Temporarily Out of Reach (",)

For those who had been trying to contact me via phone, I’m terribly sorry to have the call forwarded directly to my PA (Maxis Operator hehe).  I guess the situation will remain unchanged until I found my phone charger =) which I had misplaced since I got back from vacation.  In the mean time, just drop me an email ok.

Again, I’m terribly sorry.

The Beginning of the Ending

Yahoooo!!!  It's the final class for this semester and I'm officially 2 weeks away from holiday!!!  Yes!  Yes!  Yes!!  I can finally rest =)  Man, I'm so happy!!  I have so many things to do during hols.  Wedding invitation, theme parks, YES shopping, leisure reading, spring cleaning my closet, make new handbags, make new outfits for new semester, updating my notes folder, bla, bla, bla.... 

Put the imagination aside, I have to keep remembering myself that exam is just around the corner.  Even though I only take two subjects this semester, two whole textbooks is quite hard to digest by my brain.  Sigh.  Psychology is not an easy course folks.  Especially if you're like me, who have a weak spot for reading.  Mind you, I love reading but considering reading as a main study style is rather tricky but what I can say I still surviving haha!!

This will be my last entry for the time being.  I'll be back in 14 days, after the exam is over.

Til the next time, don't miss me much eh =p

Have wonderful weeks people!!!!

Stress!!!

Eurghh!!!  Final exam is 16 days to go and I haven't finished doing my notes yet!!  Eurrgghhh!!!  I hate this stress!!  Whenever I'm under stress, I tend to sleep more and since it's raining season, it feels so good to sleep.  Sigh.  I need to change.  I have to have a better control of myself.  I need a good motivator.  I need to re-evaluate my goals.  I need chocs.  I need to pray harder.  I need a better time management tips.  I need to stop the time.  I need...

Geez, I think all I need right now is a good exercise.  Yup, exercise makes me feel good.  I should start doing my brisk walk at the neighbourhood lake, again.  Wait a sec, I can't do that.  It rains almost every evening.  Perhaps I should just get my daily brisk walk in the shopping mall =)

I should stop blogging and start doing my notes now.  Wish me luck for my exam!!

The Last Sermon

"O People, lend me an attentive ear, for I know not whether after this year, I shall ever be amongst you again. Therefore listen to what I am saying to you very carefully and take these words to those who could not be present here today.

O People, just as you regard this month, this day, this city as Sacred, so regard the life and property of every Muslim as a sacred trust. Return the goods entrusted to you to their rightful owners. Hurt no one so that no one may hurt you. Remember that you will indeed meet your Lord, and that He will indeed reckon your deeds. God has forbidden you to take usury (interest), therefore all interest obligation shall henceforth be waived. Your capital, however, is yours to keep. You will neither inflict nor suffer any inequity. God has judged that there shall be no interest and that all the interest due to Abbas ibn 'Abd'al Muttalib (Prophet's uncle) shall henceforth be waived...
 
Beware of Satan, for the safety of your religion. He has lost all hope that he will ever be able to lead you astray in big things, so beware of following him in small things.

O People, it is true that you have certain rights with regard to your women, but they also have rights over you. Remember that you have taken them as your wives only under God's trust and with His permission. If they abide by your right then to them belongs the right to be fed and clothed in kindness. Do treat your women well and be kind to them for they are your partners and committed helpers. And it is your right that they do not make friends with any one of whom you do not approve, as well as never to be unchaste.

O People, listen to me in earnest, worship God, say your five daily prayers (Solah), fast during the month of Ramadan, and give your wealth in Zakat. Perform Hajj if you can afford to.

All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a white has no superiority over black nor a black has any superiority over white except by piety and good action. Learn that every Muslim is a brother to every Muslim and that the Muslims constitute one brotherhood. Nothing shall be legitimate to a Muslim which belongs to a fellow Muslim unless it was given freely and willingly. Do not, therefore, do injustice to yourselves.

Remember, one day you will appear before God and answer your deeds. So beware, do not stray from the path of righteousness after I am gone.

O People, no prophet or apostle will come after me and no new faith will be born. Reason well, therefore, O People, and understand words which I convey to you. I leave behind me two things, the Quran and my example, the Sunnah and if you follow these you will never go astray.

All those who listen to me shall pass on my words to others and those to others again; and may the last ones understand my words better than those who listen to me directly. Be my witness, O God, that I have conveyed your message to your people".

- Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)

What's Your Sleeping Style?

Check this out!!  I was browsing Big Sis's notebook when I came across this pic.  Funny haha!!

So Inconsiderate!!

Inconsiderate
-adj

1. lacking in care or thought for others; heedless; thoughtless; selfish
2. Rare insufficiently considered

How do we deal with inconsiderate people?
Do we curse at them?
Do we do hurtful things to them?
Do we tell them that they're a jerk coz they're inconsiderate?
Do we keep it to ourselves to avoid any conflicts?
 
Perhaps God wanted to test my temper and He let not one, but two inconsiderate people crossed my path last week.

