The Adventures of TinTin

When I was young, my mom used to take me and my siblings to the public library, and we were allowed to roam within the library's vicinity at our own whims (and parental supervisions)

That was the time when we discovered one of the most wonderful comic books that ever existed in this world. I am not exaggerating. 

The comic book is called read the title of this post. 

TinTin is a reporter who is always having adventures around the world  with his dog, Snowy and friend, Captain Haddock. He had been to Congo, America, fictional country called Syldavia, China, Tibet, the MOON, Middle East and banyak lagi la. 

 The other recurring characters include the hilarious detectives Thomson&Thompson and the opera singer, Bianca Castafiore. And oh yeah, Professor Calculus.

There are altogether TWENTY FOUR comic books on TinTin's adventures. I remember that we used to take turns reading each one of them and looking at the illustrations on each strip with full concentration. 

The distinctive, special thing about the TinTin comics is that all the places they went to are depicted realistically and accurately; the cultures, the landscapes, the history, it's as though you're really traveling there with TinTin and his counterparts. 

Alas, I was no longer the member of the public library. College called, and I'm now a busy university student (don't you feel the overwhelming desire to laugh at this very sentence? :P)

Until, Steven Spielberg decided to make a 3D Motion Capture film on this young sleuth! Hurray!

 I haven't got the chance to watch it together with my siblings at the cinema, nevertheless managed to do so only yesterday when my brother had successfully downloaded the movie (like a pirate) from the internet.

We connected the laptop to the television screen and whoa, it's as if you're watching it on DVD or something. Geddit? Geddit?

I must say that it is the MOST BEAUTIFUL FILM I HAVE EVER SEEN.

It's like, a 3D, animated sort of film but at the same time it looks really realistic! The facial expressions of each character, the clarity of the sky, the colour of the ocean, the rolling of the waves as the wind swept through, the delicate wrinkles on TinTin's eyes (:P), and many others.

 It's hard to actually convey the feelings through mere words and downloaded pictures, which is not that many, LOLZ, you'll have to see it by yourself to feel it, to experience it, to live it.

And I'd recommend you to read the TinTin books. I've read 21-22 of them I guess (there are 24 books in total). It is suitable for young children (duh, of course), I mean, for parents who are particular about the whole English grammar+correct sentence structures stuffs. The English is simple and the sentences are grammatically correct ( I think).

The complete TinTin books are quite expensive (thundering typhoons!) so it's best if you borrow them from the library. IIUM Kuantan's Library only has TWO TinTin books. (blistering barnacles!)

I'm SOO going to get all 24 of them the next time I go to Chowrasta. 

A new Harry Potter spell

Most of you had already known how much I love Harry Potter. Oh, you dono? Hokayla takpe. Now you know. :P

One day, Dr Marwan, one of the lecturers for the subject Body System II: Respiratory and Urinary System taught us about the asthma disease, which is caused by the constriction of the bronchus which in turn obstructs the air pathway. 

And suddenly he said something that has the 'us' thing at the end, it sounds like one of the spells in Harry Potter. 

It goes like this- STATUS ASTHMATICUS!!! It means severe asthma.

I was astounded. HARRY POTTER!! (read: Harry Pottah!)And you know what I did? I held my pen (the make-belief wand), did a swish and flick motion, (though maybe it's just applicable to the spell Wingardium Leviosa but never mind, I love it) pointed it to my friend and muttered STATUS ASTHMATICUS! Okay friend, you got asthma already! LOL.

STATUS ASTHMATICUS!!!

Why are you so mean-os? I can't breathe-os! I need Salbutamol-os that will act-os on the Beta-2 receptors-os of my bronchial-os smooth muscle-os (Nerd-os)

Evil-os spell-os, this is-os. Of course-os, nothing happened-os.

(I have no idea why tiba-tiba tergedik letak os-os ni)

So, after failing to do that, I decided to keep moving forward and try new things!

What I'm trying to do now:

I tried my best but it didn't work. Maybe I lost my focus there (but then, I didn't get splinched either :P) Oh, never mind. Keep moving forward!!! 

