Holiday Hangout

One thing first before I begin: this post is titled “Holiday Hangout” because all schools are closed today in conjunction with a Teacher’s Day celebration for all Teachers (as said by the MOE).

So yes, today Adib, Amirah, Val & I decided to hang out since Adib is leaving on the 30th and Amirah’s leaving on 1st October. I met up with Val at the Mall around 1PM and we walked around for a bit while waiting for Adib. We weren’t exactly sure if Amirah was able to make it so we didn’t collect the tickets that I booked the day before until she told us if she was coming or not. We went window shopping and I had a banana pudding blizzard with extra brownies while walking around with Val. Then after walked for almost about an hour, we headed to the cinema and sat down to rest our feet and just chat. Then Adib arrived; an hour and 40 minutes late than the proposed time that we said that we’d meet up and an hour late than the proposed time that he said he’d arrive - quote: “Might be there 1:40PM-ish.” LOL, just kidding Adib :)

Anyway, when Adib arrived, we still sat around the cinema area and talked about...“stuff.” I don’t think I should publicly reveal what our conversation was about so I’ll leave it up to you guys to guess or ask either Adib, Val or myself (that’s if we’ll tell you :P). Anyway, *fast forward* at 3:20PM we went to collect our tickets and at the right time, Amirah had sent me a text message to say that she was coming and so we collected her ticket as well. Then Adib was feeling hungry so we walked over to McDonalds and told Amirah to meet us there.

After McDonalds, we rushed over back into the Mall and to the cinema to watch Step Up 3! (again for Val and I, but the first times for Adib and Amirah). Well, all I can say that it’s totally different without having Nur to squeal with beside me. Still loved the dancing, and of course I still drooled over Legacy OH and managed to point out a few SYTYCD Dancers, Season 4 winner Joshua and Season 4 runner up Twitch - never noticed them before! Maybe because I don’t have the hots for them like I do for Legacy ;).

Anyway! After the movie we walked over to Centrepoint to drop Val off at her Aunt’s shop (her Dad was already waiting for her) and then Adib, Amirah and I walked down to Guardian to buy some stuff. After Guardian, we walked over to Deejay because Amirah wanted to look for DVDs. It was raining, but not that heavily. Then Amirah wanted to head over to “Communist” (which I call Unitek, but anyway...) to look for DVDs. By this time it was pouring heavily, but still we decided to run in the rain. Well Adib did while I snuck under Amirah’s hoodie and we ran together. After that, we ran back out in the rain - we were supposed to head back to Centrepoint, but for some reason Adib ran towards the Mall. Amirah and I were screaming out loud “Where is Adib going?!?!” Then when we finally sought shelter at the Mall, I said to Adib, “I thought we were heading back to Centrepoint?” “Oh really?” he replied. So yes, another round in the rain to head back to Centrepoint! GOSH! HAHAHA! But man was it fun! We were all  soaking wet! I mean, even if Amirah and I had the hoodie, our backs, arms and feet still got wet, only our heads were protected...

After a while, my mom came and picked me up, so I said goodbye to the two. What an epic day it was today :) I remember the last time I ran in the rain with friends was with Siti and Val when we went to Bandar to do a Photography project of Kampong Ayer for our Art coursework...

I miss running in the rain :(

Respect

I had one of those nights again; the ‘cry myself to sleep’ kind of night. I can’t remember when was the last time I had one of these, but I know I’ve had a few of them this year alone. Actually wait, just saying that reminded me when and why. All I can say that, last night was for the same reason...

I don’t really know how to voice this out without hurting anyone, but when I look back at what really happened, people are already hurting with or without this voice out. So this is why I am voicing out what I truly feel inside in hopes that I can either make things better or worse.

I admit, I am not a ‘confrontation’ type of person. I cannot confront someone face-to-face without pouring out my emotion; I’d end up crying in front of them and then the message I want to get across will just be drowned in my tears. I don’t get to say what I really want to say. This is why, I am better at writing out what I’m feeling than actually saying it out loud.

So what is all this drivel that I am talking about? You’ll soon find out. I won’t use names in this post, but I’m sure you’ve figured out by now that I am included in this circle. I didn’t want or ask to be in this circle, but whenever it comes down to this, either I’m dragged in or I drag myself into these sort of things. Believe it or not, I am what they call, ‘the witness’. But I’ve had enough of watching from the sidelines, it’s time for me to voice EVERYTHING out.

