Post NaNo

Salaam'alaik.

Putting the print-screened picture of NaNoWriMo committees saying 'Congratulations, novelist! You won!' on facebook had definitely sparked some huge misunderstandings among my friends. That is, those who do not know what NaNoWriMo is, and the ones who thought that I actually won an INTERNATIONAL novel writing competition. You know, that I really won the competition by submitting my novel? In other words, winning by talents? LOL.

In class, one of them asked

"What did you get? Did you get money?"

Me: No laaa...

During break at the cafe, when I went to the cashier to get several tissues, another friend approached me, asking

Friend: Where are those prizes? What did you get?

Me: Just a certificate, and other stuffs,"

Friend: It's a national level?

Me: International. But no big deal. Everyone could win it, even you!

Friend: Mantaplah Sarah!

Me: *grinned* (if only you know :P)

Friend: Bila nak keluar buku tu (when is your novel gonna get published?)

Me: WHAT? Tak siap lagi la! (I haven't finished it)

You see, 90% of them thought that I won a REAL writing competition. HAHA.

I could imagine the looks on their faces when they finally figured out what NaNoWriMo actually is. :P

I told this to my friend Syau, who is one of the few who knows about NaNoWriMo.

"Everyone could win this thing, but it is hard to win," and she agreed.

Anyway, it's a nice feeling, haha. This further spurs my determination to FINISH the third part and epilogue! 

Whether it will get published or not, well it depends.

You see, I'm starting to have doubts on my own novel. The so-called novel. I could not imagine anyone else besides me that would be interested in reading it. Sometimes I think that this novel is just a collection of bad ideas. And maybe, I do have good ideas, but I'm just not good in constructing sentences. So I need to read more! 

On the other hand, I think almost everyone around me had undergone sudden behavioural changes that include; being moody, easily getting angry, over-sensitive and other negative behaviours. And that includes me as well. :P But never mind, I know that all these are temporary, that their behaviours (and mine) are mostly attributed towards the hectic timetable and assignments' deadlines (and premenstrual syndrome :P) 

 Oh yes, another bad (or is it not?) characteristic that I realized I have and kind of hated that I have is:

"I feel guilty easily and I don't like it when someone is not pleased with me. I tend to love pleasing everybody around me. I often think that everything bad that happened is actually due to my faults'. 

Something happened and my friends assured me that it is not my fault. Haha. I'm just overreacting. 

Right now we're kind of struggling with our research project, which Dr.Shazia (our supervisor) said that she will get it published (our research article). I don't put high hopes on this. And we're required to present our research project at an international conference held in IMU next year. My groupmates voted for me to be the oral presenter. Again, I'm not sure. Later la, the event is next year (and we're still not sure whether we're going to go there or not) but the thing is, I must get this research article complete because this subject : Biostatistics and Pharmacoepidemiology carries THREE credit hours! *deskpalm*. The topic of our pilot study is : Self Medication among Final Year Allied Health Students (and the comparison with First Year Pharmacy Students). Sort of. 

Another project that I have long abandoned and feel guilty for abandoning it is my beloved Literature Search. It's about the 'Antimicrobial drugs and Cordyline terminalis combination for Treatments of Bacterial Infection'. Sort of. LOL. I'm going to focus on this after we have finished our biostatistics research project. 

I realized that I love research projects that involved working in a laboratory. Research that involves handing out questionnnaires and analyzing them using the complicated software of SPSS is not my cup of tea. If I were to pursue my postgraduate studies, I would choose to further my studies in pharmacology or any other subjects that require me to work in a laboratory. I dream to have my OWN laboratory one day, insya-Allah. :)

Till then, that's all from me. I have so many things to do and I pray that Allah will grant me strength and patience to deal with all these.

"What doesn't kill you, makes you stronger".

I miss home SOOO much! 

I wrote a novel!

Salaam'alaik and hello all.

Let's get to the point.

