New Year Resolutions, in Brief.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Well in less than 24 hours anyways. As Moslems, we celebrated our new year just a little less than a month ago. Back then I wasn't really prepared to set new resolutions for myself, so now that we're here, nearing the end of 2011 I thought; why not.

To be honest, I haven't been keeping resolutions for... years now. Because years back when I did, I was never really able to fulfill most of what I planned to achieved by the end of those years. So that definitely discouraged me and thus I decided to just let things happen as I go along so I don't get disappointed with myself when I don't get what I want.

So here are some brief write-up of the resolutions (that I've thought of as of now, anyways) for the year 2012;

AS A MOSLEM

Photo taken after our Zuhr and Asr prayers (Venezia, Italia)

To gain more knowledge and insight on this beautiful religion of mine. I would love to be able to answer questions people direct to me concerning my faith in confidence, to be proud of being a Moslem and to never miss a prayer for petty excuses.

The Quran is a book I rarely touch, and I am guilty, for having an immense love for books but chose to ignore that one bible that would truly help me in all of life's aspects. So I wish to qhatam the Quran at the very least 2-3 times in 2012. InsyaAllah.

I've been blessed with a wonderful life, and I need to find more ways to show the Lord how gratuitous I feel towards all that He has given this humble little servant of His.

AS A DAUGHTER AND A SISTER

My family trying to build a tower of our own to challenge the leaning tower (Pisa, Toscana, Italia)

Of course, to make my parents proud to call me their daughter. To provide them with help whenever needed and necessary. Its going to be hard, but to be more obedient since I'm stubborn (beyond belief). 

As a sister, to remain the protective sister that I've always secretly been. Be prepared to kick the arse of any and all boys who dare toy around with my sisters' hearts, and make sure my brother grows up to be a gentleman.

AS A FRIEND

Photo from this post (Empire Shopping Gallery, Subang)

Support them in time of need, and always be there for them during the highs and the lows. Be a better listener. Never take them for granted.

AS A STUDENT

Photo from this post, credits to Maureen (Taylor's University Lakeside Campus)

To better manage my time. Always come prepared for classes, and provide good, if not the best idea possible. Read more books about the course I'm undertaking. Maintain good relationship with lecturers, though always be reminded that there should always be boundaries.

Pose as a great competitor to the others. Never look down on my course mates, despite their age. These b*tches are talented.

AS A CURIOUS TRAVELLER

Backside (Venezia, Italia)

Travel to more places! 

Take a solo trip somewhere in Peninsular Malaysia, to delve into the ocean of my own thoughts. Take everything in at my own pace, give myself the opportunity to talk to strangers and attempt to capture whatever beauty that the world has to offer with my modest micro four thirds.

AS A PASSIONATE SHOPPER

Part of our haul during Boxing Day on Oxford Street (Leinster Gardens, London, GB)

Cut down on shopping expenses. Purchase every basics that a wardrobe should have. Buy only things that I'm sure to wear, and to stay away from too-ridiculous statement pieces that I'll probably never put on outside the confinements of my bedroom. 

Invest on quality items of clothing. Quality > Quantity, so I don't have to keep buying the same thing when the old one wears and tears. I should also stop purchasing things online, especially shoes. They're always unreliable. 

Credit cards are evil. Don't overuse them.

AS A DREAMER

Laying around at Padang during the Singapore GP (Singapore)

Learn to let go of some dreams, in order to have less bitter thoughts on life and its 'unfairness'. Set near and clearly achievable goals. 

It doesn't mean I will stop aiming for bigger and better things. I'm just taking one step and a time, and enjoy my way to the top. Coz thats where I see myself standing in the future; The Top.

AS A GUNNER

After going crazy at The Armoury (The Emirates Stadium, London)

I shall continue to support this brilliant club that I actually by random chose to support years ago, but with time fall in love with. 

AS A PERSON

Upon waking up (Shah Alam, Selangor)

Be happy. Happier. Whichever it is. Stay true to myself, never be afraid of being opinionated. Be a little less blunt maybe, but never less honest.

Learn to love myself. Take care of my body and health as a whole.

Never change just because someone tells me to, and never let others make decisions for me. Be more forgiving... especially to loud eaters. 

Remain a virgin. Sexually, and in terms of alcohol, any kind of smoking and promiscuous behaviour. The world is cunning, but I have principles and I hold on to them pretty damn tight, and will continue so.

Be less selfish and self-centered. Trust that others can be of help too and that I don't always have to be so independent and self-reliant.

