...Shahnaz Blogs About Life...

Wish List

2011-01-08T04:51:00.007+13:00

Anyone who pays attention to what I love would know that I simply LOVE Bimba y Lola and their impeccable styles throughout the years... Their leather is lasting and their designs are amazingly unique... Super Mad Loves... Anyhoooooooos... My lust from their FW 2010 collection is the bucket bag and their flat sandal (in black)... Ive been wanting it since October la... Haiz... But because Im in this God forsaken place... I can't seem to purchase it unless Im back in Singapore or Kay Elle... Haiz... So here's the drool worthy pictures of my wish list from Bimba y Lola... Haizzzzz... Any kind souls out there want to sponsor me a bag or the sandals?

Super loves the detailing... Read at JoycetheFairy's page that they have the bucket bag in quilted leather la... I super like it but I prefer these ones above... I can imagine MANY of my outfits looking hotter with this edition... Tres Chic indeed... =)

Super gorgeous right? Its apparently very comfy as well from the reviews Ive read online... I like the style and how it has a little bit of a heel for that feminine feel... Its reminiscent of the Kurt Geiger mesh sandals that Ive been eyeing... Saw that Cotton On has the inspired style for it... Since I am an unemployed beach bum, I might just have to settle for the inspired ones although it isn't as gorgeous as the original... Haiz... Times like this makes me excited to work and earn my first pay check so that I can blow it all on shopping for orgasmic shoes and bags... Haiz... What would Dodol say when he reads this? =)

Ok la Ive gotta run... Too much party planning to be done... Talk soon... *kiss kiss*

Love;
Shahnaz ♥

Busy Bee

2010-12-30T04:40:00.004+13:00

Will be on a hiatus until 10th January... Got tooooooo much things going on until the 14th weekend... Hopefully the next post will be up and about by then... Oh Oh I cheat you all... Not going to write a post about my brother hor... Next entry will be about how I spent my New Years and then I might be up for writing an epic party that Im planning for someone's 21st... Hope it all turns out well and he doesnt actually read my blog... =D So here's how my schedule looks like for the weekends to come...

New Years Weekend : Party @ Abs & Subas
The Week Following : Planning and executing a super 21st for Ravindu and time spent with friends...

8th Jan Weekend : Sat Ravindu's 21st and Adnin's Birthday... Her age is a secret...
The Week Following : Have to sort out my moving home things... Argh!!!

14th Jan Weeken : Ab's going away party...
The Week Following : Follow up on moving home schedule... Argh!!! Scared maxxxxx!!! But stoked at the same time... Talk about mixed feelings... =D

K So I Shall See all you lovelies soooooooooooon!!! *hugs hugs* *kisses kisses*

Love;
Shahnaz ♥

p.s While you wait for me to return... Have a looksies at my twitterpage where I update often!!!

Treating My Parents

2010-12-29T04:30:00.006+13:00

As the precious only daughter of two working parent, I have longed enjoyed the fruits of my parents labour... That's not to say I am a spoilt brat... No no... Its just that aside from working odd contract jobs and holiday part timing at all the respective family businesses, I have NEVER had to work a proper day in my life... Its not that I am lazy but my parents never encouraged working part time while I am studying... Hmmmm I know it sounds like the typical spoilt brat scenario but my Abah's Abah, used to tell my Abah, when he was a young lad, that one should not steal another man's rice bowl... Why should I work when I have everything provided for me at home? If I am working solely to have that extra income so that I can use it to waste away on my shopping, my Abah would gladly give me that extra bit of cash for me to squander away on material buys... Conditions included... Although I have never not have it my way... I'm sorry, this is really beginning to sound like a clueless spoilt princess post... I always do get what I want... A new phone, 10 pairs of shoes on a single day of shopping, countless clothes, odd weird souvenirs from our travels, upscale branded goods and the list goes on... But I always have had to work my sweet magic on them somehow... A sweet smile here, innocent face there and a huge tantrum all around... Hmmmmm... Okay so I AM A SPOILT BRAT!!! But do not for one second think that I take it all for granted... I know how fortunate I am... My parents never fail to remind me of the less fortunate and how I should spare a thought for them... I do... It breaks my heart to see homeless children, women and disabled people... I usually do give them whatever loose change I have (including small denomination notes) and if I don't, I would get money from either of my parents... This is, hopefully, a known fact in my small family unit... Anyhoooooooooos I'm digressing... The topic today is not about my generosity as I feel one should never brag about the good things they do in life... Let it be between one and God... =) If you do, it kind of makes the good deed void... So the topic today is me trying to show my utmost appreciation to my parents... For what?

For Loving Me ultimately...
For respecting my decisions in life
For supporting my decisions in life
For letting me travel 8000 miles away from home to get an education
For being separated from me for 5 years while I seek an education (okay so I'm back with them 4 months of every year)
For always lending their emotional support, ears and advises when I am in need
For never letting me go hungry or homeless even when I am not near them
For always understanding why I sometimes cannot call them every day
For their pride in my success
For their never ending prayers for my studies and well being
For the fact that they believe in me and my capabilities of one day making something out of myself...

As I am no more than a poor undergraduate, I could not afford to give them the ultimate luxury in life... Yet... My dream is to make a success out of myself and to make enough money to live comfortably yet being able to give my parents enough spending money EACH out of my monthly pay... I also want to contribute in paying the bills at home since I don't have to fork out rent money *good thing about being an Asian bred child* But this I'm not so sure yet... Huhu... Only if I make enough then I guess Ill start doing this... Eheheheh... HEY! I still need to shop weiiiiii!!!

I'm back to my digressing self again... Anyhoooooosies... I had planned a luxurious dinner treat for them for when they arrive in Wellington... Hence, a treat to the most expensive halal restaurant in Wellington it was... I brought my dear parents to Istana Malaysia... Malaysian Indian cuisine at its finest... They also serve a wide range of delicacies from all over Malaysia but their speciality is the Indian cuisine of course... Good ol' Mamak Style food at fine dining cost... Although that is an observation by a Singaporean who gets to enjoy these dishes at a quarter of the price here, back home... For Wellington, New Zealand, standards, this is cheap!!!

So this is Abah having a look over at the menu... They offer such an extensive variety that Abah was spoilt for choice that he could not decide on a single thing on the menu... Hence, I proposed them to trust me and I will get to ordering all the best dishes, according to my palate, and we could share them... Ummi was also agreeable as she was dying to just have hot halal meat dishes served pronto!

I ordered, a wide range of dishes from appetisers to mains and even dessert!!!
Abah giving his signature smile which I have adopted as my own... It is not creepy if someone smiles genuinely like this... =) It brings forth a sense of warmth and love...
Ummi trying out a new pose... Where she does not look directly into the camera... Here's me teasing her about it hence her break into a laugh while I snapped... Hahahahaha
Our happy camper faces while waiting for the food to come... We be HONGRY ya'll!!! =D
Our Family Picture, sans my dear brother, Haidar... Awwwwwwwwww we miss you DAR!!! ♥Our appetiser... Murtabak New Zealand Style... I had a sense of deja vu as I typed that... I may or may not have blogged about this murtabak before... Or I could have uploaded it into one of my many Facebook albums... =D But this is OWSERMESS *awsomemess*
Rojak Keling!!! or Politically Correct, Rojak Mama or Pasembur... Yummers... Ummi didn't like the satay sauce served though... But she did like it overall... Yey!
We also got an order of prata... Just plain ol' crispy prata... Yummers on a cold night too!
Top : Lamb Varuvval... Bottom : Stir Fry Black Pepper Beef... Abah liked the spice filled varuvval and Ummi loved the stir fry beef... I love both hence I ordered both... =D
Many of the tables around ordered Mee Goreng and Ummi had observed... So I couldn't let my mommy be left salivating right?! So I got us a plate to share... It was gooooooooooood...
Tucking in after a whole day of having non hot food to eat... i.e leftovers and cold cut sandwiches... Kesian my parents... ♥♥♥♥♥Abah enjoying the spread... It was that good... So good that we polished almost everything off... Don't believe me (who am I kidding right! Who wouldn't believe!!! Hehehehe) Check out the left over pics below...
Everything polished off!!! The Mee Goreng was too much for us so we had to pack it for home... Then came dessert... By then, I was already so stuffed that I forgot to take a picture of the Sago Gula Melaka... We ordered a bowl for us three to share as we were all stuffed to the max...

It was a good meal... I bet my parents enjoyed it more since I picked up the tab... =) How rare right?! Too bad Haidar missed out on this... But I missed out on the kebab spread he treated my parents to while they visited him before I arrived... Ish Ish Ish... It's all good though... When we're both back in Singapore, we planned to take our parents out to a proper "Thank You" meal at a nice place... Wider choices back home too... Anyhoos I have to skedaddle now... Its already 7 minutes past 430 AY AM!!! Thanks for reading ya'll... Time to hit that comment button!!!

Love;
Shahnaz ♥

The Reason I Love The Moon

2010-12-28T02:20:00.007+13:00

If someone was to ask me what was the one thing I can recall vividly doing every night before I turn in for the day from the time I was a child, I can safely say I would gaze up at the moon in silence and think about the events of the day or just wonder about the life that may exist beyond our own universe. For me, the moon represented a sense of tranquility where the earth was full of the daily hustle and bustle in life. The moon was where peace and happiness reigned and that anyone could be at ease just by imagining themselves living on the moon and getting away from what life on earth has to offer. I found peace and serenity through just gazing at the moon on a quiet night... Where many are in deep slumber, I would stare at the moon and appreciate the beauty that it presents and for whatever adversities I have encountered for the day, I would find repose in just standing there and admiring everything peaceful that the moon has come to represent in my eyes. It also served to represent as a contemplation tool of some sort for me to decide on the opportunities that are presented to me at that point.

This is not me of course. It was the closest image I could find of someone doing what I usually do at night since time immemorial. Although this image is an animation and the girl is looking down as opposed to up... I love the Moon... I'm not shy about it and I never saw a need to take on a defensive stance when mocked or ridiculed for my love of it... I have often written about it in some form through my private diaries which I have either thrown away or given to special people in my life to read, through journals where I had to hand in to my teachers (of which was discovered by my cousins and hence the mocking) and also in my own private blog where I state the wonders and mysteries in life and the relation between my happiness and sadness and how the moon would uncannily at times represent my feelings...

The unfortunate thing about reading my past notes on the moon was that I was weak in trying to portray the feelings that are bursting in me to come out into words for others to appreciate and in turn be able to feel my excitement, my jubilation and my joy at just seeing a beautiful full moon on a dark quiet night. What I am about to attempt to do with this entry is hopefully transcend not just words that you, the reader, reads but also the feelings that genuinely lie behind each word.

As I grew older, I began abit more well read and delved into writings of all the great writers of the Romantic era. I read William Wordsworth, Samuel Coleridge, Lord Byron, Percy B. Shelley, John Keats and many more of their time. The unique thing about the romantics was that many of us would assume it was purely about love and relationships but that was where I stood wrong when I took a paper on the romantics. Before I did, I assumed the poems and poetry of these great writers stem from relationships with someone or rather but when I studied the works in depth, I understood that the romantics were about everything around us... Appreciation for nature and what it has to offer. I could finally understand my love for the moon and I knew it was not a weird obsession as these following short snippets from the works of great writers touching on the beauty of the moon would hopefully further prove my point...

"The moving Moon went up the sky.
And nowhere did abide;
Softly she was going up,
And a star or two beside-"

The Rime of the Ancient Mariner
Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1772-1834)

This, from my perspective, talks about how the moon is gentle and a beacon of hope in the dark night sky. It leaves one with a sense of comfort in seeing the moon. Much like what I would feel when my days are peppered with trials and tribulations. I would seek peace in seeing the calmness of the moon (NB this is after I have done my prayers for the day for I am still muslim and peace is best attained through prayers and full submission to Allah swt).

"Art thou pale for weariness
Of climbing heaven and gazing on the earth,
Wandering companionless
Among the stars that have a different birth,
And ever changing, like a Joyless eye
That finds no object worth its constancy?"

To The Moon
Percy Bysshe Shelley (1792-1822)

Weary travellers would be left at ease upon the sighting of the moon and finds comfort in it. The moon and the stars represent familiarity and with that a sense of still belonging on this earth and with that it allows travellers to trudge on to find home or civilisation generally. It is the old friend that we can always count on every night regardless of how big or small it may be on some nights, it is still the moon that we are all familiar with... =)

Though the night was made for loving
And the day returns too soon
Yet we'll go no more a-roving
By the light of the moon

We'll Go No More A-Roving
Lord Byron (1788-1824)

Here, Byron talks about the romantic aspect of the moon. Where rendezvous are common and where love blossoms more under the romantic night sky with the moon acting as a backdrop for a night spent on the grass with a blanket of stars shining above... It does not necessarily mean a rendezvous with a that one particular someone but also with the ones you truly love in your life...

Imagine a sight like the above scene... Does this image not put you at ease? At the risk of sounding cliche, the moon's beauty is breathtaking and ethereal... =)

I love the moon. I found comfort in it where I could not in people. My childhood was a relatively happy one. I wish in a sense that it was hard and unhappy so that you may understand that the moon was my one true friend and where I could find solace as a young child but I had an awesome childhood alhamdullillah... My parents provided well for both my brother and I and it shows in how we have turned up in life. But although it was a happy childhood, it was not always happy at every turn. Parents fight and we all know this. Which couple does not right? But a child of 8-12 would not understand this and would be sad whenever the parents who were the supposed strong support would falter. It is in these times that when I hear my parents arguing, I would sit in my room and look at the moon and wish that things would be happy always and that my parents would not be shouting or would not be crying. The moon was also my comfort when my parents were angry at me. When I had misbehaved and I was punished, I would look longingly at the moon while wishing to be taken there to feel happy again. Albeit the sadness that I felt would usually disappear come morning when my parents are not so angry at me anymore. =) As I said before, a child would not understand these things at such an early age. They would not be able to comprehend that parents fight, punishments are short periods and that the world is not an altogether bad place.

I learned it all growing up. I also found solace in praying and doa's where I am certain Allah swt listens and rewards. But once in awhile when something becomes too taxing and too heavy a burden, I will look up at the moon and wonder if things would be okay in the future... That usually puts me in a dazed state of happiness and I am then allowed to move on, trudging on the fight that I have to go through this ugly thing we call Life...

Love;
Shahnaz ♥

That Graduation Post Thats 5 Years in The Making

2010-12-27T23:20:00.005+13:00

Guess Who Finally Graduated?!!!
Yeah!!! Me!!! The Reggae lovin' Rastafari wannabe is a degree holder who got to don a graduation gown AND finally realise her dream of balancing a mortarboard (i.e Trencher) on her head!!!

In Wellington, New Zealand, the main university is Victoria University of Wellington... VUW for short and Vic when in conversation... The tradition that Vic has that is uniquely Vic is having a parade where all the graduands and graduates would walk down from the Government Building to the Civic Square... That's about 2 kilometres through the heart of the city... The roads will be closed and people from nearby offices and shops would line the streets to see the happy faces of the graduands and graduates... (FYI : Apparently Graduands means students who have not been awarded the degree by the Chancellor and called in as academias and Graduates are students who have been awarded the degree... i.e have gone through the ceremony)

Both Najwa and I had separate ceremonies... Albeit on the same day... Hers was immediately after the parade on the 14th of December and mine was held at 6pm on the same date... Our Parade was held on the afternoon of that day and hence we both walked sans having received our diplomas (i.e our degree) But we were both very excited and pleased that we have gone through such tumultuous times together and are finally walking out of it all happy and laughing with our hard earned degree... We were making our mark in the world... =)

With such awkward times, we both decided that we could not do the traditional graduation dinner following our ceremonies as we had such clashing times in lieu of our ceremony times...

Hence, we decided that we should hold it the night before our parade and ceremonies, which was the 13th of December, so that we can celebrate our victorious battle together... Due to our dietary restrictions, we could not head out to the more fine dining restaurants and had settled on a slightly upscale seafood joint by the harbour, Fishermen's Table... Plus it had held many happy memories of all the times we had craved the salad buffet and gorged ourselves silly after days and sometimes weeks of starvation
(Left to Right : Adnin, Najwa, Ida, Myself and Sita)
The girls posing outside on the steps of Fishermen's Table after a hearty meal including an all-you-can-eat salad boat... It had rained while we were happily inside and since we still had our official ceremonies to do the next day, we had to take off our gowns and trenchers for fear of getting it wet... =)
Who Said Gs can't get a University Degree? Here's Mon, who graduated with a Masters in Tourism, and I reflecting our G ways from the past... =D We be down with them smart yuppies ay, homeskillet?!
We roped in Sita who was standing awkwardly by the side trying to avoid being captured in the frame for our previous picture and Najwa who never shies away from a Photo Op... =)
Our Parents who made the effort to come see us in our shining glory... =D With a special appearance by Najwa's Graduation Teddy and my Professor Rose Brown... Thank You Parents for the support that you have rendered in our road to success... Inshallah we will continue to make you proud in all the years to come... Ameeeeen Ya Rabbal Alameeeeeen... =)

December 14th 12pm... We were eagerly waiting to walk the 2 kilometres as we showed off to the happy crowds that we had completed our University studies in whatever fields and levels we each had undertook... Beaming parents walked alongside their children on the pavement as they snapped pictures after pictures of their offspring on the happiest day of their lives... They have done their part in ensuring we each had an education to help us move on in life... Friends stood by watching and cheering the graduates (I'm not going to bother about saying both graduands and graduates from here on in... All of us got our diplomas hence we're all officially graduates already!) as they walked by while taking pictures of their own... Friends here see first hand the battles that each graduate has had to undertake in order to complete their course of studies... From late nights in the library to rushing in an assignment on a rainy day... They even stood by supporting when the laptop decided to crash or act up on each and every one of the graduates... For some, their friends are those that they have had to discuss their studies with while recording everything that is said for the students' methodology... =D

My Ummi and I with the flowers she and Abah got for me as a surprise on the morning before my parade and ceremony... She insisted on shielding me from the rain while we were walking even after I told her time and again that NO ONE uses an umbrella ella eh eh in Wellington... Cuteness... Symbolism in this pic anyone? My Ummi shielding me from the adversities in life with her own wisdom and help... Always there when I need a helping hand or listening ear... Never tight fisted with her support and love... Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
Nadi and I... A friend for which have stood by me through all the troubles I have endured in my 5 years in New Zealand... From the time when she was a sweet Sri Lankan girl giving advice on overseas living to me through to the always having my back partying bitch that Ive grown to love over the years... Thank You Lankan Dear!!! =D I ♥ You Lankan
With our Mothers and Darling Aunties... =)
With the man who made all the official shots below and more happened... =D You guys should support this guy as he is AWESOME!!! Join his Facebook group here... Support a talent on the rise... Chris Buehler Photography should ALWAYS be YOUR Choice for all your event photography needs...
This is worthy of being printed and hung in my house in Singapore but a waste as it had neither Abah nor Haidar in it... But I definitely will be taking a proper family photoshoot when my brother comes back from Switzerland with his degree... ♥♥♥♥♥

I Look So Goofy Here... But I Love It... Atleast I gots me my cliche grad pic right here!
My Ummi and I in the uber famous shot of her with her pink bathroom slippers... You guys can't blame her though... She knew she was in for a long walk and hence comfy slippers was the way to go... Check out my comfy clark inspired shoes from Rubi... =D Anyhoos we had to rest up before my big ceremony at night... huhu =D
Another Cliche Grad Pic... I love this a lot... I think if my parents want to blow any pics up... This should be it... What with my gorgeous smile and happy eyes... I think this is the pic to go with...
The Shot with the Parents Before the Ceremony...
The Shot With The Parents After the Ceremony... Check out their happy and proud faces... It makes me tear just thinking how happy and proud Ive made them... =)
My gorgeous Omani friend, Sumaiya... Awwwwwwwwwwww ♥♥♥♥♥
Graduating with my other Omani Bestie, Reem... Super happy we got to share this day together... Friends of 5 years and counting... ♥♥♥♥♥
Reem and I again... Might not be our best pic... Well us gorgeous girls gotta have some bad pictures to keep us grounded I say... =D

A picture of us with our 2 besties who made it to our graduation... Ida was awesome for both the days as she had helped with so many things... Carrying our stuff and taking pictures... Unfortunate though that she got a blurry picture of me on stage... But no worries, will be getting the official pictures from the official photographers soon... =) Thank You Ida!!! ♥♥♥♥♥

Well guys, that ends my post on my graduation... Hope you guys had a blast reading it as I had writing it... It sure as hell brought back memories of that day all over again... =) Im not keen to be an academia by completing my masters and then moving on to my PHD... Huhuhu dreams that I hope I will achieve before I hit 6 feet under... =)

Love;
Shahnaz ♥

Picking up where I left off

2010-12-26T21:59:00.008+13:00

hy·poc·ri·sy (h-pkr-s)

n. pl. hy·poc·ri·sies

1. The practice of professing beliefs, feelings, or virtues that one does not hold or possess; falseness.

2. An act or instance of such falseness.

hyp·o·crite (hp-krt)

A person given to hypocrisy.

