Budapz

I went on a Spring break trip (more freezing than Spring to be honest...) with Pana to Budapest and Prague. This post is super delayed but I didn't have the time nor motivation to blog about it but I'm feeling more semangat to blog more now so yes! Since it's been a while back, I might not remember complete full details so I'm actually going to rely on my photos more.

First up! Budapest!

I just love Budapest. But it was BLEEDIN' cold and BLEEDIN' freezin' it was super ridiculous! Half the time I was taking photos and half the time I was just swearing because we didn't really expect it to be that cold! It was winter basically. Lucky me (as I learnt from my SUMMER [summer ok SUMMER!] trip with Tania, that with Europe you never just pack 'lightly'. You still have to pack a jacket just in case), I was wrapped quite warmly although still cold. Pana, on the other, minah confident and she only brought a denim jacket and another jacket that wasn't really a winter jacket so I can't imagine how cold she was. I even brought gloves which proved to be my life saviour.

So anyway.

First Day!

We arrived at the accommodation that Pana booked for us. If any of you would like to go to Budapest, tell me! Pana, being the super-traveler she is, booked us a SUPER cheap accommodation (the kind of cheap that made us go, "Are you sure... that's too cheap...") and it was SO near with the St Stephen's Basilica (the kind of near that made us go, "This can't be it... it's too near... it's too good to be true to be this near..."), literally a 4 minute walk. Less even! And the lady was super nice and the whole place was so clean and so well accommodated with everything ready for anyone to use. This was my first time staying at an Airbnb place so I was very very pleasantly surprised. So please! If anyone is planning to go to Budapest, tell me!!! I'll pester Pana for the accommodation details for you hehe

After settling down, we got going and we spent the day just basically walking to the St Stephen's Basilica and we went inside and I was pretty amazed. I've never actually been into one so it was beautiful and I was mesmerised. Pana, on the other hand,

"Meh, once you've seen one, you've seen them all"

...

And she's been to the one in Italy so ok fine I'll give it to her.

Then we walked around more, and it started drizzling and that's when we realised winter was still hovering over Budapest. We walked to the market where we got something to eat. Don't know what it's called but it's basically bread with cheese on it. It's very sedap but also very muak when you've had too many bites. But good! And nice and warm also for the dreadfully cold weather.

We also bought tickets for a cruise. How fancy, right. Hahahaha Pana kept saying, "Dengan kau je aku ballin'" hahaha but deep down inside I knew she wanted to go on the cruise more than I did! We chose to opt out of the dinner option and so we stayed on the upper deck where there was still light snacks and drinks to order and live music! We went upstairs to the unshaded deck to get a better view of the surroundings and we went up just in time to see the lights gradually come to life. Was so beautiful. My camera did not do it justice so instead of being too fixated on adjusting the modes on the damn thing, I just decided to just see it with my little beady two eyes. Was very very beautiful. It's just one of those things where you just have to see it for yourself!

I'm telling you!!! My camera did not do the Parliament a single inch of justice. It was MUCH MUCH less orange and MUCH MUCH more spectacular. So beautiful.

Day 2 

We took the tour bus and did the whole round.
(shout out to Pana for saying yes to tour buses hehe)

According to my photos, the first stop we got off (or atleast took photos at) was Heroes Square.

I was mighty brave to discard my jacket for a photo because man, did I regret it. The wind was strong and I was just super cold lah basically. After taking various photos, we walked to the Baths that Pana wanted to go see so much! I don't really see the point of communal baths because..... hygiene. And fine, I know, "Experience, Nadia!" but I don't know, I just wasn't really into it.

Comment though, the people who were working over at the baths weren't so friendly and accommodating which was weird considering how this was a big tourist thing. You'd think they'd be more friendly and nice. Oh well. We left and continued our tour bus.

Then we crossed the bridge and came to the Castle District stop. One way to get on top of Castle District was to get on the Sikló which is a funicular and it runs about 100 meters (hahahahaha I'm spurting this all out as if I remembered everything. I Googled "the thing that gets you on castle district" because I didn't even know what a funicular was).

Breathtaking!!!!! The Castle District was well just full of fancy looking buildings that looked like they were going to crush any second now but beautiful! I'm such a fan of buildings that look like they housed the royal kings and queens once upon a time because the feeling of being exactly where they'd usually roam 1000+ years later is enough to give me goosebumps!.

They all look so fairytale-like kan??? So beauuuuutiful!!! We spent a good few hours just circling around and taking photos.

AND!!!! Omg I shall forever remember Budapest as the trip where we met and had tea with Anuar Zain. THE Anuar Zain.

So this was what happened...

Earlier on when we were on the bus, we went to Gellért Hill but we didn't get off the bus. Wanted to just spend a good chunk of the day in Castle District. So as were on the bus, we looked over the hill and there were some benches for tourists and like a small kiosk. And guess who was sitting on the bench and as the bus passed by, he turned around?

Anuar Zain.

Pana and I were like frozen for a second and simultaneously said,

"EH?!?!?!?! ANUAR ZAIN?!?!?!?!?!"

I don't think he heard us because it took us time to register that it WAS indeed Anuar Zain. Out of all places!!!!!

We were momentarily kecoh mak minah because we couldn't believe out of all times and out of all places, Anuar Zain was in Budapest and we saw him?!?!?!?!

Hahahahaha funny, we laughed about it and after sending out enthusiastic tweets, we went on with our day.

Then as we were at Castle District and roaming around aimlessly, Pana and I were conversing in Malay and these two girls came up and asked,

"Eh? Melayu??!" 

which we obviously said yes to and after briefly introducing ourselves (less than 2 minutes, I swear!), I looked over and saw Anuar Zain and I said,

"OMG PANA ANUAR ZAIN IS HERE!!!!"

and these two girls were slightly confused slightly frantic and one of them, Mira, went over immediately and we were just tailing her behind. I think if it were just up to Pana and I, we would have just left it as it is because we would have been too shy.

