back to school

For the Edinburgers, today is their first day of a new academic year. I was not sure what went on in my head but today was also the first day I stepped foot in a university after I left the 'Burgh.

I actually had never planned this so-called road trip beforehand. The next thing I know, I was on the way to Semenyih to visit the University of Nottingham, Malaysia Campus. It was a long journey away from where I live and the traffic was quite bad. I made a mistake of wearing black jeans because today was exceptionally hot and I felt as if my legs were in a sauna.

The scenery on the way there was different from what I'm used to. In fact, I felt as if I was far up north of the country rather than being near the capital. I finally reached my destination approximately 50 minutes after leaving home and wow, I was actually quite impressed with the exterior of the university.

I have been to the University of Nottingham in the UK four years ago. I might be wrong but I thought the Malaysia Campus looked similar to that of in the UK. Then I was told that they were actually trying to build it similar to the one in the UK. After stepping out the car to explore the campus, I realised that I have made a huge mistake for not bringing my camera.

The first stop of the tour was the library and thankfully it was fully air-conditioned and worked well. Once I stepped in, I wished I need not leave the room. I explored the EEE sections, I guess the geeky electronics girl has not left this body yet. It was funny that I still found the books interesting even when I have bitched a lot about the course.

Next was the triple E building. Nothing can beat The King's Buildings in my former university. There was nothing much to see at the Malaysia Nottingham's triple E building but it was still exciting being in a place where I know what the fancy equipments do.

I went around the Student Union and then noticed that there were a lot of Nigerian students. Most of them were well built and I felt very intimidated walking pass them. They were indeed very stylish and no doubt an eye-catcher. I apparently bumped into one lad and he nodded his head in the "How're you doin'" style. That was quite funny.

The layout of the university was nicely done however with the tropical weather Malaysia is having, I personally don't think many of the chill-out spots can be utilised. There was this beautiful lake in front of the main building with ducks swimming around, but I highly doubt that students would appreciate walking around the lake in this heat. There was also a nice big fountain somewhere in the campus but because the trees were only being planted, they couldn't provide shelter from the burning sun. Whereas indoors, I saw the potential of a great chill-out place and it was still under renovation.

An interesting place to go to today. I don't regret any single bit of it.

usual to me, what about you?

Have you ever walked in a shopping mall with a person next to you and then suddenly feel an electric shock on your skin and even hear the zapping sound as you accidentally made contact with the person? I don't know about you lot out there but it happens to me all the time and it usually occurs when I walk in malls.

I thought I would know the explanation for this as I actually have some electrical background but surprise surprise, I don't. So I googled for some answers about this occurrence and then realised that I do feel it too whenever I try to shut my mom's car doors. Anyway, it is called the static shock.

Because I get really irritated with the effect after the shock (it makes my skin itch for a while), I tried to find ways to prevent it. First I needed to understand what causes it and based from my readings, it may be due to the dryness of the skin or what one is wearing. Dry environment can also encourage the occurrence. So that explains why I always get the shock when I'm shopping. Also strengthens my point about my contact lenses drying up in the mall.

Of course there are ways to prevent it, but I'm not sure how effective these are. Based on my sources, you should always moisturise your skin and avoid wearing synthetic clothes. Fine.. some of my clothes have some synthetics and my shoes are not very safety cautioned.

As for avoiding getting shocks from closing the car door, I have always practise shutting the door with my foot. I have had enough with the static shocks from the door due to the embarassment received whenever I swore out all the vulgar words I have in my vocab when I got the shock. Plus it is a good practice to be shutting the door with your feet, knuckles or elbows because it prevents the shock to happen at your fingertips where the pain nerves are most sensitive.

And now I feel so intelligent.

RIP

A fully utilised Sunday, that's what today was like. But everything just went with the flow as I did not plan for today to be as exciting as this.

Well, not quite exciting. Something fishy has gone on in my fish bowl today. All my fishes have died suddenly without any known reasons. At 4 in the morning, they were all normally swimming in the bowl and the next thing I know, three have died. It was really upsetting because they were all fine before this. The final fish joined the others later in the afternoon and that's the end of my responsibility as a fish owner.

Sometimes I wonder whether it is any different to take care of a cat instead of fishes. I have dreamt about petting a cat and only waiting for the right opportunity to realise my dream. But after this experience, I fear that I may only manage to keep the cat alive for just more than two weeks. And somehow to kill a cat is more scary looking than to kill some small fishes.