Today, boys and girls, I'm going to touch on the topic of Hypocrisy.

What is Hypocrisy?
According to Wikipedia, "Hypocrisy is the state of pretending to have beliefs, opinions, virtues, feelings, qualities, or standards that one does not actually have. Hypocrisy involves the deception of others and is thus a kind of lie."

Generally, it is when a person lies so much about every aspect of his/her life. It is when they dare PROMISE something to a person and can EASILY BREAK it without remorse or fear. You may then continue to ask, how can one tell that they break promises with no fear of the impending repercussions? They repeatedly lie time and again to you until the point where you give up on them.

How can you tell whether or not someone is a Hypocrite?
Aside from comparing their behaviour to the general definition of a hypocrite, you can easily tell them apart from the way that they handle situations. It can be shocking because of the ability that they posses which enables them to lie through their teeth without even blinking an eye. This is what throws people off most of the time.

What sparked the idea for such a solemn blog post?

Two factors sparked my thoughts on lying and cheating people.

Aside from the fact that I have been slapped with the experience of having to deal with the most obvious hypocrite I have had the displeasure of knowing, I chanced upon this hadith (Prophet Muhammed's {SAW} teachings) from a friend's status update.

The status update read, " The signs of a hypocrite are three: Whenever he speaks, he tells a lie; and whenever he promises, he breaks his promise; and whenever he is entrusted, he betrays (proves to be dishonest)..."

I studied this hadith roughly about 10 years ago but casted it aside to the back of my mind because never in my young life have I ever had the displeasure of meeting somebody with all three traits evident in their attributes. I wont deny that everyone of us would have mainly one or two traits mentioned. We are, after all, mere humans and I, myself, have been guilty of lying and breaking my promises, albeit the former to usually save face and the latter due to unforeseen circumstances, but NEVER have I consciously broken the last trait where "whenever he is entrusted, he betrays..." As my mother had scared me senseless on the repercussions I am to face if I ever break an 'amanah'... *shudders*

The hadith reads :

Prophet Muhammad SAW says:

"Three are the signs of a hypocrite: When he speaks, he lies; when he makes a promise, he breaks it; and when he is trusted, he betrays his trust even if he observes Fasting, performs prayers and claims to be a believer.''

In another Hadith, Prophet Muhammad SAW says:

"Four are the qualities which, when found in a person, make him a sheer hypocrite, and one who possesses one of them, possesses one characteristic of hypocrisy until he abandons it. These are: When he is entrusted with something, he betrays trust; when he speaks, he lies; when he promises, he acts treacherously; and when he argues, he behaves in a very imprudent, insulting manner.''

Wallahu Alam...

Excerpt from *here*

Now I'm going to talk about an asshole I know who has all the abovementioned traits and why I say he does. He has already used up his last straw with me and I am writing this because I'm highly enraged as you can see. I was the last person that had trusted, pitied and wanted to help him out of the ditch he had dug up for himself. Another reason I'm letting all this out is because, someone close to me NEEDS TO WAKE UP and see the reality that looms ahead if this person continues to be stubborn and wish to let their heart over rule their brains. Yes. I'm going in this with guns a-blazin' and with nothing to lose.

1st Trait : "When he speaks, he lies"

1st person he betrayed : Owed a four figure sum and promised payment in 3-4 weeks... Finally paid back three months later... Two months of having people chase for the money met with his lies of having the money but unable to make payment and yet many saw his lavish spending on things with money he could have used to pay back loans slowly with

Consequence : I lost the trust and respect from this person and their family for whom I had forged a trustworthy relationship with after five years of loyalty and attaining their whole hearted trust. This kind of things CANNOT be bought and unfortunately can't be regained... =(

2nd Trait : "When he makes a promise, he breaks it"

2nd person he betrayed : Owed a high three figure sum and promised payment in 5-6 weeks... Finally paid back two months later after exhausting the lender as they continue to fear for their OWN living budget... Lied about making payment on certain dates but money was never seen and he was never heard from about the situation... This occurred EVERY SINGLE WEEK!!!

Consequence : Thankfully, this was one person I had sat down with and had a heart to heart with. This person understood the situation I had been thrusted in and seeked to help me with whatever ways possible to without placing the blame on me. Furthermore, she saw the asshole walking around having expensive drinks (alcoholic or otherwise) with her own eyes. Hence she knows I was the one in the rut while he flaunts around like the rich man that he is not and will never be if he continues like this.

3rd person he betrayed : Yours Truly... Promises were made and broken countless time and leaving me to clean up his mess. Many a times I had demanded immediate payment for the two people mentioned above and also for the money that he had owed me but only to be met with his never ending excuses and promises to which he NEVER honours. I have had to be at the butt of many insults in lieu of his irresponsibility. Many even began to think that I myself had concocted these lies to save his sorry existence. Hence, I have been left to be ridiculed for my "push-over"-ness and my stupidity for allowing such an ass to make a mockery of my very own principles against owing money.

Consequence : I have come to a decision with regards to the imbecile I am referring to in my post. That is, I wish to have no relation NOR ties with him. Owing me NZD 1700++ is no joke nor is it a laughing matter. Recent happenings have caused me to be more enraged than I already am that it has left me sooooooooo pissed that I am doing an un-islamic thing of prohibiting him to consume food for which my parents had supplied me with. I have had enough of giving him face and useless assholes like him does not deserve a helping hand nor a friendly smile. I am adamant to keep him as an enemy from here on in as I believe that "once bitten, twice shy"and those who knows me well knows that I hardly forgive and unfortunately am able to hold a grudge for a very long time. Irregardless of what he may say in the future, the magnitude of what he has done today has left an impression that cannot easily disappear.

3rd Trait : "When he is trusted, he betrays his trust"
From the things I have listed, as a reader who is supposedly impartial to the events, do you think that he is one who can be trusted? After all the tales I have told, do you think that he is one who does not betray his trust? I hardly doubt so... I know it is " Let he who is without sin be the first to cast the stone" but I am frustrated enough that I cannot be bothered anymore. I do not deny that I am with sin and hence am in no position to judge. But Im stating what I have unfortunately have had to endure for the past 5 months alone. There is nothing fabricated about this tale.

Nauzubillah min Zaliq... Allah Ya Fadh...

*cryptic* My advice to that one person. 1 year is nothing compared to my 3 years and 4 years with some... The future is not bright if it continues and I sincerely am over and done with this poor excuse of a man and it is unfortunate if 1 year is the reason for the keeping... Its time to wisen up chum... Get over it and move on unless you think only this ass would be true

Love:
Shahnaz ♥

From my Internet Treasure Trove

2010-11-05T16:21:00.004+13:00

Those who are my FaceBook friends would be familiar with this note that I posted up once upon a time *once upon a time being Thursday, 05 February 2009*... Anyhoos it got me smiling at the note to see how my life has changed over the course of a little over a year... What were once things I took for granted are no longer readily available to me... And the facts that once saddened me to write, are no longer at the root of my unhappiness... =)

Hence, I thought I would put this up again with my thoughts on it today on Friday, o5 November 2010... The notes in red are what I think about that supposed fact about me now... =)

1. I'm a sucker for historical romance books and would read one over and over again.

*I havent had a proper afternoon where I could escape into my land of fantasy where muscular savages ruled the hearts of the tamed damsels... I miss my Green Eyed Lipan, Night Wind*

2. I love the rain and would rush home just to snuggle under my duvet and listen to the rain fall on my roof.

*I live in a cramp apartment now where there are no windows that could open and directly above me is no longer a roof but another tenant of my repulsively small apartment building, When it rains, I just sit in the dark*

3. From point one and two, u should figure out that I'm a hopeless romantic that still believes in fairy tales. Shocking yes.

*Honest to God I may think that Ive found my Prince Charming right now, but some days I sit and have my doubts... Hardly a thing to do when you have supposedly found your proverbial "one"*

4. I want at least 3 children. A boy, a girl and a boy. In that exact order.

*I actually want 5 now... In the same alternate order but as working life looms near, I wonder if I can afford to feed, cloth and provide shelter and education for 5 broods... Damn these logic side of me washing away the dreams of my hopeless romantic wish*

5. I get uncomfortable when I see something not in its rightful place. I'm like Monk, Ill straighten it immediately.

*I still do... But seeing the state of my room when an assignment or exam date looms near, you would hardly believe this little fact about me... I do contest that I have not had a peaceful sleep since Ive gathered the mess that sits at the foot of my bed...Clean up soon*

6. I get disgusted when two of my sauces mix. I cant eat when two different coloured sauce touches one another.

*I STILL DO!!! Why do people not understand this... Ive repeated time and again that I get repulsed by mixed sauces... I do not do it to attain attention but I honestly cannot stand the sight of my sauces mixing... I do not even know how it came about, it just is something I cannot bear to see*

7. I have a love/hate relationship with my nose. I sometimes think its the most gorgeous nose in the world and at times I cringe when I take pictures and my nose stands out.

*I love it now but I know only because Ive been taking pictures that flatter my nose which in turn flatter my face... I have a period lately where my pictures showed me as a haggard and pale looking version of my former self, hence my hatred to my looks is for its entirety and not merely the nose... But like I said, I have my moments with my nose*

8. I am always short of cash but never broke as. God works in wondrous ways.

*Wow!!! I spoke too soon didn't I? I don't blame God at all... I blame myself and another irresponsible person... Yes we're still in debt but I'd rather say I am already financially stable but and it is someone else that is still in heavy debt with my friends... I do apologise honestly for this almost 2 months delay... Ive done all I could to ensure speedy payment but alas Ive given up and I really have nothing else that I can do to get payment to you two loves soon... Im still hassling for you guys... =( ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ please don't hate me for this even if I was the one who had asked for a loan on behalf♥♥♥♥♥♥♥*

9. My biggest fear in life is the existence of life and death.

*I guess this is one of those things that you will never stop fearing... I'm still amazed at how fast a life can be taken and how long it will take to give life... All I have to say is, Treasure your life... Even if you think the world is against you and no one cares, do not take away something so precious as a life, your own or others...*

10. I am a history buff. I pick my destinations based on the depths of its history. I love touching and feeling the atmosphere of an ancient place to imagine the life of those who first walked the grounds.

*I recently went to Venice where I was honestly overwhelmed by the history set in that island in Italy... Especially since I am also a literature buff... The works of Shakespeare and Byron encompasses every turns in the narrow streets in Venice leaving my shamelessly spent in my yearnings to absorb every minute detail*

11. I have a very high self esteem and sometimes people mistake it for arrogance.

*I know of people who hate me because they have thought that I am an arrogant bitch who thinks that I am better than others around me... I will not deny this... I do... But I also think that everyone should be proud of their own selves and not let society judge you for your flaws... You are who you are and to be ashamed of it is just morally unsound and that IS my opinion... I do detest people with low self esteem because of this but I should state that arrogance should still give way to humility and there are people out there who genuinely are in dire need of things that some of us take for granted and with that, we should count our blessings and reach out a helping hand*

12. I am fast to hate and slow to forgive.

*This is why I choose not to get too involved in other's plight... Really, do not tempt me to start hating because I have long time enemies*

13. I would rather starve to death than turn vegetarian. God created cows, sheeps, goats and chickens, among all other edible live stocks, for a reason.

*Honest, I would... I don't mean to offend anyone but this is how I feel... Plus they all taste sooooooooooooo damn good*

14. I am actually a homophobe yet I have a substantial amount of gay friends that I like and respect nonetheless.

*I do not deny this even today... But like I said I know many gays that I like and respect... What they do behind closed doors is none of my business but I wont stand in front of Parliament with picket signs demonstrating my hatred at their unjust treatments of GLBT... I'm sorry that I do not feel for your cause enough when I should worry about poor starving children in third world countries or even this sudden mass murder of poor defenceless animals*

15.I make friends easily but I don't keep them close to my heart as I do my, Usual Suspects, friends from secondary school.

*I'm sorry but I do not feel loyalty towards my Usual Suspects anymore... I ♥ them still but my priorities in life have changes and at times, some of my closest friends do not fit in my present agenda... Plus, I feel that you should treat your friends the same way they treat you, Ive shown love that at times have not been reciprocated and I'm only human, lack of love drives me away... And it has... I have found comfort in many of my newer friends*

16. Contrary to popular belief, I am NOT afraid of cats. I just abhor the thought that one might leap up onto me upon close contact.

*I still am... I do not care for people who ridicule me for it... When you are one without fears, then you can come to me and talk about the silliness of mine... But if you have fears whether known or hidden, I suggest you shut your trap and leave me be... FYI Cats are evil but I will not stand for the recent abuse rampage in Singapore*

17. I am a spoilt brat. I HAVE to get things my way, and I always do, and sometimes when this hurts my parents or brother, I stay up at night regretting my actions and vow to never repeat it. Only to repeat it again another day.

*I haven't acted spoilt for soooooooo long... Even in my recent Europe trip, I only pulled a long face once because I didn't get my cup of black coffee but instead got a frothing foamy cup of latte and we all know how important a cup of serious black coffee is to me but my tantrum was only for 5 hours *beams proudly* and Ive been super lovey dovey with my parents k*

18. Although I love being around people at all times, solitude is sacred to me.

*Recently there has been an idiot who keeps texting me all the time and I HATE being texted repeatedly in a day about my whereabouts and what I am doing... SOME ignorant schlubs should understand this... If Ive shown you hostility of late, you know why... Text me about the weather, about plans for the night and about anything else or even random crap repeatedly but do not text me every hour enquiring about my whereabouts... If you are NOT my parents or blood relation or boyfriend or someone who is meeting me in a while, DO NOT text me every hour about my self*

19. I once ate nothing but a bottle of nutella for a whole week, washed down with nothing but tap water.

* That was the extent of my poorness in 2007 and I am happy because when I'm broke I have no one else to blame but myself... I was happier like that... I knew where my money went... I am not a miser but I hate having to support people with the limited amount of money I get... I'm sorry but it gets really frustrating after months! **yes lately Its all about money that makes me unhappy but seriously money ruins family ties so what more friendships and I KNOW this that is why in my 5 years here Ive never seeked a loan with a huge amount from my friends because I value friendships and plus my ego wont stand for it and even if I do Ive never taken more than a month to pay off my debt** I cannot stand irresponsible fucks... Especially Irresponsible fucks who brag...*

20. Unfeeling and ungrateful people make me sick regardless of how close they are to me.

*I still feel this way... Its worst when its your own flesh and blood who you have helped for so long and on so many occasions and they lean towards shallow idiots to supposedly help them appear high and mightier... I say Fuck Off... I really do not stand for this bullshit... I'm the type that holds a grudge and if you come crawling back to me for help I assure you I will turn you away*

21. I am the most loyal fan any celebrity could wish for. I still look out for stories and pictures of Eminem and have collector edition CDs for a majority of his Albums. I am currently in love with Ami James thus I have all present collections of Miami Ink and 2 posters of the show.

*Illuminati made me stop supporting Eminem and Israeli violence has gotten me to stop my delusions with Ami James... I really grew out of that phase, but I am still supporting Eminem in his fight out of the cult... Oh yes I believe in that crap because I would rather know of it rather than be blinded*

22. I always buy blue coloured drinks even if they don't taste good.

* I still do this... I cannot seem to explain my weird fondness for blue drinks... Really i cant... I love blue as a colour but I also love black and red and green but Cola is something I don't crave, I like Fanta Cherry but only on Eid and Fanta Fruitade is something I actually cringe at when served*

23. My nightly routine involves closing every drawer, cupboard door tight.

* There is still a before bed checklist to tick off before I snuggle under my duvet*

24. I cannot function for the day without chocolate. Even if it is a small drop from Hershey's Chocolate Syrup.

* Ive cut down on chocolates but when I get hit by a craving, I walk 500 metres to the nearest convenience store to get my fix @ 4 in the morning... Yes it has happened numerous times*

25. I am very proud of my race and heritage. One spiteful word against it and I will get very defensive. Yet I am one who believes in all races being equal and we all bleed red blood.

* I am and I always will be even if majority of the people who represent my race are usually idiots, I would like it to be known that I am Yemeni and that we are just that much more cooler than the rest... Ok Oman isn't so bad... **winks** hehehe can't help it*

Wow I am super angry lately... I wonder why... *looks at a certain idiot who is currently the bane of my existence* Anyhoos I guess in some way's I have not really changed much but I like how my perspective on things have changed... Its weird to see these... Maybe Ill make this an annual post or even a post done every two years... =D Till then, See you later!!!

Lot's of Love;

Shahnaz ♥

Back to Busy-ness

2010-10-22T17:31:00.006+13:00

Well as much as I loved the up lates and sleep ins, I'm going back to the busy streak again... Back to back essays due... 26th and 28th... Final Submissions... *cheers and joins in the dancing lobsters* and an exam on the 8th... Shakespeare... Urghhhhhh... I'm back to camping at the library and boy I'm pretty sick of it already... Wish I could just go back to the up lates and sleep ins part of my life... I think this is why I valued 2007... It was allllllllllll about up lates and sleep ins... I think if I do not get a job here, I might love the idea of just bumming at home wasting my dads money... I mean who wouldn't love the idea of being up late and sleeping in throughout my life until I secure a serious adult job... =D Sleep...
This is the most prized building in our uni... Hunter Building... Home to the enrolments office... Its where you get your ID cards verified, pay your fees and settle every disputes you have with the uni... This is the oldest building in the uni... I think its like the original building for VUW... Victoria University of Wellington for you non enlightened... Its where I go to school... Ish!!! Anyhooooooos... As always I tend to digress... Its starting to be a pattern in my posts now... Hmph...

Sleep is something we alllllllllll took for granted when we were growing up... Hell! I wouldn't mind nap time nowadays... Compulsory nap times... *fantasizes and drools* Remember how we used to hate it when our teachers in kindie made us sleep... "But I STILL WANTED TO PLAY WITH THE BANANA =(..."

Remember in Primary school where we had to rest our head on the table when we were finished with something? Haiz... We had it good then... Try putting your head down in the library here... Judging eyes will follow you... Its ok if you are facebooking or eating but HELL NO!!! You better not be putting your head down for a rest... People will judge... haiz... Nowadays, I'm camping in this building down here...

Its called the Rankine Brown Building... I.e The Library... Gorgeous innit? Not really... This was taken at night by some photographer guy... I stole this pic but lost the link for it... He's awesome... ***So Mr Photographer Guy, If you're reading this... I'M SORRY!!! I couldn't find any other images of the library and I lost your info... Email Me and Ill credit you here... =D***

It's a 9 story building that rumour has it has underground tunnels running underneath it to connect it to all the other buildings in the uni... Super cool... Plus this pic you are seeing, It is taken in an area NEXT to the historical cemetery... Yeap... Cemetery... It has graves dating back to as old as the 18th century here...

Nowadays, students misuse it... Some goth group would sit around reading poetry and smoke weed while others fornicate there... YES!!! You read right... FORNICATE... Oh well... I guess we Asians are more superstitious and afraid of the dead than these westerners... They only fear hot wimpy vampires and zombies I guess... *rolls eyes*

Ok lah... I think Ive procrastinated enough here by writing a long as post... So much for me thinking Ill write in a short post so as to keep my blog alive...

Hey!!! Where all my usual readers gone? My tag board is super quiet... =/ Oh by the way... It always amazes me that I have regular readers from countries I never knew I could have readers... =) that board at the side... It notes readers per IP address... Not visitors per day... I have my blog counter for that... I'm amazed whenever I check my blog counter...

♥♥MAD LOVES TO ALL MY ♥♥REGULAR READERS!!!♥♥ *hugs* ♥♥

Now, where's that article I'm supposed to read... *stomps away*

Love;

Shahnaz ♥

Art Therapy In School

2010-10-18T21:05:00.007+13:00

I dare say that the most of you reading this would be Singaporeans and if you're not than I guess you will learn something new today... Now, what have you been growing up with? What have you been thought in school? Vandalism IS WRONG... If you deface public property, you will face a legal consequence... Most of you reading this (i.e the Singaporeans of MY generation and older) would remember the infamous case of Michael Fay, the American who spray painted 3 cars in Singapore in 1993, if you do not know of this, read about it here. Recently, there was that Swiss man, Oliver Fricker, who vandalised one of the MRT trains in it's depot. Again, if you are not familiar with this guy and what he did, Read about it here. This are merely 2 cases reported in the media as they are high profile and deemed "news worthy". Why? Simple, A) they involved foreigners who came to our country and vandalised it and B) they were made to be examples to the locals to show that if you vandalise, you will pay a price. The price?