Pride and Prejudice- Harry Potter Style

The original trailer

Direct Indirect Translation Episode 2: Oghang Seghupa Hang by Adilah

aka 'Someone Like You' by Adele.

Adilah, si gadis Kedah yang tulih lagu pasai mamat dia suka dah kahwin diam-diam tak bagitau dia. Adilah dengan mamat tu (dirahsiakan nama) kawan sejak kecik. Dia suka mamat tu tapi mamat tu tak tau (sesuka hati je buat cerita)

Presenting, "Oghang Seghupa Hang" by Adilah

Cheq dengaq hang dah dok diam-diam.

Hang dah jumpa awek, hang dah kahwin (x bgtau cheq)

Cheq dengaq mimpi hang jadi kenyataan

Dia bagi benda yang cheq tak bagi hang. (benda apa ntah? iPad?)

Kawan lama, awat dok segan sangat?

Sebelum ni hang tak pernah sembunyi daripada cahaya (hang dah jadi vampire ke hape?)

Cheq tak suka datang tak diundang (tak dapat kad kahwin hang)

Tapi cheq kena datang gak, cheq tak boleh melawan

Cheq nak hang tengok muka cheq, pastu hang teringat 

yang ni semua belum berakhir bagi cheq!(kes tak dapat terima kenyataan)

Chorus: 

Takpa aih, cheq caghi oghang seghupa hang

Cheq doakan hang yang terbaik (hang kena doakan cheq gak)

Cheq rayu jangan lupakan cheq *sobs*

Cheq teringat hang pernah cakap

"Kengkadang cinta ni kekal, kadang2 dok sakitkan hati"

Hang tau macam mana waktu terbang

Semalam je kita ada waktu dalam hidup-hidup kita

Cheq dengan hang dilahirkan dan dibesarkan

di waktu jerebu musim panas (Malaysia memang panasla)

Terikat dengan kejutan hari-hari kejayaan 

Cheq tak suka datang tak diundang (tapi sebab muka cheq ni tak tau malu)

Tapi cheq kena datang gak, cheq tak boleh melawan

Cheq nak hang tengok muka cheq, pastu hang teringat 

yang ni semua belum berakhir bagi cheq!(awat hang kawen dengan dia?!) 

Chorus: 

Takpa aih, cheq caghi oghang seghupa hang

Cheq doakan hang yang terbaik (hang kena doakan cheq gak)

Cheq rayu jangan lupakan cheq *sobs*

Cheq teringat hang pernah cakap

"Kengkadang cinta ni kekal, kadang2 dok sakitkan hati"

Takdak apa-apa nak dibandingkan

Takdak rasa seghiau, takde rasa prihatin

Kesalan dan kesalahan

Semua tu jadi ingatan 

Takdak sapa yang tau semua ni rasa pahit manis (macam Neslo makcik cafe tu buat) 

Chorus: 

Takpa aih, cheq caghi oghang seghupa hang

Cheq doakan hang yang terbaik (hang kena doakan cheq gak)

Cheq rayu jangan lupakan cheq *sobs*

Cheq teringat hang pernah cakap

"Kengkadang cinta ni kekal, kadang2 dok sakitkan hati"

A message to Adilah: Sudah-sudahlah tu. Terimalah kenyataan. Kumbang bukan seekor. Toksah dok emo-emo aihh.. Takyah dok caghi oghang seghupa dia. Caghi oghang lagi baguih daripada dia! I'll find someone BETTER than you! Syau cakap "I'll find someone RICHER than you". LOL.

 Direct Indirect Translation Episode 1: Jenny by Klik Lima Itu 

After-effect of 2 quizzes in a row for a day, a total of FIVE quizzes in a week. Yup, and caffeine. May Peace be Upon You! 

Que Sarah Sarah

I know it's Sera, Sera. Whateviaq la. LOL.

Why do you think too much about the future? 