Yours truly had won the NATIONAL NOVEL WRITING MONTH 2012!!!! 

I've completed my novel yesterday, on Day 25,  with a mere 50,060 words which I personally think as a mediocre, border-line pass achievement.

But it doesn't matter because the most important thing is, I WON!!! And I almost completed my novel! Almost? Yeah, I didn't realize that my novel would get this long. -___- 

Anyway, I am going to finish writing the next part this JANUARY during semester break!! :D

And, oh yes. Have you always been curious to know what the winners of NaNoWriMo would get upon writing a 50k words novel in one month? :P

1) A congratulatory video

2) A winner's certificate!! The one that I have always wanted since NaNoWriMo 2010!! :'D

3) and other special offers from 12 sponsors.

Well, that's all. I know that it is not much, but it's the SATISFACTION that matters! You know, the feeling that you get when you've finally completed the story that you had put on hold for SEVERAL YEARS?? Oh, you could not perceive the feeling? Then you should join NaNoWriMo next year!!! :D 

For this, I would like to say thanks to:

1. Allah the Almighty, for if it weren't for His help, than I could not finish this. I would end up writing halfway,  just like NaNoWriMo 2010. He gave me ideas, inspiration, courage, determination, strength!! Thank you!! 

2. LISA FARHANA aka my writing buddy/rival!!! Take a look at her blog on how we kind of competed with each other to win this thing. Hahaha.

3. My friend Syau- the one to whom I always updated about my daily word count, LOL. 

4. And the rest who were informally or formally involved in my journey towards completing my novel! LOL. Not many people know that I'm joining this thing. Haha.

Lastly, THANK YOU TO the Office of Letters and Light for creating and organizing this brilliant event! Thank you so much! Thank you for the pep talks and encouragements. :) 

So, November is almost over. I'm going to post an entry on 'How to win NaNoWriMo and still survive as a Pharmacy student in IIUM' sometime in the future. LOL. 

Till then, salaam and may you have a great day! :) 

Stamford Raffles and the Sultan of Johor

 An excerpt from Munshi Abdullah's 'Hikayat Abdullah. You can read more here 

"I have a strong desire of great consequence which I wish to make known to you, as well as to all present." On this the Sultan asked what it was. Mr. Raffles then said that the son of the Sultan and the son of the Tomungong, together with two or three companions and followers, sons also of chiefs, he wished to send to the Governor-General of Bengal in order that they might learn English, writing, arithmetic, and other kinds of knowledge, in order they might not remain ignorant, like other Malays who were not fond of study; arguing further, that while they were young they could learn quickly, and so that in four or five years they would be finished; -'thus in times hereafter' (addressing himself to the Sultan), 'when your son becomes Sultan, he will be one that is accomplished above all others.' He added, 'See, O Sultan, in Singapore, in all the races there are merchants, excepting amongst the Malays. This is owing to their not learning the more important duties; first, they do not understand accounts, nor writing; now if the sons of sultans were clever in these, the same would be entered on by other Malays. Now, I would be glad if your people could elevate themselves in this respect.' The Sultan was silent for a moment and did not answer, at length he said, 'Very good, sir. Wait a little till I think it over; in a few days I will give you an answer.' Then said Mr. Raffles, 'Don't be concerned about the passage money, and the other expenses, for I will make it known to the Governor-General, and he will have a nice house prepared, with clever tutors, who will teach your children, whereby in after times they will be able to understand and gain acquirements, experience, judgment, and knowledge.' On this the Sultan and Tomungong arose and left for their homes, accompanied by their chiefs and followers.