But not Mira. She just marched over and went up to Anuar Zain to ask for a photo in which he kindly declined because he said he was on holiday. Think it must be his policy so we said hi and smiled and walked away. Not even 300 meters away, Anuar Zain came up to us

"You guys nak makan tak? Come, I belanja. Since tak dapat bergambar, I'll treat you for makan and drinks. Jom!"

and we were in a state of HUH WHAT WHY REALLY US??!?! and just half nodded and straight up star-struck gaping at him.

We followed him and a couple who was with him. Introduced ourselves again and Pana and I were just like

"WHAT IS HAPPENING?!?!?!"

From aimlessly walking Castle District to meeting these two girls to going up to Anuar Zain and now we're going to an Italian restaurant to have tea with Malaysia's favourite male singer?!?!?!?!

You have to keep in mind that we LITERALLY met these two girls, Mira and Aisya and if it wasn't for them we wouldn't have had the pleasure in spending time with Anuar Zain. It was kinda surreal. We spent a good 3 hours talking and laughing and having light snacks with Anuar Zain right in front of us. He was literally sitting across me. He is such a sweetheart, he was very talkative and it made the whole 3 hours really comfortable and it was very nice! We talked on a broad range of subjects and it was really great to see someone so famous and so well-known to be very humble. It was brilliant. The whole time I was there, I was just telling myself

"This is the guy whose music has played around the house all the time since you were a little kid" 

Surreal. I still can't believe it happened!

And we even went down the funicular back with him and Pana even shot a video of the view as we were descending and that's like our only proof that we spent the evening with Anuar Zain because you could hear his voice in the background hahahahaha

When we said our bye's, he even said "So nice to meet you girls, nanti kalau KL terserempak ke apa, cakap lah hi ok!" omg seriously are we not already besties for lyfe?@?!?!?!? I love him even more now so here's a link to one of my many many favourite song of his.

After that, we went home all buzzed and enthusiastic about life hahaha

One of our college seniors, Saf, happened to also be in Budapest so he suggested dinner. He picked out a place and it was supposedly one of the best places to try out their fish soup (??) so we went.
Um... so it kinda tasted like asam pedas? But makan with bread? Um?? They had rice but it was just mleh. I don't know man, once you've tasted the best (Malaysia is where it's at), everything else is just so-so.

We then walked around and it was raining once again and got VERY windy so we took shelter in a hotel where we decided to stick around for desserts. We talked and laughed and talked some more and it was honestly, for me, the best way to end an already amazing day. I love just having tea or desserts with just one person or two max. It's just so much more intimate and more interesting because you feel more comfortable in voicing out whatever you feel like, so this was perfect.

Overall, it was a great great day. Even Pana, when we came back home,

"That was a really really good day."

Day 3 

Our last day in Budapest was pretty chilled. Pana went out early to go for the thermal baths. I decided to not go and I slept in instead. Best decision of the day because when I asked Pana how it went, she said it was not bad but it wasn't good either.

We went out after packing our things. We went to the market to get some souvenirs. I only got myself a mug and postcards because my bag was already bursting so I couldn't get anything much. Pana got a ton of souvenirs over the whole trip, I still don't know how she managed to pack everything.

But before that, we went to St Stephen's Basilica again and we went right up to get a nice view. It was windy so there ain't no decent photo of us. Hahaha. Also, there were these cute Dutch boys who got on the same lift as us and I mean, the fact that I can still remember them must mean that they were damn fine. One of them was apologising for one of theirs friends behaviour and we just said oh it's fine (because you're handsome) and he asked us where we were from and we mentioned that we are currently studying in the UK and one of them ooh which part? Bristol?

??!??!!?

YES BRISTOL RIGHT HERE!!!

Hahahahahah I don't know why I got so excited maybe 'cause that was the first time anyone just asks Bristol instead of London ke apa kan so it was nice (and 'cause he was too handsome!)

As we were walking towards the Danube shoes place, it was nice and sunny and you could feel the warmth on your cheeks and we were skipping because so happy right.

Psh.

Then it snowed. Snowed. Freaking white flakes of snow. 

And it rained also did I mention that.

And the wind.

Miserable. 

After taking some photos and all that, we took the tram to the market.

And we got fined. FINED! For traveling on an expired date. Obviously we buat don't know but we knew we were risking it. Can you believe it??? The ticket inspector got on our carriage RIGHT IN FRONT OF US. Our damn luck. 

Haih, whatever, we were just so over it and walked to the market instead.

We rushed home to get our bags and left for the bus station. Barely made it on time because no one was helpful! One thing about this place is the very obvious language barrier which annoyed me really. The bus driver even scowled at us when he himself was mumbling in Hungarian as he explained to us about our luggage. 

We then left for Prague on an 8 hour journey. 8!!!! Slept almost all the way of course. Reached Prague in the early am and went straight to the hotel, but with obvious difficulty in hailing a taxi. Haih. 

But overall, Budapest was amazing!! The only thing that slacked a bit for us was the weather. It even snowed at one point what the hell>?? It was ridiculously cold that at one night, we brought back dinner to the accommodation and we ate facing the window and Pana just snapped,

"UGH tutup lah tingkap, aku malas layan Budapest" 

Hahahahahhaahaha I laughed so hard when she said that because she was so obviously frustrated with the weather and we just burst out laughing for a good 2 minutes because of how ridiculously cold it was.

Why did I even think it would be Malaysian warm in Europe???? It's summer now as I write this post and it's still sejuk!!

I'll continue my Prague post next time!

xx

Hangeul

Officially free from the shackles of exams!!!! Ok fine so I only had 2 papers but still!

Been bumming around as per usual since Friday and tomorrow I'm going to Dublin to see Marissa and hang with her for a bit before the family comes! Very excited to see Mars and to see Dublin! I've never been to Ireland (nor Scotland for that matter) so I'm super super looking forward!

Been occupied with learning Hangul again. Had to leave it aside for a bit as I was studying more important things hahaha so I was so so happy that my book that I ordered a few weeks back finally came ! And on the day I finished my exams at that! Kihkih talk about good timing.

I'm actually on Level 5 on the TalkToMeInKorean website but I decided to just try out one book first and see how I like it. Since it's quite basic, I've already done half the book in a span of 2 days. I could've done it in a day to be honest but didn't want to because then so boring haha. I'll order the remaining books once my parents come over so that by the time I arrive KL, there'll be all there waiting for me.

