||Oh No||

I should just stay at home this morning but then I didn't or should I say, I couldn't.

Dad asked my help to do his car insurance and I did.

And as it is the last day of working day for the year 2010,

everyone and everywhere were busy!

I spent the morning alone in the post office and the bank!

~~~Fewhh~~~

And the weather didn't help either!

Morning, it is sooo hot and dry,

afternoon, it is cloudy with the hint of rain

and night, it's raining!

Anyway, my "OH NO" part would be after the insurance affairs!

I finished reading Akan Ku Tunggu this morning (yup! I slept at 4am!)

so, being an 'addict', I need a new novel.

So, I tried my luck by going to the bookstore (the main one) and as luck has it,

2 of the novels that I was looking for (Penjara Rindu and Kau Milikku) are available.

I took them down from the shelves without giving my brain any second to think! LOL!

5 minutes later, believe it or not, I left that bookstore NOT with 2 novels BUT 4 novels!!!

~~YIKES~~

Can someone hide my ATM card, please???

Turtle Updates...

Oh! I love turtles. Don't you?

I got 4 of them ;)

Anyway, as the title goes, sorry for the turtle updates

and it would be another much turtle updates soon.

Currently I'm doing my night shift duty.

Yup! 7 hours 7 days nonstop!

No new year or long weekend for me *big sigh* but then that's work for you.

Furthermore, I got tonnes of paperworks, reports, usages and as such to complete

for submission *another BIG sigh*

Reading wise - I finished reading Jiranku Kekasihku by Lysa Allysa recently.

My review, I will post it when I have the time.

Currently, I'm reading Akan Ku Tunggu by Sania Yasmin

and most probably with the rate I'm reading, I will finish it before Friday comes ;)

And at the same time, I'm still searching for these 2 novels:

Penjara Rindu by Nia Arissa

... and

Kau Milikku by Aisha Hamza

My regular bookstore said that they are running out of both novels ;(

and dunno when it would be available.

So, if you are a reader from Brunei and you know where I can find these 2 novels,

please let me know. Thanx!

Overall, that's my update for now.

IF I didn't get the chance to 'see' you bloggers and readers before the new year,

I would like to wish an advance NEW YEAR 2011 to all of you!

May the new year would bring a better world to all of us!

PEACE =D

Masih Setia - Aisya Sofea

Title: Masih Setia

Author: Aisya Sofea

No. of Pages: 535 pages

Publisher: Alaf 21 Sdn Bhd

You won't get disappointed when it comes to novels and Aisya Sofea! Seriously!

I had read every Aisya Sofea's novels and I kept on wanting more!!!!

But I gotta say this novel, Masih Setia took a different approach than her other novels.

Miera, who is tied by traditions of Minang, was asked to go back to Bukit Tinggi, Indonesia to get to know her mum's side of family and at the same time, to introduce her to Rudi, Miera's (great) grandmother's choice of husband (for Miera).

Not to disappoint her Indonesian family, she went back to Bukit Tinggi with her family. She couldn't find a fault with Rudi but somehow her heart is not for him.

Tragedy struck when Miera went to Padang to send her family home to Malaysia and she stayed with her uncle and family.

The earthquake that stuck Padang meet up Miera with Malik, a surgeon from NGO from Malaysia and it was love at first sight. Miera knows that her heart is for him. But when she knows that Malik is engaged, she tried to cast away her love for him but couldn't. Knowing that she couldn't 'take' Malik away from his fiance (knowing how much Malik loves his fiance), Miera accepted Malik as her friend.

Back in Malaysia, Malik introduced his fiance, Mia and seeing their love for each other, Miera walked off.... until 1 day she saw Mia with another man. For the love of her friendship to Malik and her love to him, she told Malik what she saw but Malik didn't believe her, accusing her of creating conflicts between him and his fiance.

How would you feel if someone you love (and who love you in return) accused you as such?

Would you forgive him? Miera almost didn't!

I gave it 9/10.

And from this novel, now I know a bit of Minang traditions =)

Just a Dream - Nelly

I love this song

but somehow I don't get the video clip, with the hanging and burning of the car and the ring... hmmm

Missing....

... Singapore and all those Singaporean friends!

For those who don't know this yet, I spent some times in Singapore, living and working there and had the most wonderful experiences in meeting and be friend with wonderful people.

Today, a good friend - my 'team' - from Singapore texted me

and it makes me miss Singapore terribly! *sob*sob*

Ling Li (the girl pictured above with me), thank you for reminding me of our good times together.

Till we meet again, my friend!

My Name - McLean

Nice tunes!

