1st Advent Weekend

its been a while since i blogged about anything. its hard to find time nowadays with more work and headache which is also equivalent to much body pain and heartache. a lot have been going on in this little town of Landshut. about a week ago we have officially entered the winter season with much anticipation. and yes I've experienced snow which im not so fond of. snow came late here compared to the other parts of Bayern and well, it did not stay for long too.

*my studentenwohnheim in winter*

Starting this week, the whole of Germany is entering the Advent festive season. It marks the 4 weeks before the Christmas Celebration. Every Sunday of Advent, a candle will be lit on the Advent ring. its one of those things you see on TV that people put on the door during Christmas. funny that they have so much to prepare for when Christmas actually has no huge meaning for them. Its just a celebration weather you believe in the son of God or not. *sadness* the whole place is lit and Christmas markets are up all around Bavaria. These Christmas Markets are gladly exciting and fun. they sell all sorts of stuff from Christmas trees and ornaments to dipped chocolate fruits and traditional warmed wein they call gluehwein. Gluehwein works well in this really cold climate where i walk and could not feel my fingers!



this weekend, the girls came down from friedberg to attend the Mara's Girls day Out programme. we met at Muenchen on Friday and had our time together. Experienced the opening of muenchens Weihnachtsmarkt, strolled down the brightly lit and decorated streets and of course took photos. we then timed-out at Muenchens Hard Rock cafe for bites and also those thirst quenching drinks. so when andrina and I sat for drinks, i get my usual margarita and she will always get what is recomended. at least she got out fine.. not the lil' miss spinny head-salt eating girl in mid-valley which i will never forget. after a meal, they went to shop st the merchandise store while i spend my time looking at those signed guitars. That night, we went back to LAndshut still hungry and made Lasagna for supper. we crammed in my little room for lights out and as usual, me and Belle will still be talking in the dark.

*Recommended*

*we were here, Hard rock Muenchen*

*Muenchen Christkindmarkt*

Saturday came.. one of those tiring dates that i will keep in my heart. Those train waiting moments that hurts you so much that you will also hate the punctuality of Germans. the moment we stepped on the platform, only a second too late. we found ourselves waving goodbye to mr train heading for Nurnberg. so well, thats why we are here. waited another hour. got the whole schedule messed up, lost our way in Nurnberg.

we finally put the pieces together, found our destination and had our first official Girls day out with other Malaysian Scholar Students here.
And our activities were..

1. Futsal
2. Tali Getah or zero Point
3. Batu seremban
4. Galah Panjang

owh well, i do expect those laughters from the male species. yes thats what we call sports. unless you think playing zero point is so easy when you're 20. things we so much easier 10 years back. at least i did not have my veins streched making my leg hurt so much while playing. the guys as usual will have their game of futsal. and the gilrs will say, boys with their ball-kicking. we went over to meet up with the rest at their futsal game. well only some of them. got a few with us and had our fun at the Nurnberg town.

*Nurnberg weihnachtsmarkt*

*the huge pony ride*

Nurnberg is a really beautiful place i can say. not forgetting with so many people that it seems like a stempede. got saperated a few times with the group but theres always ways to get hold of each other.we saw horses, had fun looking at stuff, testing things that could be tested, watching children goin on rides and wishing we could too. we bought all kinds of food from the cutely decorated stalls that had toy decorations and shared together.. sweet stuff, cinnamon flavoured, vanilla cream, chocolate and apple sauce.. picking on each others food.



things of course had to end. and it did. we got on the train.. it was filled with malaysian students and we were so endulged with ourselves that we were not aware of the announcement. what we knew was that the train was delayed. NOT changing its route. so there we were, on a train heading to ingolstadt-Muenchen instead of Landshut-Regens-Muenchen. Spent time on the train with much chaos finally transitted in Muenchen then headed back home...

It may be one of my most tiring experience but because of friends, it went great as they are always there to share your laughters and bad train moments.

