2 Years of Sour, Sweet, Salty, and Bitter Experiences

It has been 2 months since I last updated my blog. Well, I purposely did that because I couldn't find any suitable post to write. Arr, actually there're a bunch of stories that I'd like to share, but somehow I just feel that I make to compile them all at a suitable time. I think now is the time.

My 2 years of education International Education Centre (INTEC) wouldn't have been enjoyable if I don't meet a lot of new friends from different programs. I met new friends by joining clubs, societies, volunteer program, or simply met by chance. Most of my friends of course I met in classes. Recalling my earlier days in INTEC, I was just an ordinary girl who's so short and chubby. Looking at my photos, I look younger 2 years ago, freshly graduated high school gal. Now, I look a bit different. There're some changes in my appearances. I think. I notice I don't look as young as I am when I just joined INTEC members in June 2008. I was 16 years and 11 months old back then and when I graduated, I'm 18 years and 10 months.

I still remember how excited some of my friends were when I was about to reach EIGHTEEN (18) years old last year. 18 is like the year of "welcome to the adult world". Until now, I never think of myself as an adult. Even my dad thinks that I'm still her 17 year old daughter. Sweet Seventeen ! One day (this year) he was like, "You're already 18? I thought you're still 17." Well, some people treated me as a young girl because of my body size, and my childish attitude. The word "innocent" is very synonym with me. What to do, I'm small. Even my 2 younger siblings are taller and bigger than me. Phrases like, "Don't dirty her mind.","Faseeha, you need to know this. You're big enough to know this.","OMG, you don't get it ?". What do you expect from someone who went to an all girls school for 2 years when she was 15-16 years old to know a lot about what others know about you-know-what stuffs. Even when I was 13 years old I confused between the word "condo" and "condom" and because of that, some of my prefects fellows laughed at me. I was not exposed back then. Not even at home. When I came to INTEC, I learnt a lot of new things. Then only I realized that I'm such a girl with very few knowledge about things that I should know as a young adult.

I still wonder how those people become so knowledgeable in that area. It's like they've been studying about that particular subject for years that they can become expert in that. And well, I learnt a lot of bad words also. New bad words in other languages as well. Words that I never use at home, or in school last time have been the song of ears everyday especially "Shit" and "F***". My parents strictly ban all of my siblings from using not only those 2 words, but also other bad words. But sometimes we just make exception for words like "Bodoh".

Let's just leave the topic. I'd like to move on with the good things. For 6 semesters I was in INTEC, I went to 6 different classes. Let me just recall.

Fall 2008 : Fargo

Spring 2009 : Glendale

Summer 2009 : Austin

Fall 2009 : Alabama

Spring 2010 : Arkansas

Summer 2010 : Delaware

Now, I'd like to recall the lecturers who taught me.

Fall 2008

Language Awareness : Ms. Farhana

Writing : Ms. Ikhlas

Oral Communication : Mdm Kiran

Reading & Study Skills : Ms. Hanie

Precalculus : Ms. Zuraida

Islamic Studies : Ustz. Azizah

SAT : Datin Minda

TOEFL : Mr. Kamal

Spring 2009

Critical Thinking : Mdm. Ainon

Advanced Composition : Ms. Asma

Speech Communication : Ms. Dhaya

American Cultural Studies : Ms. Anis

Biology I : Mdm. Mimi/Mr. Ishak

Calculus I : Mr. Ikhwan

Islamic Akhlak : Ust. Mus

Summer 2009

Calculus I : Ms. Zulia

Fall 2009

Biology II : Mdm. Mimi

Chemistry I : Ms. Zai

C++ I : Ms. Saidatul

Calculus II : Mdm. Ruzela

Islamic Family Law : Ust. Wan

Spring 2010

Cell Biology : Mdm. Mimi

Chemistry II : Ms. Nubailah

Technical Writing : Mr. Kamal

Psychology : Mdm. Sharifah

Islamic Science : Ust. Wan

Summer 2010

Transaction in Islam : Ustz. Khursiah

Such a long list. I'm glad that I can still remember all of them. Thanks to all my lecturers even some of them who do not remember me as their student. Not their fault. I'm the one who's problem in letting people know of my presence.

