Verse of the Soul

Salam..

         Hey blog, it's been a while since my last update ya. I've just got nothing to rant on here. That's why.. And also the previous weeks had been a bit occupied with the practical tests, submissions and what not. So, we couldn't make the weekends any better other than just staying at home. It left me with no idea on what to express.

Today is the last lecture of my first year. Can't believe I almost make it to the end. The final is within two-weeks time. *oh pening pening. Asal type final exam aje rasa mual  =,=

Anyway, what I wanna share here is my favourite verse in the Quran. A friend of mine shared this when I was in a deep sorrow. Biasa la manusia kan..ade naik turunnya.

al-Hadid : 22,23

This verse left a big impact on me. Betapa hebatnya buku Allah ini. It has everything in it. You need not to seek for something else because everything is just there in the Quran. My murabbi once said, 'you're hardly understood what is Allah trying to convey through His book unless you are put in the situation as described'. And I thank Allah for putting me in this situation and also giving me the opportunity to have this nice feeling inside me. Rasa disayangi.. :)

I've learnt a lot throughout life. Dengan turunnya ujian dari Allah, it has somehow built the sense of maturity in me in dealing with the varieties of life. Allah will never burden His servants beyond their limits and that's why we have to look through the hardships He gave in a positive way, in a way that we can take some ibrah. What I've always reminded myself is for every test given by Allah is actually a sign of love. He wants me to return to Him and this is one of the ways for Him to call me back towards Him. 

At this time as well, we will see the true colours of the people around us. They said the true companions are those who stood by us through ups and downs and I could see it now. Even the people you are not aware of could be the best adviser while the people you hope for could have just disappeared without words. Well..that's life. At least it makes me a stronger person. I've always been in a comfort zone all this while. I've always got what I wanted for. In short, life has been so easy for me before. When the hard times came, it feels like giving up, but again I thank Allah for His rahmat that made me keep holding on and He replaced what I lost by sending me several friends to put things back right onto its place.

made by yana ghani

Till then, Assalamualaikum..

First Week of Easter

Salam..

     The first week of Easter has been so exciting yet terrifying *don't get me wrong. It's actually a wonderful terrifying experience. tehee. Since the snow had stop falling although some still remain on the ground, we decided to proceed with our outing. And so we had a lunch at nando's before hitting the bowling center in the afternoon. Just an ordinary activity but at least it did bring the boredom away without having anything particular to do.

posing aje lebih tapi baling bola masuk longkang.hihi

When Monday came, we went to Alton Towers, the day that I've been waiting for. It's similar to Genting Highland but I bet this one is more extreme. Our train to Uttoxeter was at 6.30 a.m and I woke up at 3.30 a.m, performed my prayer and made a fried rice in case of hunger. 

There were two interchanges we had to make before arriving at Uttoxeter station. Happened to be, Kak Mirah (my senior) was a bit late and we had to wait for the next train to Leeds and it dragged the schedule afterwards. But at last, we managed to arrive at Alton Towers even though it was an hour late than the exact plan.

The theme park was not too crowded from what I thought it would be. Anyway it's a good sign since we didn't have to queue too long for our turn to get onto the rides. Unfortunately, most of the rides were closed due to the snow the day before. Pathetic..

That was before we entered The Sanctuary, a haunted hospital. I swear you it was so scary that Akmal only made it half way. The ghosts appeared in every corner and they kept screaming and poking us.

The most scariest part was when we entered a room full of chemicals and there was a psychopath holding a saw and he kept drawing his face towards us. He then went to a lady who was lying on a bed, took out a baby from her tummy and brought the dead baby near us. Seriously, I was about giving up. Huhu..

This was the first ride we had a go at which left us hanging upside down. Thanks God I didn't throw up. Whilst on the ride, I kept thinking, what if the grip slipped off and I fell down like what happened in Final Destination. But the other part of me kept urging to have a try. Otherwise the 30 pound fare would be a waste, right?