I'm taking learning Hangul rather seriously actually. Everything about the Korean culture and language, I'm really fascinated and intrigued by so I guess, in a way, it's a good thing? I was thinking of enrolling myself in a Hangul class in KL but most of 'em have already started and I will be back by mid June insyaAllah so don't know how that's going to work.

ANYWAY

Fun fact : I don't know if you know this about me but I love languages. I love how a certain language is only to a certain group of people. And how one can be totally isolated or assimilated into a culture just by learning the national language. Obviously, it's no easy feat to be able to master a language. I'm the kind of person that if I can't learn it or master it in a relatively short time, I won't even pursue it. Which is horrible because learning something new takes some time to be a pro at. Language obviously takes a VERY LONG time. I'm giving myself a good 4 years to learn and practice Hangul before I can call myself a pro conversational speaker. 4 years sounds soooö long but I'm just going to persevere and stick it out because I finally want to see if it pays off. I've been trying to learn Italian and French over the years (since I was about 13) but I've always just slacked off and became disinterested over time. But I wished I just held on to be honest! Imagine learning and practicing French/Italian since 13?!?!?!?! That's almost 10 years of practicing. I should be super pro now.

So that's why it's kind of like my little own project for myself. I was Youtubing foreigners speaking Korean and from their experience, they've been learning Korean for a good 5 years (on average) so I figured I should do the same.

Hopefully in 5 years time, I can watch a Korean drama and listen to Korean music without having to refer to subtitles/lyrics!

#goals #ambition #ilovekorea #한르

Hehe

xx

April Favourites

I've finally some time to breathe!

Been busy with my coursework over the past week and then exams. I just finished one paper and my next one isn't until the 15th so I've got myself some 'me' time before I start studying again.

April is coming to an end and I didn't get to do my March favourites just 'cause I was busy then and didn't have time to come around and write one.

So here are some of my favourite April things!

Music

EXO. I'm going to save you the trouble of having to read through my fangirl spaz and have that saved for another blog post kihkih.

That's all I've been listening to this whole month to be quite honest so yeah. End.

Movies & TV Shows

Big Hero 6! I love this movie! I think the only way to describe the movie is that it is just so so cool. And for those who've not watched it, thinking, 'How cool can a animated feature be?'.

Watch it and you'll know what I mean. I literally just went, "Wowwwwww how cool!!!????" throughout the movie. Hahahaha I really have no other way to describe the movie.

Haven't had the chance to keep up with any of the TV shows and I'm so annoyed at myself because I know they've all had their season finale (... right?) and some dumb fools have still yet to understand what spoilers are and how annoyingly horrible they are for devoted fans who have not gotten the chance to watch it. You can call me emotional or rash but it is seriously one of the few things in life that I do not and cannot comprehend about people.

Ok I'm about to go on a short rant so bear with me!!!!!

I've actually gone on a break from Twitter and Facebook because of the spoilers. Look, I understand, you're excited and YOU CANNOT BELIEVE what happened but so other people lah hello? Not everyone is able to watch it the second it comes out kan so apa kata just calm down and move on with your life. It really isn't the world's most difficult thing to be excited in your own little space and NOT ON SOCIAL MEDIA????

This is not the first time also! I've encountered so many spoilers before which have led me to not watch the show/movie at all. It's called spoilers for a reason guys... don't spoil it for anyone else. Don't ruin the experience for anyone else! I won't understand how anyone would appreciate a spoiler on their timeline. Sit down, take a breather and shut up.

Ok I've gotten that out of my system lol MOVING ON

Fashion x Shopping

I did terrible shopping damage. Because my grandmother was in London for a few weeks and she gave me a shopping spree which I appreciated terribly way too much hehe

I bought more Brandy Melville's and I swear by it, guys. The quality to it is amazing!!!!! It's so beautifully soft and it really feels like you're not wearing anything. If you're one for wild patterns and cool prints then maybe this is not for you because BM has a strong design aesthetic to them and they only adhere to plain colours and very very minimal prints like stripes and sayings. Very minimal but that just makes it brilliant everyday wear. I suggest you go and get yourself one if you're living in the UK (or anywhere else for that matter though shipping can be quite pricey). I brought my cousins there and they love it and have bought several t-shirts (they're all one size fits all kinda thing too) hahaha everytime we go in, it's almost guaranteed we'll come out with a bag. They're just on Carnaby and it's relatively very very easy to find. It's just behind Liberty's. Though I'm a bit wary about how you go on about washing these babies. I accidentally put one of my white ones with my coloured clothes and dia turun colour and I had a brief moment of wanting to cry but I gathered myself and got it together phew.

And hello ripped jeans?????? Sorry but before this I was quite doubtful about the ripped jeans look because I was like why buy ripped jeans when you can buy yourself a pair of good ones and just rip them yourself. Then I learnt there is an art to ripping your jeans without making you look like you're sad and homeless. I love them!! I have two pairs now. Though I don't think my grandmother gets it still. She was like, 'What happened???' and I said, "They memang like that, Mak Tok.......".
My dad hasn't seen it so hmmmmmm maybe keeping these aside for the time being hahahah

So yes, definitely on the ripped jeans wagon. This is the thing about me lah, I'm annoyed by it myself. I always say 'Nope, won't like it' and then forward a few months/years later and I'm all for it. Look how the Korean craze swallowed me whole!??!?!!?!?!?!!? Never say never, kids. Never.

For make-up favourites, I nabbed myself a Charlotte Tilbury lipstick in Very Victoria and it is very very very amaze. And I'm not just saying that. It really is amazing. I swear by the NARS lipsticks but they can be a bit drying so I always have to put on a layer of lip balm beforehand. But with CT, you don't have to! It really feels like a swipe of buttery goodness in the prettiest of colours. I can't wait to get some more!