1st incident
My friends and I were about to have our lunch when a guy in a wheelchair needed our help to get to another building.  Since we were heading to the same building, we thought that it would be no harm.  Mind you it was almost lunch and the four of us didn't have our breakfast. When we're at the building, this guy, let just call him Mr I-Own-U, started to boss my friend, A, to take him to level 12 and then to level 15.  Then to level 5.  Mind you, even though he's in a wheelchair and needed A's help, at least asked if we have our own things to do.  He didn't even ask if we have class to attend.  All that matter to him was to go to places that he wanted to go.  Since I know I don't have the patience to deal with bossy people, I told my friends that I'd wait for them at the stall.  I really didn't want to upset him with my presence coz I'm the kinda person who have problem concealing my feeling when something or someone annoys me.  I really salute A for the kind of patience that she has. Unfortunately some people don't know to be grateful.  After ignoring her hunger pangs to help a helpless person, we're surprised to find out that Mr I-Own-U told another friend of mine, B, that A treated him as a burden!!  My Lord!!  Is that the kind of things you do to people who helped you?  To Mr I-Own-U, I know you depressed for whatever reason, but next time please be considerate about other people as well and please don't talk bad to other people about those who helped you . And you wonder why people won't help you for the 2nd time huh?

2nd incident
I was just finished my class and was rushing home and when I arrived at the car park, geez my car was blocked by another white car, again.  Sigh.  I wonder why only it’s always white cars that block my car.  That's what happened when the number of students keeps increasing but the parking slots remain the same.  I was hoping that the driver was not in class and able to move his car a.s.a.p.  It was a shock when I peeped into the car, I found no paper displaying the driver's contact no!!  I kept looking on the dashboard and the seats but nothing!!  Aarrggghhh!!  How can someone be so damn stupid to block someone else's car but leave no contact no?!!  Perhaps the driver thought that I have all the time in the world to wait for him?  Or perhaps he thought that he owns the world that he could do anything he wants??  Stupid S.O.A.B.  Luckily I'm a smart girl (haha!!) and I managed to find another way to come out from the slot, without scratching any cars!!!  Even though I'm a lady driver, I know how manoeuvred my car well ok.  Of course, before I left, I did give the stupid driver some 'love' note =)  Guys, next time if you have to block other cars, please leave your contact number unless you don't mind your car getting rammed heheh. 

I know sometimes life makes some of us to become such inconsiderate people but then again it's all about choices.  You only become an inconsiderate people if you choose to become one but some people will say that life give them no option to choose.  They're wrong.  It's either you make the choice or the choice make you.

The Value of Forgiveness

Do we really need to apologize when we hurt other people's feelings?

If I asked the question to Mom, I can bet all my savings that she would say yes.  Why do we apologize? Does it because we wanted to acknowledge the other party that we aware of our mistakes?  Or maybe we realized what we did and refused to let the other party think that we're such jerks? For me, I only apologize if I realized what a stupid mistake I've done and really regret it.  By regret, I mean I will try my best not to let the same mistake happened again.  That's what I think apologize is all about.  That's why I don't quite understand why some people say "I'm sorry" like breathing air.  To make it worst, they say it like they don't mean it at all!!!  Perhaps it is.

My Own Aquaria

Mom bought few fishes last Saturday and boy, they're so cute!!!  They're a real good stress reliever as well.  Looking at them swimming make me lost in my own world (with my King Triton of course! =p).  Now, it reminds me of Aquaria KLCC.  The one place I've been dying to visit and passed so often but haven't managed to find time to doing so.  Sigh.  Perhaps I should rescheduled my time and get my butt there a.s.a.p.  I'm dying to see those beautiful-coloured fishes!!!!

Perhaps I should do so this week......mmm.....

Aquaria, here I come!!!!!

I hate jaws, they never fail in giving me nightmares.  Those mean eyes....

62 Days..

OMG!!  Tomorrow is Halloween!!!! Huhu, scarreeyyyyy.....

And you know what the scariest part is?  Knowing that you only have another 2 months before New Year!!  Man, that's fast.  It’s like driving an EVO7 on highway!!  I feel like it was only yesterday I had my New Year hol and now a new one is coming.  Have I accomplished all the things I planned this year? Almost, yup almost.

I really hope that I can make the best use of the remaining 2 months of 2009, coz I'm sure 2010 will be an even busier year for me.

Excess Baggage

I was watching Oprah's Show earlier and the guest was talking about excess baggage.  He said that a lot of people carry excess baggage with them.  I don't mean the extra baggage you carried when you're travelling; it's the other excess baggage, emotional xcess baggage.  An unneccessary emotional burden.  I totally agree with him.  Sometimes we don't mean to have all these unwanted burdens but it seems that they manage to creep into our lives, and minds, without we even realized it. Before we know it, they become the centre of our lives and suck most of our time and energy.  We’ll end up grumpier, more stress, and confused. To make things worse, before we know it, we turn into ogres hehehe....

My advice: don't be so stressful.  It's not good for our health, and our social life.  If things get worse, go down to Aquaria and see all those beautiful fish!!! Or grab a piece of choc cake =)

The Most Influential People in My Life

Why do we need family and friends?  Well, humans are social being.  We need each other in order to stay alive.  Wait a minute, some people claimed that they can live all by themselves?  Really?  I don't think so.  Even Mogli needs the wolves to survive.  I mean you need to have people to supply you food right?  And the telco and electricity companies?  Or the car manufacturer?  Bankers?  Police?  You don't need those?  You mean you live like a caveman?  Oh, now I get it.  But still you need your parents right?  If not, how come you're here on Earth?  Or perhaps you dropped from the sky huh?

