Marvelous May

Dear Diary,

I've been quite a lazy person this past few weeks. I (think I) have been so caught up with work during the semester that I have had less rest so yeah, now is the time to truly embrace it. Funny thing is, I'll feel sleepy by 8.30-9-ish pm but then after 10.30pm my eyes are wide awake and it cant really close until around 3-4am. I spent my nights watching the One Tree Hill series or just surfing the internet. And then wake up around 11-ish am. Haha I know its not good, but oh well, just live with it :P

Because Im so lazy, I've been procrastinating to write the trip's entry and other eventful days in my life which happened recently. Thus, Ive decided to make a *special* post for the things that happened for the month. (say Yeayyy!) So, this entry will start from my trip to Tawau, a sleepover with the besties and day-outs with the family.

I guess my lazy-ness started when I returned back from Tawau. That's because I, (eh I mean we) worked our ass off for that trip. I was initially the Timbalan Pengarah 1 for the committee but then something came up that made the Pengarah couldnt came along so that makes me the Pengarah for the trip.

I finished my exams on the 28th April, took a 2 day break at home and then started working nearly 18 hours per day for that trip for about 4 days. It was worth it, though. The trip was from 6th to 11th May 2010 at Kampung Merotai, Tawau. The rombongan's total was 22 people. Basically, its a community-service kinda trip as we did quite a few community service there.

Our flight was at 8.25 am at KLIA; and we went to the airport at about 6.30am. Upon arriving there, the top 3 rushed to check-in via the self check in counter while other AJKs took the bags and stuff. After quite a drama at the airport, we finally managed to check in the baggage and had to run to terminal A7. I must say, that was the only time I wished I was quite a runner :P And we safely sat in our seats at around 8.18 am. Just in time for the terminal to close its gates.

KUL-TWU 2660

We arrived Tawau Airport around 11.30 am and passed through the immigration without any problem, Alhamdulillah.

Immigration Office, Tawau Airport

Syikin-Suliha (My Timbalan Pengarah)-Jiha at Tawau Airport after picking up luggages.

We then took a bus that we rent from the Tawau Airport to Kampung Merotai. The journey took around 1 hour. Almost dozed off in the bus as it was windy (yea the bus didnt have aircond) but then kalau tidur sure moody bila bangun. haha.

At 2pm was the Majlis Perasmian dan Penyerahan Anak Angkat Kepada Keluarga Angkat. It was YB Pang Yuk Ming who officiate the ceremony. Suliha and I stayed with Pak Harry and Ibu Ira during our trip there.

Opening Ceremony. Me (red tshirt) with Suliha. On my left is YB Pang Yuk Ming and on Suliha's right are our foster parents.

The first activity was gotong royong, on our next day there; 7th May 2010 but unfortunately I couldnt join the activity as we (the top 3) had to go to town and settle some things. But I was told the gotong royong went fine, Alhamdulillah.

Our next activity was at Taman Didikan Asuhan Kanak-Kanak OKU Sri Stella which was also on 7th May 2010 at 2pm. This place is for kids with syndrome down and some are spastics. It was an eye opening experience to visit and spend time with those kids. They were really sincere, and honest. They didnt judge us and just accept as one of their owns. Of course, the workers there were really helpful and nice. Had a colouring session with the kids besides some singing and dancing time. We had fun and most importantly, they did too :)

Me and Adik Ishak

Me-Adik Lily-Iwah-ImsorryIcantrememberhisname

Jiha-Me-ImsorryIcantrememberhisnametoo-Zuazlynn

Group photo with the Penguasa-En Hussin

That night we had some makan-makan at Bandar Tawau and tried their seafood. Personally it wasnt the best seafood Ive ever had but it was okay, especially considering that it was paid for :)

Me-Suliha-Iwah goofing around the poor fish that was about to get cooked

The next day, 8th May 2010 (Saturday), we had a program at SMK Tawau. The program was for the form fives to identify which path they are choosing after their SPM. The program started at around 8am and the participants was around 88 students. A good number; not too many and not too little. The program went great and smoothly. The school also gave us lunch and souvenirs for us to take home.

