Bubbles

Sambal Ayam

31st July 2007

Assalamualaikum WBT

Hi All. I has been days since i last posted anything. Sowie! too many things to share tapi too malas to type. my fingers and palms get so cold that i’d rather have it somewhere else. ..

Anyway, lilke the title suggested, i cooked Sambal Ayam today. That’s the best sambal I’ve ever made. No kidding! Huhu. Finger Licking good lah!! yesterday i had beef curry. Buat sendiri jugak.. hmm cam ner nak kurus nie?? Winter lagi makan banyak! Org kata sebab sejuk. ye ker?? tak membantu langsung.. talk about food.. teringat last Saturday I had NASI BRIYANI in the city. Yup. found 1 Halal Indian Cuisine stall in a food court in Queens Plaza. Yabedabedu!! Bedal tak ingat dunia.. Masa tuh jumpa Rekha, my cousin from Sydney. Charles aka Bam, hubby dia ada keje kat Brisbane, so she decided to tag along. I went with Emma, my MALAYSIAN housemate and we later met hilmi. Oh, btw, Hilmi belajar Biotechnology kat UQ, bukan IT. Silap lah hari tuh. tapi dia memang IT freak! sorry Hilmi.. anyways, did i introduce Emma to you?? sorry lupa. Yup, Emma my housemate is A Malay and of course MALAYSIAN.. How flattering to have some of your own. keciknya dunia nie. Dia nie org Penang..tapi la nie dah 6 tahun dok kat Aussie. Mama dia, Aunty Maz anak jati Pulau Pinang. La nie keje nurse kat Aussie. Hish, cek lak tercakap utara. maap no. tak sengaja. terbawak bawak lak.. hiks! so, at least dah jumpa orang yang makan belacan and cincaluk and ikan masin.. huhu.. bertambah seleralah makan kat sini.. 

TBC (to be continued)

You’re Not Alone Tonight

We all drink to forget
Some of us more than most
When reality gets too real
And the fires of hell too close
But I’m here to let you know that
That you can make it through
If you believe that someone is watching over you

And call it an angel
Call it a muse
And call it karma that you’ve got coming to you
What’s the difference
What’s in name
What matters most is never ever losing faith
‘Cause it’s gonna be alright
You’re not alone tonight

We all have our days
When nothing goes as planned
Not a soul in the world
Seems to understand
And for someone to talk to
You’d give anything
Well go on and cry out loud
‘Cause someone’s listening

Yeah, and call it an angel
Call it a muse
And call it karma that you’ve got coming to you
What’s the difference
What’s in name
What matters most is never ever losing faith
‘Cause it’s gonna be alright
You’re not alone tonight

Keep your faith alive
You’re not the only one

Yeah, and call it an angel
Call it a muse
Call it karma that you’ve got coming to you
What’s the difference
What’s in name
What matters most is never ever losing faith
Yeah, you’re gonna be alright
You’re not alone tonight

Oh you can cry if you want to, go on

IT Savvy

26th July 2007

Assalamualaikum..

Hi again. I had my first class today. Funny. There were only 2 students, including me, for PRL8005 (Management Communication) and I was the only student for PRL5002 (Crisis Management). Mostly org amik Masters part time or kat main campus in Towoomba. I’m loving it so much. I get all the attention i needed from the lecturer & classes are so relaxed. it’s like chatting and changing views instead of having traditional lessons. Mr Aidan Burke is great. he makes things seem too easy.. He also asid that classes may also be held at cafes at times over a cup of coffee. How awesome.

Anyways, apart from being alone in a lecture hall made for 50 students, there is another significant difference learning here. all module are prepared in the forms of CD. and most contents are linked to other available resources from the net. so, everything is just a click away.. Sangat IT saavvy. Additional reading pun dah made available on students Study Desk. Study desk is students private page in the universites server to access any relevant information on almost anything! this is also where i get to go on discussions with all students studying in USQ all aound the world! world without border is not just a saying..

IM LOVING IT!!

TBC (to be continued)

I have No Idea What to Put For Title.. :)

22nd July 2007 Assalamualaikum..

Today I woke up at 7am. Excited giler coz today dah plan nak turun city dengan Chris and Val (my Mexican neighbor & friend). Then dapat sms, Chris said something came up that they are only thinking of going to Redbank and not to the city and they’ll leave only at 1pm. If so, tak banyak masa nak jenjalan around the city and it would be a waste of time and money.

Cam ner nie? Dah janji nak jumpa Hilmi in at central station? Mohd Hilmi Hassan, Malaysian student yang study IT, I think, kat University of Queensland (UQ) in the city. We met masa Kem Bina Negara yang 5 hari kat Perak tuh. Ramai lagi yang akan datang ke UQ but in September. So, basically we are here alone. He arrived 1 day after me and has since been around the city backpacking and finding his way around the city. So, today was the day he said he wants to show me the city.

So, I took out a few bus route maps and a map for trains bound for the Brisbane City . Did a little research on my own and finally figured out the way to the city. I called Chris and informed him that I’ll be going to the city alone and that I need to learn now or never. I then gave Hilmi a call and confirmed our meeting at the Brisbane Central station at 12pm.