"In addition to a fine or jail term, the Act imposes mandatory corporal punishment of between three and eight strokes of the cane for second or subsequent convictions. Caning is also imposed for first convictions for defacing property using an indelible substance; and stealing, destroying or damaging public property. The Children and Young Persons Act ("CYPA") states that the High Court may impose a caning penalty on juvenile offenders as well. In a 1968 case, the High Court held that despite the wording of this provision, a subordinate court may sentence juveniles to caning under the Vandalism Act as that Act takes precedence over the CYPA."

Singapore is VERY strict about this law because, A) We are reknowned for our clean and green country and that we do not have any unsightly graffiti of such large scales that it mars our clean image. B) Singapore is OUR home... Like it or not (the law) would you allow people to draw random crap in YOUR house?

But WHY am I talking about this? Well simply because although I see just cause for this vandalism law, Im here to bring forth the argument of "What about Self Expression?" and also the most important constitution ever and that is the "Freedom of Expression".

I saw a video a few months back about how in Singapore, everything is controlled so much so that even our education is set by rules and standards. Its either you meet these standards or you "fail". Im not here to write a political piece. Im as patriotic as hell when it comes to fighting for Singapore and defending the policies that our government has set. I for one am one Singaporean who has NO complains... Ok so Im really pissed as hell with the in flux of immigrants into our already cramped little island... Yes I am irritable by the lack of english in almost ALL of these said immigrants and HELL YES I am pissed with that recent story of that PRC woman who illegally "imprisoned" one of our future soldiers (WHO WILL DEFEND SINGAPORE IN TIMES OF WAR!!!!) when she had indecently exposed herself to YOUNG KIDS!!! ARGH! Im so off tangent right now... Where was I?

Yes, I am very patriotic... Ask anyone who knows me but I do have to question why can't we have a space where we can hone our artistic side. Where children in school will not be mocked for thinking outside the box but applauded for their ability to do so. This is where Singapore falls short. Teenagers who adopt the "hiphop" subculture love to do artistic graffiti where idols such as Banksy, Pixnit, Skeme, Dondi, MinOne and Zephyr have greatly influenced their work. They have no room to do so. What? Did you just holler *scape Well sure, but then again the space there is so full already that it would be deemed an insult for another graffiti artist to go over another's work. Anyhoos enough about my gripe, the reason for this post is that last week, my school allowed students to paint, draw and basically express themselves in whatever artistic form as they saw fit in our Quad. Granted, they were going to demolish the quad in the summer for a newer and more gorgeous quad where students can bask in whatever sun warmth there will be next year while waiting for their classes to start. But I sat there away from the action, with my coffee in hand and looked at how happy and free these Kiwis were in expressing themselves in their art... Check out the pictures I took while on my coffee breaks all the time I was camping out in Uni last week. This was the second day of Art Therapy... They started small... With just some random drawings around the ground... They even painted a yellow footpath with the words "follow the yellow brick road" and it led to the bus stop... =)
This girl got a whole pail of red paint poured over her head and she made a red "snow angel" on the tar floor... They were laughing happily and THAT made me smile... =)
This was a chalk drawing of a boom box for the Uni Radio Station... They advertised their channel on the ground and I thought that was pretty hilarious too... Well simply cos I know the guy who started the radio channel and he is a pretty straight faced vegetarian most of the time... =D
This was the remains of the "yellow brick road" before they told students to join in the fun of thrashing the Quad... They asked me a couple of times but I graciously declined for fear of being reprimanded... (Thanks ah eh Singapore!!!)
I loved this corner in the Quad... I think this was the only actual art piece... It was a scene of a garden with tools and chairs and even a picture frame suspended above it...
Complete with bricks signifying a rooms corner and fake grass patches around this scene... =)
The scene of how the Quad looks like now... It looks much more colourful and happy in real life...
Double shot because I didnt want to forget this scene of self expression and freedom in my mind... =D
The floor of the quad now covered in different individual's artwork... Gorgeous!!!

The thrash they left behind as a symbol of their work and their ability to form art anywhere and anyplace...

Imagine this in Singapore why don't you... Oh for the record, they were given permission by the University... Imagine if Singapore allowed her young to express themselves in such a way... Oh what bliss... =)

This event was called Art Therapy because it allowed the students to release their study woes through this ability to throw paint around and create an art form... It allowed for the students to have their Freedom of Expression... This is prevalent all throughout town and people still consider Wellington to be both clean AND green... =) I guess if you are allowed to do something, you would learn to respect different areas and respect the surroundings as well... Plus, if you looked at Banksy's works, you would realise that many people wish to purchase it so that they could be proud owners of his works... Hmmmmmmm... I guess Banksy will never reveal himself and hence people will never be able to get him to do an artpiece specially for them... Oh well...

Lot's of Love;
Shahnaz ♥

Nadi is a Quarter of a Century!!!

2010-10-09T04:59:00.010+13:00

The Planning :

Tell Nadi I can't make plans for her dinner because of piling school work & being broke
Make her disappointed by getting everyone to appear too busy to hang out with her
Liaise with Ravindu to find a way to get Nadi to the restaurant without being suspicious
Get Shanggari to get the presents because Ill be up at Uni Library
Sort Cake and Card
Note Restaurant of our arrival
Get home and Get Ready for dinner
Get James to bring her to the Restaurant

What ACTUALLY went down

Planned a kick as dinner @ Monsoon Poon where its a new place to go for more than half of the invitees
Got the BIG AS A3 Card and walked around Uni with it until it got wrinkles on the envelope
Liaised with Ravindu BUT Nadi WAS suspicious... Had to deviate her attention
Ida ended up being the only one who had to go coffee with her
Shang got some awesome gifts for Nadi on my behalf
Ran late up in Uni hence rushed to pick a random but delicious cake
Rushed home to let early birds sign card while I decorated cake, signed card and GOT READY!
Arrived @ Restaurant Late and James was early to bring Nadi...
Table wasn't ready
While having drinks and smokes on the balcony, James drove past, Nadi Spotted us
Lit Candles thinking she was coming in
Candles halfway burned and they weren't in yet, Blew it out
Rushed to lit back candles while Nadi walked in
Got the restaurant chefs to ding ding pots and pans while we sang Birthday song out loud
Nadi was a little bit surprised but happy as hell
Good Job Guys!!!

We had a blast and I truly had fun planning every single detail of the birthday dinner... Even if I was complaining about the whole task... But I could not have done it without the help of mainly Ravindu and Shanggari... Greatest hanks for making it at the last minute... Haidir, Geeta, Ida, Sita, Suba, Sham, Shang, Asheth, Ravindu, Osama and of course James with the birthday girl, NADI!!! =D And Here are some snippets of the night... For the whole album, check out my FaceBook

The cake prior to decorating it... Chocolate heaven right here... Mud pie!!! Super Loved it...

After I put my creative touch to it... A Personalised cake is a MUST for a birthday... =D
After relighting the cake, Nadi blew the candles and I hope she made a good wish!!!

The group mainly had this fish and prawn combo and...
The fire cracker chicken... Super delicious!!! Oh my god!!! I'm craving it now!!! Super Spicy too

The Lovebirds... James & Nadi... Thank god James helped in bringing Nadi in... =D

The card is a goof... Our Wellington Tradition... Thirty but shes got 5 more years before then...

We do class photos for almost EVERY birthdays... This is us sans Osama on the steps of Monsoon Poon!!! Hahaha All we needed was a car parked conveniently in front of the steps... =D

We adjourned to vespa lounge where a PX 150 parks outside at all times... Reminds me of Haidar's *my brother* PX 150 in Singapore... =D
Whats left of the group heading into Vespa Lounge... =D
Me & my delicious non alcoholic concoction that the bartender made specially... =D
Super Loves the Remaining girls... My hotnesses la... =D Im sooooooo round here... =D
Haidir Pimping It With the Girls... Ahahaha check out Nadi's signature pose... Ah Huh!
Some loving while waiting for their "Wiggle Wiggle"... I don't know alcoholic drinks so I can't tell ya'll whats in it... Supposedly a very good drink... hmmmmm =/
Ending the night @ Vespa... =D Where many a times Nadi and I end our weekly town rounds @ 7 am... It was also here that I found out about Baby's true feelings... weeeeeeweeeeeeeeeeet =D

Anyhoos!!! So Nadi, I hope you had a truly awesome time!!! =D I love you soooooo much la lankan... I hope this year brings you Health, Wealth *many many many wealth* and Happiness... May you get into a good paying job and may you and James' love blossom till marriage and kids... =) We too old to go find new toy boys la... Let's stick with the one we already caught... Our Hunting Days are over my friend... Let's retire the short dresses and fake lashes as we slid into pyjamas *or lingerie in your case* and settle in for quiet dvd nights in... =D Ahahahahaha I had a blast all the time we went out and I had a blast on your birthday dinner... Even if it DID leave me broke as hell when I justttttttttttttttttttt got my allowance... hahahah jokes my love... Take care sayang and *hugs n kisses*

Love;
Shahnaz ♥

P.S This was what we surprised her with in 2008... Click *Here*

WoooWoooo

2010-10-06T23:25:00.005+13:00

I guess Im on a blogging spree... I blame it on the piling assignments... Anyhoooos so Im made to plan a totally kick ass dinner party this Saturday... I hope I get done with work 2mrw so that I can proceed in doing this... It was supposed to be 2mrw but due to the piling work Ive decided that I should just change the whole thing for Saturday... It makes it easier to plan it for a weekend out as well... I totally think I deserve a night out... =( I know I whine alot but I swear Ive never had to be this busy before... =( But thats now why I want to write today...

Anyhoos I was thinking for the days leading up to when I get enough money, I will talk about Summer Fashion... I know I might bore the male readers out there *looks at Nabil* but I figured I might as well pen down my thoughts about what I want to get here for the coming summer... Ive NEVER had a summer in New Zealand before as I always take the first flight out of here after my exams... But seeing as how this is my final year here and I have to wait for my graduation, I assume I should enjoy every bit of it as it could very well be the last few months of my time in NZ...

So first up!!! Basics!!! You guys know how I dont wear sleeveless or super short shorts right, so today the fashion pieces Ive scoured around for will be decent pieces that wont make you puke out your dinner... Or lunch... Hmmmph... They may be sleeveless or tubes but I will wear them with a decent cardigan... =D

So today's entry... Ima talk about Maxi dresses as I look awesome in them... =D Only cos Im tall and it hides the fat well... like my birthday dinner maxi... Its from roxy and was a birthday gift from him... I love maxi dresses because they're like wearing jalabiyahs without getting looks from people... And by looks... I mean looks of wonderment as opposed to hostile stares... Oooookies so I thought that the main thing to wear in summer here are maxis... Alot of people here seem to digg maxis for basic summer wear... Im looking for black maxis as the cardis I have are of an array of funky colours... Im talking about green boleros, semi navy long cardis beige lacey throws... *do note that although it is summer, Wellington tends to get cold and windy still, although not the kind of cold that it has in winter...* So Ive sussed out some dresses that are either available here already or it is something that familiar to what I want...

So here goes, I like colours... Anyone who knows me knows I adoreeeee playing with colours and I adore mixing and matching... I can go with yellow and purple one day and green and pink on another... I am not afraid of colours... So this is why this maxi dress appeals to me... Plus itll match my green bolero AND if I got a short sleeved bolero, Itll still look good!!! =D Especially if its in black...
Isn't it nice... I love hues of blues and white... It gives the dress and the wearer a fresh and refreshing look... Its like you're always on holiday and always relaxed...

Anyhoos the one maxi that I might definitely get is this one here from EziBuy... Ive set my eye on it for 6 months now but everytime I head to the outlet in Wellington, they never seem to have it... I like solid block dresses... You can play with different coloured accessories... With this one, its blocks of earthy tones... Always works for any occassion... I can go with brown accessories, such as wooden bangles and brown cardi/scarves or I could play it up with black accessories with a black cardi... And if I want to make it dressier, I could go gold with my accessories... Gold and Black... Always a winner... =)
I could wear sandals or wedges with these and it will still look nice and sweet... =D I love this one alot... Its only NZD 40 as opposed to the NZD 70 and over on most maxi dresses here... =( killer on the wallet la... I see maxi dresses in Singapore going for as low as SGD 20!!! Haiz... Wish Wellington had Singapore shopping prices... Anyhoos I might really find this dress to wear it for summer... Super Mad Loves... =)

On my bus rides up to uni, Ill always pass an Esprit shop in the middle of the CBD in Wellington central... Their current window display has a white maxi with a denim cropped jacket... I love it... I always make sure I sit on the side of the bus that lets me see the dress... It looks like the epitome of summer... A white dress!!! How can you NOT own a white dress in summer? Anyhoos I would stare longingly at it as the bus is almost always stuck at that intersection... I havent ventured in yet as I havent had a minute to spare for shopping or even window shopping... That and for the simple fact that I am broke as hell now... Anyhoos so on my summer shopping wishlist...I absolutely imperatively HAVE to get a white maxi... or even any white dress for summer...

Imagine this dress, With silver bangles and my white panama hat... =D Oh my god I NEED to find a white dress... Ive been dying to use my panama hat from Italy here in NZ for the longest time... But the wind always deters me from wearing it... Imagine scenes straight from a classic silent film where a persons hat is being blown off their head and they are left to chase it and never to ever actually get it... Fuck if I'll let the wind steal my most prized Italian buy... Plus Haidar got me that hat... Ima treasure it as I do the green wool cardi he got me for my 2007 birthday... =D digressing as always...

Lastly, I was trolling the interweb to find a nice maxi right... Then I deviated to many other websites about fashion and lastly I forgot totally about my search for a maxi that began this whole procrastination until I stumbled upon this maxi... This is by far the most complimenting piece... The colours and patterns are very flattering on a person irregardless of the body size... It makes for a slim and tall look as the design is more arabesque and with such sharp patterns, one can easily find this dress flattering... =D Furthermore, its a colour block dress that I love soooo much... Except its more diagonal and sharp... I can imagine wearing nothing but this dress and a nice short sleeved bolero with my panama hat as the white and blue matches my white panama hat with a navy ribbon around it... =D Now where am I going to find this dress? It sure as hell wont be in any of the shops here... If only I could find something substantially similar to this...
Is it not the nicest maxi you've seen?Plus the best thing about maxis with full colours and designs is that you DO NOT have to accessorise it... they look grea just as they are and that is what summer wear should be like... Although being the accessories whore that I am, I most certainly wear my maxis with chunky bangles simply or just with a nice pair of chandelier earrings... So anyhoos that sums up my entry on maxi dresses... =D Haizzzzzz such dilemma I tell you... Now if only the money is in... I would sooooooooooooo buy these off the internet... I can secure a dress and still have time to do work properly... So see you till the next entry... Till then take care and have a good one!!!

Love;
Shahnaz ♥

Turning Twenty Five

2010-10-04T00:03:00.005+13:00

I will try to make for a short entry today... I am now officially a quarter of a century old... Oh my god... When I was 12 I would hear about people turning twenty five and I would cringe at how old they were... Thinking to myself how it was going to be years before Id be in their shoes... Now fast forward 13 years later and Im cringing at the thought that I am a mid twenties person... Yes Im admitting to my age... Gone are the times when I told people Im 18 or 19... I think Im going to accept my age now... Uhm... =D We'll see how... I can't help it that people here think that I am 18 or 19... I always get checked for ID... I don't know what they're thinking sometimes... Ive even lied to some about how Im actually 26/27/28 just so I could get out of a pick up situation... I can't stand these young kiwi people who think they're so hot that they can just walk up to a girl and drop a cheesy line or two... Or worse!!! Offer to buy me a drink or coffee even though I have one in hand already... So condescending la!!! You think we can't afford to get our own beverage is it?! Ok im digressing... Back to point...

Anyhoooooooooos so I woke up on the 20th August Morning thinking to myself... "Oh my god Im 25... 10 years ago I said I MUST be married by 25 (that was before I moved up the age limit to 30)" I spent a good 10 minutes in bed thinking what have I accomplished thus far? And all I could come up with was that Ive changed considerably... Ive changed soooooooooo much that even I am proud of myself...

I was a hooligan (yes Im admitting to it now), I caused so much hurt, pain and trouble to the people around me with my adolescent angst... I made my mom cry because she caught me with SEVEN (7) packs of cigarettes from Malaysia to sell to people in Singapore... This was wayyyyyyyyyyy before it was illegal to even bring in cigarettes into Singapore... My parents got called into school alot because of what I did... Skipping school, being defiant ( I say that was me being an individual and not a robot that conforms to societies ideals), failing in important classes and best of all standing up to a teacher and not backing down... Disciplinary cases were nothing new to my parents ears... When O Levels came, both my parents were hoping Id pass enough to get into any school... Polytechnic was something they never envisioned for me... College was just a wish... They figured the way I was going, Id best be getting an ITE cert and then an ITC cert before starting work... Like all rebellious teens...

I proved many wrong because after Os, I fought to want a diploma atleast... I seeked a private college to get that diploma... While doing the diploma, I made friends with people I would never have mingled with before... It was there that I realised that there was a life outside of polytechnic and colleges... I could go and do anything I want if I had the money to... And I did... So I studied and concentrated so much on my work that I aced my courses... I applied to Unis all over the world with positive feedbacks but my heart lead me to Wellington, New Zealand because I wanted to try something new... My 180 change began while I was in NZ... Fast forward 5 years... Im now in my final year and I just turned 25... A Milestone... Many of my friends did not even make it here... I knew alot of people who passed on before reaching 25... Im thankful I got out of that circle when I did... Im glad that Ive moved on and Im here with a whole different mindset... Im now independent and I think Ive matured immensely from who I was before... Im now (FINALLY!!) in my final year and praying for smooth sailing from here on... Wow... Kinda deep eh...

Moving on to the lighter bit of life... My 25th was a bittersweet celebration... It was sweet because I celebrated it with 2 close loves in my life... Najwa and him...It was bitter because my dinner was also Najwa's farewell as she was going to leave NZ the next day... Ive had her around with a taste of home for 2 and a half years and now Ill be back to my own vices... I wouldnt have that slice of home I had with Naj... However, it was good while it lasted I suppose... Ill have the rest of my life to be with Naj and the rest of Famous 5ive... =) Ive been alone before and Im pretty sure Id do okay...

Anyhooooosies... We had dinner at Marrakech on Evans Bay that night... The food was awesome but our friends attempt at surprising either of us was useless as we both knew what was going on... But all in all it was an awesome night...

So here are some pictures to entertain ya'll of the night... =D

And the attendees wereeeeeeeeee.... *drumroll*

The Boys...
Left to Right : James, Raymond, Haidir, Ilyas, Ravindu & Osama

The Gorgeous Gorgeous Girls...

Left to Right : Nadi, Sham, Geeta, Ida, Hotness, Najwa & Sita...

After the dinner... We drove around the city for about an hour just to enjoy the fun of being in a 3 car convoy...

This is Naj and I camwhoring in the Car while we were waiting for the other cars to fill their petrol... huhu
This was the group outside of the restaurant with many who didnt jump at the shot of a photo op!!! =D You can tell who are the camwhores of the group from this... hahahaha

I had an awesome night that night with my closest and dearest in NZ... No I did not miss out the word friends there because these people are beyond friends... They're almost like family already... A good nice dinner with the intimate group of loves was all I needed to make turning 25 into an awesome (and bearable) time... It helped that them idiots put 25 candles on my carrot cake to shock me into reality too... It looked like the cake was on fire!!! ahahaha man I had glowing cheeks from the heat of the candle... I swear... hahahaha Thanks Naj for the cake "surprise" seeing as how I loveeeeeeeeeeee Carrot Cake... =D Anyhoos so much for a short entry huh? =D

Toodles my Loves;
Shahnaz ♥

Woah Its been 7 months?!

2010-10-01T17:32:00.006+13:00

7 months... How much things have changed in seven months... Ive moved on in life, My brothers almost done with his studies overseas, Najwas gone back to Singapore... Ive been broke, Ive been to court, Ive been piled with work up until the point that I think Ive drowned... Now I know what people meant by Im drowning in work... =( I havent been upbeat as well lately... Made new friends... Lost old friends... Woah! Life sure takes a lot of turns in 7 months... What more a year...

Oh and I got Baby... No more BooBoo for now its just Baby Busuk... =) Well Baby Busuk isnt even in town now... Back home... =( Ive survived so far... 2 weeks yesterday... Amazing... 7 months ago I couldnt live a day without BooBoo and now I rarely make contact... =) Weird... 4 years ago I couldnt imagine not making contact with BooBoo... I thought we were forever and then Baby Busuk came along... =/ weird how life works like that...