Apart from these thriller rides, there were several other attractions in which I would consider suitable for the cowards like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Ice Age, Marauder's Mayhem and so on.

the pirate bay

the ice age

Marauder's Mayhem

driving school for children

kanak kanak yg terlampau ceria

feeling2 dalam  ice age

I was aiming for the roller coaster and to my dismay, all of them were not operating. Anyhow, at about 5.00 p.m, when the theme park was nearly closed, they announced that one of the roller coaster was available after they've cleared the snow. Dapat la jugak merasa even for just a ride. Overall rating I could give is 4 stars since we didn't have a chance to try the most thriller ride due to the snow. And the weather was also killing. It was rather unsatisfactory for it didn't worth the fare. So, pay a second visit maybe? hehe..

That's all for now. Till then, Assalamualaikum

It's Easter Break!!

Salam..

 I think we are already in the spring season but what happens at the moment is the snow keeps falling for two consecutive days. It is even heavier than during the winter. How come?? I'm starting to unlike the snow despite of its cotton-candy look   =_=

      Since we have two weeks break, staying at home without doing nothing is a waste. See..what has the snow done. Our girls-time-out plan is cut off and to be in bed is the only option. *si pemalas memang macam ni

how thick it is

The weather is somehow making me feel gloomy. My windows are all covered with the snow and I could feel the need of sunlight in which I would try my hardest to get rid of it when in Malaysia. Huhu..

Monday..do come faster! As I'll be away from Bradford. It gets me annoyed being stuck in here.

Till then, Assalamualaikum

Eliminating Jahiliyyah

Salam..

        This week has been a bit hectic with a fully-packed schedule during the day and early bedtime at night. One thing I did realize is my disordered sleeping pattern. I could fall asleep as early at 9pm and and wake up just before the Fajr (Subuh) prayer starts. This is where the psychological role takes part to see the clock pointing at 4am, it feels too early to get up that I keep staying on the bed until 6am. In total, I'd been sleeping for 9 hours long. Ohmmyyy...

         But now since Fajr in Bradford starts at 4.30 am and lasts all the way until 6.30 *yess..the sun rises at 6.30am. It feels sooo weird, I have no options other than waiting for the prayer time and manage to stay awake. At least takde la rasa bersalah sangat sebab tido lama2.

         Last Wednesday, me and my housemates took part in an event called One World Week. It was organized for the international students to entertain and celebrate all of the different cultures on campus. We, the Malaysian students, opened up a booth that held some of the Malaysian traditions and food. It was so exciting when the people of different countries kept complimenting our food. In short, the event went smoothly and we did have a lot of fun.

        Regardless of the exhausting day, we still managed to conduct an usrah at night and the topic we discussed was something to ponder which is....

ELIMINATING JAHILIYYAH

           I'm pretty sure most of us are striving to be a better person, whether physically or internally. In other words, struggling to eliminate the jahiliyyah inside us. Sometimes we do realize of the bad things we committed but little that we tried to avoid them. I'm not referring to anyone because this is more to what I'm currently experiencing. I have a lot of things that I'm lacking of, things that I have to make a change, but there's like a devil inside me which insists me to stay the way I am. Of course, as a human, we are not perfect, but how much effort have we put to amend things?

          Up until now, I feel so blessed of how Allah arranged my pattern of life. He'd been putting me in a safe side. I am surrounded by several people who had much less contributed to who I am today. Alhamdulillah..

That's all for now. Till then, Asslamualaikum.. :)

Latest Craving

Salam...

I'm so into desserts these days. Just give me any of it, I'll definitely finish them all. :D

I actually have no idea whether I'm having a sweet tooth or is it the Kelantanese blood flowing inside me that gives this desserts-maniac habit. Might be the desserts itself since I can't really tolerate with sweet things other than desserts.

