It feels rather weird writing my entry from Cardiff.
A whole chapter on London has ended for me. It feels like…this is it. I no longer have an address in the UK and could no longer call myself a Londoner. Not that I ever have, anyway, but still. And leaving behind the chaos of Beaux-Art along with Emir and Imar and my brother at Finsbury Park feels a bit melancholic. Not sad, but I have that homesick feeling at the back of my mind.
Leaving the house in its original condition, albeit slightly bruised.
I will definitely remember the times in Beaux-Arts with fond memories. From the happy times we sing and have terrible jokes to the sheer annoyance of sharing a house with two teenage boys (seriously, you guys don’t know to wipe the counter?). Even at the last moment, after we said farewell and feeling all ‘awwwww’ and sad, and leaving the house with happy thoughts the boys didn’t fail to irritatingly-amuse us by making me and Shaz sort 10 kg worth of shillings on Llyod’s coffee table just because they were too tired to pour it into a change-machine near our house!! We have this whole ‘balang’ of shillings weighing 10kg and Shaz had gotten the boys to carry it to Morrison near our house and dump it into the change-machine where it will be sorted out automatically and the machine will give you notes. They had carried the shillings all the way to a cafe to have breakfast, which is only metres away from Morrison!! They decided not to continue their quest to Morrison cause the shillings were too heavy and came back home with it! So, me and Shaz ended up carrying the 10kg weight, along with our BAGS all the way to Bayswater and then to Oxford Street to Lloyd’s bank and ended up sorting it manually into little plastic bags! Imagine, we spent good hour sorting 10kg worth of shillings that amounted to £60 just because!
Hahaha.
It was actually rather fun, so no hard-feelings.
Really?!
There are lots of things to miss about living in Beaux- Art. The trip to the gym’s shower everyday with Shaz because our shower doesn’t work, the ‘Radio Sumatera’ by Imar and Emir, their obsession with chat-roullete which seriously amused me and Shaz, the singing sessions, the heart-to-heart session, the dinner table family meals, the dodgy moments, birthdays, Imar and Emir serious sadness over one lost football match, sharing good news with each other and all other soppy stuff like that and getting into fights with Emir over everything from causing destruction to his little HALO models by creating earthquakes to teasing the hell out of each other. And really, just the moments we share together – like a family 
The End.
Summer is blisteringly hot. Extremely hot. I was slowly melting in the bus.
I realized that I don’t actually have a functional summer wardrobe. Besides few shirts, I have only got loads of awesome t-shirt which of course, must be worn with cardigan!! And I just had to try on my leather vintage shoes.
AAHH! It was hot hot hot!! Cardigan and leather shoes are the summer no-no.
Anyway, a really,really cute guy was promoting this Human Rights magazine outside the library. He asked if I am interested in Human Rights stuff and if I study Human Rights Law. I answered yes. Yes to anything you say, cik abang.
No, I didn’t study Human Rights law. But I did study Public International Law – and that’s almost like Human Rights Law. A very,very BIG almost. I started talking about how his magazine concept would be truly beneficial for my country. And how I want to fight for Human Rights awareness in Malaysia. Well, this I do. But it was said with an extra fervour. Just in case he missed the hint.
The magazine is called New Internationalist. It is basically non-political magazine that strives to bring to public eye the dimension and scope of whatever issue they focus on each month. It’s actually pretty cool. For example, one of the month, they were focusing on world population – and had great and influential thinkers to write for them. Whether it should be sustained for the growth of industry and economy sector or should it be restricted – because our earth cannot support it. They usually get someone from the government to contribute in their issues to explain public policy and how the state see it. Then, they would contrast it with opinions from different school of thoughts and also general information regarding the issue. I think it’s a great way to really get into the depth of something – you have one whole issue covering one single conflict or interest – and by great thinkers!
And they have got lots of other interesting issues. Islamic power in Europe, for example. Another on deportation. And he was telling me about past issues and future issues.
I asked him if he is one of the editors.
He said, laughingly (so cute!!!), “Well, one day I wish I could be. I mean, Trotsky once wrote in the magazine, and clearly I am not exactly the level of anywhere near Trotsky..do you know Trotsky?”
“Trotsky? Yeah, sure I do.” *stare unblinkingly at him*
The magazine is pretty damn smart to put him up to promote. I don’t think anyone minded getting stopped by him at the entrance of the library and waste precious reading time just to talk to him.
Anyway, HI SAM CIK ABANG~ he is nowhere as cute as you, of course!! If you sell the magazine, I would buy ALL of it straight away, no question asked.
Most successful promoter for anything to me >.<
Alright, back to work. The weather has gone lovely now. Bright but not sunny and breeze blowing.
I pray that Allah gives me His Rahmat for this last paper of mine. Amin.
