Travel Alone

Somewhere in Birmingham, UK

Spring flowers in Manchester, UK

So I just got back from my first trip to the European continent last Saturday. I spent about 3 weeks in England, UK, where I headed to Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, York, London and Windsor. Initially, Paris was supposed to be in the plan but prices went up as I looked too late. But its alright, London needed a lot of touring!

I decided on heading to the UK all of a sudden because I found that I had trouble moving on in Brunei after a 10-year relationship I was in ended just last year, and I'm glad I made the travel. In a way, it had helped push the moving on process a few steps further.

Manchester United Stadium, Manchester, UK

In Birmingham and Manchester, I had my cousins who brought me to Liverpool and York, but I was by myself for about 10 days in London and met an old friend in between.

I loved London the most, and went mostly a heritage tour by myself. I loved the Royal Parks and Kensington Palace. Photos will be uploaded onto my facebook account. I took about 3,300+ photos but if I took out the lousy ones, I'll probably be left with about 2000 reasonable ones.

Touring by yourself is good because you can take your time at places you like without worrying about the other. I really recommend it – travelling alone.

At Madame Tussauds, London, UK. I wasn't feeling good on the day and the crowds were massive in there so I looked a disaster in all the Madame Tussauds photos.. but nothing some Photoshop work can't fix now, can they?

She Loves You!

  I've also added a new 104 Thing to do, which is to do the splits. I think I can.. Mon, you should take part too :)

Shit Perth People Say

I know this is not a 104 post, but I really miss Perth. And one of my 104 things to do is to head to down Perth to meet the left side. – Hanah

"A lighthearted look at some of our Perth peculiarities. We asked our friends and family - you'd be surprised how often some common themes came up."

First time volunteering at the Frontline (A very toned down front line)

Yesterday, was a rather interesting Saturday. I followed my workmate, F, to pack food for the poor on the streets of Kuala Lumpur at this place in Kota Damansara, and we sorted out clothes to give away or sell at a flea market.






After the packing and sorting out, the newbies were brought into the auditorium for a short briefing before heading out to Klang bus station in the city.







I followed the Scottish Muslim-convert founder of Reach Out, Pete, and he explained a lot about the organization. I came to know that Feexa, the co-founder, is his wife. I found that really sweet. That they work together for this.






As an ex-policeman, he knows the streets well. I voiced out my concerns of a dangerous "crowd" and he said that if someone gave you food at 2am at night, you are a "friend".





During the ride, I learnt that it's not about only giving but its also about getting these people off the streets, to start life again.






There were loads of stories told and too many to blog it out. But they are all embedded into my head and if I remember, I'll tell it to you.









When we arrived at the place, I got a bit intimidated actually seeing the 250 recipients waiting. It sure is a different crowd. I was the first to distribute the food and as I gave them out, my heart became 'soft' and a lot more 'softer' after we entered the storm drain area.








My perception on a lot of things have changed after participating in this. If I can, in future, I would like to help out again. Inshallah.






If you're in Malaysia and would like to contribute:

www.facebook.com/reachoutmal
www.reachoutmy.wordpress.com


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Jalan Masjid,Petaling Jaya,Malaysia

Matchmaking FAIL

I don't think this could be a 104 but it's something "daring".

I signed up on a reliable, Muslim matrimonial site in search of my "jodoh". After filling up the questions and selected my payment, I entered in my credit card details. It got declined of only RM20. I tried a few times again and it got declined.

God is trying to tell me something I think.

Volunteer

I registered to be a volunteer for Islamic Relief Malaysia last week and I would have to attend a Volunteer Induction Course on Saturday, September 24 2011.



Let's hope they have that course in English!

(Hanah)

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Jalan Masjid,Petaling Jaya,Malaysia

Meet a celebrity

He may not be a Hollywood celebrity, but he has certainly appeared on television a lot of times!  Here is me with Chef Wan 'Food Ambassador of Malaysia', at Brunei International Airport en route to Kuala Lumpur in June 2011.

Grow out my head of short hair

So it has been like what, a couple of years since I haven't contributed to our little project, Mon?

I'm SO SORRY ♥

The past couple of years have been a really huge emotional rollercoaster ride. Finally, I get to contribute to #2 of my 104 List.

My shoulder-length short hair, 3 years ago.

And my long hair, is somewhere underneath my hijab, that I started wearing May 1, 2010.

I'm not going to say that this is an everyday thing, but rather one of my stepping stones towards understanding and living the Islamic way of life. I try to use it as much as possible, everyday, and God only knows if I'm willing to totally make the jump :-)

Head down to Brisbane

That's lazy Fitzgerald.

Buy a gift for myself on my birthday

Wee. I placed an order for this limited edition boxset a couple of weeks ago and I got hold of it last night. They only ship within the USA but I have a cousin living there and had it delivered to her address there first.


There's 20 CDs inside.


Mmm... one of my favourite MJ artworks of his androgynous eyes.


Each box is numbered for authenticity.


And each single comes in the form of a dual disc. One side CD for audio and one side DVD for the video.


Should I splurge on his concert at the 02? We'll see.

Eat Nasi Katok (First time)

Alright, this is long overdue and sounds more like a dare and a promo, rather than a 'to-do'.

Nasi Katok (Nasi means Rice. Katok means Malay in Malay language) is a Bruneian meal. It is not a delicacy or a national dish. People would go to the Nasi Katok seller's home (they normally do their business from home by fixing a little stall, and it works like a drive-in, kampong style) and "knock" their door to tell them that they want to buy some. That's how it got its name.


Actually, the term Nasi Katok came into my life just a few years back, so I think it must be a new thing. Nasi Lemak is a totally different thing apparently. I don't know how. I recall my younger sister, Fijjy, being crazy over it and then Arafat, my boyfriend, would buy it when he has no time to get dinner.

It is very cheap. Usually sells at B$1 and you get a fair serving of rice, chicken and sauce. I sound like I'm advertising hehe.

Why I didn't try it was because honestly, I am not very much a fan of roadside stall foods and I'm very particular with cleanliness. I am also not very fond of oily foods.


Nasi Katok is usually packed like that for takeaway. Look at the amount of oil seeping through the wrapper.


I didn't finish mine. I only took a few bites and gave it to Arafat to finish.

Fijjy told me that urban legend has it that why Nasi Katok is so popular and addictive was because the sauce has kitten's blood as an ingredient.

Make a 'Thing' Out of My Own Hands

This was what I got up to over the weekend. The Artist sent me an email asking me if I wanted to join her book making workshop for stab bind books. She told me that there were last minute cancellations and I could just fill up the empty slots.

The class was conducted at her residence somewhere near Madang, Berakas.

The Artist

I must say that The Artist did a great job in preparing the items to use beforehand and her instructions were very easy to follow.

I paid B$75, and we didn't have to bring any extra materials with us.

That up there is my very first cover. Cut, wrapped and glued all by myself with the guidance of The Artist of course.

And the end product as above.
She supplied us with little recycled trinkets to add on to our books.

Graduation Photo.

Oh yeah, and the highlight of the class for me was getting to use a drill for the very first time in my life :)

A Refreshing Change in My Working Environment

Goodbye to my workstation.


Today, was my last day after 3 years 3 months.


I resigned.

A refreshing change indeed, empty drawers, erased unnecessary files, so sparkly clean... workload free.

Anybody want to employ me after two months?