Contrary to the famous cliche 'the future is in your hands', I must say that the future is not entirely in your hands. 

Things that you plan to happen might not actually happen and vice versa. 

Why worry so much about the future? It has not happened yet. REPEAT.

As I reflect on this, I arrived into a conclusion

I should just do my BEST in everything I'm doing right now,doing my best in everything that I intend to do, insya-Allah, it will lead to a great future. 

Surah al-Insyirah ayat 7-8. 

Maka apabila kamu telah selesai (dari sesuatu urusan), kerjakanlah dengan 
sungguh-sungguh (urusan) yang lain, 
dan hanya kepada Tuhanmulah hendaknya kamu berharap.

صدق الله العظيم 

Another Dream

I'm gonna open a 2nd hand bookshop sometime in the future!!!!

Cheapo Skatepo

Assalamualaikum and hello all. :)

I had undergone a series of unfortunate events (ceh!) throughout this week,  from Monday till today, Friday. Never mind, those are just tests given by the Almighty. I hope I pass them with flying colours! :D

So today, I went to the MPH Book Fair at Sultan Ahmad Shah International Convention Centre.

There are lots and lots and lots of books with lots and lots and lots of discounts! 90%! I kid you not!

I was like Becky Bloomwood in sample sales. I clutched the handles of the red basket firmly and thus began the event of filling in the basket with books, books and more books!

Then I filtered my selection, taking into full consideration of whether I will really read those books in the future. Then I chose more books, filtered them again, and the whole process went on and on until I finally managed to come up with the final 7 books. 

Went to the cashier, a cheeky young man keyed in (?) the prices of those books. Dianna Wynne Jones' book actually belongs to the 10% discounts area! Pftttt!!!! So I decided not to take it. It was not in a good condition anyway. 

Anyway, when he had finished doing that, he declared "Altogether, it's RM 229.35!"

My eyes almost bulged out and I bent over to look at the computer. The young man grinned and continued

".....before discount!"

"Pheww!!!" I let out a huge sense of relief.

You know how much I paid for those books?

A freaking RM22.95!!! Discounts of RM206.42! It's crazy, I tell you!

Books I bought (from top)

1. Harry Pottiness: A totally unofficial Book of Muggle Fun (FINISHED READING THIS WHILE WAITING FOR MY FRIENDS SHOPPING FOR CLOTHES LOL)

Real price: RM 19.95 Discount: RM 17.96

2. Midnight's Children by Salman Rushdie (I know he's the writer of The Satanic Verses, but I wanted to read this book)

Real price: RM39.90 Discount: RM35.91

3. Howards' End is on the Landing by Susan Hill (I read the synopsis and found out that the story has something to do with me (and other readers) Guess what? :P So I buy lor.)

Real price: RM49.90 Discount: RM44.91

4.Pride and Prejudice and Zombies (I'd always wanted to possess this novel. SOOO BADLY!! Okay, I'm exaggerating. But yeah, I wanted to read this ever since I've seen the title on goodreads and other bookblogs)

Real price: RM49.90 Discount: RM44.91

5. Inspector Singh Investigates: A Bali Conspiracy Most Foul by Shamini Flint (Shamini Flint is a Singaporean author. I've always wanted to know what's so great about this novel of hers)

Real price: RM35.90 Discount: RM32.31

6. The Call of the Wild by Jack London (I've never read any of Jack London's book before but I've heard of him and it seems like The Call of the Wild is his most famous book?)

Real price: RM16.90 Discount: RM15.21

7. Strip Jack by Ian Rankin (I've never heard of him before but Nazriq-the editor for the Torch said he enjoys reading Rankin's novels so I guess I'm gonna give it a try) 

Real price: RM16.90 Discount: RM15.21

GROSS PRICE: RM 229.35

DISCOUNT: RM206.42-

FINAL PRICE: RM22.95!!! Oh yeahh!! 

I know you might think that those books that I bought are boring but hey I don't have much choices okay. Plus, they are freaking cheapo! You know how hard it was to find those books? All the books in the 90% discounts section were not arranged properly so you'll need a meticulous pair of eyes and a flexible neck! LOL.