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Okay, I admit, I had this pre-typed on Word, only because I didn't want to leave things out, nor ramble on too much that I end up saying things that I didn't mean to say; and now, I feel like I don't have to courage to voice out just yet.

TIMING COUNTS.

Modelling vs. Portfolio

So yes, today was epically FUN! I had planned to meet up with Siti at her house to aid me in one of my portfolio pieces for University; yes, she was my model for a photography/editorial piece that I’m working on. We decided to call up Cheryl also since she lives nearby, and also because we needed a fan girl - just kidding! I didn’t even know we needed/wanted to use a fan until Siti brought it into the room 15 minutes after Cheryl arrived.

Anyway, enough stalling! So yes, I began with a couple of test shots with Siti, and we moved on straight to the ‘frames’ - very Top Model language aye? We took a couple of shots for my portfolio idea that I had in mind and after that, we just started fooling around with the fan and chiffon cloth (Siti still being the model) to just see if any nice shots would come out from this - either for my portfolio for Uni, or just for future reference. Here’s a photo (for viewing purposes only, not for the actual portfolio piece):

After that, we headed on outside to Siti’s garden to practice and follow some shots that we saw on America’s Next Top Model Cycle 14 where they casted a shadow onto the model’s face/body. The shots were not perfect, but alright for an amateur photographer (a.k.a ME). When we were done basking in the sun and frightened by the perils of a mere kitten, we headed back into the house and started to upload the photos onto a computer. To our unfortunate... I can’t find the word... UNFORTUNATELY, there was something wrong with Siti’s memory card, the previous pictures that we had taken DISAPPEARED! Well, they were still in the card but it said ‘Cannot playback image’ on her camera, and would not show on the computer. Luckily though, a few of the shots that we took outside were alright. So what did we do? ROUND 2! WE took photos again inside the house, and after we were done with my portfolio ideas for pieces, the three of us decided to take photos of ourselves, just for fun! And after our encounter with the loss of the previous photos, we uploaded the photos straight away into my laptop just in case - but to our surprise, the photos the second time around were alright... Weird.

After a few more shots, it was time for me to go home - well more or like go to the Mall first and pick up Alyssa who watched Step Up 3 with her friends. So yes, by 5PM I left Siti’s house and there we were roaming around the Mall waiting for my sister to come out from the Cinema. Once she did, we started to walk back to our car. While walking back, we saw Cheryl and Siti at the Mall! Siti had to drop something off at a friend’s house and they were at the Mall because Cheryl had to pick up some books that she had on reserve at the bookstore. We said our hi’s and bye’s and then off to our respective homes...

Bored..

What can I say? I was bored :P

This is for you Nur, if you're reading this post!

Left; original photo. Right; my edit.

Work Update

A small post just to update everyone on how I’m doing at ISB - it’s going great! I’m working with the current IB students in the Art Room and working on my portfolio for University at the same time! When I’m not in the art room, I’m temporarily helping out in the Library until they find a permanent assistant. So yes, when I’m not painting or whipping up creations, I’m either sticking down barcodes and spines or laminating books - joy! And the best part? Mrs. C managed to work things out with the Office about getting paid for coming in and helping out around school... And yes, I’m getting paid! I’ll update again about work when I get my first pay check!

Oh and before I forget! Charleen came by to school today to pay me a visit; yeah she loves me that much. Just kidding! She came by to school to collect her IB Diploma certificates and because she heard that I was working in school, she thought she’d drop by the library to see me as well, so sweet :) So here are our Photo Booth pictures from earlier on:

Siti's Open House

We had a quiet morning, washing the car and bathing the puppies; and a quiet afternoon too when my sisters headed off to Sunday classes. But the real joy and fun started at around 7PM:

It was Siti’s Open House today and man did I have fun catching up with the girls and guys. There were lots of food - well mostly sweets and chocolates; but I was full with just one order of Murtabak with egg and one order of kebab - simply delicious and filling! Oh and not forgetting the most delicious chocolate cake that I’ve EVER tasted! Simply divine; yes if I could marry food, I would, and like I always say “I love food too much to go on a diet.” Anyway, enough about food and gluttonising (is there even a word?)over it and let’s move onto what happened that night.