I need to lose weight and gain momentum.
Summer so far :
I have done 3 out of 4 papers. I have my last one in about less than a fortnight. A last one before this world explode and I will be like the fallen petal that travels far into the wind and the sky and settle on the ground after a warm voyage through the world.
InsyaAllah, after exam and before going back to Malaysia for good, I will be travelling for a long bit.
But the best thing about present is – the Sun has shine for days and days. And the weather is so warm. The weather is like morning and evening in Malaysia – never afternoon. THANK GOD!!
Yes, self-timer is the ultimate camwhore indulgence.
Everyone is outside their houses now. Seven Sisters road is crowded, the car-boot market hyped and the atmosphere is just full of buzz. Everyone smiling and the sun is shining – such a contrast to Winter’s gloom when everyone looks dodgy and pale – in black.
Time is flying with lazy rhythm – my books are left unread. I am trying so hard to just sit there and read – to no avail.
Will miss this so bad.
Well, this is my final year here..I guess this is it. After this, London wouldn’t recognize me anymore. My passport without my student visa would make me a foreigner. It has been a home for 3 years, yet in a blink of an expiry date – I can be an immigrant.
Sunny London
Yes, what a lazy post this is. Hopefully next time I could get some pictures of the Antlers gig from Feera to put up here.
Buckingham Palace, Spring sunset 2010.
The time you feel high up in the sky for one pinnacle of a moment.
On a side note, yesterday I had an all-nighter finishing up my Jurisprudence essay, and munched through a box of excellent, rich chocolate biscuit with chocolate cream inside that’s neither too sweet nor too chocolatey. It was just good. I reached my hand into the biscuit box and realized there is only one more left. Ah well, I thought. Might as well finish the whole thing. And then I read the nutrition fact at the back of the box.
*gulp*
Per biscuit : 375 Cal.
Per Box : 2275 Cal !!!!
HUWAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!
I just consumed 150g worth of chocolate biscuits at 2275 Cal!!! AHHHH!!
Maybe I should have gone bulimic yesterday!! 
So today I decided to keep the calorie low by munching on cherry tomatoes and only eat a bowl of cereal.
But sigh. Ben & Jerries had to have their FREE CONE DAY today, so I had a cone of banana ice cream with nut and chocolate pieces!!
It was so good to eat it with the sunshine and fat flowers everywhere.
Takpe. There is always tomorrow!!!
Last weekend we had visitors. Hunny and Bell came down to London, so I took the chance to get out of the house and take pictures in Hyde Park. It was so brilliantly sunny, and flowers were literally getting sunburn – they’ve gone crisp and brown – especially delicate blossoms such as roses. Nonetheless, it’s all green everywhere, and there were THOUSANDS of people frolicking in the sun.
Sole purpose of this picture is to show you how long my legs are. For once!
I don’t necessarily get the hype over a spot of sun in the grass. Yes, I appreciate the sun after the long drought of winter, but I prefer the softer shine of spring with flowers growing and budding and chill breeze about. Or maybe because it is hard to say farewell to fair, winter-bleached skin I am having now. Ahh shucks. After exams and summer in Europe, I’ll be proper brown with my freckles more defined (they have been there all my life but after Turkey last summer, they seem more obvious)!
All purple and pink
I am studying in front of a full-wall window and dang, my hands are getting tanned as I work! Complaint aside, it is beautiful to study with the sky right above you, and puffy clouds travelling across the blue ocean – and volcanic ash opaque in the far distant. The pictures are taken by my cousin, Faisal whom had the honorable duty as the photographer. We came to Hyde Park with the girls dragging their luggage and sat for about few minutes before thay rushed to Victoria to catch their bus to Cardiff. But it was so beautiful and so nice to just laze and sit for a bit, it was worth it I wished they had more time so we could chill for longer in the sun together.
Daffodil in abundance!
When they left, I walked with Faisal from Queensway’s part of Hyde Park all the way to Trafalgar Square!! Stopping briefly at Marble Arch, Buckingham Palace and Green Park and Serpentine lake. It seemed so far away compared to when we ran around the same route during London Amazing Race! So far away and so so HOT, I got sunstroke after that and had headache that night.
Omg, gediknya, macam mana nak balik Malaysia ni?? *drama* hehe.
It is really unfair that the revision weeks are placed most inconveniently in the months where flowers bloom and little petals drop like snow from the trees with long days creating beautiful sunset and little animals out and about.
Spring’s clear blue sky.
I am strategically placed in front of a large full-wall window, facing a garden with fountain, and the view of sunrise.
Manor Garden’s garden.