I'm also back to having the Urban Decay make-up setting spray in my life and I'm wondering why I even stopped using it. It's honestly your life saviour if you like me, have oily skin and by the end of a few hours you find your make-up just gross and has moved everywhere! Especially if you're wearing foundation also. It's now my make-up staple. I also got the Naked 3 palette which is just beautiful, isn't it. It's my one and only Naked palette and I just couldn't resist myself the pretty shades and figured it'd be hella useful and very travel-friendly and save me the trouble of bringing several separate eyeshadows.

Tumblr Favourites

My Tumblr is my favourite place to simultaneously waste time and be inspired. It just exudes creativity and you find the most wonderful pictures there.

Here are some of my favourites - this has a particular theme to it just 'cause I find pictures of the water kinda pretty spectacular.

Exam season is here and so with this post, I wish everyone all the best with everything! 

xx

A Short Girl's Fashion Guide

If you know me in real life or at least have seen me around, you would know, right off the bat, that I am small. To be more blunt, 'short'. I'm petite in nature and I take after my mum and my grandmother (both very fun-sized, they're even smaller than I am!). At one point in my life, I wanted to be lean and tall and my mum said to me,

"... yeah... I *guess* that could happen... you just have to sleep early and drink lots of milk"

Nice try, Mum. I'm not sacrificing my super duper happening night life (consisting of TV shows and late night snacks by my bedside table aka THE LIFE) and I'm not about to start drinking milk (which I btw do not like AT ALL, I am Team Cereal sans Milk) so I just gave up on my dreams of being supermodel tall and just settled with being 155cm short.

But what are fashion tricks if not to help us petite les filles look taller and effortless like Miss Kendall Jenner (ok that was shooting for the stars but a girl can dream)?

#1 Flared jeans

They have a flare (hehe) for making petite girls look lean and tall. Make sure the fit of the jeans are slim throughout the leg with the slight flare at the bottom and you look instantly lean. Besides that, the magical aspect of a pair of fitted flared jeans is the longer hem. When paired with heels, the longer hem makes your legs go on for dayssssss. 

#2 Heels with low cut vamp

I mean, seriously, what are heels for short girls if not the ULTIMATE LIFE SAVIOUR?? 

Problem is sometimes they're not the most comfortable thing to wear so instead of just picking out any sky high heels to make you look taller, just pick a mid-heel one but with a low vamp. A vamp is basically the part of the shoe that cuts across at the base of the toes so it does an amazing job elongating your legs and make you look like you didn't even have to try.

#3 Maxi Skirts

Bless maxi skirts, they're not just good looking they're also the breeziest, most comfortable thing to wear on any lazy day. It's all about proportions, this one is. Pair your favourite maxi skirt with a structured and slim fit top to balance the fullness of your maxi. 

This look by Emma Watson is flawless. FLAW. LESS. She's already so beautiful but this outfit just makes her look super stunning. She looks so classy in this ensemble and so put together with that skirt and white shirt. LOVE it. Or 'LAHV it' as the Brits would say.

This is another example of how a maxi skirt looks beaut. I'm a huge fan of how this outfit is styled. A normally dull navy blue fitted top paired with a voluminous maxi skirt makes the best kind of combination. Again, a tucked in top does wonders with a maxi skirt. It just balances out the proportions and makes a girl look elongated and gives the illusion of longer legs. 

#4 Mini skirts

Like I said, it's all about proportions. A short girl can pull off both maxi and mini skirts, no problem! I'm currently insane over the whole mini skirt look - tennis skirts, denim skirt, skorts, anything and everything! It's my favourite spring/summer trend. But my ultimate favourite would be the denim skirt. It's so reminiscent of the 90s trend and I'm all for 90's anything.

A mini skirt for me is one of the things you can wear anything with and you will still look good. 

It doesn't require thinking kinda thing. You wear a white shirt with it, you look ace. You wear a long oversized jumper with it, you look ace. You wear a casual baseball tee and you will STILL look ace. 

For petite girls, a mini skirt makes all the difference. A mini skirt will show some skin so it's going to make your legs look elongated and you're going to look taller. Just make sure to not have it too short nor too tight - it's all about being classy, ladies!

________________________

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to continue online shopping for these babies!

xx

Xams

Been a bit busy and still am actually.

Was on a spring break and went to Budapest, Prague and Vienna and then stayed in London with some of my family til last weekend so I've only just been back to Bristol less than a week now.

And it's exam time so I've been a bit hectic with studies and this darn coursework I have yet to hand in.

Was skyping with my parents the other day and as usual I was munching on some chocolate and my mum went,

"Ha makan lagi chocolates! Your cheeks dah macam pau dah tu!"

That was probably the first time I've ever heard my mum comment on me putting on weight. Ever. In my life! I've always been relatively quite skinny all my life and she even tried all sorts of things to have me gain some weight as a child (she then realised that I do eat alot and it's just my body and its fantastic metabolism that's doing all the magic) so she gave up and let me be.

But man. I think it's the chocolates and the constant snacking. I can be so full from dinner and yet my itchy hands would still grab something or find something to munch on. I can't blame the weather anymore because it's getting beautiful and sunny by the day. UGH. I swear it's all the food my grandmother fed me whilst I was in London for the holidays. I don't eat 3x a day here in Bristol because um laziness. All the fat just goes to my cheeks. I'm not particularly insecure about it because I'm still quite small and petite (at least I think so... maybe it's denial but whatevs) but yeah. First time ever!!!! My parents are coming in a months time and I'm so determined to lose my cheek fat before they come and make fun of me.

Anyhow! Will blog as soon as I can because I miss it!!!!!!!! I miss writing and miss being free to be honest hahaha

Talk soon!

xx

Budapest

Blown away by Budapest. 

It's absolutely stunning just everywhere you turn and I don't know how else to describe the city. It's so beautiful!!

It is also incredibly incredibly incredibly windy. So in more ways than one, I am blown away by Budapest. So windy!!! If not for the wind, the weather would be very tolerable and bearable. Plus the intermittent rain some more!!! After learning my lesson last Summer when I was in Paris/Barcelona with my sister (it was freezing and we were dressed like fools in our t-shirts and thin clothing!), I decided to pack warm-ish with my jacket and scarf because Europe is never warm lah let me just break it to you. 