Tuning Soul

"Music is my life and my life is music, the beat of the drums in your hearts"

The magic of music that no one knows.why does music move you in every way?? i stil dont understand. thank God for youtube. i can reminisce all those sweet memories in silly songs. the thing about me is, i have memories for every song and i do not know why. it doesnt matter if i like it or not. wether its a junction, a road or an object, i see why music has taken effect on me. Lately we have been browsing music videos on youtube. with the exception of karaoke-ing on skype to Bidayuh songs. watching those videos i havent seen for more then 10 years!! i still remember the dance steps, moves and lyrics. at least i x end up dancing in my room like some people. hahhaa.. for the love of music... its so great how music lives in us.

90s pop affects most young girls at those times. not forgetting those endless list of boybands thta only became one hit wonders. i was a victim of music, i admit. and i still am. music make you live. its not full of naggy words but just a simple melody to testify your situation in life. well music nowadays are so much more influencial. we never really listen properly due to those up beat music and catchy chorus. but it seems to me that they are more negative as they tell you how to have sex and smoke weed or commit suicide. a negative impact on the world today. see it from a diffrent spec. you'll be amaze if u listen to them carefully. music back then was so laid back, telling you how beautiful love is (if you havnt woke up to the real world) or just silly funky lyrics talking about the taxi driver from calcutta. it scares me that when i was young everyone sang "liquid dreams" like it was nothing when it was really SOMETHING. so listen properly to wad you're singing out from your mouth. it sometimes will make you look foolish.

well, music will always be there for you, just tune to what your soul needs.

enjoy music!

my long time favourite song

the hurting leg sister

this picture soo reminds me of you but then im the one waiting for you to get here with ur "kaki kudung". hahahaha. dats what happens when u always say that ill end up like that. ok enuf. i know how it hurts. so the petua is to walk and not sit or lay because if you so, it will "masuk angin". actually its cause the blood dont flow. avoid sleeping or beaing static in cold places. i mean where theres air conditioning. and i recommend that you go and ask mummy to bring you to masssage it for the blood circulation.

to aviod getting your ankle sprained the 4th time on the same spot
1. EXERCISE!!! small base heavy weight?? not a good combination for anyting thats wants stability
2. watch where you are goin. jalan pakai mata bukan lutut.
3. kempunan may be the cause. so get your mind off food and refer to no. 1
4. be careful.

so thats all i've got to advice as a sister. hahaha. ill be praying for you.
love you lots!! muahh!!

A letter to Malaysia

Dear Malaysia,

How have you been lately? I've heard a lot of news about you but i could not split the truth from the false. looks like things got pretty hectic huh? its been two months since i left but my heart still stayed with you. Nothing beats being a Malaysian, not even being in Europe. how is it going with the government and the economic situation? I just pray that things will get better. prayers are always the best way to sort out situations. For me, being far from you makes me miss you so much. Ive had great times with you in my past years and i'm sure to have it till its time for me to leave you for good.

Malaysia, you are so blessed in many ways. Counting your blessing will take real long as it passes from Kelantan to Sabah. With your exotic beauties and great gifts, its no wonder a soul like me could not bare to leave you. you have given me amazing times both good and bad, and it made me learn a lot in this life. We had great fun don't we?? Having ABC or lai chee kang on a hot and sunny day is always the greatest treat. And those amazing stars that shine like blankets of diamonds were always amazing for me as i gaze at them on the way back from the kampung. Its just a waste that i cant really do that when i was staying in KL though. two years in KL was one of my great 730 days. It never seems to sleep and always has something to offer everyone of all ages. Those times when we had nights out in clubs and spend almost 2 hours in Subang looking for the home of a drunkard young lady. Amazing stuff alcohol makes you do. my fridays when i would take the train down to hang Tuah Station to go to Bukit Bintang. Walking along Pudu Jail to save a few pennies under your hot blazing sun. how Times Square was the place for us to spend our wednesdays for cheap movie tickets. you sur have your ways with students.

still malaysia, i admire your spirit of road driving and rage. How scary became not so scary and how speed traps can be replaced by a cup of coffee in the mamak stall. the minds of your people that you cant find anywhere else. your long jams are what i always saluted. i never figured them out somehow. especially your famous festive season back to back traffic. 7 hours on the Karak highway was a car show gallery for me. and how you would close your roads during your birthday and strike beautiful flowers in the sky at midnight. that act of closing your main road would make me suffer from Urinary track infection if you did not have mousy streets from Petaling Jaya to KL.