Me and Jiha in front of SMK Tawau

Me and Jiha during the school morning break

Group photo at SMK Tawau. The susunan was perfect but the bags kinda destroys the pic. Haha

After the school activity, it made me think that I want to do the same thing to my school. That school was Suliha's ex-school, btw and they were so proud of her. Her headmistress couldnt stop saying how she is the 'product' of the school and for giving back to the school in this kinda way. Yea but then I think, the situation is kinda different. I mean I think form 5 students at my ex-school has already in mind what they're gonna do after SPM so maybe we weouldnt be much help. But still, If I have the chance to give back to my school, I would.

The next day, which is a Sunday (9th May 2010) was a relaxing day. Me and Suliha went to town with Pak Harry and Ibu Ira and Kak Wiwi. Before that, we stopped by Pak Harry's kebun itik. Haha I was scared of the itiks and Suliha made fun of me. Not nice.

Itik masuk kandang

Along the way to Bandar Tawau. Tawau was so darn hot but this is what I love most about hot places; they give you wonderful sky and perfect lighting. :)

Went to Pasar Gantung and bought souvenirs for the loved ones. Although Suliha was a local, she didnt help much in the bargaining, pffttt. Gotta back up your bargaining skills, makcik :P

On that night we had a talk from Ustaz Abdul Rahman, an ustaz from the Jabatan Kemajuan Islam (JAKIM) Tawau and was also the Imam Daerah Tawau. The talk was on Mothers as it was Mother's Day that day. He was funny and kept making jokes during his talk.

Suliha-Me-Tati (She's my secretary and she was a superb one!)

We continued our activity the next day (10th May 2010; Monday) by visiting the Old Folks Home in Air Panas, Tawau. They were friendly and happy. When we went there, all that we had in mind was that these kind of homes are for people who have been abandoned by their child or the people who are staying here are sad and gloomy people. But in fact, they are happy. Of course, there are some of them that are probably left by their kids but most of them stayed there as it provides good facilities and they want to be with their friends. They were given 5 meals per day, taken care by nurses (beautiful nurses, may I add) and the place has so many to offer.

We stayed there for about 4 hours and did some mural painting on one of their walls and plant so many flowers and plants. We thought it was a great activity :)

Group photo with the Penguasa-En Taufiq Leong and some nurses.

They also have a karaoke set mind you, and we had quite of a karaoke session that day. I nearly cried when En Taufiq asked me to sing a song and I think my face showed it well. Haha. I would die if I had to sing a song. Maluuuuu. Ask me to give a spontaneous speech I can still do it but karaoke, pleaseeeee.

Uncle Acai was one of the sporting ones there.

After that we went to Bandar Tawau for 30 mins as some needed to buy some more stuffs. (Half of the group chose to spend more than 30 mins and decided to went back by themselves using the local bus; maybe because 30 mins wasnt enough for them to go shopping. Again.) Haha. Then we (the ones that spent only 30mins) went back home and spend time with the foster family.

That night, we had the Closing Ceremony and it was officiate by YB Datuk Hjh Hamisa Samat. YB Datuk also gave us 4 packs of keropok Amplang to be brought back home. yeayy. I also had to give a speech as the wakil from UPM and was nervous as hell. Thank god I didnt fell down the stage. Haha.

Group photo with YB Datuk (blue baju kurung)

That night, after the official ceremony was over and people are starting to eat, I was feeling quite sentimental. I also requested to hug Suliha as she was the person who knew how much hard work we had to go through. We started the work for this program from November 2009 and it went through one whole semester. Starting with budget problems, we also had to cut down nearly half AJKs (the initial group was 40) because of money constraint. Then there were the ticket problems, budget problems some more, activity problem, interference problem, airport problem, yeah it was quite a challenging program but thank god, we made it.

Looking back, I think we did a pretty good job. :) The college has never done a program outside of Semenanjung so this should be a start for many many outside Semenanjung programs to come, InsyaAllah. There was also quite a talk about this programme among other colleges so yeah, I really think it is quite a success :)

So the last day we were there (Tuesday, 11th May 2010), I went to an interview with Radio RTM Tawau to talk about the activities that we did during our short stay there. It was my first time doing a radio interview and I would say that it was quite a good experience :)

Me-DJ Normah-Tuan Syeed-Suliha

After that we went to Pasar Gantung (Again!) and then before head back to our home, we went to Taman Bukit Tawau for some photo session.

