The Chosen One

The Chosen One by Maher Zain

Some may think he is overrated, pergi rumah orang kahwin lagu Maher Zain, pergi masjid lagu Maher Zain, but the truth is, his songs are good.

I think his other songs are pretty average - standard spiritual songs but with a little bit of pop.

But this one particular song of his is just so..soothing. I saw the video first on Astro in the wee hours when I couldn't sleep, and after watching it, I just felt so calm. The song so comforting and the video so compelling.

It made me believe that out of all the evil in the world, there are still kindness out there.

So in conjunction with Bulan Ramadhan, I dedicate this song to you all. In fact, there are truly many things we can learn from the Prophet.

For me, the most important lesson would be Patience.

Puppy Love

My sister came to me and said "Kak, is this normal? He hasn't texted me in two days.."

Oh well, wait till it's at least 3 days then come back to me with this question

"But..I have this weird feeling in my chest.."

I looked at her. What feeling?

"I don't know, you're the expert!"

Crap, I'm the last person on Earth people should come to for advice on love and relationship.

"It's like I can't do anything else but think of him.."

Are you, missing him?

"Yeah, I guess that's it.."

Then silence.

"Maybe he doesn't like me anymore.."

Shit, this is serious! Noone is allowed to make my sister feel such a way!

Nah, how can he not like you! Look at you, you're awesome! He's just stupid. But don't call people that. That was a bad word

"Is this how love is? Is this what people in a relationship would go through?"

Sigh, she could've gone to my mom to get advice and would have felt better by now. I'm a bad sister.

Uhm, yeah, I suppose. Actually yes, you know what, it is normal. Just calm down, chillax; things will get better and he'll text you. Ok?

She didn't seem convinced.

A badminton game was on.

"I miss Thomas Cup (where she met the boy). Can't believe it was a year ago.."

Why don't you text him. Tell him you miss Thomas Cup. And that you miss him.

"Okay"

3minutes later..

"Kak!! He replied! Waaaaa I'm so happy!!" She was more than happy, actually. Jumping up and down, humming to herself, looking at herself smile in the mirror. Lovesick.

I continued with minding my own lame business. Ignoring her, when suddenly..

"Kak, you know, you should take your own advice sometimes..I'm just saying!"

Sigh. How do kids get to be so smart?

Startup Quote

Startup Quote

Talk Show #2: Bulan Ramadhan

Salam 1Malaysia, Salam Ramadhon.

Kota Kuala Lumpur.

Di bulan yang mulia ini, semua syaitan dan iblis akan diikat di dalam api neraka. Oleh kerana itu, kebanyakkan filem-filem berkisarkan hantu dan thriller banyak menerima sambutan, malah ada yang box office kerana orang tidak takutkan hantu pada bulan ini. Lantas mereka akan menonton semua cerita hantu yang telah di'download' tapi tak berani untuk tengok pada waktu ini.

Bila emak bertanya: "Romzi! Kau tak pergi solat tarawikh ke?!"
Romzi menjawab: "Kejap mak, tak leh nak pause ni, pontianak tu tengah nak gigit leher dia ni!"


Ramai yang menggelengkan kepala.

Ya, memang benar. Isu hedonisme melampau sudah lama menjengah abad-21 ini. Malah, kita telah terlalu taksub dengan keghairahan dunia dan fantasinya.

Jejaka usia 20-an bertanya pada teman wanitanya: "B, kita nak buka kat mana harini?"
Teman wanita lepasan SPM menjawab: "Hmm, Pizza Hut? Eh tak nak lah, KFC lah? Oh tak tak, Flaming Steambot kat Subang tu lah nak?"
Jejaka membalas: "Ish you ni, gelojoh tau!"  Sambil mencubit manja lengan teman wanitanya.

Kita menggeleng kepala. Tapi adakah kerana kita juga melakukannya?

Tepat jam 7 malam, semua meja dia restoran-restoran terkemuka di kota dihuni pengunjung-pengunjung lahap yang sudah bersiap sedia untuk membaham makanan di depan mereka.

Para pengunjung bukan Islam yang baru tiba terkejut kerana bukan sahaja meja dipenuhi orang yang sekadar melihat saja makanan (ya lah, belum waktu berbuka), tetapi masih ramai lagi yang sedang beratur membeli makanan.

"Sudahlah di pasar juadah sesak dengan orang, di sini juga tak kurang penuhnya"


Itulah hakikatnya.

Yang di atas jalan, cuba memotong sana sini agar sampai ke destinasi sebelum berbuka. Ya, tiada siapa yang suka berbuka di dalam kereta.

Tepat waktu berbuka, serentak bagai di army boot camp, semua insan yang berpuasa, tak kira di mana jua, mengangkat tangan membaca doa dan terus menyelamkan muka di dalam timbunan nasi (bagi yang makan nasi lah).

Selesai makan, semua tersandar di kerusi.

Anak muda A bertanya rakannya: "Weh, hari ni nak tarawikh tak?"
Anak muda B: "Aduhh, senak pula perut ni. Aku selang-seli makan sambil minum tadi. Nasi belah kanan, air belah kiri. Esok jelah. Tak apa, Ramadhan kan sebulan.."


Dan bila melakukan solat tarawikh..

Gadis A: "Kita buat lapan je tau. Hari ni moreh sedap. Bubur kacang hijau!"
Gadis B: "Ok! Nanti lepas witir tunggu kat luar cepat-cepat. Sebab kena rebut dengan jemaah lelaki..Diorang selalu habiskan makanan.."