.... But my greatest anxiety is to advance the Malays, by easy degrees, in their own language -- otherwise, let each race have its assigned place, and all this without expense, but let the teaching be gratuitous; the country will increase in population in time, so if there be such an institute, its fame will spread to all races. What do you gentlemen think of my proposition -- is it good or not?' The Sultan and Tomungong replied that the proposition was excellent, as their children would thus be enabled to obtain instruction. All the European gentlemen also expressed themselves as approving of the scheme. Then said Mr. Raffles, 'Let us settle the matter by subscribing .to the erection of the edifice.' To this all replied assenting. On this Mr. Raffles took pen and paper, and by way of precedence to the East India Company he wrote down 2000 dollars, himself adding from his private purse the same sum. Then he asked, with a smile, what the Sultan would give; shall it be 2000 also? But he replied, with a loud exclamation and a laugh, that he was a poor man, so where would he get 2000 dollars? To this Mr. Raffles argued that he should give more than he gave, as the undertaking was of immediate utility to the Malays, and greatly more so than to the English; but let it be 1000 dollars. Then he asked the Tomungong to give 1000 dollars, Colonel Farquhar the same, Dr. Martin 200, and Lady Raffles 200. After this the various European gentlemen gave their quota, the whole amounting to 17,500 Spanish dollars.".

Reading this gives me the chills of a certain sort. @___@

40k

Salaam' alaik and good day to all.

Current word count: 40,002 words. Okay la tu.

I am sooo going to win this year's NaNoWriMo!! Insya-Allah, please pray for me! :)

Let's get to the point: I love these songs!

1) Pachelbel Canon in D's Dreams Come True by Michaelangelo and Jasmin Cruz

I love it because it's a mixture of Canon in D plus people singing the lyrics according to the melody (whatever that means la). Also, this is some sort of official song (really?) of HRH Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's wedding! One year had passed, haha. 

and this!!! I totally hyperventilated when I found out that ThePianoGuys did a cover on this!!!

2) Lord of the Rings (Piano/Cello Cover) by ThePianoGuys

THE LORD OF THE RINGS MEDLEY!!! 

BUTTTT, halfway through listening to this song, I got a bit disappointed..... The truth is, I was (am) expecting something better. Good job anyway! :)

 And so, in my opinion, the best LOTR medley ever performed so far is the one by Lindsey Stirling.  Sorry you guys!! :(

3) Lord of the Rings Medley (Violin) by Lindsey Stirling. 

But on the other hand, I simply love thepianoguys' 'Cello Wars (Star Wars parody!!) :D

4) Cello Wars (Star Wars Parody) Lightsaber Duel by ThePianoGuys

That's all, I have GIT quiz tomorrow. Please pray for me, everyone who reads this!! :D 

Recent Book Haul

From yesterday's Popular Book Fair at Berjaya Megamall Kuantan, Pahang.

1. Emily Giffin's' Heart of the Matter' hardcover (original price RM120.10 got it from RM16.90!!)

2. Mitch Albom's 'For One More Day' hardcover (original price RM68.50 got it for RM9.90!!)

For my siblings and for me (haruslahh. I really want my siblings to love reading but they don't love reading as much as I do! Okay, they read the Hunger Games trilogy, Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, True Singapore Ghost stories or any other true ghost stories, Goosebumps, Fear Street, Mr Midnight and Roald Dahl's books. Oh, and they love comics and mangas. -___-. Other than that, no! I've never seen any of them buying books other than those listed above)

1. Edgar and Ellen High Wire by Charles Ogden hardcover (original price RM30.50 got it for RM4.90!!)

and, EIGHT Horrible Histories Books by Teary Deary!!!! I remember reading these books when I was very young and I love them dearly!!! They are very informative and entertaining!!! LOL

2. Horrible Histories 'The Gorgeous Georgians'

3. Horrible Histories 'The Blitzed Brits'

4. Horrible Histories 'The Terrible Tudors'

5. Horrible Histories 'The Smashing Saxons'

6. Horrible Histories 'The Stormin' Normans'

7. Horrible Histories 'The Rotten Romans'

8. Horrible Histories 'The Ruthless Romans'

9. Horrible Histories 'The Slimy Stuarts'

each for RM6 the most I guess. HAHA too lazy to count. I spent less than RM80, I'm sure of it, I have the receipt. :P 

Parents are coming to Kuantan and my siblings are on holidays so I'm going to give them these books to read at home. I'm a good sister kan? :P

I still have to read

1. The Hobbit  by JRR Tolkien

2. Animal Farm by George Orwell

3. Beatrice and Virgil by Yann Martel 

Made a promise not to go to the upcoming 'Big Bad Wolf sale' then I feel like going. Hehhh... 