These are my latest faves

Strawberry + nutella = strawnut
Profiteroles

I know.. I know..It's full of chocolates. Hehe.. But couldn't find a way to resist this. *sigh

Dessert is normally eaten after meals but when it comes to me, it's like a keropok or jajan that you would eat while sitting on a couch and watching tv. =_=

At the end, I couldn't complaint much of my increasing size for it definitely originates from my diet.

So, I asked for a help from Mr.Google and came out with some resolutions.

Diet and nutrition for women  *copypaste

Tip 1 : Eat to control cravings and boost energy

§  Eat breakfast. Get your metabolism going in the morning by eating a healthy breakfast. Studies show that people who eat breakfast tend to weigh less than those who skip it. A solid breakfast provides energy for the day.

§  Eat regularly. Going too long between meals can make you fell irritable and tired., so aim to eat something at least every three to four hours. Support your body's natural cycle of energy by eating a substantial breakfast, a nutritious lunch, a snack around 2

§  Cut the junk. The ups and downs that come with eating sugary snacks and simple carbohydrates cause extreme swings in energy level and mood. Cutting out these foods can be tough, but if you can resist for several days, your cravings will subside.

§  Focus on complex carbohydrates. Foods such as baked potatoes, whole-wheat pasta, brown rice, oatmeal, whole grain breads, and bananas boost your “feel-good” serotonin levels without a crash. They also provide plenty of fiber, so you feel full much longer.

Tip 2 : Moderation is a key

§  Try not to think of certain foods as “off-limits.” When you ban certain foods or food groups, it is natural to want those foods more, and then feel like a failure if you give in to temptation. If you are drawn towards sweet, salty, or unhealthy foods, start by reducing portion sizes and not eating them as often. Later you may find yourself craving them less or thinking of them as only occasional indulgences.

§  Think smaller portions. When dining out, choose a starter instead of an entree, split a dish with a friend, and don't order supersized anything. At home, use smaller plates, think about serving sizes in realistic terms, and start small. If you don't feel satisfied at the end of a meal, try adding more leafy green vegetables or rounding off the meal with fresh fruit. Visual cues can help with portion sizes–your serving of meat, fish, or chicken should be the size of a deck of cards, a slice of bread should be the size of a CD case, and half a cup of mashed potato, rice, or pasta is about the size of a traditional light bulb.

Tip 3 : It's not just what you eat, it's how you eat

§  Eat with others whenever possible. Eating with other people has numerous social and emotional benefits and allows you to model healthy eating habits. Eating in front of the TV or computer often leads to mindless overeating.

§  Take time to chew your food and enjoy mealtimes. Chew your food slowly, savoring every bite. We tend to rush though our meals, forgetting to actually taste the flavors and feel the textures of our food. Reconnect with the joy of eating.

§  Listen to your body. Ask yourself if you are really hungry, or have a glass of water to see if you are thirsty instead of hungry. During a meal, stop eating before you feel full. It actually takes a few minutes for your brain to tell your body that it has had enough food, so eat slowly.

§  Avoid eating at night. Try to eat dinner earlier in the day and then fast for 14-16 hours until breakfast the next morning. Early studies suggest that this simple dietary adjustment—eating only when you’re most active and giving your digestive system a long break each day—may help to regulate weight. After-dinner snacks tend to be high in fat and calories so are best avoided, anyway.

Have to start planning on my healthy diet maybe and look for how long it will last as it's always easier to

be said than done! Hehe.. Till then, Assalamualaikum..

A Brief Flashback

Salam...

       Have you ever felt like going back to your past and enjoying all those precious moments to the fullest? That's what I've been feeling lately. There were too many things came into my mind at the moment. How I used to spend time with my little brothers and sister, joking and poking them around, having some quality time with my mom talking about the future, and a year of foundation in MSU with my fellow housemates. In all honesty, I miss my family. I miss Shah Alam. To conclude, I miss Malaysia. Now I know why they said there's no better place other than home. Yeah.. couldn't agree more.

But hey, why am I not missing the food? ---thinking---

That's because everything is just there in Bradford. Be it a western or a typical Malaysian foodstuff. It's not that weird if you could find daun pandan, serai and asam keping here.

