26th birthday

Just like my wedding anniversary, my birthday fell on a Monday.

I took leave on that day and on Tuesday as well. No way I was gonna work on my birthday and be depressed about going to work the next day.

Hubby couldn't take leave on my birthday so I went to my parents' house to spend some time with my mum. First thing in the morning, the parents gave me a birthday card.

For my parents, birthday card is a must for each birthday. Clearly they don't really mind about not preserving the environment.

I spent my birthday shopping at KLCC with my mum. Initially I wanted a Pandora bracelet as a gift but then there's none of the design that I like. I ended up choosing a gold-plated Swarovski bracelet instead.The bracelet has a timeless, classic design and I just love the 3 crystals on it.

After my husband came home from work, we went out for dinner at Subang Parade and he bought me the Panasonic Ionic Facial Steamer which I've always wanted:

I'll do a review on the facial steamer in a future post.

Mum's birthday

On this date, 53 years ago, my mum was born. Somewhere in Muar I think.

Usually, on birthdays, people will say nice things about you, but I'm gonna start telling you all about the things my mum do that never fail to irritate me. Haha.

1. I am 23 years old and my mum still dresses me. Most of the tops I have are low-cut (but still modest and doesn't show any cleavage), but my mum seems to have a problem with them and always tell me to wear something else. Hmmph!

2. My mum is always complaining nonstop whenever I drive. Yup, my driving scares her, even though I drive as safely as I could. This always piss me off, but then my mum would pretend that she's yelling at other drivers on the road. Yeah right. She's the only human being who isn't comfortable with my driving. My dad and my friends ok je.

3. She is IT illiterate. I know this shouldn't be a problem and you'll probably tell me to be patient and teach her bla bla bla. But let me tell you something. I've been teaching her how to use the e-mail since I was 16. And up until now, she's still very confused about it. This is the former HR exec who claimed to get carpal tunnel syndrom from working long hours in front of the computer. Haha.

4. I would come home late at night, all tired and hungry, and she cooked white glass noodles (which I hate) with absolutely no taste.

5. Whenever we eat at a restaurant and both order the same thing, for example, grilled chicken, she would take the larger breast part and give me the smaller portion of the drumstick.

If I were to proceed with this list, it will be a long post and that's not nice, considering that it's her birthday. But my mum isn't all that bad. There are countless nice things about her. Such as...

1. She understands me very well. For example, when I told her I don't want to be a civil engineer, and she respects my decision (unlike my dad). She went through all the trouble looking up non-engineering jobs for me.

2. She's very supportive of me.She helped me with my final year project, conducting surveys and all that (which is veryyy tiring).

3. She thinks I'm smart. There are only two people in the universe who thinks I'm intelligent, one is my boyfriend, and the other one is my mum. It feels great, when my mum is very proud of my hard work. Whenever a building collapse somewhere, or there's a slope failure problem, my mum would ask me why, how it happened etc. Haha, she thinks I'm so smart that I can tell why a structure collapse! How flattering. Oh, and whenever someone asked her to make donations toward a better environment, she would tell the person about her daughter doing a thesis on the environment bla bla bla. Haha bangga betul.

Hmm...I guess that's all I can say. Err...5 bad things, and 3 good things? No, it's not what you think. I would write more good things, but my thesis is still stuck at Chapter 4!

So I just wanna say...

Happy birthday 53th Mum! I love you!

I'm 23 years old today!

It's Thursday and I have no class and it's my birthday!

Yeay I'm the happiest girl on the planet!

Unlike previous birthdays, my birthday presents this year are simple and inexpensive. Except for my boyfriend's gifts. They're expensive! Hehe.

My parents gave me simple but thoughtful gifts. My dad gave my mum RM100 to buy my birthday present. So my mum bought this pink handbag at Marks & Spencer.

Tengok tu. Siap dengan price tag lagi. From RM149 reduced to RM99. And my mum dengan bangganya cakap when she bought it, the bag was further reduced to RM69. Hehe takpe lah. It's not the price but the thought that counts. And this bag is cute and perfect for everyday use (the lighting in this photo is very bad though).

