An Apple Birthday

Pretty old pictures from Lynette's party last year, December 30th. Hehehe at least they've finally made it here! Wooot.

The 3 Of Us
As it used to be, and has been, for 8 years.



Yann and her ke-me-ra-ke-me-ra
*It's something you've gotta hear me pronounce in real life*



The twins and Tanuja
Behind 'nett



Nicole, 'nett, Vivian and Baanu
Vvan and Baan had just passed their Undang that day, if I'm not mistaken.



Where was I?
Look at that ebil little Ju's face la. XD



Her slice.



It was fun driving round to Cake Sense to get the tiramisu cake, altogether.
Felt real college-kidlike, and HER cake has the honour of being the first of many such ones!
Cheers to the good times, mates.
=)

Dull My Senses

So I can slip... down into my broken world of dreams

If I were just a princess, waiting for my prince

Or a serial killer, a-hiding from my sins

Not that far gone, though, to say that anything

would be better than this.

She makes this place a madhouse

Makes me want to blot every movement out,
shut every fraction of sound...
out,
out,
out.

Dull my senses

So I can't feel

Not hurt, not pain;

Nor joy, again.

So I can't stare with reproach, haunting, in my eyes

Can't stab you with lightning stolen from the skies

So I can wrap myself away in a cocoon of doubt
In wrath, but in doubt
Of the sense in myself.

That death may cease to terrify me; death swooping down to rip the heart out of home. Death inching forward to take someone so eager to leave me.

Sense enough to wash this madness, together with the soap suds on the dishes...

Down the drainhole.


The doorbell rang.

She put down the plate, went to get the door.

It was a woman she'd never seen before.

She lifted her head with a saucy smile

It felt good to pretend, just for awhile

She didn't know the girl grappling for words, in the dining room,
just before.

Neither did she recognise the one who cheerily announced she was going to college in June,
to a complete stranger.

She was lost, for a moment. There in body but absent in spirit.

A vacant smile.

A moving shell.

You Are Great!

Jogging was on the agenda again, yesterday. Only, Naj and I were both feeling poorly so we decided to just walk. What amazes (and amuses) me is whenever the both of us get together, we are rendered perfectly incapable of shutting up. There was no crowd in the park that day, at 9 a.m. and the jogging track seemed neverending, but neither of us cared.

What happened to "We'll go to the Curve at 10"?
10.30 found us still seated on the playground, yakking like there was no tomorrow. And am I the only one who uses the word 'yakking'? =(

Went back to her place which I was entering for the first time. I loved that there was good use of mirrors, and decor in unexpected places that made it feel all cosy and lived-in. Yup, I do wish my house could be like that.
Chilled in her bedroom, which is surprisingly spacious for a space meant to be shared by three girls. Finally, at 1, we split to shower. Even the folding door of her bathroom is pretty! I am officially envious.
I picked out her outfit but she ended up wearing something altogether different. Like a girl on TV, she changed half a dozen times! Hahaha.

Upon reaching Curve, we wanted to do several things but settled for appeasing my grumbling tummy first. Lunched at Superbowl, where we made up our minds about what to eat and then snuck a peek at what the other was pointing at : both fingers pointed at the exact same thing! And before that, we'd even said "I don't like asam" at the exact.same.time!! Ugh, I sound so prep-girlish, but the soulmate-ness was insane. XD

Then we shared for sweets at Party World. I still love Nerds!! Gift shopping for Haz and Fana was unsuccessful; everything nice in Curve was above budget. And all the while we talked and talked, always arm in arm. That is, 'til I got a little cramped and had to s-t-r-e-t-c-h, hahah. We also strolled into the pet store next to Popular. There was only one dog which I found fascinating to watch - the white terrier that looked just like a live toy, bouncing about. It was the most expensive fellow over there, second only to Najjua's favourite RARE black chow chow. They look like lion dogs to me. Hm. Saw some pretty snakes, and I gave in to temptation and stroked the tailfeather of a cockatoo or wtv that colourful bird was called. It was sticking out of its cage! And then I had to cover for Naj while she went preying on the poor angelfish, trying to touch its fin. I'm telling ya, we humans are dirty! We'll pollute the water with out dead skin if we dip our hand in! But nooo, she persisted and at last got her wish granted. I hurried her out to the nearest washroom but that psychotic woman didn't want to wash her hand 'cause she'd just touched an EXOTIC FISH!@ Hahahah.