Aqilah was there already when I arrived with my mom and my sisters. So while we ate, I talked to Aqilah. The Cheryl and Sharon came, and then Sheng, Hazim and Ming. We, including Siti from time to time, hung out around the dining table watching the guys eat. Aqilah had to leave earlier than us, and so she did. When she left, I went all camera crazy capturing the guys scour down their meal just at the moment when they put something into their mouths. Yeah, I plan to be a paparazzi at one point in my life (as if!). I actually have this book titled “Never use white type on a black background, and 50 other Ridiculous Design Rules” and rule #13 is Never photograph people eating - I guess I’m not a design person after all! Anyway, I got a couple of good shots of the brothers (not by blood) on Siti’s Canon.

After a bit, it was time for me to say goodbye to the gang; and off I was to head home and get ready for work the next day...

Adam's Open House

So I just got back from Adam’s Open House; lots of people were there. I wasn’t the only girl, but I was ‘almost’ the only girl from Adam’s batch. Hanah and Ann Lee came but only for a bit so I hung out with the guys who were busy playing Halo but yeah, Adam was a good host keeping me company :) The food was great too! It’s an inside joke, the whole “being the only girl at the party” thing. I can’t remember exactly 

Today was also Adib’s Open House actually, but I couldn’t make it because he lives so far now! I had no transport; but hey, were meeting up again before he heads back to the UK for his second year...

Tomorrow I be off to Siti’s Open House! I’m gonna wear a baju kurong for once :D

Goodbye Andrew & Nabilah

What a depressing day I might add; well only because two of my very best friends are leaving today (I have many best friends okay? :P); same time, same flight. So we were at the airport around 4PM and stood around and talked to Andrew, Nabilah and basically everyone else. Well, the crowd was a bit divided because Andrew had his classmates from other schools and Nabilah had her family, so the ISB clan just stuck together and, well, talked. It was funny thought because we saw Adam at the airport sending off one of his relatives, and we approached him and said “Are you here to see Andrew or Nabilah off too?” And he was like, in a quiet tone, “I didn’t know they were leaving today.” So I guess it was fate that dragged him to the airport today - well, more or like his Mom got him to go to the airport as according to him, he was too lazy to drop off his cousin, but his Mom made him go anyway. He got to see Andrew and Nabilah off too!

When the 5PM mark hit, Andrew started to cry - OMG! It was a shocker for me to see him cry, well, only because I’ve NEVER seen him cry in public before! It was something new. Anyway, his crying died down a bit as we said our final goodbyes to him; and then there he went again! He cried again when he gave his Dad one last hug before going through immigration. Because he cried, I started to cry; it was just so touching to see father and son hugging, and Andrew crying. Val and I actually made it our mission to get Andrew to cry if he didn’t. Val even went to the extreme and said that she’d bring onions (she didn’t by the way) and that I’d bring pepper to make him sneeze and have a runny nose (which I didn’t also by the way); but I guess we didn’t even need these things to get him to cry. After the tears were shed, Andrew and his Mom made their way through immigration, and poof! Andrew was gone.

Giving Andrew his last hug from me (but hopefully not the last forever)

Andrew’s other friends left, but the ISB clan stayed behind and waited for Nabilah. Nabilah was saying her goodbyes to her family, and then us. She wasn’t all that emotional like Andrew, maybe because she’s over that phase seeing that this is part 2 (part 1 was two years ago when she first left to UK). After giving us her hugs, she went through immigration. Before she went in, I managed to ask her when she’d be coming back to Brunei, and she said next year - something to look forward to!

So yes, it was indeed a ‘partly’ emotional afternoon for us, but we all know that it’s not the last time we’ll see each other again. The very best of friends will always find ways to reunited with each other even if it’s just for a short while...

As you know, after seeing someone off at the airport, I always take a trip down memory lane (well, I only started it with Tharindu so Nyssa, if you’re reading this, sorry I didn’t make one for you).

Andrew Isaac Ng Kok How:

When Andrew first came to school, I wouldn’t say that we instantly ‘clicked’ for he hung out with people outside my circle of friends. I think I got to know him a little more because I knew his brother (we used to play violin together at Church every saturday); but honestly, I cannot remember how we started out to be friends. As the years went by, we’ve had our ups, and the downs that aren’t worth mentioning. There were times that we didn’t get along, apologies were made and still came out the very best of friends in the end. Unforgettable laughters and jokes, and the classic ‘dictionary’ (inside joke). Good luck in University Andrew and don’t forget the little people behind you, like me, Siti and Valerie! We’ll be waiting for an invite to your wedding, not that we’re rushing you into getting married! Study first, then work, then settle down okay? Below is a summary of our friendship (obviously there are plenty more photos, but I just picked the photos of the two of us to really show our friendship):