For me, family and friends are important.  They're vital.  I admit that they're the ones who responsible to make my life more interesting, more worthy, more challenging.  Without them, I'll be a human without soul.  Geez sounds like a vampire hahah.  Even though they can turn out to be a sore sometimes (heheh) but I love them still.  And I'm glad despite my bad habits and mood swing, they still accept me for who I am. Hugs and kisses to y'all!!!!

Back On Track =)

Just got a sms from a friend.  Mr Platinum is officially back yahooo!!!  Now life's gonna more interesting hehehe.  More gossips.  More food hunting.  More stupid things.  More crazy time.  More tummy cramps haha.  Hey Platinum Man, you still owe me my triple choc moist bday cake!!!  And presentS, with capital S at the end haha!!!  What do I want?  Lemme think, a new bag, a set of worth-reading books, a ticket to the place that remind me of my childhood, a 1-month trip to movies, holiday at Tanjong Jara Resorts, and of coz the hardest card on Earth!!   Heheh....a lunch is more than enough. One more thing,  please don't wear that ugly jeans again!!!  And can you drive the white car instead of the black one? =)

ps: How come shoes are not in my list? What's happening to me????

You Can't Be My Wife!!!

A guy friend, Mr I'm-Looking-for-a-Cook-to-be-My-Wife asked me if I know how to cook. Of course I do!!  Omelette, scramble-eggs, french toast, mmm...what else huh?  I think that's all.  I prefer to go to the nearest restaurant and just tapau (local slang for take-away).  It's more convenient for me.  Cheaper, easier and most importantly, tastier.  That's why I keep telling everybody, I eat fast food all the time!!!  Me and my fast foods.....happily ever after.  Back to my friend, when he found out I can't cook (yup, you read it right.  I CAN'T cook, not that I DON'T WANT to cook) he said "My dear, how on earth you said you can't cook? Every girl must know how to cook.  You can't be my wife then."  Erk, did I say I wanna be your wife?  Not in million years!!!!!  Geez, so perasan la this guy.  I thought this question is so out-dated but still there are people who think it's valid.  I wonder how this people survived from Ice age and creep into this millenium, fast-charging world??  Wrong flight I guess.  Or maybe they sneak into the cargo area heheheh.  That's why their brains are empty like a box hahah!!  Aida, grab yourself okay.

Isn't it funny to see that my species, the Malays, considered the ability to be a great cook as a must-have criterion for being a good wife!!  Is it true Mommy?  Where should I categorized myself then?  A not-so-good wife?  Wait a minute, that's for those unskilled cook.  I don't even know how to cook so I guess I must be in the Never-Qualitified-to-be-a-Wife category hahaha.  Hey big sis, wanna join me???  Man, that’s one funny way to see if someone is qualified to be your wife.  What happened to understanding, loving, doesn't talk much (disqualified again =p) , never question on my whereabouts (disqualified again, sigh), good heart, intelligent?  Is being a great cook as important as her love for you?  If she doesn't cook, that means she loves you less?  Then you should start pick up girls in front of the cooking schools.  Just an advice, there are more men than women in cooking school so open your eyes as big as you can!!!!

Guys, I know you love to find a domestic goddess for yourself but ask yourself if you're qualified to be called a god, to be next to a goddess.  I just afraid that even if these goddesses do exist, they don't even bother to look at you, even form the corner of their eyes.  Females nowadays are born with brains and we know how to use our brains.  We wanna marry a real man, not someone who’s pretending to be one.

Girls, next time if a guy asked whether or not you can cook, ask him "Are you a real man, or a coward hiding in the physique of a man?"  That should deserve them right.

And to Mr I'm-Looking-for-a-Cook-to-be-My-Wife, YOU CAN'T BE MY HUSBAND because it takes a real man to be one.  Next!!!!

The Silent Tears

Sometimes I hate it when people misinterpret things that I said.  It even worse when I said something that supposed to be good but people saw it as something hurtful.  I know I'm not good with words, I don't know how to say something in its finest and most beautiful way.  I just don't know. It’s terrible to know that something nice that you hope to come out from your mouth was heard as something bad to someone else's ears.

Like what happened today.  Perhaps I should just say something simple from now on.  Perhaps I should just keep my mouth shut.  Or maybe I should just stop interfering with people's lives.

I'm really hurt, I really am.

Thanks for telling me about it.  At least now I know the limit.

Oppss!!! I Did It Again!!

I just can’t believe myself!!  How on earth could I let myself into this mess, again?!  Sigh.  I'm pretty mad at myself right now, for being too clever to let it happened again.  Sweety, next time think using your wonderful brain instead of your full-of-emotions heart!!  And never, ever forget the pledge that you took.  Now look at what happened!

I know it's not fair for me the generalize everyone, that will be a self-fulfilling bias but I couldn't help it when every single person seems to be exactly like that.  And boy, they're so good in giving excuses when you caught them red-handed.

I just hope this is the last time such stupid thing ever happens to me.  Guess I should have read and constantly remind myself about the pledge.

