Danial's Wedding - 29.01.2012

Ah.. finally!

After almost 2 months, only now I managed to properly update pictures from my cousin Danial's wedding.

 ... cousins and uncles...

 ... the groom with brother Andy...

 ... the guests...

 ...junjung ziarah...

 ... lunch at the groom's table...

 ... the groom with the parents and Popo...

 ... brother Wadi with Chacha...

 ... brother Andy with Popo...

 ... before entering the bride's home...

... uncle Ah Hwa with brother Andy...

 ... the groom with his bride...

... the groom's family...

Gemersik Kalbu, Aishiteru, Vanila Coklat, BFF Teman Tapi Mesra, Ariana Mikhail....

Yes.. I'm babbling about all those Malay dramas on TV.

Gosh, I'm getting addicted to dramas nowdays LOL.

Starting with Nora Elena, AdaMaya, now...

Gemersik Kalbu finally over and I have to say eventhough the story was slow in the beginning (and I almost gave up hope watching it) but I'm very satisfied with the whole drama and the ending ;)

Considering I don't have the time to watch the dramas directly from the TV (yes! I'm that buzy), so I just download them from the net... shuussshh.

http://www.sedut.org/

And I just finished watching Vanila Coklat this morning.

The drama is so sweet that it makes my heart melts.. seriously.

And I love the hero; Aiman Hakim Ridza and the

heroin; Izara Aishah.

I think they have a very good chemistry between them although I gotta admit, the starting of the drama was a bit off.. akward, I shall say but as it goes further, I saw them well matched ;)

Too bad both of them are no longer available for each other.. LOL

And the way his popularity rate spikes way high up from this drama, it wouldn't surprise me if Aiman would go further in this industry.

PLUS he ain't that bad looking either.. haha! Some say he might be the next Aaron Aziz.. hmmm..

In my opinion, let him become Aiman and Aaron Aziz be Aaron Aziz... 

I would very much like it if this drama being make into a book.

Publisher/writer... any hope? =D

Another drama I had been following is BFF Teman Tapi Mesra

For me, it was a good storyline but I was disappointed to know that it went on only till episode 8

Why?

In my opinion, this drama can go a long way and not just stop at episode 8.

The last episode looks like everything was squeezed into the 39-minute drama.

My heart is itching to have a more satisfying ending for Iskandar and Shahidah. What happened to Emran? and Norish - who stole Shahidah's creations? So many unanswered questions..

Oh well, I guess my heart doesn't matter...

But is it true that a BFF can be both, a good friend and a good husband while a husband can't be a good BFF? Hmmm...

Aishiteru..

I'm loving this drama as I love Vanila Coklat ;)

Romantic comedy but (haha! there's a BUT)

I'm kindda disappointed with the ending.

I think the ending is kindda abrupt too.

I was like... what? that's it? Hmmm...

In the last episode, the 2 years story just goes like that - they went their separate ways, finished their studies, Iz joined the navy, Azira finally managed to finish her novel, Ammar getting engaged...

And gosh! Men in white uniform never fail to turn me into mush! LOL!

Ariana Mikhail...

Okay... I'm holding my review for now

cos....

I haven't watch it yet. LOL

I managed to download the whole drama already and will review it once I finish watching it...

Novel Review: Memang Itu Cinta

Memang Itu Cinta

Elin Nadia

546 pages

Alaf 21/GrupBuku Karangkraf

After my previous novel-disappointment, I decided to choose carefully my next novel to read among my 10 new unread novels. And Thank God, this novel ain’t as disappointing as the previous one.

Rania and Irfan are BFF with totally different characters. Rania is rough, outspoken person while Irfan is timid, weak person, kindda a shame for a guy. Whenever Irfan is bullied by their friends, Rania is always there to defend him which make Irfan to fall in love with Rania.

Rania, however, doesn’t want to be in love or fall in love ever again after the death of her first love, Haris and Irfanknows of that fact. But because of love, he goes ahead and propose Rania. When Rania’s parents agree to Irfan’s proposal, Rania is no longer defending Irfan. Infact she is inturn bully Irfan, hoping that he backs off and takes back his proposal. But beneath Irfan’s timid look, he has a determination to have Rania as his wife.

Whenever Rania showers him with rough treatments, Irfan showers her with love.. over and over again until Rania realised that eventhough, she doesn’t love Irfan but she has to face the fact that she can’t live without her BFF, Irfan.

What happened between those two? Will Rania ever love Ifan more than just a BFF?

