A year has passed...

29th December 2008, today..is exactly a year since I lay my foot in the Great Britain. Wow..can't believe I'm already 12months living in another part of the world. Felt like it was only yesterday that I was busy preparing myself for the (I thought) long stay I've to bear with until my studies finish. But hey, after a year..i now feel time is ticking way too fast! huhuu..

Today, but last year...I could still recall family,relatives and friends sending me off at the airport with so much hopes and good luck wishes; thinking bout the million possibilities awaiting me during the endless journey in flight with even more questions in mind as the plane touches the ground of the completely (somewhat) new place in my life...and the next episode of my life begins...

A year in the UK has passed(so quickly). It's of course so much to say about what I've faced, what I've learned, where I've been, what I've done - well..everyone does. Perhaps, no one really wants to read the tales of a normal person. But, what I'd like to share is..I'm glad that I got myself into all the things that's happened to me for the past one year, a point which directed me to the meaning of independent(apart from others) in (very much) many aspects of life which (I hope) would result to a better me. Well, at least for now..I'm happy with myself but always hope to be not perfect but better(in if possible everything - although I know it's technically quite impossible) tomorrow, subsequently the following years.

Just 12months back, on this same day..I was at my cousin's house after a long 12hours journey from my home country. And now, 12 months later at 12am, I'm back here at his house for a short break from my studies. It feels good to have relatives around for a new year celebration. ;) Perhaps, I should be back again next year even if they're no longer here. O yes, it's also a coincidence that the new year is approaching soon, the year is celebrating its birthday again, for the 2009th. I wonder what's awaiting me in the coming year, let the new diary opens its page..

Another shopping day

This evening we went to Nottingham's shopping area, can't recall what it's called. But what I can clearly recall is that it has a great deal of interesting outlets..Next, Dunelm, TkMaxx, DP, Miss Selfridge, many more. It's a shame the daytime is shorter this time of the year, thanks to winter! Hence, back home early. But hey, our visit didn't end there..

We then went to Loughborough town. Could still recall, almost a year ago..I was so fascinated with High Street areas in England when I first visited the town's shopping area after arrival. Today, the memories were drawn together reminding me how fast time passes by. We went to a few shops, returned the clothings I didn't want back to Next, went to Primark, had hot drinks at Costa, continued our mission at Home Bargains for cheap home stuff before heading back home for a delicious Mee Hailam!

Boxing Day

It's the sale of year! 26th December 2008, the day when shoppers go mad! It's Boxing Day, a well known day (after Christmas) where shops and outlets cut down prices up to 70- 90% purely for their beloved customers, taking me as an example..(blink,blink). Together with my cousin and his wife, all of us went to York Designer Outlet, my shopping haven. with my recent visit to York, I am now left with 2 more out of 7 McArthurGlen's outlets in the UK that I always look forward to visit in the future(hopefully soon!).

So, what's so nice abt shopping during boxing day? Simple, things can be cheap for most well known labels. Back at home, it's just a dream to own designer's clothings such as M&S, Timberland, Gap, Polo and many more. But here during boxing day, prices of these labels can be as low as 5pounds! Another reason shopping can be fun. ;)

We were there just before the shops open their doors and were among the last to leave when shops were about to close their doors. Perfect. Among the things I bought : many clothes, chocs, cosmetics and many more to come..

Meals on Christmas

It's Christmas and shops are closed. Earlier this morning we had Sheperds Pie which I made. Tho it was a bit salty we finished it at one go. Better recipe has got to be considered in next attempt! A couple of my cousin's friends invited us for meals later in the evening. We went with empty tummies and had them filled with chicken meals - the first was 'Nasi Ayam' and the second was a Christmas meal - stuffed chicken served with crispy potatoes, honeyed carrots and it's related white vege cousin..parsnip, rice and chicken gravy..huhuuu! poor me! :/ But, all in all..it was a wonderful gathering. Can't wait for tomorrow's sale! hip hip hooray! ;)

Like A Princess..

Hi! I'm already at my cousin's place in the Midlands. Heeheee..feeling like a princess today. Since I arrived this evening, I've been so welcomed by this couple. My cousin's wife cooked 'Maghluba rice' for me, the arabic meal I've craved for a while now..as usual, I had almost 5 plates of the rice and it was yummy! :)) ..After that we watched tv, a means of entertainment I missed to appreciate 25 years ago! geez..Not very long after, my cousin surprised me with a gift! It was a Davidoff Perfume set, the one I've been eyeing on for ages but never actually bought them myself all this while. When I was still blooming happily, they once again made me felt like the luckiest person on earth by bringing in a homemade chocolate cake and my favourite drink, bandung sirap! how sweet.. *blink2, blush, blush*.. only then, i asked what all those were for, and the given answer was..my belated birthday celebration...sweet..thank you very much and i love u guys! muuuaax!

Christmas Gift

Today's the last day of of me at the university for this year! Tomorrow onwards, I'm off to my cousin's in the midlands (Loughborough) for a short break. heee..can't wait for the boxing day sale! wonder where's my cousin and wife are planning to bring me...the only hint i got was, "a special place"...hmm..it better be!