Let's Learn Greek

Yesterday class was very interesting.  Mr Storyteller did warned us that the whole class would be rather confused as there would be lotsa biological terms mentioned (FYI, Mr Storyteller teaches me Leadership Life Skills so biological terms in this class would be so...out of mind I guess). However, interestingly, out of so many bombastic words mentioned, I attracted to one. L.O.V.E. I know, I know, some of you will go "Enough already Aida! This is your 3rd post on the topic!!" Well, guess what? It's my blog, and I'm the one in control of whatever thoughts that I jotted in. As adult, I take full responsibility of every word written.

Back to the word LOVE, I think Hollywood has made the word become too commercialized. Why did I say so? Just take a look at any Hollywood movies. Whatever the genre is, there surely will be love element in the story as well. For example, Transformer: Revenge of the Fallen. I'm sure the genre of this movie is Adventure/Action/Sci-Fi but Hollywood never fails to include the steamy element in it. Perhaps it's one of the way to sell the movie (the other way is to get hot, sexy, almost slutty-like actresses). As far as I know, the real Transformers (the cartoon version back in the 80's) never had this kind of thing. Perhaps the robots got caught with the Hollywood bug as well. It just so unrealistic to me when you're in the midst of war and were so busy trying to save your life, you still have time for a long, deep, horny kiss?? Perhaps Sam thought he would never have a chance to live to experience another kiss. Duh. See how Hollywood interpret the word love = sensual feelings and that makes common people like us fool by this misinterpret word and thought that love = sex. Which means that if you love someone, you gotta sleep with him. I have nothing against those who are in love and sleep with their partners, it's up to you guys whatever you wanna do. As adults, you should know what is best for you. Whatever you do, don't forget the rubber yea!

Geez, I almost forget the best part about the class. Mr Storyteller said that English only have one word to describe the various types of love and he later then shared with us his knowledge of Greek language regarding the concept of love, which I guess he found out from Bible. There are 5 words which are :

1. Phileo : or philia, is the dispassionate virtuous love, a concept developed by Aristotle. It includes loyalty to friends, family, and community, and requires virtue, equality and familiarity.
2. Eros : is passionate love, with sensual desire and longing. It can be interpreted as a love for someone whom you love more than the philia. It can also apply to dating relationships as well as marriage.
3. Agape : is general affection for someone or something. It can be described as the feeling of being content or holding one in high regard. For example love for good food, or children.
4. Storge : is natural affection, like that felt by parents for offspring. Often use as as a descriptor of relationships within the family. It is also known to express mere acceptance or putting up with situations.
5. Thelema : means "desire". It is the desire to do something, to be occupied, or to be in prominence.

So now, boys and girls (heheh), I hope we all have a clear understanding of the types of love. Even though the feeling 'love' can be differed as five separate feelings, but I think it is possible for us to have few of these so-called types of love towards one particular thing. LOVE. Whatever names people want to call it, just be glad that at least you were given the chance by the Mighty one to experience the joy and pain of love.

Model of Love =p

I received many comments on The Four-Letter Word post.  Some people agree with what I said and some don't.  The purpose of me writing the post was not to say that my view is the RIGHT one, but rather as a way for me to express and share my two cent's worth.  After reading all comments, I decided to share what I learned in class on the matter of love.

First of all, what is love?  According to psychologists Baron, Branscombe and Bryne, love is a combination of emotions, cognitions and behaviours that often play a crucial role in intimate relationship.  This means love does not limit to just your sweetheart but includes to your family and friends as well. In my previous post, the love that I referred was the love to that special someone.  So back to the topic, there was a model of love that I learned.  It's called the Sternberg's Triangular Model of Love.  Please bear in mind that this IS not the one and explanation valid ok.

Now, think about your current relationship with that special someone.  Which group do you belong to?  Liking?  Companionate love?  Empty love?  Fatuous love?  Infatuation love?  Romantic love?  Or Consummate love?

For me, of course I’ll go for consummate love.  To have all three requirements: liking, intimacy and commitment is possible.  I don’t think it’s hard because Uncle Sternberg didn’t mention that to be in consummate love you gotta have 33% of liking, 33% of passion and 33% of commitment.  As long as you have these three criteria, regardless of the percentages, I think I can call it consummate love.

Whatever the theory is, for me the most important and crucial thing is not how you fall in love or what type of love you’re in, but rather how to stay in love with the same person.

The Four-Letter Word

I was just finished my test earlier (which was okay =p) when a girlfriend, Miss I-Love-Scones, called me and upon hearing her trembling voice, I know she got into another fight with her beau, again.  Being a good friend (really?) and a psychologist-to-be (haha!), I had the cell phone glued to my ear, listening to the details of the World War III.  Then she asked me, "Babe, how do you know if you're in love with someone?"  I was like, oh no, not that question again!!  That was her favourite question whenever she’s having argument with her beau, which always over the silliest thing on earth, and as always my answer will be "when you feel the tling, tling, tling feeling during your first kiss"  I know it is not a helpful answer, but it's better than a long mmmm, right?  Seriously and honestly, I have no idea.  I've been in relationships before but still I don't have the right answer.  I ask this question to Mommy before and her answer was "You know it when you experience it"  But how am supposed to be aware of it if I have no clue about it????  Perhaps I should ask Big Sis hehe.  I'm sure she has more experiences in this matter as compared to me haha but I think I know what her answer will be: when he has a platinum credit card haha!!  Right sis?  Don't get her wrong, she's not being materialistic, she's just being realistic okay.