So, I did! Keluar rumah dalam 9.45am I think. Took a slow walk to the Orion to catch the bus and I was on Route 520 to the Redbank Train Station. 30 minutes passed and I am now waiting for the train to the City. Dalam 11am train departs Redbank en route to Brisbane Central and I was ½ an hour earlier for my meeting with Hilmi.

Ok, long story short, jumpa Hilmi in the coldest breeze ever!!! Sejuk giler and today I brightly decided not to put on my jacket but to throw on my shawl. Stupida! Anyways, we went for lunch! Makan the best meal in 1 week. Halal Chicken Kebab. Yummy sangat-sangat!!! Or maybe because I was damn hungry this morning.

Then we walk through Queens Street. Banyak sgt stores yang menarik tapi tak sempat nak singgah semua tempat. We decided to go to UQ to solat Zuhur because ada surau kat sana . We didn’t know of any in the City. Lagipun, boleh jalan-jalan tengok campus dia.  We took bus route 109 to St. Lucia , where UQ is.

Went the surau for Zuhur prayers and then took a stroll on campus. It was enormous and beautiful! Faculty buildings and Library were built using lime stones and it stands strong on its ground portraying an image of reliance. As massive as it is, it was still and awing scene to witness and feel. A very different feeling and experience from university life back at home. Students do laze around on the grass under the sun in gardens on campus. It’s not just in the movies. Huhu..

Huuaarrggghhhh!!! Nguantuk!!.. nak tido ar.. oh, Btw, I manage to get home before dark. One trip down, many more to come..

TBC (to be continued)

The coldest winter so far – Its 3 Degrees

20^th July 2007 Assalamualaikum..

Hello.. I’m in the living room writing bertemankan alunan suara anak-anak muda Ausie menyanyi kat belakang umah dengan petikan gitar masing-masing.. hmm.. x sedap mana pun.. but I think it sounds more like and Indigenous Song. Next week ada Open Mic and Jamming Session kat café dekat rumah nie. Everyone is invited. Everyone here that is.. Sorry..

In my last blog I mentioned that Alhamdulillah Allah mempermudahkan segala urusan aku here in Brisby. Again it happened. I jumpa jalan keluar to almost everything.. Syukur tak terhingga dengan perlindungan dan bantuan Allah SWT. He never fails to amaze me..

My Accommodation Provider has agreed to give me a new set of Kitchen ware Free Of Charge!! Yup, no charge at all. So tak yah beli. Jimat duit and I can start cooking next week! Alhamdulillah. And I also found out that electricity and water has been included in my rent. So I can turn on heater all day! Yeehaaa.. Alhamdulillah. I was also given an unlimited access to the Internet! No quota is imposed and I can YM sampai lebam! Alhamdulillah again!

Another thing. My aunt in Sydney heard that Brisbane is experiencing the coldest winter in years! It’s 3⁰ Celsius here in e morning and at night. And only 18 in the day with lots of strong breeze. I’d rather be indoors. Anyways, she told her friend Ella to take me shopping tomorrow and buy me a comforter and she will pay for it! How’s that to add to my wish list?? Alhamdulillah sgt..

And it continues! My neighbors, 4 doors down the lane, is an Iranian Family. Muslims! They invited me over for dinner sometime next week! That also means that I won’t be alone during Ramadhan and Syawal. Yippie!! And also, I will be able to get help buying halal meat from the city! Alhamdulillah again..

Oh, I went to Loan Pine Koala Sanctuary last Wednesday with Nerine, Chris and Val. The best Aussie experience so far. Got to see and pet Koalas and Kangaroos for the first time! Comel sangat. Tapi Koala are Nocturnal. So dorang mostly tido.  I hv uploaded some pic here. More in my friendster kot later.

Ok, too cold to type.. will write again.. Love, Hugs & Huge Kisses to all

TBC (to be continued)

Surviving the Aussie Winter – Part 2

17^th July 2007 Assalamualaikum.. Here I am today in my room, comfortably heated.. Thank God they fixed the heater. Sejuk sangat sampai menggigil at one point. Tak leh tido sebab kaki rasa macam bisa sangat. Anyways, winter will be over in a month’s time and hopefully I can adjust myself for Spring etc.

I haven’t had a decent meal since I arrived. Food is so expensive here. Have to save up to pay for books as books allowances only come in somewhere in November. Lagipun macam sangat susah nak carik halal meat from this supermarket yang dekat nie. Ada halal butcher but it’s quite a distance away. I will wait for Ella to get a ride there. Ella is Aunty Geethi’s friend who lives 20 minutes from the campus. Anyways, entah kenapa perut nie sangat baik. Tak lapar langsung and Alhamdulillah, tak gastric pun. Tadi bukak fridge tengok all the stuff yang the girls tinggalkan before dorang cuti. Everything looks halal. Banyak seafood and tetiba ada Sambal Uleg dalam tin. This is Indonesian food. Huhu.. and then ada perencah nasik goreng lah. So, I’m really hoping that my housemates nie semua tak makan pork! Nanti senanglah nak pakai peralatan dapur. If tak semua nak kena beli set baru. Kuali, periuk, pinggan, mangkuk, sudu, garfu, pisau, cawan, sponge basuh pinggan… Huh! Semua duit tuh..