to tell you the truth Malaysia, i really wish i was with you now. sitting with my family back home enjoying each others company and going back to Taee on the weekends... the glory of Durians in this season. i'll be having a great time as i used to. As Christmas is approaching, how we would do our preparations and Christmas carols and Productions. The presence of ECF is so God gifted and they strongly pray for you in every way. malaysia, i love you and really hope for the best for your future. well, i hope i'll be back to serve you as your citizens have given me this chance to be here. i wont let you down malaysia.

lots of Love from your native girl

Why Science??

Ever wondered why we have to learn science? Or the logical thinking of maths? When i was young i used to question the natural phenomena a lot. why this and why that. Why is the sky blue and the ocean blue? but when u are up in the sky, its just a colorless empty space and the ocean waters are clear in the palm of your hands. I guess most of you who had spent time studying with me would still remember that question. What we see, hear, do or speak has its place in the history of our souls. Maybe some will end up in the history books of our children or grandchildren. That was why we had to learn a lot in our history class. I can imagine Malaysian History in the next 10 years or so. Thank God i was born earlier. Think of what will be printed in those pages : economic down turn of Malaysia, ministers showing who's boss and so what is shown on the news.

A salute to those who made NOW possible
Figuring out a math or physic question is always though. but those who figured it out had a real hard time. Most only got acknowledge after death. and we get it easily at a young age. questions like is the earth square or flat? Yeah, i knew the answer when i was in primary school. the theory of Einstein that gravity exist. I've read somewhere that the equator has a stronger gravity pull. the reason why we are short. Logic or no logic, i myself do not know the answer. what i can say is... only God knows. why?? because he made you and me so he is the master of all creation.

A lot of theories and believes are popping up like mushrooms due to the intelligence of Men this era. And their age gets younger and younger. Most don't end up like Einstein of Archimedes. Above all, there must be basic to what we have today and it is clear that without these gray headed people, none of this would exist. No cars, radios, planes and I would not even be typing this. We would be living in a world of our own not knowing whether there are anyone else besides ourselves. Now, many of us wish we would one day create history. May we be the big shot, super star or President, we all have our own dreams and its ok to dream big. to think again, most of these things are created by accident. we know that humans are not perfect. thats why its ok to make mistakes. it can make you the next big thing one day!

Thursday

I don't know about you but i never liked Thursday since i had to go to school. Thursday always seem long and tiring and moundy. When i was in primary school, i never looked forward to Thursday though my favorite subject falls on this day. On Thursday we always had to stay back 30 minutes later than usual. my Thursdays get worst if i had to stay back to "bertugas" cleaning the classroom. I was always a victim (i think) yang ditindas. No one wants to sweep the floor and it gets worse since its the day for pendidikan Seni (my fav subject). I remembered the times when i would sweep fast trying to catch up with time as it would already be late by the time i get doen to the church compound. I will than get nags for being late. Okey adults, its not my fault. i had to bertugas on a day that i hate so much. I still do not like Thursdays. i don't know why. it makes me feel grouchy and sick. if i would choose a day to delete from the week.. it would be this special day.

Schones Wochenende

The best thing about being in Europe is how amazing the public transport is. Time will always be the issue in hand. On the 43rd week of the year, i traveled alone across the states of Germany .. alone. I'm fond of doing things that is different and not forgetting spontaneous. I traveled to Hessen alone after less than 2 hours of decision-thinking and processing and lastly making. So that was my weekend. Wait.. i have to thank those whom i made worried. Thanks for being worried. I'm safe in Landshut now.

*Mr Nutcracker Prince in Frankfurt*

*wooden sculptures like in those Christmas Cartoons*

I never knew that these things really existed.
Christmas comes early in the West

I spent most of my weekend in the train but i still had a great time with the girls up north. we catch up on stories, gossips and girl stuff which i don't get here. We attended 2 open houses on Friday and Saturday. mind you that Frankfurt has a lot of Malaysians. So being students, we will surely have the opportunity to have great meals from kind heart ed families here. Well taken care of i can say, but still not enough for the winter warming period. I got to meet people who made it possible for Malaysian students to be in Germany, Mara director, those in charge of foreign students and those from the embassy. Compared to Bayern, those in the north mix more with the adults as there are very few students there.