Am currently waiting for Pana to return from the thermal baths in which I opted out for 'cause not really my thing to be going for communal baths. So I stayed home (which is v v v lovely and like 2 minutes walk from St Stephen's Basilica) and watched the remainder of Woo Bin's episode on RM and watched EXO's first live performance for their comeback on MNet Countdown and continued to spaz endlessly with my sister on Whatsapp... which pretty much confirms the fact that I'm a bum not just in KL and not just in the UK, but anywhere in the world.

xx

B x P

Besides spazzing over EXO's new song releases (that's a whole other story, Tania and I are like... done because we don't have the energy anymore to handle it), I am currently eating mandarin oranges and drinking green tea and mentally listing the things I have to pack.

YES! THAT'S RIGHT, PEOPLE. My Spring break is finally here!!!!!! Albeit it being only for a span of two weeks, I'm stoked!!! I've been really tied up with work these past couple weeks so a nice good break is very much needed for this girl here. And!!! My grandmother is coming!!! Everyone who knows me well, knows that I'm very close with my grandparents so I'm very very happy when I got news that she was coming to London along with my grandaunt and my cousin. But, I'll be holidaying with Pana in Budapest x Prague so I'll only see my Mak Tok about a week after she arrives! But sokay, as long as I spend a good enough time with her!!

I'm also very very very excited to go and travel around Budapest and Prague!! And with a new travel partner, Pana! They say you don't really know someone 'til you travel with them so I'm curious/scared/anxious/excited to travel with Pana because she's always been the one to make me cry out loud laughing so let's see if I end up laughing or crying at the end of the trip hahahaha (kidding, she's one of my best buds so I'm pretty damn sure I'm going to have the best time as I always do with her!)

Can't wait to travel around a new city again and explore and take photos and just the whole excitement that comes with traveling. So many people have asked me about the waffles that I tasted and died over in Amsterdam as well as the hotel Marissa and I stayed in (adalah gak berguna berblog ya...) so will definitely try and be good with my blogging about Budapest and Prague! Await a hashtag on Instagram hahaha #nadiapanatravels !

Have a brilliant weekend, people, regardless where you are!

x

I miss missing

Diy asked me the other day,

"Nadia, do you feel lonely?"

I was a bit stunned because I've never really been asked that before.

I answered plainly, though. I said,

"Yeah, of course"

Because I do.

It's not that I don't love being alone. I do! Anyone close to me know that even they hardly see me around because I like being at home by myself and just doing my own thing. Occasionally, I'd go out and hang with them but it's not often that I do. I just sometimes prefer the company of just me. And I don't think there's anything wrong with it. Everyone functions differently, right? I function the way I do and you function the way you do.

But do I feel lonely? To be perfectly honest, yes I do.

I do find myself wanting to have special company. I do find myself wanting to have someone to call late night and tell them my day, however boring it might be.

I do find myself wanting to go on dinner dates and to just have my heart flutter once in a while.

So I guess, I do feel lonely in that aspect of things.

I miss the idea of it.

I miss being coy and flirty.

I miss waiting for their phone calls so we can talk for a long long time.

I miss texting back and forth with someone talking about everything in the world.

I miss going on dates.

I miss making future plans with someone, plans so big and wondrous with each other.

I miss having my heart beat twice as much when I see them.

I miss having big huge butterflies in my stomach.

I miss having inside jokes with just that one person.

Above all,

I just miss loving someone.

February Favourites

I have a tough time writing '2015' what more 'March'?!?!?! I can't believe we're already getting to the first quarter of the year! Time flies when you're watching Korean dramas and singing to Korean songs and learning Hangul kihkih

This is me eating a bowl of Maggi curry at midnight the other day hahahaha my eating habits here are just ridiculous! The sole reason I wear my retainers now at night is so that I would refrain from eating anything even if I wanted to! Teruk.

Music

I've been on a RIDICULOUS Korean music binge right now. I think I spent the whole of last month just listening to Korean tunes and it's a slippery slope from then on innit, mate? Just from Youtube surfing, you get sucked into this black hole called Korean pop. Guys, I'm in it. I'm stuck. Don't think I wanna get out either. 

I am obsessed, and I mean, OBSESSED with EXO. Like, my heart flutters and my eyes light up kinda obsessed. Even I admit, it's ridiculous just how in love I am with EXO. It's all I listen to! In the shower, I listen to EXO. In the bus, I listen to EXO. While I cook, I listen to EXO. All the time. All day long. I'm not biased with any particular member because after watching a million candid videos and interviews, I'm pretty sure I'm head over heels for all 12 of 'em (luv Kris and Luhan still) but the one who has my heart racing all the time is Sehun. Eep that boy!!!!! 

Besides that, I've also been listening and loving these songs; 

Two Melodies by Zion T feat Crush

Sometimes by Crush

Empty by WINNER 

So good and I admit, I was a bit hesitant and doubtful about Korean music at the start of the whole hype but safe to say, I've succumbed and I'm loving it!!!! 

Movies & TV shows

Miracle in Cell No. 7. I heard about this movie from my youngest sister and she said it made her cry so I mean, I just HAD to watch it.

Guys, I cried. Way too much for my own good, to be honest. It was horrible!!! Horrible as in the sight of me sobbing and crying and just very unattractive lah but what a movie. What a SAD movie. It's kinda like 'I Am Sam' but man, this just broke me!!!! 

HTGAWM latest episode was AMAZE. It was like a 2 episode special for their finale. AMAZING. I had my jaw drop to the floor by the first 30 minutes and the last 15 minutes of the episode was just... CRAZY. RIDICULOUS!!!!!! 

House of Cards is out and so tempted to watch again because I really enjoyed it before but man, to binge watch.... I know I can choose to NOT binge watch but this is me we're talking about. OF COURSE I'll binge watch, not even a question, bruv.

Fashion and Shopping

Completely digging the tennis skirt look with oversized tees/sweaters/jumpers. So effortless and it looks so comfy also! It's finally warm-ish enough to be dressed relatively lightly. Last winter was quite cold and horrible so I'm thankful for the sun and warmth! It's no wonder people say the Brits talk about the weather all the time; it changes all the time! I've found that it's been a good and safe form of ice-breaker whenever I'm in the taxi or at the bus stop or whoever lah basically.