I wanted to buy more but hey, don't be greedy! Jangan menzalimi buku-buku yang anda tidak akan baca! Mary Poppins said "Enough is as good as a feast!" 

The best find of the day goes to *drumroll*

Yupss!!! Hahaha. 

Okay, may peace be upon you and good day to all! (it's already 11.23 pm) 

Dried ink

I'm in pain. My body aches and I'm shivering all over.

Being in this state reminds me of home and my family.

If I were at home this time, I would carry my comforter and pillow, sleep on the sofa downstairs, watching whatever there is on TV. 

And if I wanted something; say, a glass of water, I'd ask my darling sister to get it for me. Right now, I couldn't really stand still. 

As for my mom, she would touch my neck and forehead, her eyebrows knitted together upon feeling the higher than normal temperature. Then she'd give me something to eat and get me a glass of water and panadols.

She would also get a big bowl of water, soak the small towel in it and put it on my forehead.

On the next day, she would cook porridge for me. 

I miss my mom and my sis. I miss the rest of my family members. I miss Haziq.  I miss my home sweet home that is located more than 300 km away from Kuantan. 

But right now, I'm all alone in my compartment. I have to force myself to eat and then take the medicine. If I wanted something, I'd have to go get it myself. 

Worse still, I need to study tonight. There'll be a quiz tomorrow. Luckily I've studied the topics the night before.

My stomach hurts and it gives me this nauseating feeling. My head is throbbing painfully.

I feel so alone. Not really. Allah is with me. He's watching me now. He could feel my pain. I know that in a way, He's trying to say "Stay calm and patient. Everything will be okay in the end. Verily, when there's difficulty, there's relief. When there's difficulty, there's relief'"

Another two weeks to be spent here. Plus that one day of lecture on the 8th week *sigh*. 

I can't wait to go home!!!

 I hope I'll get a lot better tomorrow. Ameen. 

Weekend getaway

Assalamualaikum and hello all.

Why hello there! We are Sarah's shoes! Our owner is resting comfortably on the hammock by the sea, taking a picture of us (me and my partner). Smile! 

My family -Mommy, Daddy (saja gedik panggil mommy and daddy LOL) and my darling siblings, Syazwani, Danial and oh-so-adorable Haziq came all the way from Kedah to visit me here in Kuantan! Syafiq did not come because he's currently busy with his project. 

So, we went to Cherating and stayed there for a night! My father and younger siblings (especially Haziq) had great fun at the beach while my mom and I just watched them, talking to each other like old friends. My mom is my best friend! It's hard to keep secrets from her! In fact, we tell each other everything! We even share clothes and shoes sometimes, haha!

But to tell the truth, I didn't have much fun because

1) It's weekend and I'm supposed to be studying for the imminent THREE quizzes next week!

2) Also, lab reports and the outline for my Nutra assignment! Gahh!!!

At first, I was a bit stressed and tensed up. But then I reminded myself;

"Come on Sarah! Just put your notes away and enjoy your holiday!!!! Don't be a studyholic and a future workaholic!!!"

I did that and wow, it feels so great not to think about your studies even for a whole day! (macamlah rajin sangat selama ni). I even played Clue-Do with Haziq (remember my youngest bro who loves boardgames?) and he won! (coz I bagi chance kat dia, lepas tu gembira sangat sampai tidur pun tersenyum-senyum).

Then, bye-bye family! (wipe tears) They're currently on their way to KL to meet Syafiq in IIUM Gombak and have dinner with him at the oh-so-famous Mahallah Ali's cafe, insya-Allah. 

As for me, I'm stuck here for another two weeks in the land of the nerds STUDYING for the sake of the ummah! Wahh!!! 

Okay, may peace be upon you! =)

The Twits by Roald Dahl

Source: Tumblr

The Case of the Stolen Boyfriend

I have a boyfriend, his name is Oscar. For the first month of us knowing each other, we had spent a lot of time, which include going to the Sports Complex and class together.