Worries put aside. Earlier, I took my brother for some games of bowling. We managed to attract some attention from this middle aged lady on the next lane who seemed so impressed with my brother's bowling skills. Once he scored a strike (he has the potential to be better than me, who is surprised?) and the lady pointed to my brother and said to her friends, "Oooh, did you guys see that? That little boy just scored a strike!". It also took me by surprise because the ball he threw often hit the side barriers which prevent the ball to enter the longkang, making a zig zag line and finally hit the pins at the centre and knocked all ten pins! Some luck. Whereas, I have sprained my wrist (which I nearly called my ankle!) while I was throwing the disgustingly oily bowling ball.

Because I am very very particular about my physique, I decided to run around the park just before breaking fast. I then only realised how much energy I had when I was fasting and it was not impressive at all. Try doing sit ups when your stomach is empty. You'd stop doing it after the fifth time because you'd be embarassed that your empty stomach is singing out loud while you are struggling with the sit ups.

And here I am still working on my new physical challenge which has yet to be revealed.

wiseman says

It has been a while since I felt this way. Ever since I left university, I realised that whatever I did wasn't the best I could give. Until yesterday. I thought I have given all I could, although not completely due to the fasting session, and honestly I have never felt so tired and stressed up about something since my final year exams four months ago.

Everything that has been happening for the past week probably will not offer me the satisfaction and security which I have longed, but it surely does help me be aware of the future happenings. I figure with the amount of time I prepare for it each time, however disappointing the outcome would be, I'd give myself more exposure to these challenging experience. That's how it goes, doesn't it - you learn from your mistakes.

Here are some words of advice:

If you don't like the way things are in your life, do something about it.

If you have been disappointed, think about it for a wee while then get up on your two feet and move on.

bits and pieces

Professor Snape looks very ill. The surviving fish which my little sister bought last week is not looking good today. He keeps resting on the floating leaf in the water, if not on the stones at the bottom of the bowl. I worry very much of his health. It doesn't look like he's going to be here long.

Update: Hantu Ikan has taken over. Snape is dead. :(

I am finally experiencing this again. Spending Ramadhan at home where I don't have to worry about what to eat for breaking fast. No more having pathetic sandwiches. No more having that oily and fattening mosque beriyani. Soon enough, I don't have to feel guilty for skipping lectures on Hari Raya day.


Suddenly out of nowhere, I'm craving for chocolate muffins. Would it be mean to be baking chocolatey things when my younger siblings are fasting? Probably it is, but tough, I think I am baking tomorrow. Something to keep me occupied.

happy ramadhan

All because of this weekend, I got into some kind of trouble today. Getting the suitable thing was one hell of a challenge. I suffered a massive headache until I have nearly given up looking. Thought I needed to ease my mind so I bought myself a pair of shoes. Totally didn't need it but it was pretty effective because my headache went away.

It's true how buying something sometimes helps when I'm under some sort of stress. It is a bloody expensive solution and I wish I can say I hardly do it. Seems like these days I've been spending as if money grows from trees. Trouble number one: Fire in the hole. Cash is constantly burning.

Actually that's the only major trouble I'm facing. I somehow ended up with another book today, so that's going to keep me occupied until the end of the year.

Selamat berpuasa everybody. May all of us enjoy the Bazaar Ramadhan and Tarawih this month.

classic

Ever since I have finished reading The Deathly Hallows, I've been browsing through many bookstores just to find the perfect book to read for the next 2 months (hehe, considering the speed that I read books!). I went into Borders today hoping I could select something from the new released and the recommended sections but nothing has seemed to impress me.

Finally I bought a classic tale by Jane Austen. Her Pride and Prejudice was amazingly lovely and BBC has made a brilliant job putting it in motion picture. Since then, I was curious about her other stories and I guess now is a right time to venture them. So I am starting off with Emma.

On a completely different story, I supposed what happened today was not at all a waste of my time. I got to experience and also learn one of the challenges and maybe tricks in adulthood. This is only the beginning and I am expecting more out of it. It's exciting. I have to say.

"You're not somehow related to Sean Ghazi, are you?" - This is classic too.

And by the way, Mother, if you are reading this by any chance, can I please have the object below?