My mum gave me Patchi white chocolates. Yes I love white chocolate. But this is sabotaging my diet! Hahaha.

Look! 2 identical birthday cards! This year, my parents gave me the same birthday card as the one I got for my 21st birthday. The difference is, this year they wrote something extra "All the best for your thesis." Gee...thanks a lot for the reminder.

My boyfriend gave me a set of 5 miniature perfumes. Rock Me by Anna Sui, Daisy by Marc Jacobs, Flight of Fancy by Anna Sui, Flora by Gucci and Be Delicious Fresh Blossom by DKNY. I've always wanted Rock Me, Flight of Fancy and Flora, while Daisy was my boyfriend's pick (tak sangka dia pandai pilih yang ni) and Be Delicious was his sister's choice (I have to admit she's got great taste).

These miniature perfumes are so cute! Maybe I should start collecting them from now on...

And these are my birthday girls for myself. Very simple stuffs. Sophie Kinsella's Twenties Girl (discount 20% for Popular cardmembers), Body Shop's White Musk White Hot Summer body mist (RM14 only coz I got my RM35 rebate) and Revlon's Colorstay foundation (10% discount). Semua discount.

Decided to buy the Revlon Colorstay foundation as it received lots of good reviews on the Internet. Some people recommended high end brands Lancome, Shiseido and Giorgio Armani and these brands got excellent reviews as well, but nanti la try. Right now I can only afford drugstore brands. Haha.

Things I've done as a 22-year-old

Nothing crazy like skydiving or bungee jumping off KLCC or anything like that...

1. Took the highest number of credit hours

It was during the second semester of my third year, I took 18 credit hours! That's the highest number of credit hours I've taken throughout my entire 4 years of doing Bachelor of Civil Engineering. Structural Steel Design, Structural Analysis II, Reinforced Concrete I, Soil Mechanics II, Water & Wastewater Engineering, Technical Communications...all killer subjects in 1 semester! Surprisingly, I passed all the subjects with a GPA of 3.44. I still don't know how I did it.

2. Started DIY perming at home

I permed my hair for the first time when I was 18 or 19 (I did it at the salon). But last year, I decided to do some DIY curls at home. I bought the Phillips Multistylist set and curled my hair. The curls lasted only for 5 minutes. Then I bought some plastic curlers at Amcorp Mall and learned the right technique of curling my hair.


3. Work!
Fyi, I've never worked before (what a spoilt brat right?). After SPM when friends are busy working their part time jobs, I stayed at home. However, last year in April, I had to undergo an industrial training program. I worked at TNB Engineering Corporation...with my boyfriend! It was such a wonderful experience. I was so happy. The office was beside Amcorp Mall and I was always broke. And I think I gained weight as well. Good food!
Another memorable experience was when Mr. Y and I celebrated our 3-year anniversary...at a district cooling plant in Bangsar. Hahaha.

4. Met my boyfriend's entire family
I first met his parents and sisters when I was 19. But last year in June, his elder sister Munirah tied the knot and that's when I got the chance to meet his entire family. They were really nice and cool. But I was very shy around them though. (>_<)

5. Went to Madame Tussaud for the first time!
I've always wanted to go there, and finally in November last year, I did!!! I took pictures with almost all of the wax figures there. Hey, I paid 25 pounds! Better pose with everything there.


6. Went to London for the 8th time
I just love this place so much!


7. Became a full-time driver!
Got my driving license when I was 18. But I rarely drive. And I was such a bad driver, lack in confidence. In my third year in university, my dad bought me my first car. Tu pun I tak drive sangat. When I was in third year, my dad would send my car to Uniten, and I would only drive the car from my apartment to my classes. If I wanna go home during weekends, my dad would fetch me. Finally, I got sick of that routine and decided to GROW UP and stop relying on my dad to drive me around. Plus, it's a waste if I don't drive my car around so much.
So I told my parents, I wanna stay at home during my final year, and drive everyday to Uniten. My parents were hesitant at first, but then they respected my decision.
So here I am, right now, driving to Uniten everyday , getting stuck with rush hour traffic on Mondays and Tuesdays. I travel about 60km everyday, I'm so impressed with myself! Impressed that I can drive with all these crazy Malaysian drivers.
I still can't believed it! I'm so independent now. I've grown up!