Sometime during that, I found out that some smartass in college had switched my darling 'nett's phone memory card with his. Disaster much! He'd better not see anything he shouldn't weii. She's all grown up now, can give him a good telling off if needed, I reckon. Otherwise, she'll always have me to step in at a moment's notice. What a sneaky brat! Just coming from a private school doesn't give you any right to manipulate the others, alright? Sheesh.

The main objective of the outing was somehow the last bit we got down to. Casting a critical eye over each other, we announced ourselves ready to follow up on my Borders job; and for her new job application. Even filling in her form was funny, 'cause she had to ask me what her religion was. And we dithered over what to write for her "unable to work on Saturday & Sunday". It was 'cause of me, I had church. But a Muslim couldn't very well put 'church', could she? LOL. The guy behind the counter got drawn in, and turns out he's from TTDI as well. Syaza's ex sumore. Fuyoh.

On the upper floor, we browsed 'til it got late. We left at 6, walking down The Street. It was drizzling, so I began to ask
"Do you know the song-"
"-Raindrops keep falling on my head~~" she started singing,
fading to a mumble 'cause she didn't know the other words and neither did I. Then she :

"Okay, start again. 1, 2... 1, 2, 3."

Three times we tried, bursting out in helpless laughter. We were so tired, more of hanging onto each other for support than walking arm in arm now. To the diners safe under shelter, we were a couple of jean-clad girls looking bright but worn out, and singing in the rain. Priceless.
It's as though I've found, once again, the crazy to complement my calm; the wild to my cautious. We fit like a jigsaw puzzle.

Hecticity

Disoriented. Fumbling for the cellphone and pressing 'Answer' by instinct. Hearing my soulmate's voice reminded me about my rash suggestion to "go earlier, like 7.40, so that it's cool and fresh". But now at 7.25 a.m., my bed felt better than being "cool and fresh" in the air outside. So I mumbled something to make her go away, and was left with a slightly gnawing thought : That was rather stupid of me; now I get to spend even LESS time with her! Just great.

It really pushed my limits to get to Naj's house without stopping. Stupid house on the hill, even higher than Yann's one. Well, that was my warm up. I was pouring already. =X

Upon reaching the park, we found it swarmed with students from BU1 - having their annual jogathon, I assume. Way early in the year. O.o Ended up walking more than jogging 'cause we've been out of practice. Actually, I've never jogged regularly before so I don't even qualify to say that. Hahah, she's a way spirited girl, by the way.

Naj : You know, we should go jogging like...
Nic : -once a week!
Naj : ...THREE times a week!
Nic : *agape*

Three times a week... coming from a girl who panted just going partway up her own road. Hilarious.

At 11, we were sitting on her doorstep still talking a mile a minute. Souvenirs were exchanged, and then I had to tear myself away to make ready for my 12 o' clock appointment. Gahh. Three times a week, it's okay. =P


12 p.m. was reserved for my babe Joanne. By the end of the day, I rather approved of her current squeeze; he treats her right. =) We went shopping for his Valentine's gift, and also, watched Changeling. It's really worth seeing. Touching, yes. Jo cried lots. NyekNyek, and she said she was soo tired she'd be sleeping in the theatre. It's that gripping. We were, actually, gripping each other's hands in the cinema, hahah. I found the movie rather disturbing as well, if I may add. =S Gruesome murder weii.



Snippets from the past 7 days :

Lynette's reply letter was the sweetest thing. All the paper she used was greeen. And there were some swirrrrrrly details. ^ ^ Plus, the angelic sketch she did of us.

Or, if you'd prefer her brighter version (which she took with her phone)...
It gives me great pleasure to say...
It's her on your right and ahem; me, the taller one, on your left. XP



Secondly, Jules' camp got flooded!


Hm, lucky he was home in KL for CNY. Even though we thought it was unlucky 'cause that meant we couldn't go out 'cause I was in NZ, lol. The water was 1.5 metres high, that's almost as tall as me! (Even though that's not saying much, I know, hahah) *Yawn* It's late. I'm so tired.


Oh, and thirdly...

I did something rash on Wednesday. Like, applied for a job without realising it until I was halfway filling in the form.

It's all Jafri's fault! T.T I nonchalantly strolled into Borders to inquire about their job openings, intending only to COMPARE salaries with MPH. Instead, the guy at the counter started telling me they really need full timers now and in one swift motion, placed a form in front of me. And I, in one brainless motion, held out my hand for a pen.

Deciding when to start work was a bit of a dither. At least I didn't put 'asap' like the counter guy asked me to. Lol. I put down March 1, but then worried I wouldn't be able to go out on March 12 - fabled SPM results and celebrations! Maybe I can discuss this later, heheh. I'm cooking lunch tomorrow. Then rushing to church for Youth; playing piano for worship service. Why is there always so much to be done? I do so wanna start documenting my NZ trip here! Pffttt.