I love books so much that if I were to make a vlog, I would surely talk about books! LOL.

Okay, a favourite song from a favourite band (?) --> The Piano Guys.

Till then, assalamualaikum w.b.t and may you have a splendid day! :D 

Lord of the rings equals legendary!

I have watched The Lord of The Rings trilogy COUNTLESS times, since I was eleven (okay fine the third movie was in 2003 and I was thirteen) and it has been ELEVEN years now and up until now, I must say that no other movie could be compared with these three. *sobs*. Not even Harry Potter *sobs* or Star Wars *sobs*. Lord of the Rings trilogy is simply THE BEST movies ever existed in this world. LOL.

I don't know why I feel like crying (almost crying) whenever I watched certain heart warming scenes *sobs* with the appropriately placed, suitable music in the background *menangis*.

And so, if you haven't watched the Lord of the Rings. GO WATCH THEM NOW!! WATCH WATCH WATCH! I know, each movie takes a long time to finish (about 3 hours each) but it is worth it, I tell you!

And now, I am looking forward to watch 'The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey' this December. I MUST WATCH IT! I MUST!!! 

If you're a huge fan of the Lord of the Rings movies and the soundtracks, then, it is COMPULSORY for you to listen to this beautiful piece of Lord of the Rings medley performed by Lindsey Stirling. I have listened to this for countless times already. It is just so beautiful! *shed tears away*. 

P.S. Current word count for NaNoWriMo Day 12 is 24,458 words. Gonna hit 30,000 by tonight (esok cuti, yes!) okay bye!! May peace be upon us all! 

Let's pretend...

Frodo: I can't do this, Sam.  

Sam: I know. It's all wrong. By rights we shouldn't even be here. But we are. It's like in the great stories, Mr. Frodo. The ones that really mattered. Full of darkness and danger, they were. And sometimes you didn't want to know the end. Because how could the end be happy? How could the world go back to the way it was when so much bad had happened? But in the end, it's only a passing thing, this shadow. Even darkness must pass. A new day will come. And when the sun shines it will shine out the clearer. Those were the stories that stayed with you. That meant something, even if you were too small to understand why. But I think, Mr. Frodo, I do understand. I know now. Folk in those stories had lots of chances of turning back, only they didn't. They kept going. Because they were holding on to something. 

Frodo: What are we holding on to, Sam? 

Sam: That there's some good in this world, Mr. Frodo... and it's worth fighting for.

NaNoWriMo Day 4 and Day 5

NaNoWriMo Day 4

word count: 11,157

NaNoWriMo Day 5

current word count: 13,296

I'm going to finish Part 2 by Friday! In other words, gonna hit 20 k words at least by Friday!!! Insya-Allah.

Writing a horror novel and a song with a 'haunting' melody is necessary. At least I think so, LOL.

The title of the said song is 'Ochi Chernye' or 'Dark Eyes',which  a Russian Folk Song.

When I was in primary school, I played this song and it gave me the creeps! LOL. I had one of the characters playing this song really slowly (thus evoking fear! Muahahaha) on a piano when something *guess what* happened. *saying this in a mysterious voice.

The lyrics is equally haunting. Lyrics by Feodor Chaliapin.

Funny because it's supposed to be a 'Love song'. A tragic love song, that is.