You can see me gaping and daydreaming for a long time, with unread books all over my table – along with almonds (food for brain), a souvenir from egypt from EG, scattered pens, highlighters, ruler, a mug of day-old coffee, a glass for water, stick-it notes, vitamin C tablets, papers!, headband, minyak angin, and a basic calculator. Oh, and a dead bonsai tree. Emir and Imar loves bragging how they spent their days outside.
Day out at the court outside
‘Eh, hari ni matahari cantik gile, taknak keluar ke?’ ‘The weather is brilliant today’ ‘I saw the sunset through windows’ reflection, and it was beautiful’ I listened with awe and envy. But anxiety grips my heart tight, and thus I stay. When I do get out, it is marvelous!
It’s as if nature is just awashed with magic. Where the tress that I have grown accustomed to see them dead and naked have suddenly grown little flowers everywhere, and are sprouting greens which makes the pavements lined with soft fallen petals!
Cherry blossoms in abundance
In the midst of all the sunshine joy, Iceland’s volcano erupted causing much pain to travelers all over Europe as flights are cancelled due to hazardous particles in the air. It had brought ash all the way from the land of the north to most of Scandinavian countries and Western Europe countries. The haze is obvious and thick, and it acts like a perfect filter for sunset, catching its brilliant light and emits it evenly, deepening the colors through opaque shades. It is gorgeous.
Volcano Sunset
While we were enjoying the sunset, a woman came and marveled at the view as well. She said, “Well, at least there’s one thing a volcano is good for”.
It reminds me of the chaos of snow, where travelers were stuck everywhere yet the sceneries were gorgeous, it is unbelievable that it can cause such destruction and misery!
Brotherly Love
I have yet to explore parks for more flower shot, have only been able to go around Manor Gardens.
I want out.
Here’s to a looooong spring that will last till exam is over. I wish, I wish.
I was right down in the gym’s shower, when the phone rang. It was Miss Hafiza, the lady who takes care of scholars from Securities Commission, she said she is already at Holloway Road station, waiting for me.
WHAT?! She was supposed to be here in another half an hour!
I rushed to my room and literally grabbed the first things I saw and threw it on me. And rushed out to meet Ms. Hafiza. I ended up wearing my jegging, black busker’s shoes, grey top, H&M leather jacket which I had not gathered enough gut to wear before and BOWLER STRAW HAT!
It was rather street and very casual, but my consolation was that I will only accompany Ms Hafiza to the area around my house – to Clarks, James Selby and Arsenal shop. I would be safe within the parameter of my house, and will not be caught off guard with this outfit.
I couldn’t have been more wrong.
Miss Hafiza first insisted I join her for lunch at Bayswater with Zee How and Afi – two UKEC kids at Noodle Oodle.
“But I am not wearing my tudung!! Just this straw bowler!”
It took her awhile to convince me to come along and I reluctantly agreed. After all, I wanted to help her with her shopping bags, so I thought why not. A quick nip and then march straight to the nearest tube station and dash home.
Not a bad idea.
“We would only be meeting UKEC people, right? I will not see Datin with this outfit. No way.”
She assured me we won’t.
Except our conversation turned to a search for a belt, which meant I enthusiastically agreed to show her the butter-soft leather belt from Uniqlo and then her Black Berry made a sound and it so happened that Datin invites her and anyone she’s with to an afternoon tea at the Hyatt Regency, Marble Arch.
*Eyes pop out in horror*
I am too casual to step into a hotel to have tea!! The bellboy would look posher than me! I didn’t dab on any perfume before I left and my bright pink socks are peeking from my shoes!! Plus, I wore no make up. Oh no.
The Montagu at Hyatt
My roommate advised me to get a scarf from Tie-Rack to save my situation. I decided to de-tour into House of Fraser and get a make-over! 
Hehe, and a spritz of Ange Au Demon by Givenchy to complete it all.
It went alright after that
Beautiful setting of an English Afternoon Tea
The afternoon tea was fabulous, dahling!~ Finger sandwiches (prawn mayo, cucumber and watercress, smoked salmon, roasted beef and egg mayo), which to be honest I cannot taste any difference with what Pret A Manger has except that it is 3 times smaller, and pastries which taste so good I think I was the one who polished them all. They’ve got little fruit tarts (passionfruit, raspberries, blueberries and peach on creamy custard tart), opera cakes, chocolate macaroons, chocolate muffins and excellent eclairs. And then, the highlight of the tea – scones with clotted cream and jam. It was good but I don’t think it’s something I would rave about. I guess you pay for the calm atmosphere with superb service and great finger foods (which were not good value for money) but most importantly, you must have good company. Oh yes, they also have a wide selection of tea. I had this flowering lily and jasmine tea. Yum!
It was a good experience, I must say, this English afternoon tea. I think this is my first proper one. I did enjoy it and having Datin, Laura and Miss Hafiza along with Zee How was a good combination for great conversations.