Butter Me Up

Been waking up at 7 a.m. since I returned. Puhtooey. 7 a.m. here is like, 12 p.m. in NZ. It's strange to think that I'm not likely to wake up late again; as though some divine intervention has broken that bad habit by sending me on a long vacation 5 time zones ahead. Brilliant.

Like my 10-year-old self, I suddenly had conditions for going out with friends. First, finish sorting the vacation pics - which I still haven't, but shhhh! Second, bake a something. Anything.

Immediately I knew it would be scones, 'cause scones seemed the simplest.

Sugar, butter,
Cream them together
Add milk and flour
To the baking powder
Fresh outta the oven
Get a taste of heaven XD

To be eaten with only the best; St. Dalfour Wild Blueberry jam.

Lip-smacking goodness, to the last berry!

Pile it on, baby

Clotted with jam, the way it should be

Makes a satisfactory breakfast =)

In return, I got to go out with 'nett - my first hangout since arrival! Shocked her with my new appearance. She looks very sweet nowadays herself. Since she became a college girl, actually. Ahaha. We picked up our reservation for Bride Wars and debated dropping by to see Ju. But I declined; was not ready to let her see me yet. It's just a feeling I had.

Spotted lots of friends working in OU. First I went to look for Machines, 'cause I didn't know what the heck that was and Fritz works there. Apparently, I already knew it, but only as the 'Apple store'. Lol. I've always envied their beatiful, sleek keyboards. So chic.
Then we had Aiman Zubair tearing our tix at the GSC entrance, with Zuhdi and Amir (who looks so much better, by the way; like he cleaned up his look or something).
Bride Wars is a very nice movie. Highly watchable; it even made me cry! Which hasn't happened in a kazillion years. It's good to see a flick that embodies the spirit of friendship this well. They even got the part where a man canNOT replace a bff (best friend forever). Aww.
Lastly, we went to look for Jafri in MPH. I wasn't even sure if he was in OU punye MPH. But I caught hold of Aida, and she got Jaf for me. Shah and Kiki were also in service there. And for reasons known to Jaf&'nett, I may soon be joining their ranks... XD Chatted with Jaf for more than half an hour, thus saving him from the task of mindlessly peeling stickers off the books, which was his job in the back room at that moment. Loads of laughter seemed to be the order of the day, and perhaps we both miss Sean just as much. Sean, the college boy who still owes us lunch. Hmph.

Being with my babe was just brill. We caught up over churros (spanish doughnuts) and hot chocolate at Molten Lava. Next, I need to get my evasive soulmate into my grasp. She came back from Malacca yesterday, and is still holding my souvenirs from last year! Gosh, talent for being outdated? Nyeknyek.

Resounding

Home at last. Oh no, I made it sound like getting away from New Zealand was a good thing. Au contrare, it has been revered to as the Land of Milk and Honey and, some even say, "a slice of heaven". And I certainly had a fantastic vacation! It's just that... at this moment in time, when I'm too darn tired to even think of uploading and sorting the 2000+ pictures I have... I realise how this trip has woken me up to some areas in my life; places I've neglected and - drat those words - taken for granted.

It will take some time for the photos to be in order; I came home to a cockroach cemetery, thanks to the neighbours calling in Rentokil while we were away. Dead ones I can deal with. But theN, as I reached for the dishwashing liquid, a large, LIVE one scurried out from behind it. And as much as I hate people who scream, shout, and generally create a racket, I momentarily morphed into one of them. That lasted all of 4 seconds. Then I just stared at the friggin' black thing. And it went waggling its feelers back at me, unmoving. The cheek of it! Ugh. By instinct, I searched for newspapers to roll up, but hey... people who've just returned from vacation never have newspapers sitting pretty on their coffee table.

Thought of calling it a night; going to bed with the back door unfastened and backlights ablaze. But this situation felt so similar to a past one; and like a stroke of genius, I remembered Yann telling me to "grab a can and spray for your life, woman!!" Ahh, the aerosol can. The one that I never use. How fortunate that it should be placed out in the garden, so at least I could go bring it inside for some serious kick-ass. If it had been, say, underneath the kitchen sink where IT was... that stroke of genius wouldn't have been genius at all. But there, I sprayed like mad; not because I thought Yann's advice had a very high success rate, but more 'cause I had no idea how much was enough. I kept it hissing 'til there was quite a little puddle and the cockroach seemed to be swimming in it, or at least, sliding. And then it lay still. So did my finger.