I think I've to stop now. I'll continue with some other posts next time, especially when I'm very free this coming July and August. See ya !

Interesting Events in Spring Semester 2010

Disney's Theme Class Parade : Beauty & the Beast

Papa John pizzas

Halloween Night

Acceptance into Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), New York

I was very happy when I got a letter from RIT mentioning that I got accepted into that private university. Even though RIT is not my first choice, but I'm glad that at least I have a university to further my studies in USA. Last Thursday (April 22, 2010), I gave the reply form for accepting the offer from RIT to an OSSP officer meaning I'm accepting RIT.

Halloween Night

Somehow, this year's Halloween Night was not as interesting as last year's. It was still very entertaining especially the second video presentation, but incomparable to last year's. Sorry Thanges. I know that you're the event's organizer and we're house mates, but I have to say this. Anyway, this is just my humble opinion. Perhaps because there're very few people compared to last year's. When I walked around the hall, I kept on seeing the same faces. It's kinda disappointing also when not many seniors came and some of the seniors came without costumes for Halloween. Common guys, where's the spirit for Halloween ? Umm, perhaps they'll gain their spirit for Halloween when they go to the states. I think I criticize a lot...well, I love the decoration in the middle of the hall. That was totally awesome and a very suitable background for snapping pictures. With all the Halloween symbols like coffin, tomb etc, these had really lit up the Halloween spirit in the hall. By the way, I came with a costume. It's a very simple white costume because I just wore a baju kurung, a selendang, and a mask. With all white image, I was a "Puteri Bunian", also known as elf.

American Class Parade (Beauty and the Beast)

My class, Arkansas got Beauty and the Beast for our Disney's class parade theme. I think that's cool because the characters in Beauty and the Beast are mostly animated things like Mr. Candle, Mr. Clock, Mrs. Pot etc. After some discussion, we decided to put two guys as the main role meaning both the beauty and the beast are guys ! Haha...they're so sporting especially our beauty. We practiced quite frequently especially during the first week of American Indulgence Fiesta because we've set our target to win the inter-class competition. It turned out that we did! WE WON THE FIRST PLACE. The prize was RM 250 Papa John pizza vouchers. The judges were impressed by the way our main roles acted and controlled their feelings when they had to dance face to face very closely. Usually, it's very hard for guys to stare at themselves in a close distance. But, they managed to do it despite people were laughing at them. The servants also did well in their dance with the spontaneous act among themselves. As for the villagers who came to attack the beast and the servants for taking beauty in his house, we're (I was a villager) just additional characters. Others did well also. Surprisingly, all the four senior Biotechnology classes (Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado) grabbed all the prizes. The second place won by Colorado with their Cinderella theme (new version because the Cinderella was a guy), the third place was a tie between Alabama with their Lion King theme and California with their Hercules theme. As for my class, I was asked to become the make-up artist. So, I did make-up for some people and helped Thanges to put on her pillow costumes for Mrs Pot's character. Here are the characters in our class parade's Beauty and the Beast :

Beauty ~ Ali

Beast ~ Izzat

Mr Candle ~ Muru

Mr Clock ~ Wei Jie

Mrs Pot ~ Thanges

Dog ~ Aiman

Cups ~ Nina & Aisyah

Fork ~ Qing De

Knife ~ Adeline

Gustav ~ Melanie

Gustav's sidekicks ~ Yee Chen & Suhaimi

Villagers ~ the rests

Congrats, Arkansans !

Papa John Pizza Moments with Arkansans

After some discussion in class, we decided to go to Papa John restaurant in Sunway Pyramid on April 9, 2010. This is the best date because it was after our tests and one week before final exam. Most of us went there by public transport, either by train or by taxi. Only some lucky students went with Nina's car as she had to drive our guest, Mr Kamal. We ordered 9 pizzas (8 regular and 1 large) with some side dishes. While waiting for the food to be served, some of us listened to Mr Kamal's stories (he's good at giving us advices) and some talked among themselves. As for me, I was busy taking pictures of all my classmates. Two people could not come, Melanie and Ming. As for the food, I think the taste of the pizzas are more or less the same like other pizzas. Nothing special about it except the expensive prize. Even with the RM 250 voucher, we had to add some more money. I think spending money in Pizza Hut is more valuable. Hehe...btw, I love Pizza Hut !