I don't think there's any right answer on how to know if you're in love or not.  It really depends on the person himself.  Different people, different tastes, different preferences. Of course, being in relationship doesn't mean you're in love but as for me, perhaps it is when despite all his bad habits, I still see him as the most wonderful guy I've ever meet, which is a fat chance to happen coz I can get annoyed easily at times haha!!  Looks like falling in love is still a looooooong way for me.  Until then, I should just ask other people about it.

ps: If you guys happened to know anyone that I might attracted to, do tell me!!! Heheh =)

Locus of Control

There was an interesting term that I learnt in class yesterday.  Locus of control. Mr Storyteller asked the entire class to give definition to this term.  First thing that came to my mind was, well, locus sounds like hocus pocus and so Harry-Potter-like so it might probably mean the ability to control spell craft haha!  No seriously I thought it was something to do with the centre of control of oneself. It turned out to be the area of control.  Hah, not that far!  We were then asked to do some sort of questionnaires to find out about our locus of control and surprisingly I scored 60!!  Hoho that's quite high considering the avegerage score was like 54.8.  I was surprised myself.  Perhaps I cheated hehe.  After rechecking my answer, I didn't cheat.  How on earth I managed to score 60??!!

There are two side of the locus: internally and externally.  Internally means that the person's self-control is within himself.  He can motivate himself into doing something.  Externally, on the other hand, means the person's self-control relies on external factors such as other people, events or things.  According to my score, my locus of control is internally.  That simply means that I have such willpower that if I set my mind, I can climb the Mount Everest! Whoa! Wait a minute, Mount Everest? Me? No way!! I hate cold!! I can even get brain freeze in the lecture hall, and I'm talking about Mount Everest???  I guess my brain did freeze after all, so bad that I can't think properly haha!!

To those who want a copy of this test, just drop me an email or comment so that I can email it to you guys.  I really don't know how to attach files here (except pics =P) hehe

Selfish? Who? Me?

From Dictionary.com

Self-ish –adjective

1. devoted to or caring only for oneself; concerned primarily with one's own interests, benefits, welfare, etc., regardless of others.
2. characterized by or manifesting concern or care only for oneself: selfish motives.

As far as I concern, I never mention that I only think about myself and don't bother about other people at all.

Enough said.

Personal Responsibility

People often talk about their responsibilities, be it responsibility as a child, a parent, a doctor, an engineer, a good citizen or a spouse.  But I yet heard anyone talking about his responsibility to himself.  Yup, people often forget the one person that’s very important in their lives, themselves.  I asked a friend if she thinks that she has any responsibility to herself and she said I’m crazy.  To her, she owns herself and thus can do anything she wants with herself.  Is this true?

I’m not sure about others, but I do strongly feel that as a person, I do have responsibility to myself.  The word responsibility – response-ability, means the ability to response. For me, it is the ability to response to the inner me and my surroundings.  I think the most important responsibilities that I have towards myself are :

1. Take care of my body so that it can function at its optimum level.  Mind you, I only have one body and I will use this very same body for the next 80 years.  I rather chase my grandchildren in the backyard than lying on bed regretting myself.
2. Never stop learning.  I’m a full-time student of life and I always have this hunger for things that I don’t know and things that I have already know.  I find it’s very fascinating to learn something new, even if it’s as simple as how to crack a chestnut (I love chestnuts!!).  I learn from everyone and everything: my parents, lecturers, little kids, books, videos, audios, cats, sauce pans, pencil etc. 
3. Feed my soul.  Doesn’t matter what religion you are or even if you’re an atheist, you need to feed your soul.  It’s a way for me to escape from the havoc world and lost in the peacefulness inside of me.  It works as a good stress reliever for me.

It doesn’t matter how busy you are, or how many lives you’re leading, do not forget about your own self.  If you’re the kind of person who always put others before yourself, it’s time to start thinking about yourself.

80/20

I was in class the other day when Mr Funny-Guy pointed out something about the 80/20 principle.  I thought it sounded familiar, I focused on him instead of my friends (isn't it so obvious that I wasn't pay much attention in class? haha).  Then he mentioned one name. Covey.  No wonder it sounded so familiar, it's Uncle Steve hahah!!  So back to the 80/20 principle, it is well-known as the Pareto's Principle or the 80/20 Principle.  According to Uncle Pareto (wah, I don’t know I have so many uncles!!), 80% of the world's wealth belongs to 20% of the population.  This principle is so universal that it can be applied in any area of our life.  For example, as a Project Manager, you know that 20% of the project (the first and last 10%) consumes 80% of the project duration and resources.  The 80/20 principle means 20% are vital and 80% are trivial.  In simple English, it simply means 20 percent of something always is responsible for 80 percent of the results.