I was at Miu Miu the other day and saw their leather bracelets and I want!!!!!!!!! It's so pretty, has various beautiful colours and you can even have two and combine it into one to wrap around your wrist twice. I'm crazy over the orange/pink combo, eep!

Eye Candy

Um hello? Boys of EXO, please hello? As you might or might not know, I'm a bit tiny bit just the slightest bit OBSESSED with EXO so I've been going pretty much jack shit crazy over them.

I've even managed to drag my sister into this black hole.

What dreamboats. I've been pretty much spending my days spazzing with my sister over how dreamy they all are. SO SO SO SO SO in love!!!

Favourite Things

Graze boxes!
My dear dear friend, Kanda introduced me to Graze. Basically, it's a subscription whereby every week or fortnight, you get a box mailed to you with 4 separate snacks. I've gotten some questionable ones and I've gotten some AMAZING ones. So amazing that I didn't want to finish it because they come in really small portions. But that's the whole point to it - small snacks. Healthy also! Like the other day, I received BBQ flavoured pistachios and I don't usually like pistachios but here I was munchin' on them like nobody's business! Twas seriously super super so so sedap! Now, I look forward every 2 weeks to get my box waiting for me. My day is made when I see that my Graze box has arrived! It's only £3.99 per box and you only pay for the boxes you received so you can pretty much unsubscribe anytime. And you can go to their website to choose the kind of snacks you'd enjoy and there's an option for that particular snack to be sent soon to you as they cater to your tastes. It's amazing and I've thoroughly enjoyed all of my snacks.

Ok, that's about it! I don't know why it's taken me so long to get this post up. I've been so occupied with other things (no, not Korean dramas...) (ok fine maybe Korean dramas).

Wishing anyone reading this a splendid day ahead!

xx

The Same Ol'

I haven't blogged in ages!!!!

I'd love to say I went on a secret travel adventure or that I was busy with work/top secret project.

Alas, the only thing I was busy was contemplating if I should watch another episode of a K-drama or should I cook nasi goreng now or later...

So recently, I...

• went to Cardiff and to Manchester for their Malaysian Nights and enjoyed the whole production very very much, of course with my friends on (and behind) stage, it was even better than last years. Sarah surprised us all with her acting, dancing and SINGING skills. Because from our karaoke times, I can only remember her screaming out the lyrics!!!! And of course, Hariez was the main lead for Manchester's M-Night and of course he was good as expected and was good to see that the whole audience agreed when he started to sing. Voice like melted butter that one.
• am in the midst of learning Hangul. I'm determined to learn something new this year and not let this slip through like how I've been with my previous attempts to take up a new language. It's completely different from English in its sentence structures so it can get a bit confusing. Difficult but like I said, I'm gila determined and I'm learning everyday! And watching dramas and listening to songs help a lot also so I'd like to think that watching K-Drama and listening to K-Pop is like homework and exercise, really...
• (and Pana) have booked our spring break holiday together! InsyaAllah if all goes well, we will be going to Budapest and Prague this late March and I'm stoked!!!! Been told by a lot of people of how beautiful both these places are so I can't wait to snap snap photos and just be in a whole other different country again. Excited!! I'm just praying and hoping it won't be too cold because last Spring, my friends and I went to South of France which had such lush weather so I'm hoping it's the same this time 'round!
• have still not watched any new movies and I'm so annoyed that I haven't. I have so much on my 'To Watch' list and no, 50 Shades of Grey isn't on it. Honestly other than just pure curiosity, I don't really understand why would ANYONE voluntarily watch it. It's ridiculous. I haven't read the book nor will I ever. So ironic how people are all 'women shouldn't be treated like objects' and yet, here we are, rushing to the cinemas watching a movie, that's just 20% storyline and 80% abusive sex?!?!?!?! Sorry, brain can't comprehend.

Other than that, nothing much really. I've been doing the same ol', eating the same ol', missing the same ol', loving the same ol', watching the same ol' and thinking the same ol'. 

I'm kinda really loving being on my own as in being in this quiet city and being on my own for a bit. I don't actively seek for company because I love the quiet. I just hope I don't get too used to it.

xx

110%

Thing about me is that when I find something I like (and I mean, really, really, like), I go ALL out.

Full-fledged.
110%.
Wholly dedicated and it's all I do and think about.

For example, when I was in elementary school, I was VERY into Akademi Fantasia. Super into it. I even embarrassingly used to print out lyrics to the songs that every contestant would sing every week and keep it in a form of a folder/scrapbook???? You can ask me who sang what song and when and what they wore during the concert. I used to even watch their 'Diari AF' every single day. I remember, at 8pm and I would sit in front of the TV with my dinner and watch that half hour show to see what they were doing. I used to look forward every Monday because that was when they were given their songs to sing for the concert by the end of the week.
I'd buy all their albums and my mum would willingly drive us (my siblings/cousins and I) to any event of theirs. I've watched them perform live several times now!!
At the time, they were the IT celebrities and haih, I was AF's biggest fan!

And then there was the time that I was super into Mary-Kate & Ashley. Man, I think I might have bought all of their books up to the point that there was one birthday that I actually asked my mum if I could have 7 (!!!) of their books as a birthday present. I even would call up MPH or Kinokuniya to ask them if MK&A's new books have arrived and I'd ask them to set one aside for me just in case it would sell out hahahaha gila. Needless to say, I've watched all of their movies and have followed them since way back then when they wore matching dresses for their Sweet 16th!

And then there was Twilight. Man, I watched Twilight in cinema, I kid you not, 6 damn times. I watched every possible interview and bits and bobs on Twilight and Rob P. My mum even got me his biography book??? Hahaha I was a bit ridiculously crazy over him and over Twilight. Read the book in 2 days flat. And then the second movie came out and from then on, I just lost interest completely and 'til this day, I have not watched nor read the last part of Twilight and can't be bothered to.