Biology Big Day

It was on the last day of Biology lecture. In the morning, we had Biology presentation by some of the lucky students. There was also video presentations showing top three winners for the Aquaria documentary competition which was held last year. My group was not presenting on the big day. Lucky ! For the video competition, my group managed to be among the top 9 winners. Not bad...despite the quality of the video that we made in just 3 days ! I know we could've done better if we had more time. At the end of the event, Pn. Mimi bought pizzas for all of us, her Cell Biology students. Thank you, Pn. Mimi ! We love you !

Study Room Gang

To say a gang, it sound a bit weird. Like a gangster...but, I think should be ok. Well, since I always go to the study room at night, sometimes during the day as well, I've formed my own circle of friends there. These people are the common visitors of the study room in Akasia. They are Yi Lin, Siong Yee, Qing De, Li Sia, Anis, Asnida, Nina, Syimma, Wahi, Rubi, Pey Suh etc. Of all these people, Yi Lin is the one who always come here. Study room is like her second room. Haha...Our activity is not only studying. We also eat, watch movies/dramas, gossiping, and sleeping. We eat different kinds of food like burger that we always buy from opposite Cemara gate, biscuits and others. There was once I was caught by the guard while sleeping inside the study room. Sibuk betul pak cik guard tu !

Girls' Day Out + Adventurous Experience + Heavy Rain

Today I went out to Sunway Pyramid with some of my schoolmates from TKC. They're Buebue, Dekna, Mimi, Soll, Ateng, Aty, Qiyah, & Kyra. After having lunch at Jusco's food court, we went to the lowest level of Ice Atrium which has Ice Skating rinks. Yeah, it's the time for ice skating ! I was so eager to skate because I would like practice some tips that I learnt from Irsyadiee and Jalal when they guided me last year. Since this was my third time and I am still a beginner, I only skated at the sides only. I don't dare to go to the center of the rinks because only professional skaters should be there. My friends are also beginners. Without nobody to depend on for skating this time, I had to be independent and brave. I skated alone all the time, and tried my best to balance myself with lots of people in the ice rinks. In line with Prophet Muhammad's birthday, today is also a public holiday. There was one time when a person suddenly push me, but luckily I didn't fell. I skated for an hour, then I rest for about 30 minutes before continued skating again. It was so tiring ! Good thing is I didn't fell at all this time !

After skating, I went shopping for my younger sister's birthday present. I bought a cute frog plush toy since she likes frogs very much. (living frogs are excluded) Then, we ate at McDonald's. As usual, gossiping session ! I didn't talk much because I was too tired. So, I just listened to their stories. When I realized that it was already 5.30 p.m., I knew that I had to leave. After saying bye to everyone, I ran out of Sunway Pyramid and waited for a bus to go to Subang KTM station. Luckily I just waited for less than 5 minutes and a bus came. When I reached Subang KTM station, a train to Klang had already been there, with open doors. Unluckily, I missed the train. Never mind...I waited until 6 p.m. and another train came. Around 6.10 p.m. I reached Shah Alam KTM station. Waiting and waiting for a RapidKL bus to come, but no bus came. Finally, at 6.30 p.m., I decided to walk back to Akasia. Yes, I WALKED BACK TO AKASIA FROM SHAH ALAM KTM STATION. Alone. Of course, on the way back, I saw a bus on its way to pick up passengers from KTM station. Well, never mine. At least I experienced something adventurous today. Don't know how many people looked at me while I was walking alone under the cloudy weather. Lightnings and thunder sometimes appeared. Around 35 minutes later, I reached Akasia front gate. 35 minutes...just like from INTEC to Akasia.

It was very exhausted to walk from Shah Alam KTM station to Akasia ! In less than 5 minutes when I just arrived in my room, my sister called and told me that my family were already waiting for me somewhere outside Akasia. Therefore, I quickly packed my laundry and my books that I want to bring back home. On the way back home, we were caught in a massive traffic jam near Proton factory in Shah Alam. This was due to the rain which pour like cats and dogs. Worse, that area was flooding with water up till knee-high. There's a video of the flood.

For dinner, my family and I went to a Malay restaurant in Kajang and had very filling foods. That's the end of my story for today.