Taman Bukit Tawau

Went home, did the last bag-packing and off to Balai Raya.

With Ibu Ira at her house

With Jiha at Balai Raya before going on the bus to the airport

Our flight was at 5-ish pm and we arrived at the airport early so we had time to do the post-mortem.

The best Timbalan Pengarah. She is calm and collected while Im (most of the time) clumsy, and garang (says some of the AJKs :P)

Arrived UPM at about 11pm and slept for about 6 hours before having to wake up early at 8am to settle for the leftover things. We have to send a report to the BHeP after each programme so the top 3 stayed at college for a day to settle the stuff.

Ayah picked me up at 5pm; 12th May and went straight back home. Then I checked my FB and remembered that my besties and I had planned a sleepover at Farah's place on the next day. I was still tired but it wasnt everyday that we have a sleepover so I decided to let me tiredness forgotten for a while and woke up early the next day :)

We arrived at One Utama around 11am and went straight to Garden's Cafe to have our lunch. The place was niceeeee, I love it!

With my fish and chips

Afzan and I did some window shopping (good self control, haha) while Farah and Hani did some shopping. Farah won, of course. Hee. We went to 4 different places to eat! (Yea, thats why we call our club-Kelab Suka Makan). Had lunch at Garden's Cafe, dessert at Baskin Robbins, tea at KFC (?) and dinner at Penang's Cafe (I think). We had a blast!

Group photo

At the Penang Cafe for dinner

We went to Fara's home at around 11pm and continued to chit chat until around 12am. I dozed off while waiting for Hani to look for a DVD for us to watch. haha. Woke up for Subuh and then slept in until noon. It was gooood, I tell you. They made fun of me; being the first to sleep and the last to wake up. Heee. Oh well, Im known for my love to sleep :P

We had our breakfasts (Hani and I cooked us some scramble eggs) and then we baked vanilla muffin while had our lunch - Domino's Pizza. We wanted to gout for cendol but then we fell asleep during the evening and when we woke up it was already 6pm. Too late for cendol!

That night we went to dinner at Romzee; had the usual nasi lauk food and went straight to i-City after that. We had fun taking pictures and goofing around, as usual. ;)

With the pretty Afzan

Our last group photo. I really heart them. They truly summed up the word 'friends'. ♥

After that two wonderful days, I get to sleep-in and wake up late. Tee-hee. Went to visit Atuk (Shah Alam) on my first weekend home, gave her the pearl ring I bought in Sabah and she wore it during our outings. Hee :)

Tyqa and Atuk at Johnnys

Me and Mama at Johnnys

Here are some photos of us during our family outings.

Im having wayyy too much fun than Qma :p

Sisterly photo on our way to visit Ayah's friend (Aunty June) at the hospital

With Qma at Cempaka Rimba before going back to Tok's home in Perak

Yesterday (27th May 2010) Mama and Ayah had some work at UM and they drop us off at MidValley. Went to The Gardens and had Waffle and Ice Cream at Baskin Robbins. Glad the girls liked the Ice Cream flavour that I chose :)

If you're seeing this picture on a hot day, Im sorry for being rude. Haha. And if it helps, it was goooooooooddd :D

Tyqa and I also bought some make-ups from Rimmel and it was quite a catch, I tell you. Buy RM40 above and we get 3 things free - Foundation, Mascara and Lip Gloss. So we bought Glam Eyes Mascara and Concealer and got those three things! :)

The goodies

I had to reaaalllyyy restrained myself from going into The Body Shop (for the 2nd time) as they were having a huge sale and some of the items are even 50-70% off. God knows how much I love wonderful-smelling things thus, it was quite a challenge not to buy anything. haha. Thank god for garang sisters.

Last sisterly photo before we went back :)

Overall, I think this month has been a great month with so many eventful things happened in my life. Though now I hope, June will be better. Jakarta and Singapore, please please be good to me. Have those big mid-year sales when I come okay? Heeee :D

cikyn