Dark eyes, burning eyes
Passionate and splendid eyes
How I love you, How I fear you
Verily, I saw you at a sinister hour

Dark eyes, flaming eyes
They implore me into faraway lands
Where love reigns, where peace reigns
Where there is no suffering, where war is forbidden

Dark eyes, burning eyes
Passionate and splendid eyes
I love you so, I fear you so
Verily, I saw you at a sinister hour

If I hadn't met you, I wouldn't be suffering so
I would have lived my life smiling
You have ruined me, dark eyes
You have taken my happiness away forever

Dark eyes, burning eyes
Passionate and splendid eyes
I love you so, I fear you so
Verily, I saw you at a sinister hour

Eh, bila dengar balik, catchy la pulak lagu ni. LOL. 

NaNoWriMo Day 3

current word count: 6285 words.

If I continue writing 2000 words a day for the rest of November, I'd end up with at least 60,000 words. And win NaNoWriMo!

Please please let me win NaNoWriMo.

Important stuffs next week

1. Dosage Design 2 Quiz - Dr Saifullah 

2. Dosage Design 2 Quiz- Dr Farahidah 

3. Submit Lab Report for Capsules

Important stuffs for Nauseating Awesome November

1. Literature Search complete first draft

2. Biostatistics presentation 30th November

3. Pharmacokinetics Assignment due 30th November

4. Hospital Pharmacy Practice Report

5. Pharmacokinetics Lab Report due 2 weeks from last Thursday.

6. WIN NANOWRIMO!!! 

I've deactivated my facebook account. Available at Blogger, Twitter and Google Plus. Just search my name, Sarah Syahirah (Google Plus).I've abandoned my Tumblr. LOL. 

I love 'The Lord of The Rings' and I'm re-watching the first movie. And oh, I'm currently reading Yann Martel's 'Beatrice and Virgil'. It's a philosophical fiction. The author studied Philosophy in University. I wish I could take Philosophy as well. 

Adieu and salam! :) 

JK Rowling,

the first female novelist billionaire, recently lost her exclusive status because of some very good deeds.- according to The Huffington Post. 

I was scrolling down the facebook timeline when I stumbled upon a post made by one of my favourite facebook pages ' We Owe JKR Our Childhood' when I saw this, 

Yes, this! I was a bit surprised, but not that much. I've always known that she is a philanthropist who had donated a lot to charity but I didn't know that it is up to the extent of 'DONATING SO MUCH THAT MAKES HER NO LONGER A BILLIONAIRE'.

I wanted to confirm the validity of this post and so I googled and found several articles about this, so, no doubt that the news is valid. 

How do I feel about this:

First of all, well done Rowling! You have written the most beloved book series I have ever came across with, and you have created inspirational, memorable characters that I looked up to and now...you further lived up to  your reputation by doing this! 

When read Harry Potter, you know that Rowling is an intelligent, sensible, kind-hearted, philosophical women. There are so many quotes that touched your heart (and made you misty eyed). In a way, the characters of Harry Potter kind of represented the person who is Rowling herself.

You forever earn my (and your fans') respect! You will continue being a 'billionaire' in our hearts, because you have so much kindness inside you, billions of them. 

When I have children someday, I will force let them read your books and be nurtured with the values and virtues you have included in them, I will tell them that you are an inspirational person, the greatest author of our time. 

You know what, I think I'm going to buy your new book 'The Casual Vacancy' after all! :D

Because I feel like blogging.

Salam'alaik and good morning!

First day of NaNoWriMo and I managed to write 2000+ words. * heaved a sigh of relief*. Gonna add another 2000 today, insya-Allah. 

I just feel like blogging! Yeah! It's now 8.02 am and I have class at 9 am but I just feel like blogging! (yeah, told you!)

I love books. 

I love Harry Potter series which I first read when I was 11, and I've read Book 1 to Book 3 for about 5 times? And book 4 to 7 for about 2 to 3 times. Hehe. I'm going to read the whole series again someday. My favourite book of the series is 'Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban'. 