Well, of course it ends with happy ending. If it doesn’t, I would be disappointed with this novel too. LOL!

My rating: 6.5/10

Next review: Kau, Aku, Kita by Orkid Edyliyne. I decided to give her other novel a try. Let’s see if her second novel can change my preception on her writing...

Me and My Kedayan Roots

Kedayan is one of the ethnic groups/people of Brunei. I would say that most of the Bruneians are “orang kedayan” or Kedayan person in a way or another.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kedayan

My dad comes from both Kedayan parents while my mum is half Iban (another ethnic group) and half Chinese so that would make me – what? – one third kedayan? LOL!

For every ethnic in Brunei, they have their own dialects and so does Kedayan. Born and bought up in – I would say – a modern family, my parents rarely speak Kedayan with us – the kids. My mum, eventhough she is born and bought up as a chinese, she does know to speak 5 different dialects – malay, kedayan, chinese, iban and tutong.. surprise, surprise.

Whenever my parents mingle with my grandma, Dad’s mum or other of paternal uncles and aunts, they would converse in mixed malay and kedayan. Me and my brothers (except for Faiz, the second youngest), we sometimes are clueless on what they talk about and we opted to keep quiet. It's not that we don't understand the whole conversation altogether but there are some words - okay, most of the words, we don't know the meanings. And so far, I had been saved from conversing in Kedayan dialects.

But my luck ran out yesterday when I had to accompany my grandma for her weekly medical injection. To let you have a clear picture, I'm not that close with both my grandmas. I mean,  I do see them often but let's just say that I'm a lot more closer to my parents than my grandparents. Anyway, with just me and my grandma, I got no choice but to converse with her in Kedayan dialects and man, doesn't I sound funny?

I rarely talk in kedayan dialects and when I do, no words seem so right by me. Gosh! Now I'm ashamed to tell people I'm "anak kedayan" or kedayan kid when I can't speak Kedayan properly. I think my dad is right; I do need a Malay-Kedayan dictionary!! LOL! Never too late to learn, right? One day, I want my own kids to know their kedayan roots too.

Novel Review: Tuan Rumah Pembantu Rumah

Tuan Rumah Pembantu Rumah

Orkid Edyliyne

517 pages

Fajar Pakeer Sdn Bhd

How many of you had read this novel, please out your hands up. And tell me honestly how you rate this novel?

I don’t know whether it’s the novel itself or my reading-mind has totally changed for I found this novel really really disappointing. Gosh! This is the second novel with “Novel Terlaris” chopped on the front cover and when I read it, it’s not up to my expectation. I’m really really totally disappointed. It took me 3 weeks (seriously!!) to finish this novel and even that, I had to force myself to read and finish it for I promised to myself that no matter how uninteresting the novel might be, I will finish it; no matter how long it would take.

As for the review, I don’t if I can do it. I would let other readers read it.

Why this novel is disappointing? Well, there is no proper storyline. It’s like the character herself, Intan Asha Areen, who in my opinion had no proper purpose in life. The author uses her obsession for Koreans into this novel (I’m no longer a big fan of Korean dramas). The author uses Korean languages instead of Malay when infact a malay novel, the purpose is to promote Malay language, don’t you think?

Anyway, it’s just my opinion of this novel. Sorry if this review ever reach the author. But in my honest opinion, this novel might be interesting for teenagers or young adults. I’m not saying I’m that old but what’s a novel with no impact on the readers? Nada... Zero.. Nil..

My rating: 3/10

Next review: Memang Itu Cinta by Elin Nadia

Thank You Love (again!) =D

You always caught me by surprise.

I always thought you are predictable

but everytime you proved me wrong.

to which I love...

Everytime I had my bad days,

you are always there to light things up

and whenever I'm in no mood to entertain you,

you give me time and space,

to which I adore and respect you more..

Thank you, Love!!

From Japan with Love

My bf recently had a minor surgery in Japan.

Nearly 2-week stay in the hospital, it still surprise me how he could walk around and bought me a Starbuck tumbler...

hmmm...

But, apart from that, I'm not complaining..

Love it ;)

Novel Review: Buat Yang Tersayang

Buat Yang Tersayang

by Maya Rasyidah

480 pages

Grup Buku Karangkraf Sdn Bhd - Alaf 21

It's kindda funny how's my local dialect being put into typed words. And reading it honestly, for me quiet difficult. In this novel, the heroin came from Labuan, a tax free Malaysian island just off Borneo and in a way, the people there shared few cultures (and language) similar to Brunei.