I decided to write again... Only because I miss penning my own thoughts... My own ideas... Not something that requires heavy research... Not something that requires academic citations... Just my thoughts... Just my ideas... =) Since this was to be my outlet for my thoughts... Im going to keep it light and most of all Im going to work to keep it going... Hope I wont run into more hiatus... But I dare not promise any of you that simply because in 2 months my Baby is back and I might be too busy being a good princess to entertain this blog... Hehehe... Furthermore... I resurrected this blog because I wanted an outlet where I can be me... I can say fuck... I can say motherfucker, I can say anything and everything I want because this is MY SPACE... THIS IS WHERE I PEN SHAHNAZ THE MIND... This is where 10 years down the road I read back and I say "huh! I had a life that was fun..." because I dont want to grow up and forget the true meaning of laughters... I hope I got the haters sick and tired of coming in here with my hiatus... I cant stand being prim n proper just to prove to this mad bunch that Im a delicate flower that respects and keeps her tongue in check... I dont care what they think... I know my thoughts and actions are always sincere and never done with an alterior motive... I am nice and I am full of respect and values... My parents brought me up well... Screw them for thinking what I write on the interweb is what I am as a person always...

Enough about them haters... Many things have gone on... For those of you I care enough to share my intimate details then you would have already seen what keeps me happy these days in my facebook... =) For those of you who are clueless here... Well you might have done something before to piss me off so that I blocked u from most of the things I love... That or you are connected to people who I hate and hence I had to block you to prevent any gossip mill from starting and that I think is very noble of me... I did prevent you from attaining more sins have I not? =) anyhoooooooos... In time, if you are important enough you will know... So what do I want to share today? I thought of something light and fun as Im swarmed with work and Facebook is getting SUPER BORING... I might deactivate it sometime... This is why Im procrastinating by being back here... make it more interesting I hope...

Anyhoos... I realised there are 3 things Im absolutely awesome at... I just dont have the creativity to make it look good on the net thats all... =D I realised that Im fucking awesome at A) Cooking, B) Make Up and C) Photography... I cant seem to combine C and B or A to make an awesome display of my talents... =D Maybe I need to continue learning... No I do need to continue learning la... Anyhoos next blog entry, Ima write about dreams and aspirations and how they dont usually go together with time and circumstances... Its like a warped up love triangle you see... So Id better end my post now before this wordiness becomes a bore and I might lose the one or two readers I have left...

Much Love;

Shahnaz ♥

Super Loves my two tones la... Bloody Flash!!! My neck and face was of equal shades hor... =D

My Brother's Flying Off

2010-02-18T01:44:00.007+13:00

The day that I have always dread has come again... This time I bid adieu to my brother but Im the one who stands back and see him head off to a whole different world outside of the comfort of our little island... The warmth embrace of an ever loving family, the comforting notion that we are safe and amongst our own people and the knowledge that the cultures and traditions that we have lived by is no more foreign than the sand we step on... Leaving it all for the unknown... A world where the slightest pause in a conversation could be as different as the language one speaks...

To say I wasnt worried is an understatement... Ive been through it, although I am not saying I am an expert on migration, and I know how difficult it is to cope with a life unknown, alone... And I am the overly friendly one, the one who's skin is thick enough to know I shouldnt be afraid to smile, acknowledge and quip a friendly greeting to a random stranger... That was how I did it... But this is MY brother... The shy one... The one who never saw a need to strike up a conversation with even a distant relative... Much less a stranger on the streets... The one who doesnt speak when there is no need to...

I read up on Switzerland... I read up on Lucerne... A country so deep in traditions and etiquettes that are alien to the ones we are used to in Singapore... I read up on the Islamic community and shock was the best word to describe me on a quiet Friday night in my air con room alone... The muslim community in Lucerne as far as the interwebs show, were nonexistant... How can this be? How will my brother get his daily chicken? How can my brother go for Friday prayers? How will my brother ensure a sunday halal meal at the home of a friendly muslim? How will my brother survive a world of loneliness for 1 year... I was sick with worry and I cried myself to sleep that night... I prayed to Allah swt to ensure the protection of his iman and may he not be swayed and influenced by the cultures of this foreign land... Yes... Dramatic... But without atleast a muslim friend, one would be especially homesick and depressed... I know... I went through it... I survived it because Im the independent one...

Leaving my trust in Allah swt, I eased my aching heart with the knowledge that my brother has gone through much worse in life... Military life would have prepared him for this... And next to the army, studying in a foreign land alone would be easy peasy... I hoped... I wished... I prayed...

Famous 5ive bids another member off... We've conquered New Zealand twice and Australia... Now we're leaving a mark on Switzerland...

Thank God for the family and friends who came to make this departure less of a sad thing and more of a happy blissful send off...
Our family of Four will be seperated for a whole year... Leaving my parents with a year of second "honeymoon"... For that night, leaving me to feel how it was like to be an only daughter....

I did NOT like it... Not one bit...

Everyone was ecstatic for this trip my brother was about to take... It means he will come back as a successful man with a degree of his own choosing... We were ALL very much proud of him... This made the send off a little more easy...
Packing his stuff and knowing that for a year, I would not be able to irritate him at random times on the phone... Would not be able to let my heart out for free and unlimited... And on the student budget I have in New Zealand, I could not hang on the phone with him telling my ups and downs about life here... That also meant he could not do the same with me... =/ Emails are just a little less personal...
His friends are obviously very proud and support him from behind always...

Haidar!!! We are all VERY PROUD of YOU!!! We Love you and Believe in your capabilities... Come back and do us proud... I will see you in June inshallah... =D And I can go back to irritating the shit out of you... For 3 weeks atleast... =D I love you Dar... Take Care... *hugs n kisses*

Love;

Shahnaz ♥

Seoul Gardening and Shopping with The Naj

2010-02-16T09:50:00.007+13:00

So the Naj and I had some official immigration business to do and since we figured we were gg to be in town, shopping or window shopping it shall be... Texting Nurul, her friend, to join us so that we could have a day of girls talk and bitching... It was tiring to say the least but we had had a blast throughout... Anyhoos while waiting for Nurul to be done with school, the both of us decided to splurge and eat like mad people at Seoul Garden, Takashimaya, Singapore... We all love Seoul Garden and we all love MEAT... So it was only logical that we headed there for a scrumptious lunch... =D Check out the pics...

In the beginning there was only this much meat on our table bbg thingy...

As you can clearly see from above, we had no veggies, no seafood... just MEAT... Chicken, Lamb and Beef... =D Arabs... *shakes head*
While waiting for our meat to cook till tender, we attacked the cooked food spread... Loves!!! the spaghetti was the typical cheap as, no effort put in type... But oh god it is still delicious... and samosas were heaven... But the real star of the cooked food spread was of course the stir fried sweet and sour fish... Wait or was it chicken? Cant remember now but it was gooooooooooood... in a not too much effort put in but hey its made for the masses kind... =D
We had chilli sauce, ketchup and satay sauce... staple sauces to ensure a delectable experience... Loves!!!
Before we digged into the food spread before us... Najwa above, Me below...

The chicken corn soup was also memorably good... Perfect for a winters night but unfortunately it was in the heat of Singapore island... Still loved it though... =D
Our food being cooked and the empty plates near it... We went through about 6 plates of meat shared and a couple of cooked food plate each... =D
Check out the spoils of our battle with the food... =D hehehehe
A random pic of the Naj's chicken piece... =D Fighters we are... Spartans always...
Nurul came shortly after we were stuffed... Then, we burned all those meat off by going around the whole of Orchard in search for bargain galores... =D hehehe When we've exhausted Orchard... Like the shopaholic we were, we headed to bugis for more bargain hunting... =D

Check us out with the spoils of the day...
Nurul with her shopping loot,
Najwa with hers...
Me and my loot... Yes!!! Cotton on!!! Harumph!!! Bargain ok!!! Latex Tights are the shiznit...
So there we were ending the day with bright smiles and empty pockets... =D And a stomach full of good food... =D

Toodles and see ya'll in the next post!!! *hugs*

Love;

Shahnaz ♥

***DISCLAIMER Its NOT that Im Itching to be Married

2010-02-11T01:41:00.008+13:00

Anyone who knows my wedding dreams would know that the 4 things that I consider a MUST for my wedding are :

A) A Chopard Engagement Ring

Image Source

B) A Chopard Wedding Band

Image Source

C) An Oscar de la Renta Wedding Dress

Image Source

Because I love Oscar's fine stitching and details in his dresses... Check out this simple gown... I would make this have a tulle-ish skirt... Erm... Big poofy skirt... with same material n design...

Image Source

If I can't have my Oscar de la Renta... I would settle for

A Custom Made NO RESTRICTION Wedding Dress of MY DREAM
Image Source

And finally... I HAVE to have

D) Christian Louboutin Heels

Image Source

It sounds far fetched and unattainable but seriously every girl is allowed to dream their wedding... Its something that almost every girl has thought off... The dream varies but the reality is that most girls would want to have their own dream wedding... When they were young and playing make belief, Im sure most girls has donned a white shroud and imagining it to be a veil... Took slow steps in their room and pretending to be the princess for that day... Ok Ok so I got this few lines off Friends... But its partly true... I suppose...

Anyhoos the reason for this post is because A) There are WAYYYYYYY toooooo much wedding stories going around on the interweb and B) I need a medium to pen my creative ideas while I have them so in the event that I DO get married, I will have a place to go back to to see what were my ideas for my gown be... =D Malay say "mentel", I say "stuff it you old bag of shit"

I do realise that Ive set the bar a little bit too high... But I would settle for all the above items in "INSPIRED" except the Louboutins... I will HAVE to have them... Plus they're not too expensive... Ive told my booboo about this and he laughed in my face... A) Idiot's broke by the end of the month every month... anyhoos B) He hates my love of shoes, so he said, everything is a GO except the Louboutins.... Can somebody say "HEARTLESS ARABIC DOINK?" Hehehehe

Okies sooooooo today I want to talk about my Dream Wedding Gown... It wont be in Exact Details because I still want to surprise people...

BUT it is absolutely imperative that I have French lace and Tulle... Big poofy skirt too... =D I want a boat neck short sleeves... Family : Refer to My Mothers Wedding Gown as Inspiration... =D

French Lace is awesome and adds a vintage feel to it yet makes whatever design it has timeless... A Classic beauty...

This is about the closest picture to what I have in my head... Except it is without sleeves and poofy skirt... =D
I blame this woman in THIS dress for my love of detailing and big poofy skirt... I saw this picture in 2006 and instantly fell in love with this dress... I even harassed Navin a couple of times to look at this pic and tell me its PERFECT... =D Love Beyonce pre Single Ladies
Another closest thing I could find for my dream gown... Almost yet not there... =D

So I better end this wedding post because I dont want tongues wagging... Then again those big mouths that used to harass my blog hasnt been notified of its resurrection... *prays* I hope they wont come wandering in and start their vicious rumour mill again... To the rest of u... Toodles!!!

PS No end photo of me... Vanity has to have a limit... =D

Ooooooooooooooopsssssssssss... I Lied... =D *loves*

Love;

Shahnaz ♥

Sunday Family "Geder²"

2010-02-08T05:25:00.010+13:00

We had another Family Gathering... Although this one is highlighted as the Last Family Gathering before all the birds fly back to their nests... Hmph... Made sense in my head...

Anyhoosies...

If theres one thing our family loves, its getting everyone together and having a blast... Another thing we all love is having prayers together... Having "tahlil"s is something we all love doing... Our uncles and their antics and our male cousins and their shenanigans... Makes for a fantastic gathering... Not to mention the food... Coming from a family that simply enjoys eating and creating dishes, gatherings are almost always accompanied by a unique dining experience... NEVER (alhamdulillah, mashallah) have we encountered left overs... Irregardless of how much the Aunties cook up, it almost always finishes that night or have a little left over for all to pack home...

Hmmmmmm I plead you to not think that we're a bunch of pigs... We prefer to be called food connoisseurs... We have an eye for good food and our womenfolk excel at cooking so much that many have tried but yet failed at acheiving the same results... Hmmmmm Ill let the pictures do the talking then... It was a sort of potluck but yet was totally planned so that each dish will complement the other...

This are all the main dishes... With a random bowl of strawberries... We have fruits as well... Part of our culture... What ur seeing is a fusion of middle eastern and asian cuisines... Fused to create a special culinary experience known as "Singaporean Arab"... What is Singaporean Arab? Ill leave that for another post... huhu
The staple to all Arabic household... Rice... Unlike Asians, Arabs love their rice cooked in spices... Usually it is a butter/ghee rice that is cooked with spices and milk and topped with almonds and sultanas... Among other things...

This is where the Asian influences come in... Sweet and Sour Prawns... Although to a middle eastern person that resides anywhere else in the world, this would be considered as Asian and would have nothing to do with their food... *Sentence fragment that I cant be fadoodled to edit* In the Singaporean Arab household, this is not a dish that is foreign to the dinner table...
Spicy Fried Wings... I told ya'll I had black blood... As clearly shown... Fried Chicken is a STAPLE to our BenTalib clan... Without it, many have shouted their displease... All I can say is Im glad the mothers learned from their one time mistake and have ensured fried wings at ALL our gatherings... huhu
This is bamiyah... OUR STYLE... Bamiyah is arabic for lady's fingers... Or orkas... As u can clearly see here, although the recipe remains the same... Singapore Arab bamiyah does NOT include Bamiyah itself... Go Figure... By the way... Its a tomato based meat dish... Super tender meat that was Oh So Delicious...
Here we have Dhalca... I thought it was indian but someone claimed it is infact arabic... Who would know... Anyhoos another dinner table staple in a Singapore Arab household...
Here we have Kuzi Chicken... Or as I would like to call it, Ayam Sumbat BenTalib... The difference between this and other Kuzi chicken, is that we have our OWN special blend of spices along with cooking method... This is a recipe off the BenTalibs on my paternal side... Yummilicios... Its supposed to be stuffed but due to the number of people it will be catered to, my mother cooked the stuffings along with the smaller pieces... =D

You see how delicious our food looks? Haiz... These things are what makes me miss Singapore when I am in NZ... Good Food and Awesome Family Company... =D Do you think we could not have desserts? You would be wrong... Check out a quarter... Yes I said a Quarter of the desserts that day... We stopped taking pics after because everyone was just too hungry to think about taking more pics of the food... I missed out on alot of the dessert that day as it was a hot day and I loaded up on the drinks... =( I miss it all now... Anyhoosies... Another traditional gathering that my maternal side tends to have is Birthdays... Irregardless of ur age... Somebody would bound to have bought a cake for you... Any reason to party they say... Coincidentally our "tahlil" was a week after our Cousin Fahmy's Birthday... His Wife, Fuzzy, got him a heavenly cake that added to the festive mood that everyone was in already...

After all that... The family (3rd generation to be precised) got back to being as whacky as we always are... Especially when theres a camera present and an idiot that says "One, Two..." hahahahahaha... Expert Camwhoring runs in the blood... Toodles ya'll

Love;

Shahnaz ♥

Hei Sushi Hei Sushi Hei!!!

2010-02-05T08:26:00.013+13:00

Soooooooooo I got a text early Thursday morning about having Sushi Buffet... Having been waiting for Dian to have a clear schedule would inevitably lead to me not having sushi buffet at all... Spurred by my "Sushi ada halal ke?" (Trans: Is there halal sushi?) comments, Yatee set out to find the ONLY halal sushi chain... That woman is amazing I tell u...

Here We are @ Hei Sushi

Just to clarify... I AM particular about halal and not halal... I just figured sushi is fish and hence we do not need that halal stamp... Oh well... I never denied that my religious knowledge is shallow and I can only learn more right? I tend to digress I know... Shut up... =D

So Yatee found Hei Sushi @ Downtown East and so Thursday's lunch was sushi... Ive got tons of photos for this post... So either skip it all or bear with me... The better quality ones are from Yatee's camera... hehehehehe

The starter... Cheat!!! One is filled while the other is just rice in the egg skin!!! Jap Food Lovers please clarify with me why this is so... Angry sia... Made us full I suppose... So we werent incline to order more... We stopped after we ordered 3 of this kind of sushi... =D
This was all taken off the belt... Before our orders in the computer arrived... =D Syiok man!!!
My Favourite Sushi of all... Octopus something something... Damn nice I swear... Weirdest food I eat... =D
This was the damage after our first round... Wonder what we had? Scroll to the next pic... =D
Just a portion of our first round... We took a break to have....
Kitsune Udon... =D Wonder what our thoughts were on this udon dish? Btw Kitsune is beancurd..
It was absolutely disgusting... We gagged a couple of times... It was super weird!!! Uwek!!!

Our Second round... All side dishes and egg sushis tht had 2 instead of 1... =D Check out the shitake thingy...
Please divert ur attention to bottom left hand corner... =D
Somebody decided to be "healthy" and order the shitake stuffed with salmon... I said Im not having it cos I absolutely loathe shitake... Healthy? Check out the next pic...
The Oil that was squeezed out of the Mushroom!!! Eeeeeeeeeeeewwwwwwwwwwwww Yatee was suffering from having to get rid of the excess oil... Healthy my foot!!!!
She had to use a piece of tissue to squeeze out allllllllllllll the excess oil... gross...
Instead of being healthy... I chose this scallop thingy... It was fried but NO excess oil... and It was DELICIOUS!!! We each had 3 of this...
Oh and in keeping with the so called healthy lunch... I ordered the potato chicken salad which I thought was good... It had alot of chunky chicken pieces in it... Although I didnt detect a single potato... =D I liked it but Yatee thought otherwise... Oh well... So We were stuffed by then... We ate worth the price and It was time for dessert... So while waiting I grabbed my Octopus thingy sushi off the belt again...
This is by far the ONLY sushi that I crave while in NZ... Loves Loves Loves it... I remember I ate sushi buffet the first time and they had the octopus on its own... Without the seaweed or even the rice... It was goooooooooooood... =D
The dessert that Fadhilah and I thought was Mochi... Turned out to be Sorbet Dipped in Something... Nice... Colourful too... =D

Shahnaz the Pink Nose Hottie... Yatee the Chocolate Freak!
Our Lychee and Peach Mochi... Delisioso!!! =D Loved them!!!

Our total damage... =D

So while waiting for Yatee to come... I chanced upon this ride... It cost 6 bucks and I was thinking if I should ask Yatee to do this ride... Its pretty stupid... But it ought to be fun... Funny atleast... It was probably going to be like all other simulation rides... But it was just a passing thought...
Unbeknownst to me... When Yatee came out to meet me... She had the same exact thought as I had... We both looked at each other and said... "Nak?" (trans: U want?) at the same time... And soooooooooooooooooooooooo...
And so we did!!! This is us laughing our bums off in a shaky ride...

Verdict : DO NOT waste ur 6 bucks... Yatee was taking Videos and Pictures at the beginning and when she was just about to settle and enjoy the ride... It ended... Abruptly!!! What a Waste of good 6 bucks... It wasnt even very thrilling... None of that roller coaster high one would expect... Yes We knew it would have sucked but we continued to ride it nonetheless... =D Bored mah?!
This is the cursed mini rider with the irritating music... Best part was... When we walked further into Downtown East... We found another rider that had a more scarier ride... Hmph!!!
Oh for the record... We took the Haunted Mine ride... Haunted? My Ass!!! Although I look very much excited here... I was cursing away at the blasted ride... =D Hmph! We found a scarier looking trail but I would put 10 bucks plus a free mini rider ride that it would have sucked as bad as the Haunted Mine... Hmph!!! Anyhoos how have YOU guys Been!!!??? =D Cbox getting abit too quiet... =D

Love;

Shahnaz ♥

Subliminal Messages

2010-02-03T03:46:00.012+13:00

Today Boys and Girls... I would like to talk about subliminal messages i.e subliminal stimuli... Messages laid hidden in a movie, book or even advertisement... Things you previously thought were rather innocent forms of entertainment... BUT ARE THEY?! Before you continue reading... I would like to make notice that I am not here to give a lecture on Media/Subliminal Stimuli... Im merely here to voice my own thoughts and possibly disbelievement at how the media world works through a rough analysis of the movie Avatar...

Amazing how as innocent patrons, we, conciously, do not take notice these messages that the media big wigs has laid within the respective forms of entertainment... What are subliminal messages? Basically, it is a form of message that lies hidden and can only be noticed by ur subconcious brain... Usually 'transmitted' in the form of a visual or audio message... Though today... Im only looking at the visuals...

Visual stimuli are flashed so quickly that one may not take notice of it conciously, it may also be flashed and then masked, hence if ur concious mind saw it, it would have been quickly hidden and only ur subconcious mind can decipher... Best bit is... Ur mind processes it WITHOUT u conciously being aware of it. Scary? I thought so too myself... The biggest culprit to use visual stimuli and has had their works pin pointed on is... Surprise Surprise... Its... Disney... YES!!! DISNEY!!! YES!!! MICKEY MOUSE AND ALL THINGS WHOLESOME!!! You would think that right? But what ARE Disney's Hidden messages? Ill show u a clip I found tremendously interesting on YouTube.