But later on, I got busy with quizzes, assignments and such that I didn't have time to see him anymore. I abandoned him, never visited him again ever since.

I didn't even wish him goodbye when the semester ended. What a bad girlfriend I am. :((

Time went by. The new semester had approached and I didn't visit him even once. *sobs*.

One day, my friend Naza told me that she was looking for her boyfriend at the shed but couldn't find him. Suddenly she saw a group of girls, happily walking with their boyfriends, and guess what? One of their boyfriends is Naza's! She stole Naza's boyfriend!

Naza asked her "Hey, why did you steal my boyfriendd???"

The girl replied "Oh, I didn't know that he has a girlfriend. Someone told us that if we found any males that are  not being chained, then they are single males! We could take any of those unchained males as our boyfriends!"

 (these sentences sounded soo wrong!)

Pffttt, siapa la yang pandai sangat tu hah? Oh yeah, I didn't chain my boyfriend because I had faith that he wouldn't wander around  the chain rosakkk.. 

Oh, really? that was all that I said as she told me this. Okay. I'm sure that Oscar wouldn't cheated on me. Come on, he has ME as his girlfriend! Pffftttt!!!

And just now, another friend, Raihanah asked for my permission to borrow Oscar. Of course I allowed Rai to go out with my boyfriend to Tasik Bandar. I trust her! And my Oscar!

Suddenly, Rai called me, saying "Kak Sarah, Your boyfriend is chained!"

"WHATT??" the pieces of sushi were accidentally spit out from my mouth due to my overwhelming reaction and expression.

I began to think about Naza's story earlier. What if some girls desperate of boyfriends decided to steal my boyfriend? You girls! Why you steal my boyfriend??? Why you no get your own boyfriend??

Oscar!!! Why you cheated on me!!!

And so, armed with a note scribbled with fury, a roll of cellophane tape and a pair of scissors, and oh yeah, my camera to take pictures as evidences, I marched to M7, where I left Oscar.

Voila! The rumour's true! Bad Oscar, bad bad Oscar!!! 

 Dishevelled Oscar. Yet, he looks dashing and charming, probably one of the reasons why somebody took him. 

See, somebody chained him!!!! 

If this case is to be brought to court, I have several evidences that Oscar is mine! 

1st evidence: I changed the seat so that I'd be more comfortable when Oscar carries me. 

2nd evidence: The battle scar at the rim of the basket, caused by a minor accident in front of Kulliyyah of Pharmacy (on my birthday! I have witnesses!!!)

And so, I left a note : HEY YOU, WHY YOU TOOK MY BOYFRIEND??!!!

 Malas nak translate. Nasiblah siapa tak pandai Bahasa Melayu. :P

Bye bye Oscar! Once I got you back, I hereby promise that I will wash and scrub you clean! *sobs*

So now, I'm waiting for that person's response. If she didn't respond until this semester is over, then I shall go to IIUM security, forced the Pakcik guard to bring a chainsaw or something to release Oscar from the clutch of the evil woman (she is evil if she didn't return Oscar back to me). 

Sambil-sambil melayan perasaan hiba dan pilu, bertambah pilu apabila melihat 

Pohon-pohon kehijauan telah ditebang. Berita baik: Monyet sudah berpindah. 

Okay, kenapa tiba-tiba tukar mode Bahasa Melayu? Dah nama Melayu tu, lidah Melayu jugaklah.. 

The moral of the story is: Once you have a boyfriend, hold on to your boyfriend! Never let him go! And don't trust your boyfriend 100%!!!! 

One of my proudest moments

Went into the bookshop.

Browsed the selection of books. 

Found one book I really wanted.

Held the book, flipped it through.

Suddenly remembered that I currently have like, 5 half-read books. 

Put the book back.

Walked out of the bookshop. 

Went to Carrefour.

Bought Sushi instead. 

Right you are!

"You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You're on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who'll decide where to go...”

— Dr. Seuss