Nabilah Amdani (aka Nabooby Armani):

The photo above is a montage of the times we spent together before she left to the UK 2 years ago. Obviously there are more photos, but I just chose the photos of just the two of  us. Like Andrew, I’ve known Nabilah since Year 10 as well, but she left to the UK after Year 11, so we didn’t have much time together to spend as friends. Two years later she returned to Brunei, and she was still the same Nabilah I had known back in Year 10. Like Andrew as well, I have a fuzzy memory of how she and I came about to be the very best of friends. I’m thinking that she was friends with Amirah first since they were in the same class, and I just knew Nabilah through her. Well, I’m glad we got to know each other because now she’s like my most trusted wife (yes we got married before she left to the UK), LOL.

I’m gonna miss the two of you terribly! Oh and just so you know, Andrew and Nabilah are friends as well :) They might appear two different people to each other in my post today...

Step Up 3

Before I actually begin about our outing to the Mall to watch Step Up 3, let me update you on my time as a temporary staff at ISB since I’m making an entry for today.

So as usual, woke up at 5:45AM to get ready for school. Had my shower and my breakfast and off we were (my sister and I) to school. My mom drove; I don’t think she wants me to drive after making her all tense that time I drove to school. LOL. So got to school and finally settled in the library. After a while, Mrs. C came into the library and had me do multiple jobs for her to get her Peace Day assembly organised. Of course, I needed help so I summoned Amirah from the School Office to help me with the tasks that Mrs. C had set for me. First, we were on stage at the Hall completing a Mandela image for the assembly and then back we went to Mrs. C’s office to work on a powerpoint presentation. It was funny in a way that when we were looking for facts and figures like “In France 25,000 women are raped per year” (this is a true fact by the way), and we needed 10; the conversation went something like this:

Ally: I need something on murder.

Amirah: I thought you already had murder?

Ally: No, I have rape, women being killed by their husbands, homicide...

Mrs. C: *starts laughing* what a very cheerful thing to say, “I have rape, murder, blah blah blah!”

LOL well something like that to imply that we’re just throwing out these things like a checklist in quite an optimistic way... Anyway, when the lunch bell struck, it was time for me to head off! Lunch date with Mom and Angela.

After lunch, my mom dropped me off at the Mall to meet up with my friends and watch Step Up 3! So first the girls had lunch at Secret Recipe (notice I said “the girls” because I already had lunch) and then off we were to watch the movie!

I sat next to Nur in the movies, and man, we have a thing for picking our the funny bits even if it’s not a comedy movie. We’d make so much noise whenever we saw Luke and Legacy shirtless and Cheryl (who was on the other side of Nur) would had us her bucket of popcorn to stuff down our throats so that we’d keep quiet. We’d swear at the freaking awesome dance moves and laugh at the impeccable Santiago Twins. This movie is the SHIZZ! I recommend the people of Brunei to DEFINITELY go to the cinemas and watch the movie - like seriously, the dancing and the music is worth paying for! I love it! I won’t mind watching it again... With Nur! HAHAHA!!

Jonathan 'Legacy' Perez was freaking awesome in the movie! Though he had a small role, his dance moves weren't small at all! For those of you who don't know him, he was in Season 6's So You Think You Can Dance and was eliminated on Week 7 of the show. His dance background is mainly breakdancing but of course on the show he has stretched his horizons to Broadway, Jazz, Waltz, etc. Hey, he didn't win SYTYCD, but look where he's at now? :)

Not forgetting the Santiago Twins; they were funny! Nur and I Loved them! :)

We're no 'Santiago Twins' but I guess we could pass up as the Cleopatra Twins? LOL. (Picture: Nur & I)

WATCH STEP UP 3 IF YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY! Watch the trailer below if you haven't already done so & click here for a full list of soundtracks from the movie. Oh goodness, now I feel like partying!

After the movie we all left to go home. Tomorrow is gonna be another day as we send Andrew and Nabilah off at the airport to the UK. Note to self: Don’t wear any makeup tomorrow... :( 

Goodbye Hui Yen

As the title says so, we say goodbye to another member of the ISB clan Ms. Wong Hui Yen. We gathered at the airport around 4PM and just stood around for an hour just talking and catching up with each other. After a while, Hui Yen went to check in her bags with her cousin and her Uncle and Aunt (both of them if I’m not mistaken?). A few minutes later, she was out, but time to head through immigration and so we said our goodbyes; tears were shed, especially from Hazim :( awwwwwwwwwwww so sweet yet so sad at the same time. I love those two love birds :) I was about to cry, but I managed to hold it in; sorry - I was wearing eye makeup :S So yeah, that’s what happened at the airport; I know it sound so dreary coming from me, but hey, this is a tribute for my Vutch!

