It's that time of the year again when people will be making new year resolutions. Some do so privately, others eagerly telling the whole world (via twitter, FB, etc). There was a time when I was one of them. Not this year. I asked myself do I need to make resolutions come new year? What if I'm not up to it? What if I think that new year's eve is just not significant enough for me to make one? After all it's just another day.
Not that I don't make resolutions at all. I constantly make resolutions throughout the year -when something significant (to me, might not be to you!) happenned in my life. I remembered making one, recently, after Boxing Day. I was thinking,
"I have everything I need right now, I won't need to buy ANYTHING until next year".
... somehow, I got a feeling that 'until next year' really meant until 'the Summer Sale'... hehehe! Then, there was the time when I couldn't send my assignment on time. I pledged loudly to never do my work last minute ever again (to which the 'kakaks' at GSOE just laughed). Truth is, they and I know that is never going to happen. We need the adrenalin rush when we do our work at that most critical period. But deep down, I'm hoping that I can change this destructive habit as now I remembered that there's another assignment deadline coming up... :(.
There you have it folks! I don't have any resolutions specially made to commemorate 2010 :), I do it all the time. For you guys who have one, all the best in meeting those resolutions!
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Monday, December 28, 2009
December Diaries
My last month in 2009 was filled with activities and happenings.
8th Dec
I was jolted from sleep at dawn by a panic hubby. The kitchen pipe had burst, water had flooded the kitchen and he couldn't locate the mains. So, in a daze, I made some calls and set out to mop the floor (which proved to be futile). Luckily our Malaysian friends who lived nearby, came after getting our SOS. They too, couldn't find the mains but managed to temporary stop the leak. Later a plumber came, located the mains in the most unthought-of place (inside the boiler) and fixed the pipe. Moral of the story: you should know where your mains for your electricity and water are if you are in the UK. It can be anywhere (someone's mains is even in the master bedroom). Kat Malaysia senang aje tempatnya...
9th Dec
Took time off from doing my assignments to watch my son perform in his school's nativity play in conjunction with Christmas. So cute :).
10th Dec
Handed-in my first assignment for the semester - statistics. I slogged it out for the assignment but was taken aback when I saw how thick the others' were compared to mine. Oh well, tawakkal aje lah. But what do you know... I did pretty well (somebody let me in on my results...hehehe).
12th Dec
Attended the first session of MCB's winter photography workshop. The instructors were Riezal and Omen. Some basics on photography but nonetheless, informative.
22nd Dec
Handed in my second assignment - a 20 page critique of a research article. In order to critique one article, I ended reading even more books and article. Lastly, dah tak larat nak baca, hantar je lah ...
23rd Dec
Chaperoned my two kids to watch 'New Moon'. The fact that I watched the movie a month after it openned, shows that I'm really not into all this Twilight-New Moon-Edward Cullen hype. I was really looking forward to the wolf-gnarling and Edward-bashing (no offence, Edward's fans :)) scenes that I saw in the trailer, though. Boy, was I let down. They were so brief! (just like in the trailer!). My verdict: the movie was a drag! I think Twilight was a wee bit better than this one (New Moon), although the former did drive me nuts with the oh-so-many scenes of the actors staring lovey-doveyly into each other's eyes :P. BTW Jacob looked so much better than Edward ... hehehe.
25th Dec
Spent Christmas at home - relaxing, watching TV, cooking, eating. Very merry indeed :).
26th Dec
I couldn't have possibly rivalled Rebecca Brandon nee Bloomwood, but was knocked out all the same on Boxing day. Well, after working so hard, I should reward myself, right? Hubby pointed out:
... and that's all I have to say about my December.
8th Dec
I was jolted from sleep at dawn by a panic hubby. The kitchen pipe had burst, water had flooded the kitchen and he couldn't locate the mains. So, in a daze, I made some calls and set out to mop the floor (which proved to be futile). Luckily our Malaysian friends who lived nearby, came after getting our SOS. They too, couldn't find the mains but managed to temporary stop the leak. Later a plumber came, located the mains in the most unthought-of place (inside the boiler) and fixed the pipe. Moral of the story: you should know where your mains for your electricity and water are if you are in the UK. It can be anywhere (someone's mains is even in the master bedroom). Kat Malaysia senang aje tempatnya...
9th Dec
Took time off from doing my assignments to watch my son perform in his school's nativity play in conjunction with Christmas. So cute :).
10th Dec
Handed-in my first assignment for the semester - statistics. I slogged it out for the assignment but was taken aback when I saw how thick the others' were compared to mine. Oh well, tawakkal aje lah. But what do you know... I did pretty well (somebody let me in on my results...hehehe).
12th Dec
Attended the first session of MCB's winter photography workshop. The instructors were Riezal and Omen. Some basics on photography but nonetheless, informative.
13th Dec
Added one more feather to my cap - DIY barber! Thought I could save money by cutting the menfolks' hair myself. Men's haircut here costs about 7 pounds (that would be about RM 35) and they don't really cut that much (macam trim aje). So with some encouragement from hubby and my friend, Faezah, I bought the Babyliss clipper kit which was on sale at Asda and set out to 'menggondolkan' all those bushy heads! Ngeh! Ngeh! Ngeh! It was not too difficult when you have the right tools (should have done this a long time ago!)