The day she was born, Syira was pratically engaged with one of her parents' bestfriends's son. I would say Syira was a unique person; she was so good in everything.

Before she further her studies (to become a doctor), her parents had decided to marry her off with her "fiance", known as Airy. Airy, called Syira up and told her his heart was taken by someone else and over the phone, he made few conditions to their arranged marriage. Syira, just accepted it only with 1 condition; to allow her to continue her study.

But with her characters, Airy couldn't help but to fall in love with his own wife but his mind rejected the idea and asked him to be faithful to his "Bunga Angkasa aka Cikgu Ash"; whom he met only twice and without knowing that his "Bunga Angkasa aka Cikgu Ash" was his own wife!

Realisation came a bit late; Airy said something that hurt Syira's feeling; Syira packed her stuffs and continued her study abroad. 2 years, she didn't come home - not to her parents, not to Airy, not to Malaysia.

When Syira eventually came back, she was surprised to see Airy had changed into a very caring, loving person. She only thought of 2 things: Airy had married his "Bunga Angkasa" or he wanted to divorce her. Airy's actions confused her even more but his past behaviours made Syira reluctant to love him as before.
So what would happen between them? What Syira would do when she found out that her competition (for Airy's love), Bunga Angkasa was herself?

Marvelous read!!

My rating: 8/10

Next review: Tuan Rumah Pembantu Rumah by Orkid Edyliyne

　

Danial's Nikah

Finally, I had the time to upload some pictures from my cousin, Danial Chong's wedding.

Enjoy!

Congratulations!!!

Novel Review: Dibius Cinta



Dibius Cinta

by Qash Irdina

466 pages

Fajar Pakeer Sdn Bhd

If Afifah Yusof's Jodoh Kau & Aku is a smooth "novel life" then Dibius Cinta, I would say a very problematic, chiotic novel life.

Cazlin Amalina was considered an orphan left only with her brother; dad disappeared when she was in her mum's womb. Her accidental meetings with Adam Syafiq were not the pleasant. Until one day, when Cazlin's brother, Cazlan Ahmad Hadi, saved Adam Syafiq's mum from a kidnapping. Her brother was shot dead and Puan Sri Saleha, Adam's mum owed her life to Cazlin and made Cazlin her adopted daughter.
But it's hard to keep a grown up man and woman in a home with no ties. To make it easier for the parents, Adam was asked by his mum to marry Cazlin on her "so-called death bed". His love for his mum made Adam agreed eventho' he had a gf, Hana.

As the days passed, Adam was falling more in love with Cazlin and viceversa but Hana made it all haywire! Their marriage was ok for a time but then Hana made sure they were never really happy. Threating Adam's sister, Ayuna, Hana managed to make Cazlin to misscarry.

Episodes by episodes came into their marriage due to Hana, caused by Hana and at one point, everything came out. Cazlin finally met her father, who happened to be Hana's father too! Surprise!!! Hana was diagnosed with brain cancer and her dying wish was to marry Adam.

Would Adam marry Hana? Would Cazlin fight for her love or let her husband go?
I'm not gonna spell it all out here. It's an okay novel but I don't understand why this novel made it as a "best seller". Compared to others, I think it doesn't live up to that stage - just yet.

My rating: 5/10

Next review: Buat Yang Tersayang by Maya Rasyidah

Money Driven Hobby

"What's your hobby?", a colleague asked me recently.

My answer would be a lot but the one on top of that "a lot" would definitely be books, as most of you would guess.

I would spend endlessly for books and it's something I couldn't control.

"So what's yours?" I asked him back and guess what he said.

Two words...

"Bank notes"

and I was shocked when he showed me his collections.

He has 15 Bank Notes book collection with bank notes from around 88 countries all over the world and some dated back in the 1920's

fewwwhhh...
that's what I would call passion

I only managed to snap 2 of the banknotes - the French!

I don't know why but I love the French currencies..

January Weddings

First and foremost,

I would like to apologize to my old mate, Tina for not being able to attend her wedding, 

which was held on 1st January - 01/01/2012

Congratulations and the very best of happiness to both you and your husband.

Second wedding,

Siti's!

I managed to crash into her glamorous (so many Pehins and Datins) wedding last 23rd January!

Congratulations Siti and Afi!

And the last wedding I attended for January was my cousin's, Danial Chong.

If you guys remembered, he is the one who converted Islam last October.

 the nikah

the sanding

Congratulations to cousin, Danial and wife.