OH!!! I watched the video and found it tremendously intriguing n hence wish to create works like Disney... If you feel you yourself would watch it and then end up boycotting Disney... I suggest u stop here and not watch it... I love Disney and think they're a bunch of Geniuses up there... If ur stubborn n curious... Watch it then but with a pinch of salt... I dont want to hear any protests n picket lines against Disney cos I madly love their work!!! *claps* Yey Me!!! Sooooo Here You go...

A Mix of Different Cartoons

Yes... Believe it... It happens and it sells... They are smart... So what are we? hmmmmmmm

Then theres Audio Stimuli... Ill touch briefly on it... Its a process called backmasking... Rampant in the 50s and 60s... Its amazing how they include messages within songs and hence alter ur subconcious... But today Im not going to dwell into that too much... I want to talk about the much hyped movie of 2009, Avatar... Yeah those blue people...

Image taken from Here

Don't get me wrong... I loveeeeeeeeeeeeeed it... My best movie of the year... Its made beautifully and James Cameron has truly outdone himself... Amazing work, truly... I loved the plot, the cgi (goooooooooooooooooooooooo Weta!!!) and the subliminal messages I got from the movie... Soooo what did I get?

Simplest one that I think EVERYONE got was... Colonialism... Yes... When a White so called Supreme Power infiltrates... Yes I said Infiltrate... a habited land and forces... Yes I said Forces... their way upon the natives... Be it through, Education, Life lessons or even religion... We alllllllllllll got that from the movie... Unless u r dense like that... What happened in history all over the world... Was a so called evolved group chances upon a new land and then learns the way of the locals before slowly taking over their land to create a so called happier place... Why? For the resources on that land... In some instances... for the land itself... Its in the history books... Don't believe what Im saying? TOUGH... Im not here to teach history...

Ok fine... Look at England ( William the Conqueror came in from France), America ( Christopher Columbus, the Spainiards, the English all came and raped the Native American's land), Singapore ( Sang Nila Utama, the British, the Japanese came and took the land that was the orang laut's... ok ok the Arabs too ) Malaysia as well... Sans Sang Nila though but including the Portugese....The Indonesians got the portugese and Dutch, India, Sri Lanka, Australia and New Zealand (and many more) had the British... Ok so u get my drift... Hmmmmmmmmmm wait... Does this 'plot' sound like something familiar to you? Lets take a look at the Avatar Plot...

Image taken from FailBlog *click image to enlarge* Hmmmmmmmmmm... Pocahontas huh! Hello Disney!!! *waves* I smell plagiarism or is it another one of Disneys marketing strategy? =D Damn those geniuses... I vow to work for them someday... Somehow... Anyhooooooooooooooooooooooos... The other message I got from the movie was... Virtual living... A friend of mine *waves at Carmelita* did her thesis paper on the lives many ordinary people take on behind the computer screen... Many have "married", have "kids" and basically have a separate life virtually... Wait... That sounds like bad english... Oh fuck it... Anyhoosies... I was shocked at what Carmie had to say about these people... Once they get on their "virtual life" behind their Avatar (Virtual Character) and Handle (Virtual Name), they take on the role of a separate person... A 40 year old man could be a "10 year old child" of a 14 year old boy's "40 year old man" and a 45 year old lady's "25 year old woman"... Confusing? those in quotes are their virtual life... I.e to mean that they take on a different life totally different from their real life... Yes it happens... I swear I was as shocked when Carmie told me she did her research by talking to people like this... Sounds familiar? No? Well Jake Sully is basically a cripple in real life... When he was given the opportunity to mentally be in the "Avatar" to help research the Na'vi's culture and way of life... He took on the role of a warrior... Something he couldnt be in his human self... Thats what virtual life is all about... Being somebody you can never be in real life... A pale, pimply 14 year old could be a dashing, handsome, tanned man that everyone in a "chat" or "online community" could look up to and that the girls in the "online community" could fall for... That is... His VIRTUAL SELF... Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Avatar Jake & Neytiri in a Robin Hood Scene.... Image taken from Scene Stealers
Digressing!!! Couldnt find the scene shots of when Maid Marian was standing next to Robin Hood in the same exact pose as the Avatar scene of Avatar Jake and Neytiri but it comes immediately after this shot... =D Anyhoos Hollywood has run out of ideas... The same themes have been overplayed and its the delivery of the story that many movie buffs r clamouring to review... Moving on...

Finally... The last message I got from the movie was confidence and togetherness, overcomes all obstacles if you believe strongly enough that you are capable, eventually, you will rise up successful... My maternal relatives have been practicing this from the time when the 10 siblings used to be young, unmarried and happy in a little wooden (verification needed) house in a village in Jalan Kobis... They have always had the spirit of gotong royong (English : Togetherness/Helping one another without count) instilled in them and have passed on this practice to our generation...

This is why I felt most strongly about this theme in Avatar... In my 25 years on this earth, I have witnessed many try to break apart the close knit family... Either in words or action... At the end of the day... The family would sit and solve this problems together... Building trust and hence prevents outsiders to break their bond... Many have fallen weak once and have been at the bad end of the family trust but with the zeal and will to ensure a firm togetherness... The family has overcome it all and rised triumphant in their battles... If anything, my maternal side of the family has grown muchhhhhhh closer than before after all their troubles... As the proverbial blood is thicker than water and the malay version of Air yang dicincang tak akan putus (English: Water that has been stirred would still remain as it is)...

Amazing how my brain dissects this supposed simple movie ay? This happens alot since Media courses... Anyhoosies... I know I havent covered much on Subliminal Messages... But I hope after this ~~essay~~ post, many would have a rough idea of the hidden messages within a movie... Try not to take the movie just at face value... See the underlying hints and messages that it is portraying...

Lastlyyyyyyyy... I promise... I loveeeeeeeeeeeeeee Avatar because it was the first movie portraying Americans as Bad and Aliens as Good... Finally a theme most realistic... America Vs Islam/Iraq? U be the judge... Hahahahahahahaha toodles... *huggsies*

Love;

Shahnaz ♥

Am Back to Blogging

2010-01-30T02:43:00.003+13:00

After almost a year hiatus... Im proud to declare that Im back... And may I be better at blogging than before... I got started on blogging on a whim as I was bored enough and I have been told countless times of my engaging style of writing that takes my readers away with their imagination... Yes that is by far the best compliment Ive received on my writing and I am going to declare that every so often... On top of that... Im making a resolution of keeping to blogging... If Im capable of moving people to tears with my words, Im determined to garner a couple of laughs and smiles from my readers... Ehem... Aside from that... I got really into blogging in 2006 upon my move to Wellington, New Zealand. As a way of communicating my lifestyle back to home base, i.e Singapore (read: family and friends)...

I was pretty successful in keeping in touch with the family... And then Facebook happened... After years of being against it with the reasoning that it is another way to eliminate actualy human contact, I caved and signed up and have been addicted since 2008... Late 2008 mind you...

After that... Certain turning points in my life caused my so said hiatus from blogging and I found myself slowly forgetting the joys of penning my thoughts to a handful of readers... I became a blog reader myself, instead.

Now, Im almost close to admitting how proud I am at having caved to another form of technology that once again, takes away actual human contact... I am on Twitter... Yes... Again after being an anti twitter and anymore social networks... I caved... Im seeing a pattern here... Hmph! With the evolving technology... I sat back and thought about how I was once excited to put thoughts to words on my blog... Hence, today... Im proud to announce that I want to write as I did before... This time I want to be more active (yeah right... We see how tht goes) and more engaging (ah huh!!!)

My goal this time round is to post up interesting articles that I will "borrow" from the various interweb sources and FASHION TIPS, SECRETS and TRENDS!!! Oh blame the E! and The Style Network addict in me... Mad Loves for the Fashion!!! Aside from that... I will share some tips and tricks on my new love... Make Up!!! Lets all bow our heads n pray that I will keep my word... Toodles and Have a Blast being my reader... Rocking Out and Living Loud!!! *huggsies*

Love;

Shahnaz ♥

I miss you

2009-03-20T01:05:00.003+13:00

I miss you so much... I usually call u about this time talking about my day or talking about my problems... I usually have so many things to say to u but never enough time... I would then heave a sigh of relieve as we have settled my issues... then without fail I would ask you... "hows things on ur end?" u would laugh ur stupid laugh and tell me... "naz, mana ada? i dont have anything... u continue with ur story ah..." to which I would hassle u until u give up and smile ( i can hear it in ur voice) and proceed to spill it... =D our laughters on setan and babi... our stupid analysing things... our curiousity at the world...

I usually call u on the weekends to tell u what naughty things I did... You usually just laugh and humour me... Only to end the call with a "I miss u... I love u princess... Take care and jangan buat kerja bodoh..."

I miss you like you wouldnt believe... I cannot wait to see u again... Right now Im worried like Ive never been before... I have so many things to tell u... Only if u would spare me 5 minutes of talk time... I hope u will read this one day... Maybe when I am with you... =D We could laugh as we always do after one of us gets thru a stupid ordeal... =D remember how we laughed about ahmed...

I miss you... I wish I was with you now... I have so many things to share with you... I know when things clears up you will tell me you understand why I am/was not there... I know deep inside you know if I could I would fly back right now... I would... I want you to be ok... Im staying strong for you... I hope ur staying strong for me too...

We catch up immediately after you come back? I miss you alot u noe dong? Did I ever tell you how much I LOVE YOU!!! With ur instant high on V and ur crazy hyperactiveness at night and ur irritating ketak ketak... =D I LOVE YOU SO MUCH... and I think Im starting to miss you just as much as I love you...

A Very Deep Post

2008-12-17T21:00:00.016+13:00

Photo Courtesy of United Colors of Benetton

What is the matter with people who concern themselves too much about the colour of one's skin? Does it really matter whether a person is of white, black, brown, yellow or orange skin? Are one's feelings and reactions automatically linked to the colour of one's skin?

Being Arab Singaporean, Ive had the unfortunate pleasure of experiencing the cruel and nefarious attitudes of bigots who think that the colour of one's skin defines their status in life.

Insensate? Truly. Irreparable? Unfortunately.

When anyone asks me of my race, I allege with pride that I am Arab. I am Yemeni. I am Hadrami. Irregardless of their race, nationality, social standing and creed, they are often met with the same answer from me.

When they are in awe, in shock and in reverance... I pose back a "Why?" to them only to invoke a surprised reaction from them... A minute after composing their surprise, "Simply... Its cool to be arabic..."

When instead of adoration, I am met with a hostile reaction or an "I am far superior than you" demeanor, I would pose back a "Why?" to them only to invoke a surprised reaction from them... A minute after allowing time for composure, I reply in my most dignified deportment, "I am curious as to why u think one race is better than the other?"

"We are all nothing but skin, blood and bones..." If you cut me, I bleed, my blood is as red as yours... If your blood is blue, black or green... We are not of the same kind... Ur supposed superior race transcends that of mine... I admit... If my blood is gold, silver or bronze... I am thus deemed cool... Being Arab would hence be "cool"... You would be right... IF

Unfortunately for all of us, we are nothing more than of equal standing... If ur IQ surpasses mine... I envy you for a purpose... If your pay is double that of mine for equal or lesser work time... I would be sad for my situation... If I can recite the Al-Quran with my eyes closed then please feel free to say I am somebody who deserves recognition, admiration and awe... IF

If I am hated for the colour of my skin or if I am preferred more because of the colour of my skin then I would have to say that I am unfortunately living in a world of extreme prejudice... It would be sad to think that a world so advance and so beautiful is infested with racial discrimination... IF

I have seen with my own eyes and heard with my own ears of the preference of one race over the other... In terms of marriage... In terms of friendship and in terms of general worldly issues...

In this time and age, marriage with a "low-class" race is deemed as sacrilegious... Even if that somebody of the "low-class" race is somebody who is kind and who truly is in love and is full of genuine care and concern...

I have had the shock of finding out that some people see hanging out with a group consisting of people from the "low-class" races as something that potentially besmirchs the good name of one's "high-class" race...

I have seen business proposals excluding the inclusion of people of a "low-class" race due to fear of loss...

Shocked much? Believe you me, this is the reality of life... I know that we are supposedly taught to practice tolerance... However, tolerance is a farce... I am not saying that nobody practices tolerance... People do... I do... To a certain extent... Only to be Politically Correct... It is not wrong... It makes the world keep smiling... It prevents any unrest... It is wrong, however, to be prejudiced to one race only because you are against that one race... For no other reason other than "Simply"

I am not going to dwell upon a post on race issues... I am merely venting out my frustrations... It is a topic that is too deep and heavy to be penned down... It has been around since time immemorial...

We are all equal... We bleed when we are cut...

"We are all nothing but skin, blood and bones..."

Check out KLM - Fill a Plane - Promote your plane

2008-12-03T05:57:00.001+13:00

Hi,

Come on you guys!!! I want to win a trip to Amsterdam... If I win... Ill hold a blog competition to find a winner to join me on my trip... =D Word is I might get to bring 3 of u with me... So!!! What are you waiting for!!! Join laaaaaaaaaaaa... =D

I want you to take a look at : KLM - Fill a Plane - Promote your plane

Out of Blogging Ideas

2008-12-02T00:50:00.002+13:00

Ok so here's a fraction of my cousins, all hanging out at my Uncle, Ami Abot,'s newly renovated crib... What can beat open space, cushions galore and a 42 inch Plasma, set on a feature wall, equipped with a hundred over channels and, best of all, black coffee brewed with love and aids in flooding back memories of our childhood when baba would brew that same exact black coffee for us, even kids, while we sit around and just tell/hear stories... =D

If boredom still strikes or if the television is conquered by the football fanatics, then, 2 versions of Monopoly (We, Cucu Cucu Ummi Enots, lovingly call it monops), Risk and Uno can be a form of entertainment as well...

If after that, u r still in search of something that is more entertaining, like the sudden baby boom doesnt tire you out, u could just bring ur cup of black coffee to the other side of the hall and indulge urself with the 2nd generation's endless story sessions and gossip galore... U might surprise urself at how at ease u will be in saying ur thoughts on their current topic of interest...

Family, in the end it doesnt really matter what it is u are doing... The important thing is that u are doing it WITH the family... Weekend gatherings, I feel, should not be forgotten just because the sole reason why we used to come together on Sundays was to see the Matriarch of our family, Baba, and although she has passed, it doesnt mean that we should stop this decades old tradition... Im sure she would definitely have wanted us to continue our weekend meet ups... Except now we should all be responsible enough to pick up after ourselves and help keep AmiBot's home tidy... =D

I cannot emphasize on how much I love having family gatherings and ultimately how much I love my family... Each one of my 21 cousins have a special place in my heart... Well 19 actually, seeing how my brother and I could not pass as MY cousin... Oh 22 of us now since the arrival of Nashwa a year and 1 month back... =D Digressing... Actually this post does not tie itself together at all... oh well... Anyhoos, each of them have an almost sibling like relationship with me and more so my cousins from our infamous group, the Famous 5ive...

Famous 5ive is NOT just its founding members, Munira, Haidar, Nabil, Najwa and I, it is also our younger cousins, Faeez, Farhan, Mastura and Wafy, who have, over the years, gotten closer to us and now than before, we find that YES we are like siblings... We have a special bond and a need for protecting the younger ones and its touching to know that although we joke and laugh at each others expense, when it comes down to serious stuff and all, the junior Famous 5ive know when to draw the line and respect us because we are older and also, they have the desire to protect us from harms way too... =D touching sia... I can cry... hehehehehehe...

No no this is NOT a bias inclined post... I love all my cousins the same... Its just that the 9 of us are almost always free at the same time and at the same odd hours... lol...

So this post was only because I had to update my template and posts because ever since I came back, Ive neglected my blog... =D oh well... You guys understand... Family and Friends alike, I have been busy catching up with u lot... =D

Ok la Im tired... Time to end it now... *hugs* Hopefully I wont be too busy bee to update often on my blog... =D

no p.s or p.p.s or p.p.p.s today... =D hehehehehehehehehehehe

Home Sweet Home

2008-11-04T07:51:00.008+13:00

It's Good to be home... I LOVE IT!!!

Family - Check

Friends - Check

Ummi's Cooking - Check

Good & Cheap Food - Check

Cute Babies - Check

Warm Weather - Check

I love it... Only been 2 days and im loving every minute and already immersing myself back into my usual habits n patterns... Argh!!! Will update on my happenings soon... Till Then... Keep Checking Back!!! Loves It!!! =D

Free

2008-10-29T03:13:00.003+13:00

Im Calm, Free & Relaxed Now... 4 more Days to Singapore... Inshallah... Cant Wait to See ALL of You... =D *hugs*

2008-10-26T02:17:00.003+13:00

Hehehehehe... Im not even kidding with this picture... I've got about 1000 more words to my assignment and 2 more authors to finish understanding before I can P-A-R-T-A-Y... But am I doing my essay so I can have a good night's sleep to prepare for another day of studying??? Noooooooooooooo I'm online doing the most redundant things ever... Im facebooking (so much for being a member of the ones that "loathe" it eons ago...), Im reading blogs to find out the latest fashion (wtf?!? Ive got a frigging essay!!!), Im chatting about the most nonsensical gossips with ina and Im pissed of with a certain cuckoo bird that is action sombong now... =D Then Im gossipping about that babi cuckoo bird with ina... =D Oh Oh Oh and I'm on the phone now with Ahmed while I'm eating ice cream topped with chocolate syrup, pineapple chunks, chocolate chips and ground almonds.......... bliss... as if THATS not pigging out... Im eating kueh lapis AND kek Kukus with a glass of tea... Im allowed this pigging out because I didnt eat my delicious white sauce shrimp pasta, albeit a little salty, for lunch or dinner... Tak selera for proper food la... Just craving junks right now as Im in the midst of stress... Can you clearly see the stupid shit i get up to??? Do I prioritise??? The obvious answer is NOooooooooOOOoooooooooo... Chatting, On the Phone, Eating, Playing Poker (oops just got into that now... heehee) and now Im blogging... argh!!! ~~Can't~~ ~~Can~~ ~~Can't~~ ~~Can~~ Can't wait for Tuesday to come and go... Anticipating Saturday 1st Novembers a.s.a.p arrival though... =D Argh bliss is the knowledge that Im leaving this god forsaken place to be around my most beloved family and my ever loyal friends, the Usual Suspects... Rinduuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu uuuuuuuuuuu uuuuuuuuu uuuuuuu Rindu se rindu rindu nyaaaaaaaaaa aaaaaaaaa aaaaaaaaaa... =D

Ok Im allowed that... Im stressed...

P.s My Farkher friends and cousin are cheebs cheebs out while Im stuck at home, warm and away from the vicious wind n rain... Heehee... Stupid tebiats going out in this weather... Farkanathan... =D

P.p.s Mangkok!!! I can write THIS much bullshit in 10 minutes but I can't write a decent paragraph for this stupid election topic!!!

Kidnapping & Getaway

2008-10-13T19:39:00.006+13:00

What Do 2 Stressed Out & Broke Friends Do For Their Long Time Friends 23rd Birthday???

We Kidnap Her While She Is Drunk & Take Her To Another City For The Weekend!!! =D

It turned out to be a Girls Getaway, where we relaxed and frolicked on the beach and took in some touristy sights... It was pure relaxation heaven, without the spa treatment... Budget OI!!!

Heres

The Pre Op -

Geeta : Dude, You wanna rent Car?
Shahnaz: I don't mind but no money
Geeta : Nevermind, Ill pay... I want to drive la...
Shahnaz: Ok la then... What we going to do?
Geeta: ROADTRIP!?
Shahnaz: Sounds like a plan...
*Vague now but one of us decided to get Nadi in on it as a Birthday Surprise after her birthday party*

We decided that at her party, we shall distract her and get ALL her stuffs needed, including undies AND toothbrush... Head out after her birthday party... Flagging clubbing with the Group (Oh GOD!!! I just let out info that might potentially get motherf**king gossips to start a whole new chapter on how indecent and wild shahnaz is & how they feel its their god given birthright to tell my mom, and the whole world, how badly my mom has raised her daughter... Screw you f**ktard!!!)... Just heading out and getting immediately onto the highway... Unfortunately...

Actual night -

Managed to pack ALL her things... Even her Ventolin Inhaler... However, the alcoholic drunkard Nadi got too damn drunk and INSISTED on going clubbing... heheheh she didnt demand but the group forced her to go... Stayed in one club for a good 1 hour and made up a lie about how I had 'left' my wallet at her place and needed it badly... Geeta, Nadi & I went to the car where the plan was executed...

Nadi then decides that she would have a short nap... Perfect...

Woke up a couple of times screaming panic about how we've made a wrong turn... *Evil Laugh*

Clonked Out Dead for the rest of the journey *f@#k sia the lankan!!!*

Driving onwards, we had the unfortunate luck of having a flat tire (never before in my whole life) in the middle of nowhere!!! Crazy...