Lost + Gathering

Again...I'm late for one day. I slept at 10.05 pm last night in front of the television in the living room, but later I moved to my room and slept on my comfy bed. I was so tired and sleepy. I got headache as well. Before I closed my eyes, I asked my sister to wake me up at 11.15 pm so that I could type this post and harvest my crops in FarmVille. She did try very hard to wake me up, I realized that, but still, I continued sleeping. My head felt so heavy and my eyes were glued strongly that they could not be opened. So, I continued sleeping and woke up at 7.00 am today.

So, here goes the story of what happened to me yesterday. I left the house at 9.28 am to go to Bank Islam in Kajang to pay my college's education fees. I planned that I should go to KTM station around 11 am to go to KLCC for a reunion with fellow TKCians friends (only my batch). There're 2 Bank Islam office branch nearby my house, which are in Bangi and Kajang. But I only know the one in Kajang. So, I told my dad that I'm going there. As usual, he advised me to drive carefully because I was driving alone.

I know the way to go to Kajang as I went there quite a few times early of this year either with my mom or alone. So, I was so confident that I could reach Bank Islam within 35 minutes (includes traffic jam). However, I became confuse at one junction because the signboard to Kajang wasn't the one that I took last time. But I still took the route and drove along the road that I've never been to. Somehow, I did pass through Kajang a little bit as I could see Metro Kajang, and I ended up at a junction to go to either Kuala Lumpur or Balakong. I chose Kuala Lumpur as I thought that I could find the way to go back home. (I was panic and only think of going back home straight away !) BUT I WAS WRONG !! I was on my way to Kuala Lumpur along Cheras. I saw signboard to go to Pusat Bandaraya, so I decided that I should take that route to go straight to KLCC to meet my friends. Opps, wait ! I never drive in Kuala Lumpur. So, I don't dare to take the risk to go anywhere furtherer from my house. Besides, I was already lost ! I was extremely panic because I met lots of tolls on the way. So, money in my Touch n' Go card ran like water. Not only that, the petrol was reduced to half from full. My hands were trembling in fear while I was driving at 100 km/h (I think reached 120 km/h also) along the highway that I don't know where but it's heading to Kuala Lumpur. I thought of calling my dad because I didn't know which way to take and I was so scared of getting lost anywhere furtherer. But I stopped my intention by focusing on my driving and get my eyes alerted on the signboards. After some time, I saw a signboard to go to UPM, Serdang. Oh, thank you Allah ! I knew I should take that route. Later I realized that I was driving on Mines area, which means that I was already near to my house ! From there, I knew which way to take, I gained my confidence and would like to try my luck one more time. I drove to Kajang again, but this time I called my mom to ask for the right direction (I should do that earlier...pehh). But her direction wasn't really clear to me. So, again I missed the route to Kajang (no toll) when I actually had passed by it while talking to my mom on the phone. Luckily I noticed something when I continued my journey. My mistake earlier was, I should go straight when I chose to turn left to a new route to Kajang. There's another junction ahead that I'm familiar with. Actually I could reach Kajang using the earlier route, but I wasn't familiar with the route, so I ended up going to KL instead. Fuhh, finally I saw KTM Kajang, so I was smiling from ears to ears. I drove confidently and went to Bank Islam. However, another problem arised. Parking ! This problem is very popular here...I hate this ! I had to park my car at Metro Point and walked to Bank Islam. Never mind...as long as I could pay my education fees.