AS A POTENTIAL LOVER(?)

NAI's hands on our flight to Amsterdam (Dubai International - Schiphol Airport)

Open my heart a teeny bit wider, just so I don't miss out on the good men that comes along.

xxx

So thats about it that I can think of up to this point. There is of course, a lot more details than what I've provided here... but I figured that some things are better kept private, and hey! I wouldn't want to jinx anything. 

With that being said, I'm hoping 2012 will be nothing short of amazing for myself and others.

InsyaAllah.

Italy; KLIA - Roma.

So here it is. The first post on my very recent trip to Italy. I'm currently chilling in my hotel room in London after a hectic day of shopping (Boxing Day, hey!). I've been sleeping in early ever since we arrived in London, so today I'm gonna be a bit adventurous and keep myself awake a little while longer.

That... and the fact that I just ate dinner and I'd feel much too guilty about sleeping straight after once I'm awake. I would almost always gain weight after travelling. Maybe because I always travel with my family and we're always on the bus on guided tours and we'd take the cab instead to save money. So theres not much walking included.

Singapore, however was the first trip where I actually LOST weight since Hadzray and I walked almost all the way everywhere, ate very little (compared to our normal days in Malaysia) and... it was blazing hot. 

Okay enough with this weight talk, here we go;

Our flight to Dubai was scheduled to take off at approximately 2 am, so we headed to KLIA around 10 pm. Don't ask me why we were there so early... I couldn't really understand why either.

Was pretty stumped because I spent the whole day packing, because I didn't want to distract myself from college and the work I had to get done before I left. Okay... that and because after many-a-time travelling, I've learned that I pack better when I pack last minute. 

After packing I headed to college for a bit to take some measurements (again, WTF) and to return a book I forgot I borrowed (okay no actually I was planning to steal it but heck Taylor's is gonna charge me an arm if I really did that) to avoid having to pay the fine for having return it any later.

Get up:

Slouchy knitted cardigan - Topshop (bought to share with Mama)

Oversized denim shirt - Zara

Black tights - Cotton On (found this in my closet... even though I'm pretty sure I never purchased them)

Convertible Black Bag - Forever 21 

Black Boots - Older sister's horseriding boots (She doesn't wear them anymore... and my Doc Martens is too heavy to wear to travel)

I wanted to dress comfortably enough for the long hours inside the airplane, but at the same time still look good enough to walk around in once we arrive in Rome. 

Ate dinner at NOOODLES before heading to our boarding gate.

Green tea. Of course.

Ordered their Spicy Beef Noodle (extra spicy in my case, coz I asked for extra chili and poured it all in) and it was surprisingly delicious. Makes me miss Pho Hoa. Mmm Pho Hoa.

I was a bit annoyed at first when I found out that we're going to be flying off on Emirates. But its largely because (or only because) I HATE TRANSITS. Especially in Dubai. 

I mean, the first two, three, four - six times (two times with each journey) its okay. But once you get to the tenth till the nth time its just.... (-________-) Just get me to my destination, seriously. I don't even feel the need to walk around to see what I can buy anymore.

But there is admittedly more pros than cons when flying on Emirates. And stopping for transits. For one; Have you ever been on a 10 hour ++ flight?! DUDE BONTOT KEBAS OKAY. Like the last time when I rode on MAS from London to Kuala Lumpur. All I did was sleep especially since I had all three seats in the left aisle all to myself.

Plus, the in-flight food served on Emirates is okayyyy (not a fan of plane food to be honest) though if I had to choose, I'd pick the peanuts they give on MAS rather than the salted bread biscuits on Emirates. 

The best part however, has to be the in-flight entertainment. Top-notch.

And if you're lucky to get the upgraded / new planes, your leg space would be much more spacious than any other airline (Greatly appreciated when the person in front of you is an insensitive douche who reclines their seats ALL the way to your thighs, WTF). Oh and did I tell you that Emirates is currently the only airline that allows you to switch on your mobile phones? Yeap. 

I should try tweeting from up in the skies....

Fortunately, we had a 4 hour transit so it didn't feel that long till we hop onto another flight. This time to Fiumicino airport in Rome, Italy.

Got pretty ecstatic about this flight because... It would be my first time on an Airbus A380! 

Its massive. Feeling so much hate to people riding on Business and First class... But Alhamdulillah. And we all reach the same place in the end anyways. Although they get those pod seats, and 3-course meals and... (-______________-)

Strange dessert thingy on-board. 