Nadi Continued Sleeping... *She didnt wake up when the tire got a flat, she didnt wake up when I was speeding on speed humps & she didnt even wake up when Metal music was blasted!!!*

Panic took over for a good 30 minutes... Changing tires was easy... Im not even kidding... IF you do it the Women's Way... =D

Arrived in our destination and coaxing a mad drunk person to get up and get into warm accomadation was NOT an easy task... Nadi was adamant to sleep in the car... We ALMOST did leave her to sleep in the car... She also drunkenly said that we were no longer friends... Oh well... =D

Next Morning -

Nadi, all sobered up, wanted to have a good day... We planned a day at the beach and sightseeing... First up was LUNCH!!! Hungry as... =D

Now, We let the Pictures (very little lor) do the talking...
Geeta & I Having Fun In D Sun
Geeta & I Re-Doing Baywatch

Finally We See the Birthday Girl IN the pictures... (She asked for extra shorts cos we forgot to pack those for her... =D So much for friendship being OVER...)

Our Supposed Haka Shots... Erm yeah right... =DUs & The Wind Turbines that help power 20% of New Zealand... Erm Something like that...Nadi Outside the car after MUCH persuasion... Jeebus!!!

All in all the three of us had an awesome time just catching up and doing girl stuffs... =D We enjoyed the day and our drive back, was filled with more "open up" sessions...

I had a nice weekend with my 2 bitches... We havent done much "us" time this year and this trip was truly much needed...

The Best Part???

We DID NOT blow our budget... Ahhhhh... Bliss...

EID MUBARAK TO ALL MUSLIMS!!!

2008-09-30T05:06:00.002+13:00

As we mark the end of our fasting month, we celebrate our acheivements with Eid-ul-Fitri... =D

I seek forgiveness from all that I have intentionally/unintentionally hurt or offended... I pray for all ur health and May Allah S.W.T bless us all on this holy month and this upcoming beautiful day... =D Inshallah all our hasanat/pahla/good deeds will be accepted by HIM and rewarded 10 fold... =D Above all, lets have a great day of eating and meeting old friends and renew family ties... =D Minal Aedin Wal Fa Izin, Kullu Amin Wa Antum Bikhair... =D Inshallah... Lots 'o' Love...

P.S: To my family, duit raya simpan kat tepi... I come home as per usual, I will jalan jalan and do my routine collection... Syukran... Amin Ya Rab bal Alammin... =D heeeeheeeeeeee

Happy Birthday to Haidar!!!

2008-09-29T05:17:00.003+13:00

Here's To a Wonderful Brother... With All the hope That You WILL Enjoy the Day You Turn a Quarter of A CENTURY (100)!!! =D Goodness Gracious aren't we Old... =D Well atleast YOU are... *hugs* YOU WISH!!!!!!!!
YOU WISH 2!!!
Remember How Irritating You Were Here???
Your Obsession With Vespas... Jeebus Crust... =D

Happy Birthday to my dearest and most beloved brother... I pray for ur health, wealth and happiness... I hope you have an awesome day and may Allah s.w.t shed his grace on u... Inshallah... I pray for ur health because I want to have my awesome brother around always to see me through my ups and downs and I pray for ur wealth so that you can spread it with me... I pray for ur happiness with the hope that ull drive me around and spend ur money on me without the slightest bit of complain... Hehehehe arent you glad that I'm ur sister... heehee... Anyhoos have a good birthday and yes I WILL get you ur present in time... Yes I LOVE the sweater you gave me and I use it always so in return I will buy u something u will love and be able to use everyday... =D inshallah la if anaz ada duit... Take care bubz and Love you many many many...*hugs*
We Have Our Weird Ways of Showing OUR Affections
Ummi ALWAYS Tries to Kacau Our Bonding Times...
Your Smile is very UN-Believable here... Why Dar??? =D
Your "Twin-Brother" & You... Love That Durian Fest Night
Finally Getting Bonding Time WITHOUT disturbance...

So Dar, I hope you enjoy ur lil exposure on My blog... Again, Have a good day and enjoy it... Wonder what si lembab has in store for you... =D Take Care and We shall Senibong when I get back... I miss and LOVE you soooooooooo Much... =D
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!! *hugs*
Shahnaz

Addictive Lor...

2008-09-24T19:49:00.003+12:00

Ok so I was just rolling around my Queen Sized Japanese bed and was wondering why some things are addictive... We know its wrong, bad, uncalled for and redundant but yet most of us are addicted to it... I compiled my own little list and here are the things I found that I am guilty of doing repeatedly... So much so that I begin to realise that a day CANNOT go by without me doing the things I will be listing down... It is sooooooooooooooooooo bad that I feel that I cannot function as a normal decent human being without doing them... Heres the list in no particular order :

Sleeping at ODD hours (even after I tried changing it for health reasons I realise I fall back into this odd habit.)
Procrastinating (all of us are guilty of this... How severe though differs from one to the other)
Reading popular blogs sometimes more than twice a day (xiaxue anyone?)
Playing MOB WARS on Facebook hoping to built a big empire (dar? bil?)
FACEBOOKING more than 3 times in a day (I started out loathing it)
Sitting in my room just staring @ the wall (wtf?)
Texting useless long as texts to ALL 021s in my PhoneBook
Texting random "Where are You?" s to people who DO reply
Eating Junk Food @ odd hours of the day (Bluebird Lunch?)
Irritating others on MSN when and ONLY if I am bored... (heehee)
Thinking about the future and what it holds (Scary tau!!!)
Thinking how I make a good housewife... (heeheehee gatal I know)
Thinking how I make a good mother... (refer to above sentence)
Doodling Flowers (wth?)
Gossipping!!! (?) {Who doesnt kan?}
Focusing on other's little flaw and thanking God I'm pseudo perfect (eff off I am! =p)
Repeating all the listed things everyday...

Can you see how low my life in a day is? Yes Stupid things are done daily and WITHOUT fail... Sometimes when I am in my boring lectures I do some of the things I said... I creep out at some things but I smile like a fool at others... Weird ay? Well oh well oh well... Random thoughts...

Public Service Announcement

2008-09-22T03:54:00.007+12:00

COMPETITION TO SEEK OUT THE IDENTITY OF UNTIE GLAM IS OFF!!!

a) I know who she is without having to hear from her
b) I think I might embark on a detective or Private Investigator practice with Mas
c) I enjoy seeing how Nabil makes a fool out of himself a couple of times... Especially since he doesnt know that we know...
d) I think I will be broke when Im back this summer so cant afford movie tickets for 2 in Singapore...

And because...............................

I will have 4 MONTHS IN SINGAPORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I know digressing, redundant and totally side tracking... Who cares... 4 FREAKING MONTHS!!!!!!!!!!!! It will be sooooooooooooo awesome because of all that free time I have with mi famiglia e amici... damn it!!! Why couldnt Fairuz have gotten married in 2009!!! Menyesal paksa dier kahwin siang... I could be able to attend his wedding if he did marry in 2009... Damn it... That nigga already having a baby soon... Yummylicious baby goodness!!! Ecstatic and impatiently waiting... =D Peace out Mofodic Peeps... =D Ish RAMADHAN SHAHNAZ RAMADHAN!!! =D Astaraghfirullah hole ajeem...

***Recent Ramblings(i.e Archives) IS BACK!!! ENJOY THE FREEDOM WHILE IT LASTS...

Out of Blogging MOJO...

2008-09-15T19:42:00.002+12:00

Aight people... Ive realised that Im out of things to write, whine, complain, ponder and gripe about... Im left with the all mundane blogging style which is of course journal writing... I swore that I would never have to resort to it... =D and Im going to keep to that promise... =D Anyhoos... Alot of you have been enquiring about the identity of Untie Glamour... So... To make things INTERESTING... =D Im going to work out a competition on my blog... =D For Singapore Readers Only... If you email me before the 10th of October about the identity of Untie Glamour and your guess is right, then I will reward you with a treat to any movie of your choice at any local (Singapore) theaters... My treat... However, in order for this to work, I must have the illusive Untie Glamour email me her true identity... =D So... Get those noggin working and try to figure out the identity of Untie Glamour...Readers From Singapore, Email me before 10th October (Untie Glamour please email me as soon as you can)

Email Format
To: grouchy_devil@hotmail.com

Re: Untie Glamour Competition

I think it is .......................

Your Name
Your Valid Singapore Handphone Number
Your Birthdate in dd/mm/yyyy format

Ok then... Goodluck to you guys!!! =D

****mcm real only... but i am serious about it lor... so do be semangat about it... Free Movie leh...

A Beautiful Hadith

2008-09-07T05:26:00.001+12:00

A Beautiful Hadith

------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- -
Rasulullah (Sallallahualaihewasallam)said: 'When a man dies and his
relatives are busy in funeral, there stands an extremely handsome man by
his head. When the dead body is shrouded, that man gets in between the
shroud and the chest of the deceased.
When after the burial, the people return home, 2 angels, Munkar and
Nakeer(names of two special Angels), come in the grave and try to separate
this handsome man so that they may be able to interrogate the dead man in
privacy about his faith. But the handsome man says, 'He is my companion, he
is my friend. I will not leave him alone in any case. If you are appointed
for interrogation, do your job. I cannot leave him until I get him admitted
into Paradise '.

Thereafter he turns to his dead companion and says, 'I am the Qur'an, which
you used to read, sometimes in a loud voice and sometimes in a low voice.
Do not worry. After the interrogation of Munkar and Naker, you will have no
grief.'

When the interrogation is over, the handsome man arranges for him from
Al-Mala'ul A'laa (the angels in Heaven) silk bedding filled with musk.

Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) said: 'On the Day of Judgement,
before Allah, no other Intercessor will have a greater status than the
Qur'an, neither a Prophet nor an angel.'

Please keep forwarding this 'Hadith' to all ....because

Rasulullah (Sallallahu alaihe wasallam) said:

'Pass on knowledge from me even if it is only one verse'.

May Allah bestow this favour on all of us.

AMEEN ----------------------------------------------------------------------------SAYINGS (HADITH) OF PROPHET MUHAMMAD (Sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam)

The one who disdains prayers (Salat) will receive Fifteen punishments from
Allah.
Six punishments in this lifetime
Three while dying
Three in the grave &
Three on the Day of Judgment.

THE SIX PUNISHMENTS OF LIFE :
1. Allah takes away blessings from his age (makes his life misfortunate)
2. Allah does not accept his plea (Dua's)
3. Allah erases the features of good people from his face.
4. He will be detested by all creatures on earth.
5. Allah does not reward him for his good deeds. (No thawab)
6. He will not be included in the Dua's of good people.

THE THREE PUNISHMENTS WHILE DYING :
1. He dies humiliated.
2. He dies hungry.
3. He dies thirsty. Even if he drinks the water of all seas he will still
be thirsty.

THE THREE PUNISHMENTS IN THE GRAVE :
1. Allah tightens his grave until his chest ribs come over each other.
2. Allah pours on him fire with embers.
3. Allah sets on him a snake called 'the brave', 'the bold' which hits him
from morning until afternoon for leaving Fajr prayer, from the afternoon
until Asr for leaving Dhuhr prayer and so on. With each strike he sinks 70
yards under the ground.

THE THREE PUNISHMENTS ON THE DAY OF JUDGMENT :
1. Allah sends who would accompany him to hell pulling him on the face.
2. Allah gives him an angry look that makes the flesh of his face fall
down.
3. Allah judges him strictly and orders him to be thrown in hell.
Note: If you get this copy, please make copies of it and distribute them
among all Muslims. You will be earning a Reward as well as helping to show
your brother the Right Path. May Allah give guidance to all of us.
AAMEEN!!!!!! !
------------ --------- --------- --------- -------
THOSE WHO DO NOT SAY THEIR PRAYERS OF:
FAJR : the glow of their face is taken away.
ZUHR : the blessing of their income is taken away.
ASR : the strength of their body is taken away.
MAGHRIB : they are not benefited by their children.
'ISHA : the peace of their sleep is taken away.
------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- -
THE HOLY QUR'AN:
'Say Your Prayers Before Prayers For You Are Said'.

------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- -

Nauzubillah min zalliq... Ok I know I've emailed you guys this but I think I would like to share it with the public... Special Thanks to AmiCal dearest for forwarding it to us... EEEEeeeEEEeeeeEEE its' all too scary for me to think about... Atleast It did jolt me to not sleep after sahur, as usual, but actually praying fajar (Subuh)... I think I need to make atonements before Im 'condemned' to hell... nauzubillah min zalliq... Creepy la... Hope ALL of YOU are having a GREAT ramadhan!!! =D mine is going so far so good... Alhamdullillah...*Shahnaz*

Tag REPLIES... =D
Untie glamour:- Fasting's good alhamdullilah... Hows urs going??? Who are you eh??? Ive my suspicions but it would be nice if you tell me who u r...

farah:- AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA now u all cannot challenge... Im posting from MY blog... AHAHAHAHAHAH

Hanim:- gua pun tak tau... but lu rasa sapa... i should have a competition on my blog... "guess who is untie glamour.. ahahahahahhah by the way stop it deh... kapan lo jadi bu' indon... nanti gue kenalin lu ama ba' indon... =D hahahahah alhamdullillah gua dpt pahala...

nad:- I feel ur pain... Thank god lepas buka liao... so no 'cobaan'... ur new sister... don't u wish najwa was back??? =D khekhekhekhekhe

Mas:- Kira expert ah eh??? Inshallah i MIGHT put up archives back... heheheh amaciam kerja and puasa??? =D

Some Common Mistakes in Ramadaan

2008-09-02T10:51:00.003+12:00

Some Common Mistakes in Ramadaan

By Asma bint Shameem

Taking Ramadaan as a ritual

For many of us Ramadaan has lost its spirituality and has become more of a ritual than a form of Ibaadah. We fast from morning to night like a zombie just because everyone around us is fasting too. We forget that its a time to purify our hearts and our souls from all evil....we forget to make dua, forget to beseech Allaah to forgive us and ask Him to save us from the Fire. Sure we stay away from food and drink but that's about all.

Although the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said:

“Jibreel said to me, ‘May Allaah rub his nose in the dust, that person to who Ramadaan comes and his sins are not forgiven,’ and I said, ‘Ameen’. Then he said, ‘May Allaah rub his nose in the dust, that person who lives to see his parents grow old, one or both of them, but he does not enter Paradise (by not serving them) and I said, ‘Ameen’. Then he said, ‘May Allaah rub his nose in the dust, that person in whose presence you are mentioned and he does not send blessings upon you,’ and I said, ‘Ameen.’” (Tirmidhi, Ahmad, others. Saheeh by al-Albaani)

Too much stress on food and drink

For some people, the entire month of Ramadaan revolves around food. They spend the ENTIRE day planning, cooking, shopping and thinking about only food, instead of concentrating on Salaah, Quraan and other acts of worship. All they can think of is FOOD. So much so that they turn the month of 'fasting' into the month of 'feasting'. Come Iftaar time, their table is a sight to see, with the multitudes and varieties of food, sweets and drinks. They are missing the very purpose of fasting, and thus, increase in their greed and desires instead of learning to control them. It is also a kind of waste & extravagance.

".....and eat and drink but waste not by extravagance, certainly He (Allaah) likes not Al-Musrifoon (those who waste by extravagance) " [al-Araaf :31]

Spending all day cooking

Some of the sisters (either by their own choice or forced by their husbands) are cooking ALL day and ALL night, so that by the end of the day, they are too tired to even pray Ishaa, let alone pray Taraweeh or Tahajjud or even read Quraan. This is the month of mercy and forgiveness. So turn off that stove and turn on your Imaan!

Eating too much

Some people stuff themselves at Suhoor until they are ready to burst, because they think this is the way to not feel hungry during the day and some people eat at Iftaar, like there is no tomorrow, trying to 'make up for the food missed.' However, this is completely against the Sunnah. Moderation is the key to everything.

The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: "The son of Adam does not fill any vessel worse than his stomach; for the son of Adam a few mouthfuls are sufficient to keep his back straight. If you must fill it, then one-third for food, one-third for drink and one-third for air." (Tirmidhi, Ibn Maajah. saheeh by al-Albaani).

Too much food distracts a person from many deeds of obedience and worship, makes him lazy and also makes the heart heedless.

It was said to Imam Ahmad: Does a man find any softness and humility in his heart when he is full? He said, I do not think so.

Sleeping all day

Some people spend their entire day (or a major part of it) 'sleeping away their fast'. Is this what is really required of us during this noble month? These people also are missing the purpose of fasting and are slaves to their desires of comfort and ease. They cannot 'bear' to be awake and face a little hunger or exert a little self-control. For a fasting person to spend most of the day asleep is nothing but, negligence on his part.

Wasting time

The month of Ramadaan is a precious, precious time, so much so that Allaah calls this month "Ayyamum Ma'doodaat" (A fixed number of days). Before we know it, this month of mercy and forgiveness will be over. We should try and spend every moment possible in the worship of Allaah so that we can make the most of this blessing. However, there are some of us who waste away their day playing video games, or worse still, watching TV, movies or even listening to music. Subhaan Allaah! Trying to obey Allaah by DISOBEYING him!

Fasting but not giving up evil

Some of us fast but do not give up lying, cursing, fighting, backbiting, etc. and some of us fast but do not give up cheating, stealing, dealing in haraam, buying lotto tickets, selling alcohol, fornication, etc. and all kinds of impermissible things without realizing that the purpose of fasting is to not stay away from food and drink; rather the aim behind it is to fear Allaah.

“O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become Al-Muttaqoon (the pious)” [al-Baqarah 2:183]

The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: "Whoever does not give up false speech and acting upon it, and ignorance, Allaah has no need of him giving up his food and drink." (Bukhaari)

Smoking

Smoking is forbidden in Islam whether during Ramadaan or outside of it, as it is one of al-Khabaa'ith (evil things). And this includes ALL kinds of 'smoking material' eg.cigars, cigarettes, pipes,'Sheesha' , hookah etc.

"he allows them as lawful At Tayyibaat (all good and lawful things), and prohibits them as unlawful Al Khabaa'ith (all evil and unlawful things) [al-A'raaf :157]

It is harmful, not only to the one smoking, but also to the ones around him. It is also a means of wasting ones wealth. The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: "There should be no harming or reciprocating harm."

This is especially true during fasting and it invalidates the fast. (Fatwa -Ibn 'Uthaymeen)

Skipping Suhoor

The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: "Eat suhoor for in suhoor there is blessing."(Bukhaari, Muslim).

And he (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: "The thing that differentiates between our fasting and the fasting of the People of the Book is eating suhoor." (Muslim)

Stopping Suhoor at 'Imsaak'

Some people stop eating Suhoor 10-15 minutes earlier than the time of Fajr to observe 'Imsaak'.

Shaykh Ibn 'Uthaymeen said: This is a kind of bidah (innovation) which has no basis in the Sunnah. Rather the Sunnah is to do the opposite. Allaah allows us to eat until dawn: "and eat and drink until the white thread (light) of dawn appears to you distinct from the black thread (darkness of night)" [al-Baqarah 2:187]

And the Prophet (pbuh) said: "….eat and drink until you hear the adhaan of Ibn Umm Maktoom, for he does not give the adhaan until dawn comes."

This 'imsaak' which some of the people do is an addition to what Allaah has prescribed, so it is false. It is a kind of extremism in religion, and the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said:

"Those who go to extremes are doomed, those who go to extremes are doomed, those who go to extremes are doomed." (Muslim)

Not fasting if they missed Suhoor

Some people are too scared to fast if they miss Suhoor. However, this is a kind of cowardice and love of ease. What is the big deal if you missed a few morsels of food? It's not like you will die. Remember, obedience to Allaah overcomes everything.

Saying the intention to fast 'out loud' or saying a specific dua to start fasting

The intention is an action of the heart. We should resolve in our heart that we are going to fast tomorrow. That is all we need. It is not prescribed by the Shari'ah for us to say out loud, "I intend to fast", "I will fast tomorrow" or other phrases that have been innovated by some people. Also, there is no specific dua to be recited at the time of starting the fast in the correct Sunnah. Whatever 'dua' you may see on some papers or Ramadaan calendars, etc. is a Bid'ah.

Delaying breaking fast

Some people wait until the adhaan finishes or even several minutes after that, just to be 'on the safe side'. However, the Sunnah is to hasten to break the fast, which means breaking fast whenever the adhaan starts, right after the sun has set. Aa'ishah (RA) said: This is what the Messenger of Allaah (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) used to do. (Muslim)

The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: "The people will continue to do well so long as they hasten to break the fast." (Bukhaari, Muslim)

Determine to the best of your ability, the accuracy of your clock, calendar, etc. and then have tawakkul on Allaah and break your fast exactly on time.