I already obtained my student ID. Security tuh kata my pic was the best he has taken in the day. Hiks! Semua orang sangat2 baik to me. I still tak boleh access computer lab to use the internet sebab my class only commences next week. Pastu sangat pelik sebab computer usage ada quota of 30MB per student per week. Macam mana nak kira MB or whateverlah kalau nak guna webmail or YM ker?? Tak faham. Nanti nak kena jumpa ICT officer. Pastu kat rumah takleh excess wireless campus. Tak dapat signal. Nak beli package broadband wireless boleh. Tapi its AUD150 for 10 weeks. That is RM450 untuk 2 bulan lebih jer.. masih berfikir untuk amik ke tak.. nantilah.. 

I’m currently listening to Dewa’s Dewi.. Lepas rindu.. feels like home again. Still can’t believe that I’m actually here studying in Australia . Tadi I stood in front of the campus door and looking up at the sign saying University of Southern Queensland . Smiled and realized this is no more a dream. It’s happening and it’s happening to me. Alhamdulillah, rezeki Allah melimpah ruah untuk aku. Banyak sangat dugaan sebelum berangkat tapi masih ada saja ruang untuk menyelesaikannya dan mendapat yang terbaik. I owe a lot to all yang telah membantu. You know who you are. Semoga Allah melipatkan gandakan rezeki semua. Amin3x. 

I didn’t get to thank all yang datang ke airport. Papa, Auntie, Misha, Linda, Abang Saiful, Alvaro and Aunty’s Family sgt ramai.. dearest friends Esqa & Leen.. Pagi-pagi dah sampai.. Thank you so much for the bracelet! Love it. There’s Shamsul, Nareem, Afiq (my dearest students cum bothers and sistas). Oh, Nareem, I read your lovely letter. Thanks sayang… and of course MAWAR!! Sayang, I’m sorry I dapat jumpa u tak sampai 3 minit! Sedih sangat! I had to go in. dah lambat. Thanks Mawar sebab datang all the way dengan Arissa. My heart will always be filled with all of you. My endless love, hugs and kisses..

TBC (to be continued)

Surviving the Aussie Winter

16^th July 2007 Assalamualaikum..

Hi! It’s freezing cold here in Brisby for someone who’s used to the hot weather. It’s cold and breezy the entire day with the maximum of 20 degrees Celsius and can go down to as low as  3 degrees (2day) at night. Belum berpeluh setitik pun since I arrived and I’m trying my best to survive my first winter. Not like there’s snow or anything but it’s freaking cold.

Flight to Sydney was delayed by 1.5 hrs. Thanks to a few Arabs and a German who is pain the butt. Beli ticket economy class tapi semua berlagak macam first class passengers. Nak bag dekat dgn tempat duduk!! Kalau cabin dah penuh, deal with it lah kan ?? Ini tak, fight to get the nearest cabin to his seat. So, I decided to give up my cabin just for the sake of taking off. So we took off on a 9 hours flight to transit in Sydney before heading off to Brisbane .

By the time I arrived at Brisbane International Airport , it was a quarter to 12am. It was 12.30am when I cleared customs and got my luggage. Mr Stevens, the man from the Airport Pickup Service was great enough to wait at the arrivals, holding up my name nicely printed on a piece of paper, against his chest with a smile on his face. It took us 30 minutes to get to my apartment and after securing an access card and room key from the security, I cuddled myself to sleep on my first night of winter.  

Woke up at almost 11.30am and hit the shower after the longest journey ever! Sangat blur and tak tau nak buat apa. It’s Sunday and the administration office opens only tomorrow. The kitchen was filthy. Sink penuh dengan dishes macam ada party last night. Had nothing to eat and not even plain water to drink! Takut nak guna barang org sebab tak jumpa sesiapa lagi. So, I just sat in the living room and when I was just about to turn the TV on, I heard foot steps coming down.

God be with me!! A Blue Eyed Aussie man looked just as startled as I am! Sumpah tak tipu. Andy.. Hmmm… I was awed. Dua2 terkezut.. I was confused but berjaya maintain depan mamat sorang nie. Apa taknya, I was suppose to be in an all girls apartment!! I needed to get in touch with Robyn, the accommodation’s officer. That can be done only on the next day! So, after a brief introduction, Andy was sweet enough to take me for a mini tour around the campus and to Orion, the shopping mall that is actually 15 minutes walk away. There, he showed me stores to get some groceries. There’s Woolworth, Big W, etc. Then he wanted to introduce me to his girlfriend…yup.. his girlfriend. He said it’s only right because she always comes over. So, I left them and went window shopping to see where I can get things before heading home. But only after a small cup of coffee for RM9!!! Time to give up coffee??? We’ll see. Huhu.. Robyn left a note on my door. I was sent the wrong unit. That explains Andy and the sink full of dirty dishes! So, I packed again and went to the security only to be directed to Unit 10, a much cleaner apartment. Guess what?? It’s just opposite the first apartment! Huhu..

TBC (to be continued)