*Fr Anak Geoffrey and Fr Sim*

*them Friedbergers*

*me and the girls*

We ate, sang and danced... adults with high enthusiasm and fond of their younger days karaoke-ed and the dancing started. we were just sitting by the side as we do not know any of the songs (80's you see.. i was born in the late 80's). In the end, we got pulled by the crowd. It was Malaysian Chef Ismail that started the havoc actually. He pulled us to dance, where i almost fell for avoiding.

going on a trip alone made me observe things that i never realized. It isn't that scary to venture alone. A good guide is God and your heart. have faith that God is always looking after you. to my friends who never go out alone. one day if its an emergency, you'll get lost if you don't practice being independent. Back home, people are always afraid of being alone. you'll know how it feels if you're in a strange land with language that you don't quite understand. during the trip, an incident occur where there was a Korean girl traveling alone. Mind you that she is on a holiday. Alone and she barely speaks English what more to say Deutsch. This girl travels alone guided with a Korean tour book and her camera. She sat on the same row as i was in the train and i overheard her conversation with a German man. with little english that she knew, she told the man about her trip and showed him pictures on her camera. Amazingly she went and visited the whole of Bavaria and Switzerland. hats off to this young lady! Now i can say why Korean is so much forward in comparison to my country. They go all out with no fear of communication whatsoever. Great determination.

On Sunday was the end of the daylight saving for the whole world. well countries with 4 seasons i guess. So Germany went 1 hour back while places like Australia went 1 hour ahead. It was alien to me at first but i guess people here are used to it. I woke up an hour earlier to catch a bus to the train station but found out that i had an hour extra. We can never turn back time but now i know that there is such thing as extra time. nearing winter, the days are shorter now. Its dark and cold by 5pm. Snow expected in a few days. Something I'm not looking forward to. God please keep me warm~

Gone

The part of life that nobody likes or loves to face. Something or someone being gone. Especially those that are close to our heart. Going gone can be in various ways, a break up or the passing of loved ones, this will always affect the way we view life and other perspectives that will bring us forward, may it be positive or negative.

The saddest part of life is always losing a loved one. I've been through it twice and it still affects me until today. losing a father at a very young age is never a dream for a child nor for the mother. and as time goes by, i had to let go of my lovable grandmother who had always been my shelter. I'm not much of a professional on emotions but i still have one. So my heart goes out to you, those who have lost a great someone lately. I believe that God has a purpose for things that happen and that he have planned our life even before we were born.

Losing a friend can always burn a hole inside of us. My mother lost her best friend to cancer last 2 months. and the sad part was that her last wish before she went was to meet my mum. Unfortunately the wish stayed only her last wish and my mum only got to know a week later. A lost friendship of more than 20 years. Just gone in a breaking news. A lesson to be learned to all of us who cherish friendships. We may not know what happens in a second or two.

Age does not make us feeling-proof if there is such a word. When i was younger, i always wanted to be the one who leaves first because the hurt of losing someone traumatizes me. As i grow up, i realized that people will always come and go in life but its always the memories that remains. A really strong faith was what kept my family through and i really thank God for that.

Things will one day be gone.. God will always be there as they leave.

Gone, like yesterday is gone,
Like history is gone,
The world keeps spinning on,
Your going going gone,
Like summer break is gone,
Like saturday is gone
Just try to prove me wrong
You pretend like your immortal your immortal

We are not infinite
We are not permanent
Nothing is immediate
We're so confident
In our accomplishments
Look at our decadence

Gone, like Frank Sinatra
Like Elvis and his mom
Like AL Pacino's cash nothing lasts in this life
My highschool dreams are gone
My childhood sweets are gone
Life is a day that doesn't last for long

"Gone - Switchfoot"

revived tradition

Spending my weekend in Muenchen i learned to see the meaning of our tradition. Not that it was a shocking eye opener but it made me realize no matter how modern or up to date we are in this high tech era, our culture still has a part in us. i saw all this from the eye of a girl sitting on the bed watching all her friends playing bottle caps on her bedroom floor.

the game of bottle caps or locally "tudung botol" is usually played in villages about 10 years ago. obviously that was the time when we were back in primary school. well i myself never played this game before as it was popular among the boys and also because i attended an all girls school.