To the bride, welcome to our rojak family ;)

p.s. pictures from Danial's nikah and wedding days would be posted soon... 

Novel Review: Tiada Dua

Tiada Dua

by Nurfaza Alisya

634 pages

Fajar Pakeer Sdn Bhd

When an accident occured between Nurin Syakirah and Faizal Faiz, Faizal knew it was love at first sight but Nurin who dislike and uncomfortable with Faizal's  attitude, lied and told she was married. Faizal let her go coz for him, a married woman was simply not his type.

Their second accidental meeting came Nurin was running away from an ex-boyfriend, Shamsul. Faizal saved her from falling down the stairs. Nurin was speechless upon realising that Faizal was the one who saved her (coz her heart skipped few beats) and Shamsul took the advantages to comfort her. Assuming that Shamsul was Nurin's husband (due to their intimacy), Faizal was shocked when he found out that his parents had arranged a marriage between him and Nurin!! With a negative attitude towards Nurin, thinking that she had an affair with Shamsul, Faizal promised not to touch Nurin and they would only pretend to be a loving couple.

As the days passed, Shamsul kept on chasing after Nurin, which made her relationship with Faizal worsen. Jasmin, Shamsul's wife and Nurin's roomate (in university) was furious when she found out that Shamsul is still in love with Nurin. Norsiah, Shamsul''s cousin and Faizal's ex-girlfriend, who was divorced came back and was hoping to get Faizal's love back. Datuk Mahadi and Datin Sofia, Shamsul's adopted parents kept on looking for their long lost real-son. Zarif, who lost Adibah, changed the moment he saw Nurin.

How all these people eventually meet up with each other?

From a reader to another reader, this is a must read novel! It took me a day to finish it... just because I'm very impatient to know the ending... LOL!; although I did skip to the last few pages just to know the ending even before I reach there.

BUT... aha! there is a ... BUT...!

Althought the storyline impresses me, the editing does NOT! I did check and the book I own happens to be the 1st publication. I don't know whether they have a lousy editor or this novel is never being edited at all! There are SO MANY spell mistakes, words missing, sentences jumble up... bla bla bla..

Luckily I'm a person with imagination (LOL!) and I had read too much novels to know (more or less) what the author tries to explain. But all in all, I'm really disappointed with the editing. I do hope the publisher and the editor would try their very best to minimise the editing errors in the next publications. I mean, this novel has the potential to be BIG!

My rating: 6/ 10 (it would be a lot higher if not for the editing errors) *BIG SIGH*

Next review: Dibius Cinta by Qash Irdina

Novel Review: Jodoh Kau & Aku

Jodoh Kau & Aku

by Afifah Yusof

370 pages

Fajar Pakeer Sdn Bhd

Hmmm...

How shall I start this novel's review?

Hmmm...

Okay! Have you ever experience chasing after a train or a bus? Well, as fo me, I had chased MRT and buses before, so I know how it would feel.

And that's how would I say about this novel. It has the good storyline but in my opinion the author is in a rush to finish her 'masterpiece' so everything is just so straight forward.

Natasya and Hana are half-siblings; they share the same father but different mothers. And their characters are totally opposite from each other. Natasya is the 'good' one while Hana is the 'evil' one.. haha! Reminds me of Cinderella or in novel-wise, more or less like Siti Rosmizah's Lafazkan Kalimah Cintamu.

Ashraf, a lawyer is supposed to be Hana's boyfriend but when Hana managed to catch a bigger fish than Ashraf, Ashraf was crushed. Revengeful, he made sure he marries the sister, Natasya. Their father, Datuk Hasnol was furious when he found out Natasya is having a relationship with just a mere lawyer - due to an understanding created by Hana and taken advantage by Ashraf. So, Natasya married Ashraf and Datuk Hasnol no longer welcomes Natasya to his family.

As they move on with their lives, Natasya fell in love with Ashraf, knowing that Ashraf still love Hana. Ashraf, on the other hand couldn't explain his own feelings until one day, he told Natasya of his true feelings. They are living happily. When Datuk Hasnol's company was sued, Ashraf comes to the rescue and Datuk Hasnol in the end accepted Natasya and Ashraf back into his family. Hana eventually comes to her senses and as always, it comes to a happy ending for everyone.

But as I said, everything is so straight forward. It makes me wonder if life could be ever that smooth... oh well! It's worth the read, I guess.

My rating: 5/10

Next review: Tiada Dua by Nurfaza Alisya