Ayah traded seats with me! So I get to sit by the window. 

I know right... who the hell smuggles a camera into an airplane's toilet and snaps pictures of herself. Oh wait; ME. 

Ni memang batak habis I don't even...

Rayyan. Probably the cutest living person on Earth right now.

Alhamdulillah... we arrived safely in Rome albeit about 3 hours late because our plane took forever before taking off. 

The Fiumicino airport is very mehhhh. Of all the airports I've been to, I honestly think KLIA is the best. Although if I had to complain it'd be because KLIA is dead too soon at night. 

Not only was the airport very mehhhh but we even had to pay 2 euros for a trolley. And its not a deposit. Yes. You read me right... About 10 MYR for a trolley we'd use for like, 30 minutes. But at times like these, we insist to see it as a type of sedekah. 

The trolley collectors need to make a living too.

Having landed late to begin with, we got even late-r because my sister Lisa (who came from Manchester) just couldn't have took the train from Ciampino to Fiumicino earlier. So we had to wait for her at the train station connecting the two airports.

We were supposed to begin our day with a trip to Vatican City, the smallest independent state in the world but unfortunately since we were late and had to keep in time with the schedule, we headed first towards the Colosseum.

Colosseo in Italy actually means Giant. Or something that is bigger than life. Much like the word colossal used in English. The actual name of the colosseum is The Flavian Amphitheater. 

The Colosseum is used in ancient times as a place of entertainment for Emperors and commoners alike. The usual event would begin with a battle between man and beast (Lions, tigers, elephants, etc) which would be usually imported from outside of Italy to symbolize their power and the states that they have conquered during that period. The highlight of a day in the Colosseum would be the gladiator fight where two men will fight each other to their deaths.

It is said that if the gladiators live by the time they finish serving themselves as 'entertainment', they would lead a very prosperous life. Thus why it is both a curse and a blessing to be one. You will either die, or come out a very wealthy man.

I have to apologize for 'embellishing' my pictures with all these unnecessary effects. Its just that, it was raining in Rome when we were there (and bone biting-ly cold) and being the amateur that I am, most of the photos I took on that day were either very blurry (was training myself to fully use manual focus) or dark (the weather was depressing).

The lack of a clear blue sky didn't really help. Its embarrassing, but I actually did try editing in clouds to one of the pictures and...

#FAIL.

Didn't even complete it because; (1) It took too much time. (2) OMG just look at it! LOLOLOL I can't.

With that aside, some more photos from the Colosseum.

Okay this picture extra blurry because I wrongly resized it, and then only after adding the lame effects did I realize. Didn't want to have to add the effects again, so I enlarged the picture just like that.

#FAIL again

The interior of the Colosseum nowadays look like this. You see those passageways? They were actually a kind or 'dressing room' for the gladiators if I may say so. Wild beasts were also kept in rooms underground.

And on top of that, they added on sand so that the blood stains could be removed easily. Believe it or not, back then they also managed to somehow fill the colosseum up to a certain point with water, and held battles between ships. Amazing right?

The tour was carried out in lightning speed, so I was slightly ticked off that we weren't even given more than 2 minutes to snap photos. AND not to forget that it was cold and wet. So all that everyone thought about was to hide behind a pillar and protect themselves from the wind or to chase that little ray of sunlight, that little ray emitting WARMTH.

Even more unfortunate, by the time our tour of the Colosseum ended, it was already turning dark. So yes... our tour of Rome ended there.

We didn't get to visit Vatican City, but managed a drive-thru from inside our bus. MAD disappointed. We didn't get into St. Peter's Basilica... or throw coins into the Trevi Fountain... or hang around the Spanish steps... *sigh*

Its depressing, but thats how it is; As humans, we can only plan. God decides.

Looking on the bright side; we now have a legit reason to want to return! We could even head to Spain and Greece while we're at it. *cough*cough* HEL-LO SANTORINI ISLAND! (InsyaAllah)

So thats about it for now. 

To be continued...

Italy; A Teaser.

London bound in just a few hours.

Italy... I have fallen for you. DEEP.

And I will miss you dearly.

But I'll be sure to see you again.

InsyaAllah.

PS: Spot the celebrity.
PPS: Planning on actually spending time to edit some of the photos I've taken throughout the trip. I must not be lazy!

With Love from Firenze.

Ok, so me kicking the leaning tower of Pisa didn't really work out... but good enough.