What I bought with my birthday money...

After keeping my birthday money safely in my piggy bank for ages (well, 3 months to be exact), I finally found some things I like (and need), so today I spent it.

Went to KLCC. All the way I was thinking, "It's recession Nana! What the hell are you doing in a shopping mall??" But another voice told me that if I don't buy those things I want, I will experience sleepless nights.

So I bought these things:

This bag is from Dorothy Perkins. I've always wanted a bag like this. Black, spacious, err...durable. Don't know how to describe it. But it fits the bill of The Bag I Want.

Clinique All About Eyes eye cream, Anti-Blemish Clearing Concealer, free toiletries pouch and free moisturizer.

Thanks dear!

By the way, I would strongly recommend this book. It's the bestest Little Black Dress book ever!

Anyone who has had their heart broken by an evil ex will enjoy this! It's funny, the way Maddy(the main character) plots revenge against her ex, Carlton. The writer did a really great job in potraying Carlton as the biggest jerk on the planet, I'm sure you'll hate him as much as I do!Hehe.

This book also send out the message that life has its ups and downs. Just because your life is in the dumpster doesn't mean you're fated to be like that forever. You'll just have to work hard and have a positive mental attitude to suceed. This is a chick lit and motivational book rolled into one.

Anyway...

My mum has gone back to JB...for a week! Errk. This coming week will be a Modern Wife Training Module for me. Office work + house chores.

Go to work, come home and do the laundry, clean the house...and now that my mum's gone I'll have to be Koko's mummy. That cat is supernice to me now. She doesn't even try to scratch me. Ha! That's because she's stuck with me and my mum's not home!

Mum's birthday

Today is my mum's birthday. I gave her a cute birthday card. I don't know what to get her. For her past birthdays, I bought her a few things and it turned out that she didn't like them. I wish my mum is a bookworm like me, so I can just simply buy her a good book. Too bad I'm the only one in the family who likes to read. I wonder from whom I inherited this from?

She wanted the Valentine's Day Swatch, I couldn't afford it. I wanted to buy her a box of Mingles, but I couldn't find it. The Body Shop Vitamin E neck gel--too boring. Recipe books--even more boring. Brooches--too cheap.

So this morning she mentioned about her nonexistent birthday, so me and Mr.Y bought her one. So it's settled then. This year I gave her a card and birthday cake.

Money matters

My grandma is staying at my house now. She remembers my birthday. She really got a good memory, considering her age.

She gave me RM50 as a birthday present. And a card with Happy Birthday song. So happy! Even though the sound is too loud, malu gak bile bukak card tu. Satu rumah bleh dengar.

My mum gave me a Tie Rack handbag as a present (when we're in London. That's another story). My bf gave me money, my grandma gave me money as well. Mostly my presents are money.


But then again, don't we all love money???

My 22nd Birthday

Today is the national holiday to the world a.k.a my birthday.

So far I've only got ONE present. From my boyfriend.

My bf, like my dad, is clueless about buying presents for women. When I'm out shopping with my dad and I ask him, which top is cuter, this or that, and he'd say, "Both look OK to me." Gee, thanks for the opinion, dad. That really helps.

My bf is no different. If I ask him, which bag is more gorgeous, this one or that one. He'd say, "Ntah, I tengok dua2 sama je."

For my first birthday since we're together, he got me a white gold necklace, a mug and rose. My second birthday with him, he gave me white gold earrings and a stuffed toy. I love all of these presents. But this year, he has no idea what to get me.

So, he gave me wads of cash.

It's so NOT romantic but it's very practical!!