Definitely something I would do again with girlfriends in the future It’s like high class mamak. You kind of just chill, talk and eat slowly, just to have luxurious leisure time with your company.
I finished school late today, when the night had settled into every crook of London, a dusky black shadow that engulfs the street, illuminated by the studded jewels of orange lamp post.
For the first time ever, I had goosebumps at the back of my neck walking down the street towards Manor Gardens. Thick, heavy fog seemed to be nestling upon the sinister-looking branches, reaching out eerily towards you.
A distant cry of a hungry baby in the background along with constant scraping of my boots against the wet glistening road dragging my shivering self closer and closer to home, praying I would make it, has got to be my longest journey to safety .
And a hooded figure walking, neither towards you nor further away from you.
It is the London Jack the Ripper roamed.
Jumblist Massive is a pop-up charity jumble sale that stocks up last season’s URBAN OUTFITTER’S stuff and other high street brand, who gave them away for free to the organizer so they could hold this charity sale.
It’s free entry.
It’s almost like a secret sale.
It’s underground.
It’s dark.
And you pay what you think the item is worth!!
WHAT??!
So, we went there early and was the front line of the crowd pushing down the stairs the moment it opened.
Wow. Adrenaline rush. Excited and full of suspense, we rushed down only to be greeted by a dark, poorly lit with blue lights basement with arrays of stuff!
Heaps and heaps of t-shirts,dresses, pants and jackets and cardigans, and belts and bags and SHOES! with handbags and a small boy’s corner with a corner for bric-bracs and books and board games! Whoo hoo!!!
I just grabbed belts – tan, black, white, red weave and yellow. An urban outfitter’s cable cardigan with gold buttons. A pair of black shiny shoes. And when the lady came to pour out new clothes, I just grabbed at whatever I could. And saw that I manage to got hold of a black high waist skirt, and a high waist denim button down skirt. Shaz got a really cool skinny pants for me. So awesome, it’s my best buy today!! And I got a balloon-message novelty greeting card. Oh, and a scarf.
Shaz got three awesome tops and a naughty party game set. Yum.
And Mek got some tops, a pair of glasses and scarves.
It was literally a grab and snatch deal. I even had to pull some tops from someone’s foot as things started to drop on the floor. Or just grab the shiniest or prettiest fabric and tug it HARD. And put it back in the mess when you find out it’s a silly frilly thing. The darkly lit place meant that people just take up anything and offer their price at the till. It was only when I went out that I realize that this cream colored scarf I bought is actually yellow!
I got two full plastic bags of stuff and walked away with all that for only 10 pounds!
I was sated. And the night followed on with a party
HAPPY 23RD BIRTHDAY BEDA!! MUCH LOVE TO YOU!!
Before I continue to blog about Hogmanay or other things, I just have to extract something from my mind before I forget the magnificence scale of today.
Today is the third day of school and first day of snow for the week. London, as the headlines has been screaming so far, had been transformed to a snowy capital – all icy roads and hardened snow and slush.
But today, it was a totally new experience for me – to be walking to school in snow. It somehow has this different feeling to it compared to other days when I just walk in the snow. Here I am, busy with schedule and late for school but the soft snow falling down seem to contrast greatly with the urgency of my matter.
I am really terrible at describing this.
It is that moment of great appreciation in life – when you are hurrying to gain your interest in life and then there is this beauty that effortlessly overwhelm the whole of London. It is just amazing.
I love it so much. I have already put this day as the ‘day to remember’ in my mind. I have, so far, 5 memories that I can vividly remember the scene and recall the exact feelings. If I remember it often enough, I can hopefully remember it for a long,long time.
“Nenek dulu pegi sekolah dalam se-now” Whoohoo!
I even made sure I studied by the window in the library, which overlooks River Thames, the ghostly trees that line the river and boats and shrubs under a blanket of white.
It was dusk when I finished school and the sky was a pale hue of blue and purple when I walked along Manor Gardens. Snow was falling down most,most gently. Not too packed together, just lightly showering the street.
At that moment, I was awestruck by its opulence beauty. I thought it looked like the stars have fallen from the sky, gracing the earth. The purple sky made it as if the world has gone parallel and the sky is right in front of me, bringing the stars to me. I opened my mouth and a snow drop fell into it – and I could only smile silly to myself for such abundance of nature’s sweet treat. It’s like finally,I am amongst the stars!
This is my favourite snow photo, taken by Hana’ Fedora. Focus your eyes on the tree – it looks as if someone had drawn it on a white piece of paper with charcoal blocks. She captures the essence of what I feel perfectly with that tree – it is a wonder that I savor and relish whenever I set my eyes upon the world covered in snow.