Eating continuously until the time for Maghrib is up

Some people put so much food in their plates when breaking their fast and continue eating, enjoying dessert, drinking tea, etc., until they miss Maghrib. That is obviously not right. The Sunnah of the Prophet (pbuh) was that once he broke his fast with some dates, them he would hasten to the prayer. Once you are done with the prayer, you can always go back and eat some more if you wish.

Missing the golden chance of having your Dua accepted

The prayer of the fasting person is guaranteed to be accepted at the time of breaking fast.

The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: "Three prayers are not rejected: the prayer of a father, the prayer of a fasting person, and the prayer of a traveler." (al-Bayhaqi, saheeh by al-Albaani).

Instead of sitting down and making Dua at this precious time, some people forego this beautiful chance, and are too busy frying samosas, talking, setting the food, filling their plates and glasses, etc. Think about it....Is food more important than the chance to have your sins forgiven or the fulfillment of your Duas.

Fasting but not praying

The fasting of one who does not pray WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. This is because not praying constitutes kufr as the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: "Between a man and shirk and kufr there stands his giving up prayer." (Muslim)

In fact, NONE of his good deeds will be accepted; rather, they are all annulled.

"Whoever does not pray 'Asr, his good deeds will be annulled." (Bukhaari)

Fasting and not wearing Hijaab

Not wearing the Hijaab is a major sin as it is obligatory for Muslim women. (See Surah Nur, Surah Ahzaab). So fasting and not wearing hijaab certainly takes away enormously from the rewards of fasting, even if does not invalidate it.

Not fasting because of exams or work

Exams or work is NOT one of the excuses allowed by the Shariah to not fast. You can do your studying and revision at night if it is too hard to do that during the day. Also remember that pleasing and obeying Allaah is much more important than 'good grades'. Besides, if you will fulfil your obligation to fast, even if you have to study, Allaah will make it easy for you and help you in everything you do.

"Whosoever fears Allah, He will appoint for him a way out and provide for him from where he does not expect, Allah is Sufficient for whosoever puts his trust in Him." (Surah at-Talaaq 2-3)

Mixing fasting and dieting

DO NOT make the mistake of fasting with the intention to diet. That is one of the biggest mistakes some of us make (esp. sisters). Fasting is an act of worship and can only be for the sake of Allah alone. Otherwise, mixing it with the intention of dieting may become a form of (minor) Shirk.

Fighting over the number of Rakaah of Taraweeh

There is no specific number of rak'ahs for Taraweeh prayer, rather it is permissible to do a little or a lot. Both 8 and 20 are okay. Shaykh Ibn 'Uthaymeen said: "No one should be denounced for praying eleven or twenty-three (raka'ah), because the matter is broader in scope than that, praise be to Allaah."

Praying ONLY on the night of the 27th

Some people pray ONLY on the 27th to seek Lailat ul-Qadr, neglecting all other odd nights, although the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) said: "Seek Lailat ul-Qadr among the odd numbered nights of the last ten nights of Ramadaan." (Bukhaari, Muslim).

Wasting the last part of Ramadaan preparing for Eid

Some people waste the entire last 10 days of Ramadaan preparing for Eid, shopping and frequenting malls, etc. neglecting Ibadah and Lailatul Qadr. although, the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) used to strive the hardest during the last ten days of Ramadaan in worship (Ahmad, Muslim) and not in shopping. Buy whatever you need for Eid before Ramadaan so that you can utilize the time in Ramadaan to the max.

Aa’ishah (RA) said: “When the (last) ten nights began, the Messenger of Allaah (Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam)) would tighten his waist-wrapper (i.e., strive hard in worship or refrain from intimacy with his wives), stay awake at night and wake his family.” (Bukhaari and Muslim).

Iftaar parties

Although inviting each other for breaking fast is something good and encouraged, some people go to extremes with lavish 'Iftaar parties' with all sorts of disobedience to Allaah, from flirting, mixing of the sexes and hijaab-less women, to show-off and extravagance, to heedlessness to Salaah, and Taraweeh to even music and dancing.

As-salaam Walekum

Adapted from Adil Khan

We All LOVE Islam

But We Create Our Own Rules On How To Follow Islam.

Do We Really LIVE Islam ???

*** I took it from an email I received... This is so beautiful and true that I decided to share it with you... Share with me ur thoughts and comments... I did not know that I was breaking so much other 'rules' when I thought I was being a good muslim... Subhanallah... If u do not want to share my blog link then feel free to copy and paste it onto ur email to forward it... If you have a blog then do copy and post...

****=D I would like to take this opportunity to wish all of u a blessed month and may most of us refrain from committing unhealthy haraams in this month... Ramadhan Mubarak...

...Reasons For The Big Blog Clean Up...

2008-08-27T04:00:00.006+12:00

Ok so as many of you might or might not have noticed, I've decided to cut back on your 'allowances' on my blog... Now, you may or may not have realised that looking into my past is now a big no-no... Unless you are accurate enough in ur googling, you cannot access my archives... =D Reason being is fairly simple, I'm just at a cross road in life where I would rather have my privacy... Hence, my past shall be mine and mine alone... Hopefully, the many of you out there who are constant readers understand this and accept my decision...

Another thing that many might notice is that I've taken down the pop ups that come before the page loads... Reason for that is simple, I forgot the codes to do that... =D I can't seem to remember where I store it in my computer... Mind you, my computer works on two (2) internal hard drives...

Also, the scrolling things at the top of the page has been replaced with just the mundane blog title... This is due to the fact that, the script for that has affected my current script settings and thus would interfere with the existing codes... Jeebus Jugs... Im getting really slow with the whole html bullshit... Ok enough about that...

Although my previous post sounded quite sad, I have to reassure the many of you out there that I am not in a depressed state of mind... I am in quite a healthy frame of mind... I just felt the need to express my regret of not being able to be in Singapore... I am truly quite accustomed to the traditions of having my Eid-ul-Fitri here in New Zealand... Unfortunately... However, I am deeply touched by the responses I got from the many of you out there... =D Thank You...

Next on the agenda, my exasperation filled post 2 posts ago... =D Im ok now... It just made me realise that maybe sharing with a good intention can be misconstrued at times and thus should be stopped... I will not be telling whole stories anymore... Only pseudo stories/photos/ideas should be spread via internet... Anything that is TRULY and WHOLLY the fact of the current matter WILL be withheld from UN-deserving parties... =D This helps in keeping my precious reputation pure and the vengeful, iniquitous & nefarious gossips at bay... The latter would be spared from the harrowing pits of hell-fire due to their sinful acts... =D Ok its half past 4 here and Im shovelling a load of crap per minute... =D

Lastly, if time and mood permits, I will share my BIRTHDAY BASH with the load of you out there... =D It means to be an interesting post as it was truly a bash that I can safely assume to be something very different from the other past parties I used to get... =D See how that goes... There are quite a few pictures that may lead to future gossips by those mangy lot that do not have anything better to do with their lives thus feel that the need arises for them to flap their lips and open that redundant hole on their face to spread more lies and criticize till the cows come home... =D That was an asinine line... Oh well... Toodles to you appreciative lot out there though... *hugs*

P.s I realised that I repeated "the many of you out there" & "the load of you out there" quite a number of times... Oh well... Blame it on the lack of vocabulary...
P.p.s I've Updated on THAT D'SHOOTZ Photographer in my 16th November 2007 post... Got the bugger's name wrong... =D Seriously guys... BEWARE
A

Country Road... Take Me Home...

2008-08-25T04:40:00.002+12:00

Always, as the time draws near for the upcoming Ramadhan, I can't help but feel a tinge of homesick running through me... After Ramadhan is of course the "family" oriented Eid-ul-Fitri... U would think that 3 years on, Im used to the Ramadhan/Eid here... Guess Im never going to get over the fact that Im NOT around family during these beautiful holidays... Oh Well... Tough!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!!

2008-08-20T17:44:00.005+12:00

Im officially 23 now... Amazing isnt it... Believe u me, I never thought that I would live this long... I always had a fear of dying before my prime years... Maybe I will leave long enough to see thirty...
I remember the times when I was but a mere 13 year old stepping into secondary school for the first time... Afraid of doing anything out of boundaries and social norms because of all the horror stories I had heard from Haidar (my brother) and Ira (my cousin sister). I was ensuring that even the steps I took did not offend anyone around me... To think that 10 years on, I am quite indifferent to all of those 'people' I used to be afraid of offending... My god... 10 years has passed... N 20 years ago I was an awesomely cute little toddler running around in my diapers with the cutest n cheekiest smile ever... =D 23 years ago today, my mother was in a labour, delivering me into this world... Now, at this age, Im even capable of having my own little toddler and of a right age to be a mother... GOODNESS!!! Scary... =D
Im even in control of the outcome of my future... I wonder how my parents are feeling now... One son turning 25 and a daughter already 23... We're not kids anymore... We're full fledged adults... Scary thought...
Long gone are the days I like to call "Pandemoniom Period" where everything I did was wrong and lead to me being in immense trouble... I'd like to think that I grew from that... But do I wish I could turn back time and changed it all for the better? No... Because it is those exact experiences that taught me to be the person I am today...
It was my parents never ending guidance and support that made me believe further in myself and pushed me to be somebody successful so that I could only hope that one day I can give them the luxuries that they have given me and more... It was my brothers neverending advises and lectures that got me to stick to the straight path and not be led astray to what 'others' think is appropriate forms of behavior/actions... It was him who made me aspire to be half the person he is so that I can somehow be a better person... It helped... Im somehow a mix of both my parents and brother's upbringing... I love them so much that I would gladly trade my life for theirs and Yes cliche as it is, If I were to be reborn, it is them who I want as my family still... =D
Im also thankful for my extended family's support and also their advises that has helped me pull through with every difficult step in my life... My uncles and aunties for their strong faith in me as a person and my cousins for always being behind me in my endeavours... Having my family around is something that I think will always be one of my blessings from God... Most importantly of course is the support n trust from Famous 5... Ira, Haidar, Nabil & Najwa... Thank You guys for enduring me for the past 23 years and 21 years of ur lives... =D *huggies*
I do have to include the usual suspects although Im still waiting for most of them to wish me on my birthday... =D My supporters forever... Thank You Guys!!!
Ok I shall stop here at the risk of this blogpost sounding like an Oscar Thank You speech... =D

Lastly, THANK YOU ALL FOR THE BIRTHDAY WISHES AND PRAYERS!!! I appreciate each and everyone of them!!! Even the shortest of Happy BIrthday! to the calls that start with the cliche "Happy Birthday" song... =D Thank YOU!!! Keep me in ur prayers...

Ok, so now Im going to go and have a blast in my party and hopefully will post up the pictures as soon as I can!!! =D... Cheers!!! =D

Bah Humbug...

2008-08-20T01:30:00.005+12:00

Ok Its Official... Im 23... Will write a piece about remembering the old days soon...

On a side note, I got hold of some news and gossip that has been passed around... What the hell is going on? I hate it when people TALK and confabulate about the so called dirty little things I do!!! Excuse you for making up things about me?! So I mingle, so I have friends... So I am NOT a discriminating bitch who picks and choose people to be my friends base on colour, gender, age, nationality, religion and bank account!!! I have friends because they are NICE people and they have shown genuine CARE for me!!! Stop being IGNORANT GOSSIPS who have NOTHING BETTER to do then sit around and CRITICIZE MY EFFING life because ur EFFING life is boring and totally MUNDANE!!! You may say shit about me but remember I dont really EFFING care... Why? Because I do NOT listen to people who are not my parents NOR my brother... Just because you THINK ur way is good does not mean I AGREE with ur EFFING ideology!!! This has been going around for far too long... I have had enough of it... For once this it the whole truth i dare swear upon... I do NOT GO AROUND SLEEPING WITH MEN!!! I DO NOT GO AROUND KISSING RANDOM MEN!!! TRUTH BE TOLD I DONT CONSUME ANY ALCOHOLIC STUFFS (DRINKS OR EVEN FOOD ) I EVEN EAT ONLY HALAL FOOD EVENTHOUGH 90% OF BEEF N LAMB R HALAL HERE!!! I DO NOT SMOKE AND I CERTAINLY DO NOT TAKE DRUGS!!! OH AND IM A F*CKING VIRGIN TOO IF YOU REALLY MUST F*CKING KNOW!!! YES I HAVE PRINCIPLES AND YES I AM AFRAID OF GOD!!! You dont even F*CKING KNOW ME!!! DO NOT ASSUME YOU DO based on hear says, things written or pictures about me... If u MUST know cos ur just too big a gossip and a busybody who MUST know EVERYTHING about others then COME TO ME PERSONALLY AND ASK!!! Hear it from the horses mouth!!! YES I AM PISSED!!! I AM SO F*CKING PISSED that on the night of my birthday I cannot sleep because the news I heard hurt me so f*cking deep!!! Why say things that potentially hurt people? U think ur doing us a favour? Ur NOT! U think u r GOD SEND! Ur not! I KNOW HOW TO CARRY MYSELF!!! I know how because MY PARENTS taught me well!!! I know to stay clear from harmful things that people think is cool to do because Im sooooooooooooooo f*cking afraid of my brother who WILL kill me if he finds out I caved to peer pressure... YES!!! I am MORE afraid of my brother than of my parents wrath... and I tell MY brother EVERYTHING!!! Don't say things that are baseless about me when u dont even f*cking KNOW ME!!! Only intrude when I intrude on ur oh so f*cking "perfect" world!!! other than that I love it very much if you can help by staying the f*ck away from me and my family and our BUSINESS!!! Until u can prove that Im soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
oooooooooooooooooooooo
ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
wrong and misguided then feel free to come and straighten me out... But UNTIL I do, stop talking about me just because ur f*cking life is too boring n predictable and full of shit u want to ignore but cant... Maybe I should talk about UR asinine ways so that U can finally shut up about what I do... F*cker! Thinking ur better than me when ur not cos atleast I dont go around telling tales about people that lead to potential fights, heartbreaks, swearing and tears between 2 individuals!!!

By the way I heard gossips, tall tales and what muslims generally call FITNAH is HARAM... =D Maybe YOU should start going to religious classes... =D

On a happier note, my birthday party/dinner is set... Moroccan restaurant with Bellydancing AND a Bhangra troupe... =D And MY FRIENDS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD ARE ALL INVITED!!! FROM MALAYSIA TO PHILLIPINES TO SRI LANKA TO INDONESIA TO OMAN TO UNITED ARAB EMIRATES TO SAUDI ARABIA TO IRAQ TO NEW ZEALAND TO FRANCE AND EVEN NORWAY ARE ALL INVITED!!! *said with a sizable amount of sarcasm* (get the hint!!!)

Haiz

2008-08-19T03:18:00.005+12:00

Oh k... Its inevitable... 1 More Day... A night in the Moroccan Madness... Ahahahahhahaha... Good thing im guaranteed Good Food and Hopefully Good Performance... Wonder if the bellydancer would be any good... Will post up Pics from my 23rd as soon as im able to... =D

I AM STILL NOT EXCITED ABOUT IT!!! As A REWARD I SHOULD GO SHOPPING TODAY... =D

P.s He Gave Me a Sign... =D Early Birthday gift from him? =D

AWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW SHUCKS!!!

2008-08-18T02:53:00.003+12:00

ARGH!!! 2 More Days!!! Im running out of time to turn the hands of time back!!! Im REALLY having a quarter life crisis... God, Please just let it be over and done with... Drama!!!

P.p.s Im getting REALLY bored of him too... =( Haiz... Maybe because he's younger and I'm gettin OLD!!!

FREAKING...

2008-08-14T14:00:00.006+12:00

Ok For the first time in my life, Im NOT anticipating my birthday... Im dreading the day I turn 23... Where did the time go? It was 10 FREAKING YEARS ago that I stepped into Secondary School... It was 5 FREAKING YEARS ago that I graduated from Secondary School... You know what else is amazingly FREAKING!!!??? It was 23 YEARS ago that my mom was anticipating my arrival in a matter of days... Fast Forward to today, I feel like a FREAKING OLD HAG!!!

DO NOT take this as a sign of depression although I am prone to it when in New Zealand... I figured I'd feel this way too even in Singapore... Im feeling old and the question I ask myself is... What have I achieved in life that if tomorrow I was to die, people will remember me for it? Nothing, Zero, Nada, ZILCH!!! Who is SHAHNAZ? I have not done anything worthwhile in my life... At 23 Im still struggling to find my identity! Im still busting my butt for an essay, assignment, presentation and readings... Am I ANYWHERE near success? NO!!! ARGH!!! Again I am NOT depressed... I'd just feel better if we refer to it as quarter life crisis ok?

Oh my god... What can be done to make me go back to being THE Shahnaz that reminds EVERYONE about her birthday 1 week in advance... Its just 6 days away and no one even knows what I am planning... Then again, People still think Im going to Sydney... AWWWWWWWWW FREAKING CRAP!!!

I did tell my more closer friends that I want 19 candles on my cake...

Yours In Denial,
Shahnaz

How Do I Love Thee...

2008-08-13T23:27:00.004+12:00

Im obviously not an interesting person... I rarely blog about the best things in life, Im mostly absorbed in the most redundant of activities... I sometimes have a constant need to just babble my minutes away at the most oddly disparaging gossips... The minutes that I engage myself in endless tittle-tattle could be spend in other endless chores that pile up everyday but do I take the time to do it? Obviously NOT... Seeing how I am often seen in my blog, updating or my facebook, surfing or in other peoples blog, commenting... My priorities is seemingly screwed up... How very unfortunate...

Anyhoos, I had a talk with a friend the other day and my friend (who wishes to maintain his/her anonymity) insisted that I blog about MY perception of love... I thought about it, I pondered the outcome, I outweighed the reactions and I most certainly contemplated the consequences... Would it be wise to talk about love? Love being an ethereal and sometimes controversial topic... Many have different conflicting views on love... Would it be wise for me to dwell on a highly delicate topic?

On the other hand, many have been asking about MY views on it... Some even believe that Im one of those that dont believe in the concept of love... Thinking that I am a modern independent woman... Far from it, Im actually a believer in fairy tale endings... I actually anticipate a chimerical Prince Charming... Many are shocked upon my revelation of that fact... Where did I get my wild notions about love?

Simple, historical romance books full of untamed savages and damsels in absurd distress... =D Do I imagine myself as the damsel in distress? Nope... =D I always imagine myself as the damsel in distress who ends up kicking butt and shocking my savage prince... =D

I feel that to dwell on the topic of love right now would take me a whole week of drafting... Love is different to everyone... I know many who do not even believe in the concept of Love... Shame, I know... Love makes everything beautiful... To say love colours ones life would be a total cliche but love truly beautifies the macrocosm that is life...

Ok maybe after much thought put into the theory of love, will I then be able to explain MY views on love... For now, I should end my soliloquy and continue with whats important in my life at this point... Not the pursuit of love neither is it the search for eternal bliss, it is the quest for excelling in my education... Regardless of what studies I undertake... I wish to finally pursue my dreams...

P.p.s:- He who makes me smile, makes me happy, makes me laugh, makes me think, makes me question, makes me confused and makes me love...

**** Countdown... 7 Days... heheheheh =D

Well Im Back

2008-08-13T00:06:00.004+12:00

Ok Thank You Very Much For the Response On My Previous Entry... I appreciate people actually emailing me about it... Nice... It isnt so serious lor... Just a random thought... Anyhoos, It is getting frigging cold in Wellington can??? Hiyah i cant believe ive been reduced to blogging about the weather... I am not THAT boring am I? So ok heres the deal, Why dont U start telling me about what YOU want ME to blog about ok? Then I will try to blog about it... Anything u want to know about me or random thoughts or even questions which u may think i know about... heehee And I will try my VERY best to blog about it... =D

*** No Air By Jordin Sparks ft Chris Brown Reminds Me Of Beeb Beeb!!! =D

**** Countdown... 8 more Days... =D

*****Anyhows, Im on the phone now with my mom...Shes hilarious lor... Wake me up and then watch teevee while on the phone with me... haiz mummy dearest u r very funny sometimes... =D

Excitement

2008-08-07T21:24:00.003+12:00

Eeeeeeeeeeeeeee Im so excited, Im about to do something wild, crazy and TOTALLY spontaneous!!! It is such an exhilarating feeling to be able to just jump in and think of the situation only later... =D Crazy Madness!!! Curious? Well sorry guys u cant know about it until I am done with it... Or maybe I will choose NOT to tell u what I will be doing/did... Hehehehehe Just know that Its Wild, Crazy and SPONTANEOUS!!! =D Talk about feeling FREE!!! No wonder Americans worked so hard to ensure their liberty... =D WILD CRAZY SPONTANEOUS!!! =D ARGH!!! I cant wait!!! Gotta go charge Ricky for a long weekend!!! =D

I am happy to report that my sleeping pattern is now Semi Normal...

Loyalty Before Self?