The situation is now, after more than 10 years not playing this game which involves skill and strategy. a group of 6 guys collected bottle caps and settled down in a circle. masing-masing nak menunjukkan skill. ayam tambatan kampung. that was when i saw how time changes everything. children nowadays don't know how it is without electronic games and the flat liquid screens. with more game consoles in stores, the basic of children life outside the four walls is abandoned. to me, it kills the joy of being a child and most importantly the creativity of one. running in evening breeze and chasing kites or just being outside spinning tops. that's what i call healthy competition, though most of the time one will go back home crying because of a silly fight and game rules. i call that survival skills. that's where you learn.



back to the tudung botol competition. here i am almost asleep when i heard the cheer, almost of a little child playing with his friends. too bad i saw a group of happily playing boys in their 20s. sometimes reviving your childhood makes you happier and relieves the stress of the world today. there's nothing wrong about showing the kid in you!

Same festivity diffrent ground

I would like to wish those who are celebrating Raya back home and not forgetting the ones far from home a Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri. Being a Malaysian, we celebrate every festive season that is printed on the calander. and we do make the best out of the season. this year we made Raya happen in Bavaria. Im going to acknoledge Bavaria because the frankfurters are having fun at frankfurt eating with Chef Ismail. *blek!*

Event : Hari Raya
Date : 30th September 2008
Place : Rumah En Tajuddin (regens' Msian Hall), Regensburg

This story tells of Landshutters going to Regensburg on the 29th of September. Pioneers and adventurers alike, we went through the place on our own and it took us 2 hours on feet to our destination. Its not that we were not given bus numbers our what to do. but we just had fun figuring out stuff. and that was how we got to know Regensburg on our own.

*figuring out Regensburg*

That night we had our dinner at Abg Tajuddins house and his wife Kak Ain really cooked well. We had tom yam, asam pedas prawns(if im x mistaken) and satay.. nyam2. not bad for being far from home. the gathering gathered more than 20 of us together, all from different batches so we got to know each other despite of the year gap. Late night, we crash in the regenburgers crib to end the night. well mine ended but the boys continued on with poker till dawn. i got the best place to sleep anyway *grins* thanks!

*the fun of being together*

The morning of raya started with a knock on the door with the boys wearing sampin and songkok. and im not even awake. Sleep early wake up late. hihi. so we all got dressed and the boys headed to the mosque while i went to the shopping complex in my baju kurung. Later, i went to Kak Ains house. We really ate malay raya food. Where else can you find nasi himpit, rendang, lemang, satay, lontong and curry in the middle of Europe. But we got it. Before feasting, we had our photo session. look how outstanding i was. taman bunga.

Now to imagine this next scene is quite .. i dont know how to express it in words. after we left kak Ains house we took a bus back. but we had to change bus at the main bus stop to go back. so we waited and we looked like a living Msian Museum. All clad in songket and songkok, the bus stop was filled full by us. yes we do get the stares and also more smiles. not forgetting interview. almost everyone there asked what we were wearing. so welcome to the colder part of malaysia. we do agree when they say we look great though. the rest became models for baju melayu while i went for baju kurung. im the only girl you see.. hmm..

*Msian Students with En Tajuddin and Family*

*Landshutters with the family*

the only rose among the many thorns.. and i got roses! from kind hearted frens that saw how it feels like to be the only eve generation among them. i had to bring the flowers to regensburg from landshut and back. i went with 7 stalks and came back with a pot.. and i really wana extend my heartiest thanks to those involve. they never knew that i loved flowers in the first place. thanks for being so great. ahaks.. ill post the pic of the potted roses after it blooms.

*this was how i travelled*

Its amazing how flowers make people smile. As i held it with me, people passing me smiled when they saw flowers that i held. Its easy to make people happy, just know the simple things in life.