Speaking of special..I do feel special today..and why's that? Only one reason.. to my surprise..I got a Christmas present! nice..it's from my landlord's family. They're so thoughful and sweet! Didn't expect they'd surprise me with the pressie today as how they were went I sent up theirs yesterday. The gift nicely wrapped in a golden box were left on my dining table just before they went away for Christmas..anyhow, thanks very much to the family..To Gerard,Kirsten, Caitlin and Rowan, Have a wonderful Christmas and a great new year celebration! Love, Unaizah.

Day Off

today i had a completely day off from my normal routine - didnt cook and didnt think bout studies at all..felt like i had no responsibilities! light like a feather..heeheeee..it's sometimes a must to break the routine to stay in tune. pretty much like a warm reboot(restart) for a computer, albeit better than a crash, of course very much better than the blue screen of death!

so what did i do today? spent an entire day visiting friends. one of the important rules in life to keep one alive and sane! :) went to baizura and huda's palace in the middle of the town. did i tell u guys that u've a nice and cosy place to lepak2..these ppl are experts when it comes to cooking! we had soto daging and it was simply delicious! i ate like 7 or 8 times, gawd, unaizah! say a little prayer before eating..hmm..dont forget to share the recipe guys! the agenda was eating and chatting in alternate order..ideal one. it continued until nite when we decided to have pizza for dinner. we sent fahmi & shaiful to buy them fr a nearby all time favourite pizza restaurant for a buy 2 and get 1 free deal, but thanks to shaiful for the impressive pr that got us another free piece..heehee..all together we had 4 large pizzas for 6 stomachs- opps..i think including mine alone, i'd have to consider another 6! we had another ideal eating agenda..a totally makan2 day i call it.. ;) thanks to the host! muuuuaax!

Baked Fish for Dinner

heheee..i've a new creation today..foodie talk! had an english dinner tonite. thought of wanting a change of meal and am glad to find that my lemon parsley baked fish turned out quite good, though they can be improved. i've to admit that the english way of cooking is less hassle than the malay style. something to opt for during the busy times..good idea!

*psst : would u believe the portion shown in the pic is for this one person to consume?

PhD Blues :\

im so cranky!..right now im in a state where i'd call it phd blues..perhaps, only those who goes through this 'what have i got myself into' degree completely understand this situation..a state where regardless how much u're madly in love with ur work there comes a moment of uncertainty, unsatisfied, unexpected, unaware, unforeseen, unanticipated...an unfinished list of unss...UN!!! get out of thesee!! :p~ huhuuu..

apologies..this is the sort of feeling when u're stuck somewhere in the middle of doing research, when the data so much hoped for turned out to have low correlation! arrgh! no no! reality is real..yes my dear self..so..what shall i do? take a deep breath? already done so..eat? ate more than my normal consumption! sleep..hmm..wouldn't make much difference..i know..sit back and relax..and perhaps shopping would alleviate..yes..as much i'm into this, i believe motivation and support are the keys for almost any person in this state to stand and walk, possibly run further..time will heal.. ;) for now, indulge in this unwanted moment.. perhaps, just for now..a little music could help.

as i was browsing around, i came to finding this song..a specially dedicated one for all phd candidates in blues(jz like me) out there..enjoy!(unfortunately, u've to d/w to listen) here's the link : http://hcs.science.uva.nl/projects/il/blues/ credit goes to Frans Prins & Pascal Wilhelm!

Hari Raya Aidiladha 2008 @ Lewes

Hi again! what's today's story? hari raya aidiladha..yep, it's my first hari raya haji in a foreign country..the feeling is somewhat different from that celebrated in own country.tho,it wouldnt really be a massively celebrated event even if i were at home, i somehow felt a little strange not really feeling the aura of eid celebration i normally do all this while..hmm..guess, that's normal when u're far away from home..anyway..the previous raya haji wasnt as bad as i would have probably described! huhuu..it was actully quite fun! honestly speaking, i didnt feel lonely at all being here.

so what happened? well..i organized a sort of a dual event at my new home..a house warming party and hari raya aidiladha makan2..it was great that yong & family and arif came along to celebrate together. well..we kinda celebrated on the hari raya eve. guess that's fine. a number of invited guests were ppl from the lab, they were rossano, grecia, alberto, chris and hector..thanks guys for filling in the invitation! they've been wanting to try authentic malaysian food..apart from others, poor chris had to cope with burning toungue, thanks to the hot food! yes, aunthentic malaysian dishes they were..glad that they enjoyed the food..am also happy that my first attempt of making beef rendang came to great success!yippie! special thanks goes to arif for all help! thanks to yong for the kuah kacang(peanut sauce) and nasi himpit(according to yong, compressed rice!), we also had kerabu rocket, meehoon goreng,fried wonton,sambal goreng, fried vege & white rice..it was a marvellous feast! yuummiee..we then played monopoly - the brighton & hove edition..nice one..