17th Dec
My forthnightly meeting with my supervisor. She told me not to kill myself over the assignments...hehehe...
"You don't mind getting a B or C, do you?"
she asked with great concern that I guiltily said I don't. Truth is I DO mind! Am going to confess about this mad obsession when we meet in two weeks time to discuss about my research questions. Ayoyo!
19th Dec
Attended second session of the photography workshop. The instructors were Akob and Nato, the humble 'photo-hobbyist'. Check-out his work at this link. 
20th Dec
Teman budak2 play snow at the backyard. Wondered how they could last for so many hours in the plunging temperature. I kept running back to the house to warm my fingers and feet!
22nd Dec
Handed in my second assignment - a 20 page critique of a research article. In order to critique one article, I ended reading even more books and article. Lastly, dah tak larat nak baca, hantar je lah ...
23rd Dec
Chaperoned my two kids to watch 'New Moon'. The fact that I watched the movie a month after it openned, shows that I'm really not into all this Twilight-New Moon-Edward Cullen hype. I was really looking forward to the wolf-gnarling and Edward-bashing (no offence, Edward's fans :)) scenes that I saw in the trailer, though. Boy, was I let down. They were so brief! (just like in the trailer!). My verdict: the movie was a drag! I think Twilight was a wee bit better than this one (New Moon), although the former did drive me nuts with the oh-so-many scenes of the actors staring lovey-doveyly into each other's eyes :P. BTW Jacob looked so much better than Edward ... hehehe.
25th Dec
Spent Christmas at home - relaxing, watching TV, cooking, eating. Very merry indeed :).
26th Dec
I couldn't have possibly rivalled Rebecca Brandon nee Bloomwood, but was knocked out all the same on Boxing day. Well, after working so hard, I should reward myself, right? Hubby pointed out:
"That's a shopaholic excuse."
Whatever, Jeej. I'm happy that I spent within my means, and I'm pleasantly surprised that you didn't nag. ... and that's all I have to say about my December.
Happy New Year everybody! :)
Sunday, December 20, 2009
It's snowing in Bristol!
They say this happens once in a blue moon. After all, Bristol is supposed to be a snow-free zone (most of the time). Snow was reported to fall rather heavily in February early this year. Now, 10 months later, it's back again.
(might have to buy those red sleighs from ASDA after all...:))
view from the house
I don't know how I feel.... but I do know that a certain PYT is rejoicing :). The sons are sound asleep but I bet they'll jump for joy when they wake-up tomorrow. A white Christmas this is going to be for Bristolians. Cheers! (might have to buy those red sleighs from ASDA after all...:))
Monday, December 7, 2009
The Bridge That Isambard Built
At last...
After about 2 months in Bristol, I finally set foot on her famous icon - the Clifton Suspension Bridge.
I have been wanting to go there ever since I saw it two days after I arrived at the city. As I recalled, we were on our way to the north of Bristol when I saw this majestic structure 'perched' on the cliff. I was totally awed.
There was an information centre at the North Somerset side of the bridge. Hubby (who majored in structure, but ended up in the 'net':P) was so into the exhibits. So, we spent quite sometime there watching the interactive show and reading the historical bits and pieces. I bought a few memorabilia to signify our visit there. Then, it was crossing back to the other side.
Once there, we went up to this 'castle' which turned out to be an observatory known as Bristol Camera Obscura. We didn't enter the place because by that time it was almost Asr, so we had to hurry home for our prayers (siang dah pendek...).
We will definitely visit the bridge again on another sunny day (which is hard to come by these days...huhuhu).
After about 2 months in Bristol, I finally set foot on her famous icon - the Clifton Suspension Bridge.
I have been wanting to go there ever since I saw it two days after I arrived at the city. As I recalled, we were on our way to the north of Bristol when I saw this majestic structure 'perched' on the cliff. I was totally awed.
The Clifton Suspension Bridge was the work of British legendary engineer, Isambard Kingdom Brunel (even his name sounds like some legendary character from Tolkien!). He was 24 when he was commissioned to build the bridge in 1831. He did not live to see it completed, though - he died at the age of 53.
Amidst the low temperature and the cold wind, we took our time to savour the surroundings as we walked. I pretty much lagged behind, not because I was out of breath, but rather, I couldn't resist snapping the breath-taking views of the bridge at different angles.
"Nak masuk dalam blog lah tu..." Hubby perli :D
When we eventually crossed the bridge, I was surprised that I didn't feel dizzy at all. I even managed to stop midway (woo hoo!)to take pictures of Hotwells Road below, the River Avon and Clifton Village.
There was an information centre at the North Somerset side of the bridge. Hubby (who majored in structure, but ended up in the 'net':P) was so into the exhibits. So, we spent quite sometime there watching the interactive show and reading the historical bits and pieces. I bought a few memorabilia to signify our visit there. Then, it was crossing back to the other side.
Once there, we went up to this 'castle' which turned out to be an observatory known as Bristol Camera Obscura. We didn't enter the place because by that time it was almost Asr, so we had to hurry home for our prayers (siang dah pendek...).We will definitely visit the bridge again on another sunny day (which is hard to come by these days...huhuhu).
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