I know I said I'd update after every single day, but thats proven to be quite a task now that I'm here. By the time I reach the hotel room all I'm thinking about is sleep. (And Twitter, can't help it)

But of course I'd make an effort whenever I'm capable.

Plus, WHO BLOGS DAILY ON HOLIDAYS?

Quick update though; Our first day turned out pretty fruitless because our connecting flight from Dubai took AGES before jetting off to Fiumicino airport, costing us almost half a day. Plus the weather in Rome when we arrived was MAD depressing. Cold and wet and to think all I had on was a denim shirt and a mohair knitted cardigan. WTF I can officially study in London now.

But second day (today) was when we really got to see Italy. And... UGH. Italy is breathtakingly beautiful. This is probably the first time ever that I didn't sleep (almost) at all during an intercity bus trip because the scene throughout the journey (and I really mean THROUGHOUT) was... *cries* Immensely beautiful. Theres no word to describe it, and no pictures that can do justice and you must go there yourself to really experience everything.

I got super greedy snapping away at everything during the bus trip, alternating between the left and right side not wanting to miss anything. Coz there never was a dull view, I swear. You can stop anywhere along the road and you'd have an amazing background for a picture. I kid you not.

I NEED to come here again. But next time; No tour guides to rush me. 

Everything nice and slow, so I can REALLY take everything in. 

Things to Improve On, Things to Let Go Of.

I know I've been cheating lately. Again, might I add. A bunch of photos and just a few lines typed out isn't really what I would consider an actual blog post. 

Unless its a photography blog I'm running here. In which... it obviously is not.

Though for personal purposes, I bought myself a new camera lens and a new converter lens for my Olympus Pen. The camera lens is a 50mm f/1.8 and its a Canon EF lens... but whatever. There isn't a lot of micro 3/4 lenses out there, so I'm just going to have to opt for a lens adapter (that I have not yet find in stores, and I'm too scared to place an order online when it comes to things like this) that'll help fit any Canon EF lens to my Pen.

But if not... I'm hoping the 50mm lens would get to serve its purpose once I get my hands on my own Canon DSLR. Which I'm not gonna get until I've trained myself to use my Pen to its full potential and capture praise-worthy photos with it.

I know it all sounds cliche, and what I'm about to say is not any less; I don't plan on being a photographer or whatnot, but who wouldn't love to be able to take wonderful photos, right? Especially if the moment is something that you'd want to remember for possibly your whole life.

Plus with all the travelling I'm doing lately, its only fair if I do the places I visit justice by capturing their essence in a photograph. I'll start experimenting with Italy. Planning on paying extra attention to details, especially ones closely related to architecture.... which is EVERYTHING.

Pfft.

On the other hand, I'm finally feeling more relaxed about heading for a holiday and missing two weeks worth of classes. Especially since I've confirmed with my lecturers that I won't be missing any submissions and that there won't be any exams held during my absence. Quizzes, maybe. Hoping I can convince them to let me take them once I'm back if there is any.

I need this break. And I need this family vacation.

Emphasis on the word family because lately I've been feeling really dispatched from my own flesh and blood. I don't blame anyone but myself. I'm a big dreamer, and I work hard to achieve something I really really want that I very often forget to pay attention to anything else that is happening around me.

Even food is more than often ignored. Its so common for me to be feeling hungry in the middle of the night, and then realize that I didn't eat nothing throughout the whole day. I've lost 6 pounds (3 kgs) in less than three months, though my body measurements remains unchanged. So I assume my body's accumulating more fat and my non-existent muscles have turned... well. Even more non-existent (if that is even remotely possible to begin with). 

Muscle weigh more than fat, just in case you didn't know.

(Picture courtesy of NAI, further edited by me)

On a lighter note, or maybe not; Boys. So many of them need balls. Seriously. And the ones who have any are cocky as hell.

Speaking about that one boy I've been in close contact with, I feel like once I've returned everything of his that he lent me... its most likely that I won't be making an effort in establishing regular contact anymore. Why do I know this? Because its what I do every time a guy expresses his intention to become something 'more than friends'.

Though I do agree that its only logical for.. anyone, at this point to progress; I don't want to.

I may not be the most knowledgeable person in terms of love, but I know well enough that if I second guess and have to force myself to think about all the pros and cons of what the relationship may bring; Then its not worth it.

Its not. Falling in love should be easy. And I shouldn't have to be calculative.

With that being said, await my next post since I'll probably be blogging about my days in Italy accordingly. Because I know if I were to do it any later, I would find a list of excuses to not do it and continue to procrastinate... forever.