~~It's time to be jolly~~ lalalala~~~

... to my uncles, aunts, cousins, friends, colleagues, blogger pals and everyone who celebrate Christmas out there!

For those who are living in Brunei, enjoy the long public holidays!!!

Dosa Semalam - Adilla Tasha

My BIGGEST weakness would be BOOKS!

Yesterday, I was saying to myself, "I don't need more books coz I got some books unread."

But of course, when I'm bored I couldn't help it (to buy books)

so I said, "Okay, maybe just 1 or 2"

But then again, I ended up walking out of that bookstore with not 1, not 2 but 3 BOOKS!

Dosa Semalam by Adilla Tasha is one of the 3 books!

The first novel I have from this author and wow! it was awessssooommmmeee!

By the end of the day, 8 hours after I started reading it,

I got fluffy eyes!

A story life of Hanim, the eldest in the family and who helped her father and support her other siblings by working as soon as she finished high school.

On an unfortunate night, she was raped by her own boss, Ariff who left the next day, leaving Hanim pregnant and being discard or disinherit by her family.

Saved by Izan, an old friend from high school, Hanim went to the city and with the supports from Izan and her family and members of Rumah Kasih Sayang, Hanim went through her pregnancy with no regrets although she couldn't deny in one time or another she thought of the father of her baby.

Aidil Arif born without a father by his side and without her husband by Hanim's side but that didn't stop her from raising up her son with the best love and educations a mother can give.

Until 1 day, 6 years after, she met again with Ariff. To quit the job that she had, Hanim didn't want to show Ariff that she's weak but to meet him everyday, she can't either.

Meanwhile for Ariff, meeting Hanim is his biggest aim in life. He tried to search for her 6 years ago but failed and this time he won't let her go again - not after he met a boy who is the exact clone of him!

But with the hurts and the pains Ariff had caused, does Hanim dared to love again?

Oh please! Read it!

At least I'm not the one only left with the puffy eyes LOL!

I gave this novel 9/10!

And the winners are....

I was planning to update soon but because I was having my seasonal flu (coughing, sore throat, headache, fever bla bla bla), so I'm kindda left behind (in updating).

Anyway, here it goes.

For The Amazing Race Asia (TARA) 4 as I mentioned before in the other post,

these are the final 3 teams.

And as most of you know by now, the Richards won the race.

Although I would like the father/daughter to win the race and with them having the lead in the final leg of this race, they (or rather the father, Hussein) gave up on the task of crossing the two towers of Marina Bay Sands at the height of 55 floor and took the 4hours penalty and eventually left them the last team (honestly, I think I would give up on that too! I mean, 55 floor high man!) but I gotta salute Michelle for performing that roadblock. She is awesome!!

So, that goes TARA 4!

As for The Amazing Race (US), the final 3 teams are

Nat and Kat, Brooke and Claire and Jill and Thomas.

And from the beginning of the race, I go for all female teams! and gotta say Nat and Kat are my favorite! Why? Coz they never scream at each other (they remind me of the cowboy brothers, Jet and Cord from Season 16).

And I was superduper excited when they won!

Yup! The first ever all-female team to win TAR!

Gosh! It took 17 seasons to make history!

But I gotta say, if Jill and Thomas didn't get a lousy taxi driver,

they might just beat Nat and Kat to the finishing line.

Oh well, they didn't call it amazing race for nothing!

For their post interview, click the link below

http://popwatch.ew.com/2010/12/13/amazing-race-winners/#more-115534

Oh!

Mentioning about the cowboy brothers, do you know that they will be back for next season??

Yup! Season 18 would be The Amazing Race: Unfinished Business(I LIKE!!!)

or shall I call it The Amazing Race All-Stars

The teams that are rumored to be in this upcoming season would be:

1. Kynt and Vyxsin (12)

2. Ron and Christina (12)

3. Amanda and Kris (14)

4. Kisha and Jen (14)

5. Jaime and Cara (14)

6. Margie and Luke (14)

7. Mel and Mike (14)

8. Flight Time and Big Easy (15)

9. Zev and Justin (15)

10. Jet and Cord (16)

11. Gary and Mallory (17)

How true the rumors are, I'm not that sure but 1 thing for certain, I would have a hard time deciding which team I want to win!

I SO BADLY want Jet and Cord to win but I gotta say, with Gary and Mallory, Kisha and Jen, Jamie and Cara, Flight Time and Big Easy; it definitely won't be that easy!

Too bad Brooke and Claire are not in for upcoming season. Rumor has it that Claire is pregnant. I might be wrong!

But TAR Unfinished Business would be super-uber fun!!!