I love all Harry Potter movies!!! My favourite one would be 'HP and the Deathly Hallows part 1 and 2. Okay, that makes it TWO movies! 

I love the Lord of the Rings. I bought the Fellowship of The Rings when I was 12, but never managed to finish it until now. >_<. I'm reading 'The Hobbits' and I found it tolerable. :P

I love the movie!!! My favourite would be 'The Return of the King'. In fact, I prefer Lord of the Rings trilogy MORE than the Harry Potter franchise. Those movies are just astounding and fantastic. The actors did excellent jobs! Well done, Peter Jackson!

I love Star Wars. I've made the reviews of all six movies before, on this blog. At first, I was quite sad to know that George Lucas sold Star Wars to Disney, but not anymore! I'm quite happy actually, because, Disney reminds me of:

THE PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN trilogy (Haven't watched the latest movie) and oh, I really adore CAPTAIN Jack Sparrow.

I also love BACK TO THE FUTURE TRILOGY!!!! They are simply amazing!!! I love the first part! :D 

As for the Hunger Games, I've read Book 1 and 2 and didn't finish Book 3 because I find the last two books  BORING! I've watched the first movie as well and I love it as much as I love reading the first book (I read the first book twice!). I just hope that the movies for both Book 2 and 3 will turn out better than the books itself. 

Then, moving on to 'The Chronicles of Narnia'. Honestly, I don't find the books nor the movies enjoyable. I have all seven book but I only managed to read only 2-3 books. I've never finished watching 'The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe' but did so for 'Prince Caspian' and 'Voyage of the Dawn Treader'. I find the latest movie enjoyable. Maybe I should read them again. 

And then... Muahahahha. The Twilight Saga! My cousin Liyana introduced it to me. I really enjoyed reading 'Twilight' and 'New Moon'. I even fell head over heels over Edward Cullen, believe it or not! But that was before the crappy first movie came out. As much as I love Robert Pattinson as Cedric Diggory in Harry Potter, I just think he doesn't suit the part of Edward Cullen. In other words, he totally ruined MY fantasy of Edward Cullen!!!asdfkadsfh;dj's!!! I don't like Kristen Stewart as Bella as well. The whole movie is really weird, with the inappropriate, weird soundtrack and all. Sheeshhh.. And I had to force myself to finish reading 'Eclipse' and 'Breaking Dawn' because I have already bought the books before Robert Pattinson ruined my fantasy of Edward Cullen. Blurgghh...I really wish I haven't seen the movie. Bad decision! 

Lastly, it's DIVERGENT!!! I've read Divergent and I really love it. At some point, I even think that it's better than Hunger Games! :P Haven't read the second book, which is 'Insurgent' but I'm looking forward to it. Yup! Hope it is better than the second book of 'The Hunger Games!' 

There's less than 5 girls in my class who actually read all 7 books of Harry Potter and watched all movies.

I doubt that there's even 3 of them who love 'The Lord of the Rings' as much as I do. T_T

Girls who watched Star Wars and actually wanted to own a light saber are very rare. 

I guess they would love 'Back to the Future' if they watched it.

I'm sure they love Pirates of the Caribbean because Johnny Depp and Orlando Bloom are in the movies. :P

I know 5 girls from my class who have read/watched Hunger Games. They are Amiirah, Jay, Syau, Aina and Rai.

I'm not sure whether there's any of us who love 'The Chronicles of Narnia' because I don't really love it myself. 

Twilight Saga is the MOST popular movies and books among us girls. Enough said.

I think I'm the only one in my class who have ever heard of and actually read 'Divergent'. HAHA

I got to read more good books!!! Gotta be like my friend, Lisa who read more than 150 books in a year! And she's not even a Literature student! She's an ENGINEERING student! Haha. 

That's all from me. Adieu! 

(gonna put pictures for visual aids :P)