Looking at my watch, I was so shocked. It's 11 am already ! I was seriously late for the reunion. Plus, there're so many people in the bank. If I reached earlier, there wouldn't be so many people. So, I had to wait for my turn. At 11.55 pm, my business was done. I informed my friends that I'll be late for the meeting. Looking at the watch, I was thinking twice to drop by at my mom's house in Bangi. She asked me to drop by to get letters and bills for that house. As a good daughter, I went there and picked up the letters. When I reached home, it's already 1 pm. I quickly ate my lunch (my brother bought), prayed and got myself ready to go to KLCC. Actually, there's no point of rushing because I was already late ! My friends had already finished their lunch and planning to watch movie at 2.10 pm. Arghh !! Just because I lost earlier, I had to face all these consequences ! I reached KLCC at 2.20 pm after waiting for KTM and LRT. Knowing that my friends were already in the theater, enjoying themselves watching Avatar, I decided to walk around KLCC. Obviously alone. I didn't feel like shopping for clothes, shoes etc, so I just walked around until I felt thirsty. So, I bought a sundae (chocolate + brownie I think) from Haagen Dasz and a lemon crush from Boost. Those really cost a lot, but I didn't care. Besides, I seldom spent my money during these holidays. At about 4.45 pm, my friends met me in front of TGV theater. After saying hi and hugging, we went to McDonald's. Some of my friends went back straight away after lunch, meanwhile some after watching movie, so I didn't get the chance to meet those people. Anyway, I still appreciate the other friends who stayed back. Thanks Dlow, Nedd, Cancan, Iza, Nawi, Aussie, Sazu, Dianne, and Dindin^_^ We talked, took pictures until 6 pm. After that, some of us went back. The rest stayed back. I followed Cancan until LRT Station and then we separated.

My dad had been calling me a few times when I was still in KLCC. He's worried when I said I'm going back at night. Then I told him I'll reach Serdang after 8 pm. Yeah, I was right. I prayed at KL Sentral (I met my TKCian junior there) and as usual, bought Famous Amos biscuits for my family. In the car, my dad told me that my mom hasn't came back yet, and he just came back from work. So, no food at home for dinner. Later, my brother went out to buy food. My mom came back at almost 10 pm. She got work to do in her lab. As I was so exhausted with what I'd been through today, I ended the day by sleeping so soundly.

Short but Meaningful

After planning since three weeks ago, finally the reunion for batch 2002 of Sekolah Kebangsaan Serdang was done in Mid Valley, Kuala Lumpur. Even though I expected more to come, but still the attendance was not disappointing. It was Facebook that connects all of us together after some of us separated as soon as we finished primary school education. Besides, I am proud to be the organizer for this event. Thanks to Lila also who had helped me informing those who do not have Facebook account and searched for our school mates in Facebook.

At 8.30 am, Fatin Dyana fetched me. Munirah and Sofia were also in that car. Then, we dropped by Fazrina's house to fetch her. After that, we went to KTM Serdang station. There, we waited for other people to come. Some of them actually went straight to Mid Valley by car. The five of us reached KTM Serdang station at 9 am. As I had expected, we were the earliest to reach there. So, we waited until other people came. While waiting, we talked about lots of things among the five of us. For some of us, it was long time ago since we last met each other. Around 40 minutes later, Lila came with Fazira. After buying tickets, we all went to Platform 2 to go to Mid Valley. There were so many people waiting on the line. This was due to to three reasons :

1) They were going to Jom Heboh in National Stadium of Bukit Jalil
2) They were going to PC Fair in KLCC
3) They were going somewhere...

Due to sea of people (too hyperbolic...) waiting for the so-not-punctual trains, we all decided to stay until the number of people become less. So, we missed 3 trains. Afiqah, Azriyana and Hanisah came around 10 am and joined us waiting for the train. At 10.30 am, we boarded the train even though still there were so many people waiting. As usual, the train was packed with human beings just like sardines in a can.

We reached Mid Valley around 11 am. Amri, Sazila and Adalillah were already there and there were buying tickets for some of us who wanted to watch New Moon. Then, all of us went to Food Junction at the top floor of Mid Valley. We sat at a very long table and started talking among us about lots of things while waiting for other people to come. Some of us bought brunch because they were too hungry already since they didn't have breakfast. I had breakfast, so I ate later. Ezalin and Syarina came around 12 pm and joined us eating and chatting. Sabri, Izzati and Azzarina later joined us as well. Lots of old stories of lots of our school friends were opened back. Some of the names that they mentioned made me think for a while.."Who is this guy?" I remembered faces easily, but names...urgh...hehe...it's kinda difficult. I remember some of the dialogues,

"Weyh, korang ingat tak Azhan ?",

"Azhan ? Siapa tak ingat. Hahahaha...Azhan yang lembut tu..."

"Weyh, ingat tak dulu Sabri kena gosip dengan Raihana.."

"Tak ingat la Farhan ni...Farhan mana ni ? Kelas mana dulu?"