2008-08-04T10:24:00.003+12:00

So the question I would like to pose is the issue of loyalty before self. How far does loyalty have to go? Do u go as far as forgetting self? Does ur need take a backseat in order to ensure that u do not breach the loyalty aspect of ur relationships? Can u immediately say "Loyalty is utmost! We do not need to question it" upon reading my title? Or are u one of those that goes to say "Dude! Whatever that benefits me should come first! Screw what others gain from it!"

Abit hazy? Well let me clear it off by giving a few scenarios...

1)Ur tired, U just got back from a long day of school/work... Ur friend misses u and wants to hang out with u after not having seen u for 2 weeks where before u would have met them every other day, assuming that it is a Friday, would u go out despite being sooooooo tired u feel like just sleeping forever? (my answers at the end of the post)

2) Ur friend has a crush on someone u previously had a crush on. Ur circle of friends along with ur aforementioned friend knew about it and disagreed with u about the guy/girl being remotely close to good looking, u laugh in their face and continue 'crushing' on the guy/girl. Fascination dies off after awhile and suddenly ur said friend has a huge crush on him/her, do u give pointers to get him/her or do find ways to get the guy/girl for ur own still? Assuming that it is easier for u to get him/her than ur friend.

3) Ur close to a group of tight knit friends. U went through thick and thin together and always had the best of time when with them. 1 year passes and the group that was all singles changed when u urself got a partner. Do u ignore ur friends and hang out ALL the time with ur partner only going out with ur group of friends when ur partner screws up or do u balance time between ur friends and ur partner?

4) U sit and realise that ur close to EVERYONE of ur friends partner if they're of the opposite sex. Weirdly too close but u urself fail to see it. U make contact with ur friends special partner even when ur friend themselves do not contact/talk to their partner. U sometimes wonder why people become cold towards u. U assume that u said something wrong and they have just over reacted or they are going through a mood swing. One day u find out that people HATE that u r always close to their partners who are of the opposite sex. U dont realise that when people are in relationships they would not want a 3rd party to get too close to what theyre going through. Do u stop making contact with ur friends 'partner' or continue to go about ur disgusting ways even after being aware of what ur doing?
(Its my blog so I can put my pics up ANYWHERE!!!)

The scenarios could be facts that I might be going through... Although some sounds pretty severe, it does happen in this world. I always try to get you guys to participate, although responds are highly unlikely... Today, if u answer u could possibly be helping me to solve atleast one of my problems. So, go on to the right side of my page and leave a tag starting with the problem number... =D like say 1) go out n have fun n party madly... sundays are good for sleeping in!!!... Something like that... Ok??? My answers are as follow... It might get vulgar, it might sound like Im pissed off... Cos I might or might not be... Sometimes its just the crude lil me coming out for some fresh air after having been stuffed in n outta the way of my current life...

Shahnaz Says:
1) Yes I will go out with my friend. For me, friendship is second only to Family... Otherwise it prevails over everything else. Plus a small effort today might ensure a friend for life. Ull never know when u really need ur friend and if ur here for them now, theyll be there for u when u need them the most. SO whats an hour outside having coffee n catching up? Its not like its Guantanamo Bay... Spare that hour, meet ur friend, make their day... Trust me you will not regret it...

2) You had ur chance before! Why the need to come in now? When u were 'crushing' none of ur friends even hinted at disturbing ur chances with the guy. U were too much of a coward to have approached him and so ur ship has sailed... Don't ruin a good thing for ur friend even if YOU think u have a chance with the guy... Let it go n find a new guy to 'crush' on... Be a friend n support ur friend... Jeebus! U dont need me to tell u this now do u?!

3)... its so irritating when people do this... What happens when ur partner leaves u? Where are u going to go to cry ur eyes out? Ur friends! "Partners come and go, Friends are here forever..." "Bros before hoes!" how many more sayings do I have to quote before u finally realise that u should balance the time btw ur partner and n friends... Its not fair to patronise ur friends... Theyre not just there to pick u up when ur down... They should be there to share ur laughs n smiles... Jeebus!!!

4) This is a funny situation... But I only have one thing to say... If u didnt meet the person, u DO NOT GO OUT WITH THEM WITHOUT THE PERSON(S) THAT INTRODUCED U TO HIM/HER!!! How stupid can u be?! If it has happened more than once then Id figure that you would learn... But people dont tell u these things... Its the same issue year in year out... You urself have to open ur eyes... Ask urself... "He/She is not talking to my friend so what the hell am I doing talking to him!?" Being nice to the person? At what cost? At the cost of having ur friend hate u, having ur other friends judge u? Having been deem a "boy/girlfriend stealer", a "scrap man/woman"... People looking at u and having things to judge and laugh about behind ur back? Open ur eyes!!! I cannot be there to back u up all the time... There are boundaries and there are rules... So work shit out on ur own...

So Loyalty before Self? Which is the one U put as priority in the given scenarios?

------------------...now my readers, Its ur turn to have ur say...------------------

My Korean Rendezvous... YEAH RIGHT!!! =D

2008-08-01T07:50:00.008+12:00

(disregard my possible raping of the korean language... Thanks Damien!!!)

Hwangyong-hamnida... Annyeong!!! Eotteohke jinaeseyo?
( Welcome... Hello!!! How are you?)

So why this fasination with Korea n Koreans? No no, Im NOT into Korean dramas, movies, music or guys... Well let me just start from the beginning...

One day, Geeta came home from work and told me about a floating bookstore... Well not really floating... To be accurately concise, a ship that travels the world selling books... The idea of it was already fascinating enough until she told me that the ship is only TWO years YOUNGER than the famous Titanic... Being the history buff that I am, I got excited and DEMANDED that we set up a date to go visit the ship... We planned and in the end we managed to set an evening out to explore the "dazzling" ship that is the MV DOULOS... Along with our 3rd accomplice, Java, we set out to look at the books, talk to the crew and basically got dissappointed in the end. Don't get me wrong, the crew were really friendly people but I guess if u've been stuck with the same 150-200 people onboard for months on end, u'd be pretty excited to see new friendly faces too. Unfortunately, the ship was some sort of a "missionary" (READ: Christian Hope Establishment), their books were largely christian based and so were their CDs. The handful of books that Geeta n I found to be "un-christian" turned out to have elements of the christian faith embedded in them. Dissappointed? Quite so. Java on the other hand got very excited... She sang along to the songs the ship were playing and she, I think, even danced to some... Jabz Jabz!!! =D As for the ship, it was huge but again we were duly dissappointed. Why? It doesnt even look old! It has been refurbished and modified so much that it lost its lustrous appeal on me immediately upon my stepping onboard.
How do three monkeys expecting the greatest console themselves? As per our usual antics, we went about the boat talking to the colourful myriad crews of the MV DOULOS... We met South Africans, Singaporeans (Yey ME!!!), Malaysians(Yey Geeta?), Filipinos(Yey Java!!!), Australians, Germans, Puerto Ricans, Spanish, Brazilians, French and many other nationalities of different ages and sizes onboard the MV DOULOS... However, what we REALLY wanted was a tour... A free one at that... Coaxing the Mongolian at the exit failed and so we climbed down the gangway sad at the thought of having to PAY for a tour around the boat... WHAT ATROCITIES!!!??? The last crew to bid us farewell was a Korean guy... Being avid fans of Korean dramas and movies, Java and Geeta started "Kim Sang Soon"-ing and "Kim-Chee"-ing with the guy who instantly got intriqued by 2 Asians in New Zealand speaking his language... An interesting conversation ensues and before we knew it, we were invited on a FREE tour on MV DOULOS the very next day... =D Sweet!!! We decided that as he was taking us around the ship, we should take him out around Wellington. Starting with a Korean dinner... And so the next day, JOSEPH KIM Hyeoung Do met up with us 3 monkeys for a night he'll NEVER forget... (editors note: Wah like real only sia... sounds like some epic movie like that!!! heehee)
The front of the MV DOULOS INTERNATIONAL
From Left: Geeta, Joseph, Java, Eung-Su
The 3 Monkeys and JoeKim(as we affectionately named him)
A middle-eastern corner onboard
At the Korean Restaurant... Excited face 2 out of 3...
From Left: Goyim, Eung-Su, Me
Almost The "Kim Chee" Pose
Happy Korean Diners...
Goyim and her NEVER-ENDING Sweet Smile...
From Taste of Seoul to Taste of Starbucks...
The Arab and The Korean... Nuclear Reaction... =D
Apparently this was a "Korean" pose... Or so I think...
NO KING KONG!!!... Tourist trying to teach us on landmark history
"Ok we HAVE to take picture with NO KING KONG!!!"- Shahnaz
"NO KING KONG"- JoeKim
No witty Comments... Picture says it all...
JoeKim thinks Statueman will be cold in the wind...
Yes ALMOST alike...
Group Photo 1
Group Photo 2

It was a very good night, filled with information, amusements, laughs and bewilderment... We ate, we danced, we explored, we laughed, we had ice cream, we laughed, we understood, we smiled, we look on in wonder and we laughed some more...

We will never forget our "NO KING KONG"s, Geeta ending the night with a bang! And of course the intertwining of 3 very different cultures... =D

Kamsahamnida, Syukran, Nandri, Daghang Salamat, Terima Kasih, Thank You.

Have YOU been on the MV DOULOS? Or am I NOT the only one ignorant about the ship? They're in Brisbane now and then sailing to Sydney... Bil I think u SHOULD meet up with JoeKim ah... =D

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO UMMI!!! I DID NOT FORGET!!! I LOVE YOU SO MUCH!!!

2008-07-29T05:53:00.010+12:00

28 July 2008

Happy Birthday To You...
Happy Birthday To You...
Happy Birthday To UMMI...
Happy Birthday To You...Today is my mothers birthday... Her age of course I will NOT reveal... Her age is just a mere number because my mother is always young at heart... She listens to my every whims n fancies and she complains about it everyday... She says I am a spoiled brat and I should be taught to see that I WILL NOT get everything I desire but deep down she knows she'll give me all she can... She and I have our yearly big squabbles but usually we make up in 2 days tops... I am beginning to look forward to what other things we can actually fight about because I think we've exhausted the list... I love her to death and sometimes I fail to say it to her... Why say it when Im pretty sure she knows... She has made alot of sacrifices for my brother and I but unfortunately only I have noticed it thus far... =D Why not? Simple, because she always says that "A son is only a son until he gets a wife... A daughter will be with you for the rest of your life..." I never thank you enough Ummi but I want u to start ASSUMING that WHATever you do for me, Im ALWAYS thankful that Allah s.w.t has blessed me with a mother like you... I may complain and compare but I know for sure that the grass is NOT greener on the other side... I love you!!! I do NOT want another different mother... Even if I had to live again, I wish that God would still make You My Mother... The things that we've gone through can only make our relationship stronger... The material gifts you have given me are NOTHING compared to the gift of life that you have bestowed me with along with the life lessons you have taught me...
Have a Joyous Birthday My Dear UMMI!!! I Love You and I Miss You!!!

Heres a Poem For You...

GOD made a wonderful mother,
A mother who never grows old;
He made her smile of the sunshine,
And He molded her heart of pure gold;
In her eyes He placed bright shining stars,
In her cheeks, fair roses you see;
God made a wonderful mother,
And He gave that dear mother to me.

Ummi's smiles can brighten any moment,
Ummi's hugs put joy in all our days,
Ummi's love will stay with us forever
and touch our lives in precious ways...

The values you've taught,
the care you've given,
and the wonderful love you've shown,
have enriched my life
in more ways than I can count.

I Love you UMMI... HOPE IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL BIRTHDAY!!!

**Hugs & Kisses**

P.S Entry Might Cause Tears From My Mother...

P.P.S Duit Sydney eh mi... Jangan lupa...

FRUSTRATIONS!

2008-07-28T10:15:00.002+12:00

OK!!! Im pissed... But at the same time im pretty comfy with where Im at right now... By the way im not going to bother about my english right now... not even going to care about spellings, verbs, vocabs and basic english principles... sooooooooooo it took me a good 2 years to master the art of html and whatnots... mind u it wasnt even easy to understand the codes... but i mastered it... to a certain degree i could look at the codes and understand them like a whole different language... so yeah... geek whatever... nondescript classification... pish tosh... so moving on... im sick of the old skin right? so i wanted to get something TOTALLY mature and more sophisticated... DAMMIT!!! I wanted to start putting my posts into labels for easier access in future... All my dreams r now crushed like orange pulp at the bottom of an empty container... argh! extraneous example... anyhoos... so the problem isssssssssssssssssss html has evolved... I DONT UNDERSTAND THE SCRIPTS!!! its totally beyond my comprehension... im totally lost and thats why my skin looks like total piffle and im frustrated... cos i think i might have lost the will to blog with the introduction of my delayed induction into the Facebook fraternity... If css becomes something that causes me impendent hair loss then i will have no choice but to REALLY (READ ARCHIVES ABT PREVIOUS THREAT) shut my blog down... Let me sit and think... Bring on the caramel dulce latte, a pen and the dancing monkeys... Till then... toodles...

Weird ACTUAL Laws

2008-07-01T21:25:00.002+12:00

In Zion, Illinois there is a law that prohibits owners from giving a lit cigar to any of their domesticated animals.

While the law specifically names dogs and cats, it also applies to other kinds of pet such as hamsters rabbits and goldfish.

So no matter how much your goldfish shows you his big boggley eyes, you are by law, not allowed to fall for it and give him a lit cigar.
I guess you could give him an unlit one, but that kind of takes all the fun out of it now doesn't it.

In Denmark, Restaurants may not charge for water unless it is accompanied by another item such as ice or a lemon slice.

Before starting your car you are required to check lights, brakes, steering and honk your horn.

In Texas legislature during 1971 a resolution was once passed honouring Albert de Salvo, otherwise known as the Boston Strangler.

The resolution congratulated him on his unconventional but successful techniques in population control

Italy

* All gondolas in Venice by law, must be painted black unless they belong to a high ranking official.
* It is illegal to practice the profession of charlantry.
* A man may be arrested for wearing a skirt.
* It is an offence for women of 'ill repute or evil looks' to enter a cheese factory in the area of Ferrara

Scotland

* In dealing with certain crimes, you are presumed guilty until proven innocent.
* It is illegal to be a drunk while in possession of a cow.
* If someone knocks on your door and requires the use of your residence, you must let them enter.
* You may not fish on Sundays.

Lebanon

* Men are legally allowed to have sex with animals so long as the animals are female. It is illegal to have sex with a male animal.

Saudi Arabia

* There are two highways between Jiddah and Ryadh. One of them is for Muslims, the other is for "infidels".

* If a Muslim travelling between Jiddah and Ryadh is also accompanied by an "infidel", then they are both required to use the highway used by the "infidels".

Hong Kong

* A woman is legally allowed to kill her cheating husband, only if she uses her bare hands. The husband's lover however may be killed in any manner desired.

Can YOU tell me more weird laws YOU have heard??? Do YOU think ANY of these laws are real or were they made up??? Leave A Comment... =D

Happiness

2008-06-04T04:34:00.003+12:00

=D Im happy to know its true...
Im happy to know its You...
Im happy that We're still new...
Above all, Im happy that I've got You...

I know it started out rough...
I know we're both really tough...
I know it can never be enough...
Above all, I know you're the real stuff...

I believe we'll be sweet...
I believe you will not cheat...
I believe theres no deceit...
Above all, I believe you make me complete...

I feel You were brought by fate...
I feel "it" happened on that date...
I feel that it was worth the wait...
Above all, I feel you ARE my Soulmate...

It is not anything that you guys are thinking k... I should stop the rumour mill before it starts... It is just that I am so happy and I am in the midst of studying for my English Literature exam so a romantic sappy poem it is for my post... =D So enjoy it... Its copyrighted so if ur about to use it please reference my name... Thank You... I shall go sleep now and have wonderful blissful dreams... =D Ok take care my darlings... Do keep tagging... I will give a dedicated post on the Mother's & Father's Day event that my cousins put up a week back... Complete with pictures and possibly videos... =D For now give me a chance to be happy... *hugs*

Babies Galore!!!

2008-05-07T16:50:00.005+12:00

MY Nephews & Nieces... I LOVE THIS CUTIE PIES SOOOOOOOOOoooo MUCH!!! Who would have thought that the cute genes would be passed down so effortlessly... Masha'allah... To their parents... I MISS YOUR KIDS LA OK!!! =D If I could have one wish today... I would wish for all 6 of them to be here with me... YEY!!! =D Ok let me start with the batch from Faries genes... =D

Introducing... Fahrunissa bte Faries Talib... The oldest among my batch of nephews and nieces... Alalalalalalala so cute... I miss you so much but you dont want to talk to me on the phone... SO SAD!! Now she wants to grow up to be a lawyer like AuntieShahnaz... WAHLAU!!! So touched se!!! Let AuntieShahnaz finish first ok sweetie??? =DAlthough 3rd in line, this is Farisha bte Faries Talib... Alalalalalalala with the smile that can melt ANY heart... Always seen following what her elder 2 siblings are doing but never able to accomplish it... =D cute tau you!!! =DNext is Firdaus bin Faries Talib... My sweet little angel... He has the most sweetest smile and when he sees you coming he will hide and then "boo" you... Ya Allah... I remember the times when we could feed him ANYTHING and he would immediately want to be carried by us... Oh! And how about that time when Najwa and I brought him out and bought him chips? He put some in his pocket and then fed some to us and ate the rest... Masha'allah la this boy... *hugs*

This picture of him is one of my brothers favourite... What did I say about his smile!? This active little boy can make even my brother tired out to entertain... When he starts it is hard to stop and Haidar learnt it the hard way... =D Argh!!! *pinches his cheeks*
Seconds after this picture was taken, Fir ran around the playground and did not stop until I waved a fry at him... =D even then he stopped just to look at me for a good 5 seconds before running around again... Next up is the kids of my cousin Farah... Oldest of the line, Omar bin Imran Talib... The boy with the most infectious laugh ever... When he looks at you with his big round eyes, you would want to do just about anything for this little sweetie... This boy will grow up to be one of the hottest man around inshallah... =D A heartbreaker no doubt... His charms are just hard to resist even at this stage...Heres him on Baba's bed before his nap... I love this picture of him... It looks so posed but he did not even realize I was snapping away... =D Next up is Rania bte Imran Talib... Argh!!! I have not met her long enough to know her little antics yet but she blew me away with her smile and charms the 2nd day she was out in this great big world... =D Such a cute little princess... Her cheeks, I can foresee being the object of Hanims endless squeezing and possible burger buns... Mashallah... I love her to bits because she is the first nephew/niece that I got to see at the hospital... =D And had welcomed her into this world... =D I miss her tons now cos Im not seeing her grow... =D
Here is Farhana's little bundle of joy, Zahra bte Salem Talib... My little bobbi!!! I love her soooooooo much eventhough I met her only for a good 10 mins... But I love her because she who I met while still dwelling in her mummy's tummy... She who was the first baby that I saw in my first ever Ultrasound scan experience... She who made me teary eyed when I saw her little hands still developing in her mothers womb... She is my bobbi and I love her... I HAVE to make it a point to visit her this year... Bobbi!!! Im coming to get you!!! =D Check out this 2 pictures of Rania and Zahra... I foresee a twin sister legacy that will move on to HipHop Sisters??? My my My... This 2 cute little darlings are just little angels... =D I think its cute to see them together like this in a photo... Now I just want to eat both of them up... =D heheheheh Cuteness alright...So that is my little post on my nephews and nieces... I cant believe that the girls are outnumbering the boys... A far cry from their mothers/fathers time and grandmothers/grandfathers time... Where it was 8 men and 2 women then 13 men and 9 women... Now its 4 girls to 2 boys... =D Girl Power... ahahahahha char!!! =D ok then... Hope u enjoy the baby pictures... Theres so many to choose from but I only picked the ones I like... =D *hugs* to my little angels...

Online Quizzes Lie

2008-04-29T02:47:00.004+12:00

Its ALL a Farce!!!! Don't trust them... Hehehehe... They seem like it could be true but then it is only because you are on Cloud Nine and delirious...

Oopsie... Did I fall for It??

P.S I Need A Hot Picture To Up My Self Esteem... =D

The BimBo Believes!!! =D

2008-04-25T14:26:00.000+12:00

Is He Interested?
All signs point to yes!

He is definitely hot for you and is probably waiting to see if you feel the same way. Perhaps you should give him a few signs that you like him too. A little bit of flirting never hurt anyone. He'll be your boyfriend in no time!

AHAHAHAHAHAHA Is It True??? =D Muakhakhakhakhakha I already know it...

Your Love Style Is...
Caring!

You seem to have it all worked out. You are emotional strong, warm and know how to love. More importantly you think with both your head and your heart allowing you to handle all romantic situations calmly. How did you get this smart!!

Makes You Wonder Don't It? What is KEEPING him!? =D