Bits and Pieces, Here and There

Christmas in the air....

Indulging myself...

... with Rock 'n Roll from Lof Bakery

Smacking-licious for my tooth but fattening

but then, do I care? LOL!

Quiet Tuesday

7 months old Baby Zakwan

After missing him terribly for quiet a while now, today I managed to spend some quality time with baby Zakwan.

And look! He has grown some hair ;)

The second last

At last!!!

The Harry Potter movies are coming to an end - June 2011 to be exact!

I'm not a big fan of Harry Potter but I watched the first few movies so I feel 'obliged' to finish watching it.

I mean, it's no use watching the 6 movies and missed out the 7th movie and finally the ending, right?

Oh, believe it or not, I even bought the last book.. just to read what's in the end! LOL!

Can't believe it that's it almost coming to an end!

The crew and characters aren't the same anymore...

I still like the first 3 movies...

Gotta Love Them!

Oh!

I LOVE The Beatles!!!

Finding a new hobby - Scrapbooking

I need to find a new hobby apart from blogging, reading, watching movies and tv series and all those currently what I had been doing.

Last Friday, while I was roaming around The Mall in Gadong, I found this cool store - Shabby Chic!

It provides all the essential tools and materials that you need for your creative minds!

Previously and currently, I do have scrapbooks but let's just say that there are simple scrapbooks.

But now, I'm trying to be creative and let's see how creative I can be...

So, that night I bought 2 12' x 12' chipboard and 2 Riley Dots Pink Glitter paper

and 2 days later (as in today), they are still remain undisturbed.. haha! I guess my creative mind is not in active yet!

What I have in mind?

I'm trying to DYI by making a book

and I'm learning by looking at a local bookmaker artist, Rozi

She makes the most wonderful books - scrapbooks, journals - and cards for any occasions!

She even conducts classes to teach how to make books and most of her classes are full!

Talk about being talented!

Her blog is definitely worth checking it out!

The simple engineering of spoon and fork....

I'm officially bored hence this nonsense post! LOL

But quiet educational... I think.

Anyway, I found this in my brother's packed meals for army.

It is of course the spoon and fork.

Opening it, I thought it would look like this and that's it...

But after some experimenting, I found out that the ring should be folded and walaaa....

..the results are as follows...

Okay, now it makes sense.... hehe!

Another Day, Another Pictures

Let's just say that Jame 'Asre Mosque is my regular pit stop nowadays...

Haunted Changi

First and foremost, I'm not sure whether to call this a movie or a documentary.

But all the crews are real and they even use their own names and the director said Haunted Changi (HC) is a documentary.

Changi Hospital is labelled as one of the most haunted places in the world. How true? I'm not really certain.

But this documentary/movie showed the history (the real history) of Changi Hospital and to know more, please click here

Did I scream while watching this movie? Haha..

Not really, just like a small 'aaahh' but not that loud.. LOL

And up till now I was wondering to myself, what happened to the crews presently?

I know Farid (the sound expert) is still alive and healthy, judging from a Singaporean blogger, Noel Boyd but what's up with the rest?

Is Andrew (the director) really died and Audi (the cameraman) is in prison waiting for trial as he murdered Andrew?

Haha! Sorry for the spoiler but then to know what really happened, you gotta watch this movie. It is scary as it contains the real footages of the film but as I said to myself, it's tolerable.

1 thing I'm still wondering though; I used to live in Singapore and worked in hospital settings, how come I didn't hear about Old Changi Hospital before and how could I missed this place? Hmmm...

The Chronicles of Narnia - The Voyage of the Dawn Treader

"Live the adventure"

... in 3D!

So this would be the 3rd installment of The Chronicles of Narnia

and it would be my second Narnia experience in the cinema.

I'm not a huge fan of Narnia series but I don't like to be left behind either. LOL!

So, I watched all the movies.

I gave this movie 7/10

Adriana and her cat...

Adriana or Nana, as we love to call is my niece.

She's turning 3 tomorrow but her mouth and actions are of that 7-8 years old.

Smart? I would say that and she's loud too. The clone of her aunt? Nah, I don't think so.. LOL!

Anyway, the thing about Nana is that she is so freaking scared of my 2 cats - Hitam and Labut

BUT with her cat, Lala as she called it, she's okay with her.

She even breastfeed the cat!!!

LOL!!!

Both pictures are courtesy of my brother, Nana's dad.

December Oh December...

The 12th and the final month of yet another year..

and as the days pass

I am getting busy and more busy

but then ain't that life? =)

Oh! and today, it's my male BFF's 31st birthday!