Rather than he waste his money on something I will not like, it's better if he gives me money to get what I want. He said I'm the coolest girlfriend ever, coz I agreed with the fact that he gives me money, not presents, as it makes things easier for him. Hmmph! Men! But it's OK though.

Besides cash, he also gave me roses and a card. Thank you dear!

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Before I went back to Uniten on Monday (2nd February) my parents surprised me with a birthday cake and a sweet birthday card. My dad said that I'll be getting my present soon. Everyone's busy then. I was about to go to class, and my parents had to go back to Johor.

Happy Birthday to...? Haha. My name isn't on the cake. This cake is cheap, not Secret Recipe or anything, so no name! Hehe. But it's the most delicious cake I've ever tasted!

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By the way, here's the winners for Fastest SMS Contest (a.k.a first three people to send me SMS wishing me Happy Birthday)

2nd runner up......Zarweena Abu
1st runner up........Nor Syazana Adar
Winner....................Muhammad Yasser Sabri

Congrats. But no prize for winning. Hehe.
PEOPLE WHO BOTHER TO WISH ME HAPPY BIRTHDAY:
My boyfriend Mr.Y
My best friends Yana and Aween
My close friends in Uniten--Yah,Kak Shahadah,Kak Lin,Wani
My family--my parents, cousins Lina, Ze, Che Chik, Che Chu
Jeniffer, Wani, my ex-housemate Yan, Mr.Y's mum, Mr.Y's sis Aby
Some strangers on Friendster, Facebook...Classmates...

Wahh...this much only?? I'm so unpopular.But it's OK. Because they remember my birthday (even though they might be reminded by Friendster/ Facebook/handphones), it's enough to make me happy.

Shopping for someone's birthday

Yesterday I went to KLCC to buy Y's birthday present.

After hours of looking around, I finally found the perfect gift.

Then I went home and I had second thoughts. The gift is kind of...dull. I imagine myself as the person receiving it, and I think, "Only this???"

So I racked my brain last night, thinking what else to get him. There's something at KLCC which I really like but there's no way I'm coming back to KLCC for the second time. KLCC is like a pasar malam, but with air-cond. The place is so packed!

So today, I went to Great Eastern mall, hoping to find another gift that will complement the one I bought yesterday. I wasn't hoping so much, coz you know la, Great Eastern mall, how many things do they have there? I went to MPH, searching for any good books, but there's none. Besides, I don't think Mr.Y likes to read. I wanted to go to a sports shop, but I don't know exactly what to buy there. A fitness shop, but he already has all the fitness equipments at home. Lovely Lace? Nahh, too girly. Timberland? Nothing interesting.

I was about to give up and went home until I went into this shop, and found the perfect gift (at least,to me it's perfect la). I was so happy. Haha. I found him another present, at Great Eastern mall, of all places.

Wanna know what I got him? Wait til the next post ;)

Princess!