Since the lecture was on behaviour, Mr Funny-Guy related it to the 80/20 principles as 80% of things happen to us are totally in our control, and the other 20% are those we unable to control like the weather, economy etc.  He said, even though the uncontrollable events are only 20%, however, for most people, the way we react to the 80% depends on how we react to the 20%.  This is so true.  For example, a father was having problem at work because of the gloomy economy condition (something that he can’t control), would came home to his curious 4-year daughter only to scold her (something he can control).  Another example, a lady behaves coldly to everyone (controllable event) because she’s having menses (uncontrollable event).  Isn’t it funny to realize how something that we totally have no control over takes charge of something that we have control over?  Doesn’t that make us having no control over anything at all?  Letting other things except ourselves to control our lives? Sounds scary, isn’t it?  How could someone lives his life when he has no control over it?  It’s better for him to be a zombie instead, at least a zombie can still control himself from getting out under the sun during the day.

There’s a story about this topic that I would like to share.  One busy morning, a man was seen at a newsstand.  He bought a newspaper with a big note.  Irritated, the seller was half-throwing the change money to him.  In spite the seller’s rude actions, the man thanked him and said “Have a nice day!”  A lady watched this incident and approached the man and asked “Why do you still thank the seller when he has been so rude to you?”  He replied “I cannot control how the seller behaved towards me but I can definitely control my own behaviour.”

So friends, let it be the person who push you in the morning train, or the rain, or your alarm didn’t went off this morning or simply the aunty selling nasi lemak decided to have a holiday today, don’t let it spoil your mood for the whole day yea!!  Life is to short for us to worry too much, so better start enjoying it!!!

Dorothy Mills

I was at big sis's pad the other day, when I stumbled upon this movie DVD while waiting for the laundry.  Even though the poster was a bit, mm…well, dull, but rather than doing nothing (actually I wanted to sleep but clever me didn't bring any lens solution!!) so I decided to give it a go.

The first 30 minutes was very, very slow and boring.  Mind you, it was in deep Irish accent so it took me a few seconds to really understand what the casts were saying hehe.  The 'Stop' button on the player was begging me to press it but since the sypnosis said something about 'multiple personality disorder' and rather than went completely insane in boredom, I managed to watch it right to the end.  The movie was not that boring after all, with no scary scenes at all!!  However, after the movie ended, I was filled with rage. How could the villagers used her to contact with the deads?  Didn't they see how much she suffered?  Then it hit me right on my head.  That is how reality really is.  Some people don't mind other people to suffer so that they get what they want.  Even, they know it is wrong, but the thought doesn't bother them a bit.  Like big sis's case, a classic example.  But as the saying goes 'what goes around comes around'.  To all those mean people, enjoy your mean, evil-doing while you can, because one day, someone more evil than you will do the exact same thing to you like what you did to others, and in your case, worse.  To those who were victimized by these meaner-than-T-Rex creatures, just remember just like T-Rex, they will extinct one day and I hope no one ever bother to dig up their bones and display in museum because they simply DO NOT DESERVE ANY PLACE ON THE EARTH at all!!

King Triton or Prince Eric???

I got an email feedback on my entry Part of the World... that wondered why I prefer King Triton over Prince Eric.  Well, I do have to say that Prince Eric looks yummy (hehe) but he is just like a vanilla cupcake with fancy toppings.  I prefer chocolate cake instead.  Not just any choc cake but a thick, creamy choc cake haha!!

You see, since I was a little girl, whenever I watched a movie or drama series or even cartoons, I always attracted to either the bad guy or the older guy.  Be it English, Bahasa Malaysia, Chinese or Hindi medium.  I barely see the heroes hehe.  I'm not really sure why it happen but I guess I like the bad guys simply because they seem like having all the fun =) They also seem to have more adventure and enjoyable lives compared to the dull, monotonous, easy-to-predict lives lead by the heroes a.k.a. the good guys.  Perhaps I can relate this life to my adventurous childhood (well, I was a hardcore tomboy back then).  Or I simply love the dark, cold look, I dunno.  As for older guys, there are just something attracting about them.  Take a look at Tom Hanks, Bruce Willis and Dennis Quaid.  Need I to say more??  I guess it's their matured thinking that got me hooked (wink, wink) which will guarantee a lot of quality conversations.  Oh, and I guess they really know how to pamper (which female on her right mind would refused from getting pampered??!!)

If given a choice between bad guy and older guy, I definitely will choose an older bad guy hehe =)  As I always say to my gals and sistas, if you can't choose between two pairs of shoes, get both!!  What a greedy girl I am hahah!!

Meet King Triton, Ariel, baby Melody and Price Eric

Malay Novels

Most of my friends knows that I'm not fond of Malay novels as most of them are too mushy-mushy for me to read!  Instead of making me lost in the ever-perfect fantasy, they somehow give me shivers haha! Normally, I would read the first chapter and if it is not too 18SX for my liking then most likely I will read until the back cover.   However, there are a few good Malay novels that I found worth my time to read.  The two novels listed above : Adam dan Hawa (totally in love with Adam!) and Salju Sakinah (wish I were as strong as Sumayyah) were recommended by my lil sis and her friend while the other one, Pergilah Sepi (love the plot!) was recommended by my roommate back in UiTM.  Oh, and there is another great Malay novel that I would like to share titled Putik.  Unfortunately, I could not recall who the author is, my bad!  It is a story of la little girl named Putik who was abused by her guardian and partner. And boy, I did cry when I was reading this novel, a lot but it is definitely a must-read!!

Hah! So Funny!