I would like to wish him a Happy Smashing and Fantasticlicious Birthday!!!!

Wedding Song

On my way to work this morning, a DJ mentioned weddings and songs.

I guess Mondays are the day you talked about the weddings the day before (FYI, my BFF had her wedding reception yesterday too so you can say that I'm still in a wedding mood) =)

The DJ would pick this song WHEN it's the time for her to walk down the aisle:

Snow on the Sahara by Anggun. She is an Indonesia but she has make a name for herself internationally.

I have to say the DJ made a very good choice. This is one of the favourite songs but it won't be my wedding song.

WHEN it's time for ME, it would definitly be this song:

Now, what's your wedding song?

The Final 3 TAR Asia

Yup!

The Amazing Race Asia Season 4 is coming to an end

and the 3 teams left standing (and exhausted) are:

Team Indonesia

Natasha and Hussein - Daughter/Father

Team Philippines

Richard and Richard - Friends

Very confusing for a friends to have a same name but it works well with me.

It saves me from remembering their respective name.. LOL!

And I like them better when they are bald.

Team Singapore

Michelle and Claire

Who am I going for this Season?

Hmmm... tough one.

I like the Father/Daughter team to win coz if they do, they would be the 1st Father/Daughter team to win an Amazing Race Asia.

But then, I also want Michelle and Claire to win. It would be 'fun' to watch them winning it. They are not a favourite team but they might just surprise you.

As for the Richards, I think they can win this race if they keep their heads on it. They got the strength and the stamina.

So, I choose every team. LOL! Each team deserves to win this race.

All those teams who got eliminated didn't deserve to be in the final...

The Amazing Race (US) Season 17 got 2 more episodes to go as Nick and Vicki were spared from eliminated for the second time (how lucky can they get) even though they had given up in the last detour.

But my bet is that teams Nat and Kat, Jill and Thomas and Brooke and Claire would be the top 3 teams for the finals and this time I place every confidence on the all-girls team!!

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!

Today, my BFF is officially a WIFE!!!

Congratulations Mr and Mrs Didz!

Hope it's an everlasting marriage...

I pray it would be!!

~~You're my sunshine after the rain~~

I got the not too-crazy morning yesterday

but not my normal morning either.

In order to finish my downloads, I got off late from work that morning...

...which is a bit okay, considering that I'm going to relieve a colleague somewhere.

But then I got stuck in the traffic, realized that my fuel ain't that enough for the journey

so I stopped for fuel.

Once I reached the highway, I got stuck again - in an accident!

Pllluuurrrggghhh!

And yesterday, of all day, I decided to drive 1300cc car instead of my 'super' 2000cc car.

I can't drive-like-mad no matter how bad I wanted to reach on time coz of the car

so I ended up 5 minutes late... which ain't that bad either, I think?

Then, quarter to 10am, I had to rush back to my workplace coz somehow, with so many people getting off and sick, my colleague was left alone! So, I drove as fast as I could.

Arrived at my workplace, no parking available. So I just blocked everyone.. LOL!

I just left my car key to the security... I'm not that selfish! Haha!

My 'reward' came early in the afternoon =)

Thank you God for sending that guy with the yummy necktie to brighten up what's left of my day =D

2 Boy Bands, 1 Video - Simply Nice!

Now.. isn't this just nice?

2 biggest boy bands performing together - Backstreet Boys and the New Kids on The Block @ American Music Award...

*missing the good old days*

New Year Eve Plan?

Oh! I know New Year (for some of us) is long way to go but counting the weeks, it's just 5 weeks to go to the year 2011!

For those who are conscious of the times and days that passed by, I'm sure you guys have already plan what to do for your new year eve.

As for me, I don't have plan for the new year eve. Oh! I know it's coming soon... way too soon for me to catch up but I know that I would end up doing nothing!

Hah! Boring eh!

But this year, I would be doing something!

Surprise! Surprise!

Actually, I would be working!

Haha! Yup! Everyone would be having a nice long weekend this end of December but the last week of December till 2nd January 2011, I would be working 7 hours a day, 7 days a week, no break!

What a way to start the 2011!

That's my new year eve for me.

What about yours?

Trip to the beach(es)...

Firstly, we stopped by at the Meraggang beach...

Then we went to Muara beach.

There was no empty parking available and my nieces insisted wanna play, so Dad had to stay in the car...

Oh! Last stop would be the Serasa beach but my HP's battery 'died' (it happened every time I'm on photo-taking mode) so no photos of Serasa beach available at this time. LOL!

Hope you guys had fablicious weekend!