To escape from living under the same roof with my evil grandma and having to entertain all her guests, so I went to Uniten today to register for special sem. And then went to Sunway Pyramid to buy birthday pressies for my mum. One thing about me is that I suck when it comes to giving presents. Usually I will give the randomest, commonest, most boring gifts ever.
Decided to buy her shower gel and handcream from Marks & Spencer. Thought of buying her a handwash, but sometimes I use her bathroom and she'll accuse me of buying the present for my own good.Hah! But I never use her shower gel,so I figure it'll make a good gift and she can always use a handcream too. But anyway, it's still considered as terrible gifts...shower gel and hand cream?? :p
Bought my dad a get well soon card and the M&S Harvard talc which he loves so much (so that he won't feel down when I give my mum pressies and he's miserably lying on the bed). Huge mistake. Went home to find out that he still has a bottle of Harvard talc, still half full.
Anyway, the highlight of today is I already got my Princess perfume! Yipee! Not just the perfume, but also with body lotion, body polish, keychain and bag. The whole set cost RM 245, which I think is definitely worth buying coz the perfume itself is RM223. And my hubby was kind enough to contribute RM45(coz at first I sulked like a 5-year-old coz I wanted the perfume so badly but he told me to wait til anniversary) Hihi, thanks dear!However, the salesperson there was reluctant to sell it off, I guess he/she wants it.Hehe.Well,too bad.It's mine now!It smells soo good I luv it!
My aunt and her husband slept over at my house tonight. As I'm typing this, my computer clock shows 10.16pm and I haven't studied a single thing. My aunt just couldn't stop yakking. Complaining about how she couldn't pay her bills now coz my dad's sick(what a user!), complaining about her husband, about money(money is always an issue in my paternal family),and she asked me what I wanna do with my life. I said I'm kinda bored with my life, in school, I wish that SPM would be over real fast so that I can get into university like everyone else, and in university, I wish that I can graduate as soon as I can and start working.
Then she said, "When you work, what do you wish for? Get a husband?"
Oh,here we go again. The boyfriend-husband issue.
I said I'm not interested in looking for a husband (which is true coz I already found my soulmate).
I guess I must have sound like a miserable, pathetic, desperate singleton coz she started to comfort me, "It's OK, you'll find someone perfect for you."
I was like,yeah OK whatever.
She asked, "You don't have any admirers at the place where you study?"
I said no,no one fancies me.
She didn't look pleased with my answer so I said, "The guys who like me are either fat or just plain ugly. I don't like them."
She laughed like a hyena hearing my answer. She even suggested that I find cool jobs where I can work overseas. I said that even if I can't find an overseas job, I can always find a husband who works abroad.

More presents,what a birthday!

Called the apartment office today, asking if I can change rooms. The nice lady explained that I must write and letter and go to the office myself, if I want to move out. Procedures, procedures, procedures.
What if during this holiday someone move into the room?
Must NOT worry.
Must not worry.
Must not worry.
Went to Ampang Point with Yana. She gave me my birthday present--a cute photoframe. We had ice creams at Baskin Robins and then went home.

it's my birthday!

Today I turned 21.A list of all my presents:
Ayah- 2 Warehouse tops
Mum- Clinique skincare set
Yasser-stuffed animal and white gold earrings
Tok-RM100 which I converted into 2 Dorothy Perkins top
Yana-picture frame
Wani-bear + chocs
Aween-lunch at Kenny Rogers
Anyway, there's an an intruder in my room--a lizard. Had to go home straight away and miss tomorrow's project management class (and maybe fluid class too). Will call Uniten tomorrow and asked them if I can change my room. I hope I CAN change rooms. If else, how am I going to live for another month sharing a room with a lizard??
Well, I'll just enjoy the holidays first.
I am NOT worried.
Not worried.
Not worried.

Presents, presents!

card from my parents
card from my bf
2nd card from my parents.they always gave me two cards.dunno why.maybe i'm supposed to be a twin or something...

gifts from mum...yeayyy!


3 cats on a swing

my birthday is tomorrow but already got my presents today.

my mum gave me the clinique turnaround skin renewer i've always wanted, plus free cleansing milk, eye cream, keychain and sunblock (she took the sunblock back...haha). All these gorgeously wrapped in a pink clinique wrapper.

went to sunway pyramid with yasser to celebrate my birthday in advance. he gave me a russ cat named minx and white gold earrings.luv them! thank u dear!!

my ex-neighbour came and stopped by today and brought me a souvenir from bali--a wooden cat decoration.

Got my bday presents. Liquid facial soap milk + Clarifying Lotion 2 + Pore Minimizer Instant Perfector + free sample of Super City Block SPF 40 + free ugly silver bag.

I'm gonna get my bday present tomorrow!3 weeks early.Yipeee!!

Happy Birthday Yasser!

Today is my bf's bday and we celebrated at Sunway Pyramid. Had a great time.

I love you Yasser!

By the way, now I can blog from my phone. Apparently, Blogger Mobile is built into some Sony Ericsson cameraphones (and luckily my phone happens to have Blogger Mobile too) so I can merge my mobile blog with this blog. Cool!