First of, let’s start way, way, way, way, WAY back in Kindergarten:

Yes, that’s me and Hui Yen (on the left and on the right) there way way back! And here is a picture montage of our Secondary friendship as we reconnected (story will follow as to why I said “reconnected”):

So the picture isn’t exactly one from Kindergarten (it’s actually a photo in Year 1), but hey! We met in Kindergarten... And I remember the girl in the middle; I just don’t know how to spell her name but it’s pronounced Noh-Whal. Anyway, not that she isn’t important, but this post is dedicated to my dear darling Vutch. Ah yes! Before I start reminiscing about the past, let me explain the name ‘Vutch’. It’s not a nice name to have actually, but the both of us grew into it. The root word is actually Bitch; but then I remember that while chatting on MSN, we talked about switching letters like how we changed the name Lucas to Pucas - only because of a mere typo since L and P are near to each other on the keyboard. So, first it became Butch and then finally to Vutch - and that’s the history of the word Vutch. Now you can see why it’s not particularly a nice name to have because we’re technically calling each other a female dog; but hey, we say it in a nice tone and a polite way. We say “Vutch!” or “Hey Vutch!” when greeting, we NEVER go “OMG you’re such a Vutch!” or “Vutch!” in that horrid tone...

Anyway, enough about Vutch (as in the word ‘Vutch’) and let’s move onto the drama. We started of as friends in Kindergarten throughout Primary. Then in Primary 6, somehow we became sworn enemies over a petty game of handball - yes, I remember the evil eyes we’d give each other as we tried to smash each other out as we got into the square. So childish right? Anyway, after that we never talked to each other throughout high school but somehow being put in the same class with her in Year 10 for English made us grow closer, including her other friend Amirah. She was friends with Amirah and Siobhan, and funny thing, I was even blamed for stealing that both of them away from Siobhan. Well, all I can say is that I didn’t steal anyone away from anyone, we just because really close friends. It was also in this part of our high school life that Abigail Morgan, Brigitte Marc, Jacqueline Hart and Sophia Davis were born; also known as (in the same order) Allison Geronimo, Amirah Aji, Jacqueline Wong “Hui Yen” and Valerie Wee. The first set of names mentioned were our screen names that we came up with for a story that we wrote - yes, the stories were about us, our high school life, our social life and our love life. The characters in our stories were real but of course, names had been changed.

After that, we fly right into IB and all I can say is that we drifted apart. We had some fights about small things, but patched things up right away, but still we weren’t the girls we used to be back in Year 10 and Year 11. We made new friends and found new groups, but it wasn’t all such a big loss, I had Valerie and Hui Yen had Amirah. We still talk and share secrets, but we didn’t have lunch together nor hung out together that often. But even though the gap, all four of us still remained the very best of friends.

I’d like to end this post with a picture montage of the times that I’ve spent with Hui Yen up to the time that she left us to further her studies in the UK. Goodbye Hui Yen! But remember, this will never be the LAST time that we’ll say goodbye. Hope to meet you back in Brunei in December!

Love you Vutch! 

Chill time @ Siti's Place

So yes, as the title says so, today Siti held a so-called Open House just for us girls (only missing Aqilah from the event). We met up at her house around 3PM as we sat around the table and stuffed our faces into some baked macaroni and delightful desserts. The meal was filling, especially the cupcakes! We sat around and talked LOTS! Random stuff that I can’t even remember! I only remember being super hyper that time; the whole talking so fast kind of thing that made Nur go blur... Must be all that sugar from the cupcakes.

Referring to the picture above: who knew that we could express these many emotions for just mere cupcakes? red velevelevet!!! :P HAHAHAHA!!! *inside joke* don't hate us if you don't get it!

ANYWAY! I'll just let the pictures do the talking because really, what can I talk about for the 2 hours that we were together on this day? All I can say is that we've definitely missed each other dearly seeing as some of us (namely Val and Siti) haven't seen Nur in over 2 months!!!

Annoying Orange: Lady Pasta

LOL! My favourite Annoying Orange series! It's been up on YouTube for quite a while now but hey! I can't get over it's annoying-ness! :)

Click here for the original upload video by Daneboe

Please note that no Copyright was intended.