a lot more stalls selling THINGS and for a whole line of stalls, they only had one that sold drinks/food and most of it were sausages and mulled wine. Couldn't find hot chocolate nor waffles anywhere (actually there was one but they sold out of waffles...... what). And it was getting cold and I'm such a minah confident because I didn't bring my scarf nor wear boots so I was so sejuk and was in dire need of a hot drink. Found and sat in a cute cafe called Mad Hatter's Tea Party and we all had our hot chocolates and laughed and talked and laughed some more. Was soooo nice to have a girly girl conversation over hot chocolate. 

Planning to head over to Cardiff for another day trip next Saturday with Puchers. And before you know it, Marissa and I will be on our way to Amsterdam and Berlin!! Eeeeeep so excited for our travel ventures! Expect a hashtag on Twitter/Instagram hahahahaha 

(Syir is OBVIOUSLY obsessed over me)

(Minah confident pakai flats and no scarf)

Thank you Puch and Syir for bringing me around! #visitBath2014 

xx 

Löbster Rôll

My last weekend in London was amazeballs because I got to satisfy so much of my food cravings!! I spend a bomb on just food lah seriously. Because I hardly go out in Bristol so I'd like to think I save my money here.... to only blow it on good food in London. But as Drake would say, "YOLO!"

This was actually the week of the AKYUEM Reunion when we got our Wafflemeister fix. If you've been to the one in KLCC and didn't like it, totes understandable. But it's so different here and it's so much more sedap. Maybe cause it's cold and a hot class waffle cannot ever go wrong... EVER! 

Last Summer when Tania was in London, my aunt treated us for lobster noodle and my God, was it good! So I just randomly suggested Mandarin Kitchen for lunch one day and we all went. SO GOOD, GUYS!!!!! After I tweeted this photo, it just went on a upward spiral and soon after everyone was eating lobster hahaha can't wait to go again with the rest of the gang in December. 

... and I wanted waffles after lobster noodle so we walked to Snowflake. Their gelatos, man. 

Went to Tok Aa's place the next morning to meet up with my cousins and aunty and uncle and I was greeted with warm hugs and NASI LEMAK! Yes, guys. That's the roast duck from Noodle Oodle. Yummers, man! Misha took a photo of me and sent it to my mum and my mum replied with a, 

"She must be on her second helping by now kan?"

This is why my mum is my bestfriend because when she replied that, I was actually on my 2nd helping lolllllz how can you not with all that food!!!! 

And on my last night in London, Diy and I finally went for the very very hyped Burger & Lobster. That was my first time after hearing so much of it from everyone! It was good of course because it's lobster but after a while it got a bit jelak. But I was thoroughly kenyang after that so it was a good dinner. If you've not tried it then you totally still should! I had the lobster role as recommended by Diy so it's basically lobster stuffed in a brioche with fries and salad. OBVIOUSLY I ate the salad.... like one leaf and the croutons in it and then I just handed it all over to Diy. 

We also went for GBK and Khan's so that was a seriously fulfilling weekend food-wise. 

And when I thought I had it good here, my cousin sent a photo of Mak Tok's cooking in Penang............

......... BRB CRYING IN MY CORNER bye

xx

(kidding, guys. Still very thankful for all the food I have here but very hard to not want daging kurma, udang kunyit and kari ayam from home ok!)

Oversleeping

Here's a not so funny story that happened to me, come come let me share the story of my misfortune with you.

So I was on my way back from London to Bristol, this was at 10:40pm. In my carriage, there were only like, 4 other people besides me.

Before Bristol, there are 3 stops ; Reading, Didcot Parkway and Swindon. I slept in between those stops but I managed to wake up for every single stop because I ***thought*** I was sleeping lightly.

Guess not, huh?

I was so confident when we were at Swindon and I thought I'm just going to close my eyes for just a few minutes and the next thing I know, I'll be back in Bristol.

I was supposed to reach Bristol by 12:45 and when I woke up it was 12:50. And at first I panicked but then I remembered the train had delayed for 10 minutes so technically we shouldn't arrive Bristol yet, right?

Nope.

And Azam had texted me throughout and his last text was,

"You should be back in Bristol now right? Right?"

In my head I was like, "Err... I'm not?"

And the next thing I knew, the announcement went something like,

"The next stop will be Newport".

What.

What the hell?!?!?!?!?!

I quickly opened my Google Maps just to make sure that there wasn't a stop between Swindon and Bristol and my heart SUNK when I saw that we had long passed Bristol.

I freaked the f- out!

I went up to the guy infront of me and asked him kindly without letting him know that I was obviously freaking the hell out.

"Excuse me, what's the next stop?"

"Cardiff"

......


I called Sarah immediately and told her I was on my way to Cardiff and I'm going to need a place to bunk in for the night and thank God she wasn't already asleep! And thank God I had her there! What if I had missed Cardiff as well and ended up in Swansea!?!?!?!?! Who was I supposed to call then!??!?! Gila. I can't even imagine!!

I took the 10 am train the next day back to Bristol and you BET I didn't fall asleep. I was wide-eyed awake the whole time hahahah

Lessons learnt : 

i. Don't sleep on the train. Keep yourself occupied with anything!
ii. Put your alarm on anyway if you do decide to take a nap.
iii. Make friends anywhere and everywhere. You never know when you need to bunk in their place on a cold winters night when you make a stupid mistake like oversleeping and missing your stop.

xx