5 months in Bradford has pretty much built up my cooking skill. I can now proudly announced a few dishes I have had a go at. *ini statement bajet. But that also means my mom will be pleased if I could take over her job to do all the cooking once I'm back to Malaysia, doesn't she? Habislaaa...

the three stooges

Standing on the left is Aiman. He is a bit quiet, probably because he's gotta play a role as a brother of two and he often needs to give way to those below him in seeking attention from the eldest. In the middle is Darwish, the aggressive boy. Being the youngest one in the family, he often had his wish fulfilled. And the only girl in the picture is Qistina. She's the only little sister I have and people said that she reminisces me in so many ways. She loves girly thingy and mirror just like I do and etc. I remember a few months back when she kept asking my mom, 'ummi, what month is it now?', knowing the fact that I'll be leaving in September and so she was afraid of approaching that month. Isn't she cute? hehe..

Before pursuing my degree in the UK, I was placed in MSU for a foundation in Biological and Health Science. This was where a completely different phase of my life began. When I was in the secondary school, life was a bit boring since there were just me and my grandma living in a 2-floor bungalow, where I spent most of my time upstairs and being all alone. So when I moved to Shah Alam, living in an apartment of 8, the haywire-ness with the housemates went through all the way and that makes me miss those moments a lot.

Now we've all gone our separate ways. 5 of us (including me) are doing Optometry in the UK and the other 3 made it to India, furthering their degrees in Medicine. 

the optometry girls

the medicine girls

May success accompany us through all the way in completing the degree. In syaa Allah.. Till then, Assalamualaikum..

Weekends in Sheffield and Leeds

Salam..

     Remember my aim of being productive during the weekend? So here we go.. a one-and-a-half day visit to Sheffield. This was our first time traveling by train in concern of optimizing the usage of railcard (for a cheaper train fee) we made from going to waste. One of the things you need not to worry upon travelling around the UK is to look for the accommodation because there will always be Malaysians everywhere. Therefore, you could save for more shopping. Hee.. All thanks to Rab for the sleepover at her's and for  being our tourist guide all day long. 

     Sheffield is amazing. Yeah..it really is, if compared to Bradford. Everything is double the size..the city,  the university, Primark, you name it. We really had a great time there. Since the winter is about at its end, I thought of wearing a dress and a jacket wouldn't matter but I was wrong. About 30 minutes wandering around the train station, only to realize that I've put on the wrong attire.The weather was just like killing me yet I had to endure with it. *bajet minah salleh la pakai nipis nipis pun x sejuk  =_=. We went to many places but not many pictures were taken. These are all I have.

See..what I'd put on that day

A failed attempt of applying the size constancy demo

Feeling like a supermodel, huh??

the winter garden

We also entered the museum.*yeah..sounds like a primary school's educational trip. But to be honest, that was the most awesome museum I'd ever been. I kid you not! It wasn't just displaying all those historical thingy, but more to entertainment for children. Oh how lucky the kids over here. They are really well entertained.

.

weston park

       For this weekend, we went to Leeds along with our murabbi, Kak Syahirah for a nasyeed event. This event was held only for muslimah and of course, the participants were allowed to dress in their Sunday best and sang their lungs out since there were no non-muhrim. Cool aite?? And to my surprise, most performances were not just the ordinary nasyeed we often heard. I mean, nasyeed, you know, kinda sounds slow and polite. But this one, they even danced, rapped and marched. Double cool!! The judges really had a hard time of choosing the winner. 

      Maybe next year we should participate as well, making the first representative from Bradford. Hehe.. Plus, the juniors are coming. The more, the merrier it will be. *excited. Not to mention, there were also a number of booths selling malaysian food. Even though most of them were a a bit pricey, the craving made it worth the money. And so I had nasi kerabu and sate for the first time since I'm in the UK.

     

hanya mampu melihat dari luar  =_=

That's all for now. Till then, Assalamualaikum.. :)