Also, if you know me well, you know that I was GILA over Suits. And Patrick Adams. I waited about 6 hours roaming around a hotel to take a photo with him when he was in KL. I've blogged about it before so I won't get too much into it but yeah, crazy over him!!!!! And Suits, in general. I loved it so much, I managed to drag my parents into my whole craze and my dad at one point, swore Harvey Specter was just like him???? Um??? Yeah, Suits was a big craze of mine at one point. I even emulated Rachel Zane for a bit in college and I only wanted to wear pencil skirts and shirts to classes hahahaha

Now.

I'm into Korean everything. Dramas, variety shows, actors, actresses, singers, boy groups, girl groups,  culture, language. I'm actually learning Korean online now and I've managed to reel my sister in as well so she's also very much into Korean dramas now and we're actually seriously thinking of going to Seoul this Summer! If things work out, then yeah we'll be traveling there this August. I'm crossing fingers it happens 'cause I mean, can you just imagine me there just fangirling over everything?!?! I was waiting for my friend at the coach station the other day and I overheard some Koreans talking to each other and omg, I got SO excited that I tried to close in on them and hear them talk some more! I'm such a freak!?!!?!?! Who knows? This might be a phase or it might be something I will always love but looking at the situation of things right now, I'm only getting started hahaha so, I'm sorry, friends but you still have to endure me for the time being.
The first thing anyone asks me these days is,

"So I heard you're really into Korean dramas!" hahahahaha is it that obvious, guys......

Anyway.

Thought I'd blogged about that just to let people know that it's just really my nature, when I like something I really go all-out and I go borderline ridiculous!

xx

January Favourites [updated]

As the title would suggest, this is my updated January favourites. I realised it wasn't really smart to have a monthly favourites post at the beginning of the month because that just does not make sense so since it's the last day of January (bye favourite month!!), thought I'd do a new one.

Music

Erase by Joo Young x Hyolyn. SUCH a good song, I was so not expecting this cool tune to play when I was browsing around Youtube for good songs. Yes, it's Korean and no, it's not a Super Junior-esque pop song. The vocals are already so good between these two but the song itself is gold. Been on repeat!

I was watching something the other day and this song came up and I thought it was so sedap, so I whipped out my phone and Shazam'ed it and lo and behold, Ellie Goulding's cover of The Weeknd 'High For This'. I might prefer her cover over the original though not many would agree with me. Speaking of The Weeknd, he made a new number for the 50 Shades of Grey OST and it's pretty good - 'Earned It'. Actually, The Weeknd is pretty damn good lah and his whole album is amaze.

And just recently, a new Rihanna song! I'm not really a huge big fan of hers but her new tune is especially good! It's called FourFiveSeconds with Kanye and Paul McCartney. It's so good that I actually bought it on iTunes hahah you know you like a song when you're willing to pay £0.99 for it.

Movie x TV Shows

I haven't watched any new movies lately but am SLAPPING myself for not watching The Theory of Everything or The Imitation Game yet. I've heard such rave reviews from both movies and I heard Eddie Redmayne is spectacular as Stephen Hawking and man, I appreciate the art of acting so I really don't know WHY ON EARTH have I not indulged myself in some Redmayne/Cumberbatch lovin'.

TV shows lol um so everybody should be fully aware that I'm ridiculously into Korean dramas (and Korean everything, really) now so yeah my TV show interest have shifted from Western to Asian now. That doesn't at all mean I'm dismissing my fav powerhouse trio (Grey, Pope, Keating), it's just that they've not been on air lately so I've been well occupying myself with Korean shows.

I've only watched Cunning Single Lady, Emergency Couple and The Heirs so far (I'm now investing my emotions and heart and soul in 'Pinocchio') but I'm looking forward to being a fully immersed K-Drama fan hahahahaha #sorrynotsorry

Fashion x Shopping

What does a girl love more than a bargain?

Was in Urban Outfitters the other day and I usually don't go in 'cause it's too expensive for me and it's not really up my alley anyway, clothes-wise. But! I managed to nab this hot pink sleeveless top with black fringe at it's hem for a fiver.

A FIVER!!!!

And better yet, it was the exact top I had wanted to buy at the UO in Oxford Street over the Boxing Day sales. I think I'd have kicked myself over it if I had bought it then when it was £25.
It's true what people say, good things come to those who wait.

I don't really carry a big fat wallet around the UK anymore because rare is the occasion when I have actual cash with me. It's so convenient here to be able to pay everything with just your card so I only have myself a sturdy card holder at all times. So there's really no point in bringing around a big bag. Which is why I'm super into small cross body bags.

(photo from the wonderful world of Tumblr)

Again with the Céline. Stop doing this to my heart. I mean, the colour is already so out of this world beautiful but it has to be snake skin?!!?!?!?!?!? Bye brb crying in the corner.

Favourite Things

1. Brandy Melville's t-shirt. Also known as heaven on skin. It is SO SO SO SO SO SO soft that I might just cry and use it to wipe my tears because it's THAT SOFT. It's almost like wearing nothing. I got this (in photo) and another one in Amsterdam when we were walking through the street of shops. I've not seen a Brandy Melville shop here in the UK although I've heard there are branches around. Anyway, disclaimer. The t-shirt in the photo is the one I bought for my sister (but have not given hehe) and I have my own which is basically the exact same except it says 'C'est La Vie' on it. But it's in the wash now so for this flat lay, I just grabbed Tania's.

Bottom line is, it's amazing quality and I'd pay good money for more of Brandy Melville in my closet.

2. Alexa Chung's 'It' and Paul Arden's 'It's Not How Good You Are, It's How Good You Want To Be'. I've always wanted Alexa's book but never got to actually buying it so when I saw that there was a paperback version, I just went ahead and got it. I love it. I mean, Alexa is already very funny so I expected nothing less from this Brit lass and the book is just very entertaining to read through. 

I was on the tube in London sometime in December and I saw someone reading Paul Arden's book and was struck by the title. So when I saw it at Urban Outfitters for a fiver also, I just got it. It's pretty thin and you can read cover to cover in like a day maximum but it's seriously SERIOUSLY uplifting and motivating. You just feel a whole lot motivated and you finish reading it with a whole new drive and perspective on how you want to do things in life. It's so well-put and you can't help but go, 

"YES EXACTLY!" when you read it because it's all that you've thought and wanted to say but could never really put into words. I bring it to uni or wherever if I feel like having a shot of good vibes then and again. 