"Ala...Farhan yang muka cerah gile tu...bibir tebal color pink..."

Macam-macam cerita dibuka selepas lama tak jumpa. It was so fun !

Besides talking and laughing loudly like mad people that made other people looked at us in one kind of expression, we also took lots of photos. Besides that, December 6 was also birthday for one of my friends, Adalillah.

We were in the table for a very long time. I think around 1 something in the afternoon we separated and went to other destinations. Some of us went to watch movie, some went to PC fair (including me), some went to eat (Hadzir who just came when we left), and others did their own businesses. Even though it was a short meeting, but I considered that as a very meaningful reunion because period doesn't count. What determines the meaning of something is the value of it. Better shorter than never.

Oh yea ! Since my phone wasn't working since last Sunday, I bought a new phone when I went to PC fair. It is Nokia 2700 Classic. It's grey-black in color. I think it's same with Thanges's phone...

Reunion

Somehow, in the evening of 2nd September, while filling water into my water bottles, I received a call from Huda. She invited me to join the reunion of our gang-the click that I told in previous post. At first, I wanted to decline the invitation because of Chemistry exam on Friday, but after negotiation session with Huda, finally I agreed.

On the next day, 3rd September, they all came here (all of them except Afiq who is in France and Rina who is in Banting) ...to Section 18, Shah Alam ! I was touched...and felt very elated by their visit to my place. We met at Pak Li Kopitiam. We break fast together, had a very enjoyful conversation after so long never see each other (for some of us), and played bowling. I didn't join them to play bowling because I left early to study for exam.

Well, the boys as usual like to laugh at me...and I don't know why. Do I look funny or is it my behavior ? Hurm...only they can tell the answer...Amin, as usual like to tease me. He also like to play around with that innocent look that he has on his eyes...but I'm so not going to be cheated by that ! Fikri, Rifqi and Chong do not change that much. They are just like themselves when I last met them last year. One word : COOL...Dila also doesn't change that much. Looking sweet in Baju Kurung, she is as lovely as she always is. Surprisingly, Dila did not come empty-handed. Instead, she gave me some souvenirs from Jordan. So nice of her ! Actually, I just met Iman and Huda recently, so...urm...they also do not change that much...Both of them still are extraordinary in their own ways of laughing. No comment for Sabri because I always see him here, in INTEC.

Here are some photos taken at Pak Li :

Now, I'm really looking forward to meet Rina and Afiq. I miss them so much !

私たちは 友達です！(We are Friends!)

Looking at this photo, I recall one of the sweet moments I've ever had in my life. This is the moment when the ship which will never sink, or better known as FRIENDSHIP was "invented" among the 11 of us. Actually, I did not remember how the 11 of us could become closer to each other since we're not from the same school, not from the same room, not from the same class...well, actually some of us had known each other before...only some though. If only I could return back to that time...I would really appreciate it. However, that is so impossible.

After we had graduated from that Japanese and English intensive program, we went to separate ways. Some of us are still together, meanwhile some are not. Iman, Huda, Rifqi, Chong and Amin are still together, penetrating Japanese Language into their body and soul in their mission to go to one of the best universities in Japan and pursue their ambition as engineers. They are now studying under the Japanese Associate Degree (JAD). Sabri is also going to Japan, but he is bounded to different program, Kejuruteraan Teknikal Jepun (KTJ) in INTEC. Now that Sabri is in INTEC, he always bully me. Rina is now doing International Baccaulaureate (IB) in Kolej Mara Banting. I'm not sure which country she is flying to, but she is studying medicine. Dila is also a future doctor. She, who used to do preparation in INTEC is now studying medicine in Jordan. Another one who also did his preparation in INTEC is Afiq . Currently in France, he is now furthering his studies in engineering. Fikri is also a future engineer. He is now studying in Kolej Bandar Utama (KBU) under the Australian Matriculation (AUSMAT) program. Urm...you notice or not, there are lots of future engineers among the 11 of us. Therefore, it is my pleasure to introduce myself as the last one, as the youngest and the only one who's taking a course which is different from the others. I'm Faseeha, currently studying in INTEC under the American Credit Transfer Program (ACTP), majoring in biotechnology.

To my dear friends, I miss you people a lot ! Hopefully our friendship will last forever...