I was browsing the Net when I came across a website with lotsa funny ads but these two left me with an abs cramp haha.  Really mean but yet very good ways to solve problems arise.  Hahaha.  Enjoy guys!!

Erk???!!!

 I definitely will choose the kitten - less headache haha!!

Part of Your World

The first time I heard this song was when I was five or six years old.  My family was visiting Dad's family in Terengganu and we stopped at a local supermarket on our way back.  I was at video section when I saw the picture of a beautiful mermaid (exactly like the above pic) and demanded (what a word to use!) Dad to buy me the movie.  The Little Mermaid. I kept playing the video over and over again.  I love Disney's cartoon movies, preferably the 2D version compare to 3D version (how can cartoon exist in 3D version?!  It's so not cartoon-y at all!!).  I guess the songs that got my heart captured =)

Lately, somehow, this particular song has invaded my mind all the time.  Whenever I go, whatever I do, I unconsciously humming to this song.  Oh, there are two versions of this song.  One is called Part of Your World, where Ariel was in her hiding cave with Flounder, when she has not yet meets Prince Eric.  The other version is Part of Your World (Reprise) where she was hiding behind a huge rock right after saving Prince Eric from terrible storm which is the one that keep haunting me.  I wonder why?  Is it because I miss my childhood days or because I miss my Prince Eric???  Haha yea right, like I even have a Prince Eric! Even if I do have, would rather have King Triton than Prince Eric haha!!

Here is the lyrics of the haunted song hehe :

What would I give

To live where you are?

What would I pay

To stay here beside you?

What would I do to see you

Smiling at me?

Where would we walk?

Where would we run?

If we could stay all day in the sun?

Just you and me

And I could be

Part of your world

I don't know when

I don't know how

But I know something's starting right now

Watch and you'll see

Some day I'll be

Part of your world. 

Here's a clip that I managed to dig via YouTube:

And here's theother version:





One Step Further

Do more than exist; live.
Do more than touch; feel.
Do more than look; observe.
Do more than read; absorb.
Do more than hear; listen.
Do more than listen; understand.
Do more than think; reflect.
Do more than just talk; say something.
- John H. Rhoades

Think (or should I say reflect?) about this for a moment.  Principles needed to enjoy life to the fullest.  And should I add one more:
Do more than just acquire knowledge; apply them in life.

The Failure Monologue

I came across this inspiring poem few years back and it really help me lots whenever I'm facing difficulty.  Written by Billi Lim (the author of Dare to Fail).

THE FAILURE MONOLOGUE

My name is unspeakable; my presence undesirable
Nobody wants me as a friend, a relative or even as a peer
But I am always present when the gold is lost, an 'F' is awarded, a business folds and a marriage collapses
I have a reason and a purpose of doing so
I have been presented as the enemy, insurmountable, and an object of hate, for I am the standard that is feared by all
Fear of me stops people from trying again
Fear of me stops people from dreaming at all
Nobody escapes me for I am the ultimate test
To those who were defeated and have given up the fight, you have misunderstood me
To those who were crushed and yet, continue the fight, now you know me for who I am
I am the sun and the water that make life stronger, better and sweeter
I am proof that nothing is permanent, and no one is immune
I am the call to arms that revives, awakens and revitalizes
I am exactly half of the life that you should be living to the fullest
I am the hardest lesson to be learnt for I am the best teacher in the world
Now know me by my name:
My name is Failure.

Failure is always feared by people.  Some people who know me always said that I'm so lucky that I have been blessed with a perfect life.  The truth is, perfect life doesn’t exist, same as perfect human being.  To be where I’m today, and to be the person I’m today, credits to failures that I experienced.  Not to say that I never experience success.  I do have lotsa success stories that I can brag about but I rather not.   People can learn a lot of things from success but they can learn a lot more from failure.  I guess that is why the government make it compulsory for us to learn History during our school time.

For me a failure is a real failure if I can’t learn anything from it.   Irish people say it well "A saint is not a man who never falls; he is a man who gets up and goes on every time he falls."

To Change or Not to Change?

Watch your thoughts, they become words
Watch your words, they become actions
Watch your actions, they become habits
Watch your habits, they become character
Watch your character, they become your destiny.
- Frank Outlaw

I wonder why it is so easy for us to ask (or perhaps I should use the word 'order') someone to change just because we don’t like the person’s particular habit?

Habits are not something that can be changed overnight but I'm not saying it is impossible.  It is, in fact, a very hard task but it is possible.  I speak from experience.  It definitely requires lotsa inner strength, determination, perseverance, motivation, eternal support, effort and time. Some people said you need to be forced to change then only you will change.  It might be true, it might be not.

Personally, I never think force or pressure is a good 'motivation' for people to change, especially teenagers and adults.  As a person who already has a sense of who he is, being forced to change might send message of being attacked, not physically, but rather an attack to the person.  Thus it’s not a surprise when the person rebels, a reaction to protect himself from this attack which leads to anger, heartbreaks, disappointment, lost of trust and worse, physical aggression.  It affects not only the one who is forcing and being forced, but also those close to them.

Change should not be forced; it should come from the heart.  It should never occur because of someone or something.  What if that someone or something is out of sight or leave your life? Will you return to your old habit?  Change should never happen because of trends. Change of habit, not change of style.  What will happen when the trend wears out?  Back to the old self?