3. COLAB Dry Shampoo. During winter, my poor hair is just HORRIBLE. The cold is making my hair break and it's so dry and if it wasn't for the life saver that is Moroccan Oil, my hair would have been hay basically. So because it's so dry, I try to not wash it all the time like how I usually would in KL. I wash it every other day but when it does get a bit oily at the roots or when it's looking a bit flat, I spray on some dry shampoo and I'm good to go. I was a Batiste wearing girl before this, but when I saw this and it's gorgeous bottle, I gave CoLab a go. 

First and foremost, the smell is just SO SO SEDAP. My bottle is in the scent 'London'. There are several others but I found this to be the nicest smelling one. It does the job and all but I'm in it because of the scent to be honest. 

4. My itty bitty Valentina perfume. I've always wanted one because i) the scent is AMAZING ii) the bottle is GORGEOUS and I'm a sucker for packaging lah but it helps loads when the scent is just everything. I've gotten plenty compliments from wearing this out so yay Valentino. Once I'm done with this, I'll get a bigger bottle (aka when my grandmother comes to town where I don't have to use my allowance hehe). 

5. NARS' translucent finishing powder. I've oily skin so over the day, my make-up tends to move around and my face gets pretty shiny and not because I'm glowing with happiness ok. This helps set my make-up and puts it into place and I use it after a good sweep of NARS' setting powder. 

I was at the NARS' counter the other day and she asked me, "Have you used NARS before?" and I just overly excited replied, "UM like I'm a NARS' junkie, I have everything NARS, I live and breathe NARS'" in which she laughed probably thinking this loony needs to calm down. I can't wait to get my hands on the new foundation though!!! 

6. My 22nd birthday present. A Chanel boy. Nothing else I can say really except that I'll shower it with love and hugs and kisses and cuddles for the entirety of my life.

__

Eye Candy

Hehe so I thought of doing a new section for my Favs posts. Also another excuse to post photos of guys who are just too handsome for words so let me just grace you and this blog with...

... Seo Kang-Joon. Hottie of the month and hottie of the year and forever lah hottie. Um hello please where have you been all my life. 

(Fun fact! He studied in Malaysia for English. Cutiepie) 

(Nylon Korea)

(Vogue Girl)

And of course, Woo Bin. KIM WOO-BIN. My favourite bad boy. My sister and I are head over heels over him that we endlessly text each other to squeal and shriek and to share our love for his long-leggedness Kim Woo freaking Bin.

 Swooooooooooon for daysssss ~~~~~~ 

I can't wait to see him in more dramas because man, I'll watch anything with Woo Bin in it. He's SUCH an amazing actor also let me tell you that. I'm not biased, he really is a brilliant actor given how new he relatively is in the industry. He honestly for me, beat Min Ho out of the park in The Heirs. So so so so so good and so so so so so handsome haih my heart what are you doing to MY HEART, WOO BIN!!!

Ok fan girl shrieks over and just give me a sec to chill.

_________________________________

So that's it for my monthly favourites! Been a pretty kick-ass month as it always usually is.

Hope you had a great start to your 2015 because I most certainly did. And if you didn't, don't worry, you have 11 months to make up for it. 

xx

Latest Obsession

WHY HELLO 

Been a long time since I last blogged. I miss it and I do try to blog more but I always end up saving it into my drafts and forget all about it.

I haven't been up to anything new, to be frank. Been going to classes as usual and been fasting for most of this month so there really isn't anything new. Azam and I have declared a Puasa London for 2 months so that's for all of January and February. Hahaha so we're behaving and staying put in Bristol. I don't mind actually 'cause I love Bristol and it's so chilled for me so I don't mind not going to London for a bit.

My parents are very happy also, I'm sure hahaha

It's Friday now and I've just finished all 3 of Shonda Rhimes' shows (that's Grey's Anatomy, HTGAWM and Scandal). Scandal, for me, was the BEST of the three just 'cause it had a lot more going on than the other two. But still lovin' it in Shondaland. I still haven't watched the latest of Suits though. But I'm still glad that all of them are back! I look forward to my Fridays even more now yayayayayyyyy

Also, if you don't follow me on Twitter or on my Snapchat then you won't know this but...

... guys...

... I am obsessed...

... with Korean dramas...

... SLAP ME NOW!

But guys, I gave in. And watched one drama. And then another drama. And then another drama.

AND IT'S SO GOOD AND IT'S SO ADDICTIVE!!!

I've even gotten my sister to watch it and she's like crazy over it also!!!! Sampai tahap she's actually properly planning a trip to Seoul this August hahahahahahaha

I don't know how else to say it lah because the majority of my friends who will read this would just roll their eyes and go "omg nadia don't go on to the dark side, don't turn kpop!" but guys, ferreal.

I, myself, didn't know I was going to be so into it! It all started with Running Man and then from then on, I just allowed myself to watch ONE  tiny episode of ONE tiny drama and one thing lead to another and now, I find myself Tumblr-ing 'Kim Woo Bin' and typing in "Korean dramas of 2013/2014" on Google.

Everyday.

Haih.

I'm crazy over it.

I love it. 

Call me whatever but I don't care because it's THAT good! I'm sorry to all the people who I've rolled eyes at at the mention of 'Korean' anything because I take it all back!!! It's like, my life now. And like, I'm not even ashamed about it no more.

I was actually surprised to see how good the dramas were. From the acting to the script to the music to the filming all. I guess they kinda have to be because their entertainment industry is so prominent now and it's such a huge thing. I'm just late to the party and I'm only realising it now but as my dad would say when he drops me off to school like half an hour late, "BETTER LATE THAN NEVER".

(My life now)

I've only watched like 2 so far but am looking forward to spending my days and nights watching more so if you have any recommendations, do tell! 

(and like over the course of idk 3 weeks, I've cried more for these dramas and the characters more than anything lah, what the hell man)

Ok bye going to continue watching Doctor Stranger and School 2013 and Running Man and Roommate now haih I just love the weekends

xx