People might ask, so Aida, how do you make someone change?  If you asked me this question few months back, my answer will be "..just tell him you hate it and he needs to change and whip him if he refused haha".  But now I realized, the only thing I can do is inspire them to change.  But how?  There are so many ways to do it.  If you just focus on the one dot in the box, that is all you will see. But the most inspiring thing that you do for someone to change for the better is to give the person a gift of experience.  You have to change yourself for the better and let the person feel the goodness of change and InsyaAllah, he will change as well. To make people change, you must first change.

But remember, change is only good if it leads to betterment.

Minal Eid Fitr

This year raya is certainly the best one in my life!! The whole family went back to Kuantan on Saturday morning and we arrived somewhere in the afternoon and went straight to my auntie’s house in Bukit Sekilau.  I didn’t do much of sight-seeing on that day, was just playing around with my little cousin, Miss Ben 10's galfriend.  She’s so adorable, a 7-year old adorable sweetpea.  Fair skin, curly brown hair, chubby cheeks and a smile that melts everyone’s heart.  Sigh.  Girl, if only you're not so super duper skinny.  She grows up too fast, and I still remember the old days when she barely speaks any Bahasa Malaysia.  You're so funny, you pink-coloured frog!!!

We had a very BIG iftar with the whole family on the last day of fasting (some sort like family gathering thingy) then I watched TV a bit and off with lil sister, my auntie and cousins to East Coast Mall, for our last minute raya shopping.  My cousin, Tuan Manager, was looking for a pair of baju melayu, unfortunately found none.  He's a one hard-to-please man. We then off to Carrefour for some groceries shopping and were surprised to see my auntie borong cartons of drinks, mostly sodas and OJ.  The whole family is just so in lurrvvveee with coloured water (which I'm not so fond of).  We then realized that Carrefour was out of stock of Nona-brand ketupat so we were then off to Giant.  Home was only in sight slightly after midnight =)  Sorry Mommy.

Raya was fun.  Seriously.  I couldn’t believe that I still got duit raya hehe.  Guess they will give me till I’m married (but if they’re so generous, they can give me till I have grandchildren!!).  I finished some of the kuih raya at my auntie’s (sorry Auntie, but they taste better in my tummy than in the jar).  The main dish for this raya was nasi minyak hehe.  In my family, there’s no rule of having nasi minyak only on weddings so that’s the main dish for our 1st raya.  Auntie made chicken rendang too. Two thumbs up simply because it tasted so good and secondly because it tasted exactly like Gran’s.

Spending time with my cousins really made me miss my childhood years.  My childhood friends.  Oh, I did go to my grandparents’ house where I was brought up and I was really surprise!!  They demolished the government quarters, except for my grandparents’ neighbourhood area, and it is now a commercialized area.  The main attraction is the East Coast Mall.  I did go there, twice hehe, and I have to admit that I got lost haha.  It was so huge and complicated as well.  It’s good to see Kuantan has developed so much since I left six years ago but it’s sad because that area used to be my playground.  No more big streams to catch fish and tadpoles.  No more big trees to climb. No more roads for some bicycle races. No more hiding places for war games.  No more houses to stop for cold drinks. No more shops to buy sweets and ice ‘pop’. No more fields for soccer and baseball games.  Nothing. All was left are just strange buildings but the memories and friends will always be deep in my heart.  I won’t trade them for anything in this world.

Tomorrow is Tuesday, which means time to go home.  Four-day holidays almost come to an end and I still wish I can stay here longer. But my lecturer, Mr Funny Guy, is so kind-hearted to give us quiz on Wednesday.

To all Muslims, I wish Happy Eid-Fitr.  To those who know me, I apologize for all words and acts that might hurt your feelings. I’m just a mere human, but I will keep improving myself. That’s my promise.   To my friends back in Kuantan whom I didn’t get chance to meet up during this raya, I’m sorry.  I’ll make it next time ya!!

Selamat Hari Raya, Maaf Zahir dan Batin.

All Psyched Up

As most people probably know by now, my status has changed from 'being a good citizen' to 'wrecking your parents' wallets'.  Haha.  Yup, I have decided to pursue my study =) and to make it even worse for my parents, I chose to major in psychology.  I still remember the look on their faces, it was priceless =)  They both thought I was going to learn about crazy people and would spend the rest of my life in mental institution.  Haha you're so funny, Mom and Dad!  People in those places already have a hard time that I don’t think I have the heart to make them suffer even more with my presence there, I promised =)

Why psychology?  Do I get excited by studying about mental illness?  Perhaps I am.  Mental illness is often associates with psychotic disorders, extreme stress and yes, crazy people. Little that the public know that mental illness is not just about these hardcore disorders.  Even a simple case like child bullying is considered as mental illness.  But that's not my main interest.  Before I decided to study psychology, I did several research about myself and was torn between two roads: either to take culinary arts (so that I can finally learn how to make perfect omelette) or psychology (I can learn to read minds).  Since I know I can read better than cook (I admit I'm the worse cook in the world but yet nobody die from eating my cooking) so I think my future will be brighter in psychology haha.

I know the road that I chose is not a bed of roses. I get weird stares from people whenever I mention that I’m doing psychology but this is the challenge I have to do to fulfil my role in society.  Wish me luck!!