Inilah dia beberapa situasi biasa di bulan Ramadhan. Fikir-fikirkanlah yang mana amalan yang kita patut jadikan teladan, dan yang mana tidak. Saya juga selalu terjebak, dan cuba sering mengingatkan diri sendiri.

Jadilah diri anda yang terbaik bulan ini, kerana kita belum pasti jika kita boleh meraikan Ramadhan tahun hadapan..

Semoga berjumpa lagi di lain kali. Saya, melaporkan.

Come as you are

Come as you are (Nirvana cover) by Yuna


Another one of Yuna's music goodness. With Pharrell Williams from N.E.R.D. as producer. You can see him briefly in the video, towards the end.

People can love or hate her, but they can only love her music. Malay girl making it big in the Big Apple city.

Lupakan Semalam

Lupakan Semalam by Salam

I got attracted to Salam (musically, of course) since I first heard him in Cerita Kedai Kopi featuring the Malaysian hip-hop megastar, Malique from TooPhat and DJ Fuzz.

I thought not just the song is rhythmically awesome (ska! ska!), but the lyrics touched more than just human feelings - they speak of status quo, issues people are too afraid to mention in a song, simply because they are the truth.

What more, he rocks the 'locks! Malay guy 'lost' in Amsterdam, advocating peace and love in all true reggaeness.

What's not to love?

His songs remind me of Gerard et les Stars, my all-time fave French ska band, except of course, Salam is a one-man band.

Rasta Love.

Hello, welcome to my new talk show.

Salam 1 Malaysia.

Darsa-warsa ini, terlalu ramai orang yang ingin menjadi seorang yang unik, dan berbeda antara satu dengan lain. Mengapa? Kerana ini adalah perlu.

Malah, 'perlu' itu adalah satu understatement; kata yang lebih tepat adalah wajib. Imperative. Compulsory. Salient.

Lantas, apa akan terjadi tatkala setiap orang di muka bumi ini menjadi unik? Jawapannya, semua orang akan jadi normal. Anda ikut? ("Are you following?")

Huh? Apa ni? Cakap berbelit ar! Panggil Bik Syoliha lah, dia pandai sikit explain benda-benda falsafah ni!

Maaf para hadirin, bawa bertenang. Bik Syoliha kini sedang bercuti di kampung halamannya, di Jawa Tengah, Indonesia (iklan: untuk kiriman salam buat Bik Syoliha sempena bulan Romadhon ini, sila dial 1-800-44-tekan-tekan-tak-dapat)<-- argh lame!

Jadi, saya akan mengambil alih tanggungjawab berat untuk terangkan ini pada anda semua. Harap bertenang.

Baiklah, berbalik pada hujah kompleks tadi. Bila seseorang itu lain dari yang lain, dia unik. Bila semua orang unik, mereka adalah normal.

Kosa kata:

Different = unique
Unique = different


Ekuisinya (equation) di sini adalah:

1 person being different = unique
10 people being unique = trend
1 billion people being unique = normal

Sementelahan itu, ada juga populasi yang merasakan mereka makhluk unik, namun tidak dipersetujui masyarakat sejagat. Kumpulan ini digelar dengan nama saintifik, Wannabes. Namun tidak salah untuk mencuba.

Rentetan itu, nasihat saya pada anda di luar sana yang ingin menjadi unik, hanyalah satu: jadilah normal. Kerana normal itu unik di era pembangunan kini yang dipenuhi dengan manusia "unik".

Sekian, semoga berjumpa lagi di hari dan waktu yang sama. Salam 1Malaysia.

Blessed with a curse

Blessed with a curse by Bring Me the Horizon

Recognize this song? Hehe. A small dice of my heart has long been sacrificed to hardcore metal/screamo. Such a sweet face, that Oliver boy, can't believe he peed on a fan before. Pfft, rockstars and their antics.

Ex Beach Wedding Virgin

I was pretty happy for I spent half of the weekdays last week in a private beach in Langkawi - I couldn't ask for a better timing.

As I will tell you, timing is only the beginning of it all - the entire course of the wedding (four separate ceremonies altogether) was spectacular. I can take credit for my parents as they helped out with the planning of the wedding. One of the four ceremonies was their beach wedding. I've never been to a beach wedding before, so this was my first! I'm no longer a beach wedding virgin!

The wedding was of Aina Elias and Tatsuro Miller. Here is a pre-wedding video of the couple:

Firstly, they readily make a beautiful couple. Hence, their wedding looked extra beautiful - when especially armed with an army of people who made it the event that it was.

I pride myself with one tiny thing: I suggested them the videographer for the wedding. They already had photographers (from Kidchan), and were still looking for videographers to capture moments in motion - only logical especially with couples that boast amazing personalities. Their style, is very avant-garde with pastel shadowings and very fairytale like. Often times, their layout is like a plot - from the beginning of the wedding day, to the end, capturing moments instead of just "things" or "people".

So I showed Aina this blog that I've been stalking since last year - Kudegraphy (especially when I'm in need to get sappy - don't ask me why) and at first Tats was a bit reluctant to "act" for a video. But finally, they opted for it.

They also shot videos and stills for the beach wedding - only make sense as their style is very wistful and matches the "beach" theme and also coz I guess Aina thought they did a pretty good job with the pre-wed video.

I met the Kudegraphy team (Ili, Kude & friend) during the wedding - in fact, we took the same flights to and fro (I was starstruck!) and told them I'm booking them for my wedding! So one thing checked off the list. Now, for the groom...

Anyways, just to share; recently (April), they explored with fashion video on Natasha Hudson and I thought it's really awesome I shared it with my sister. We watched it over and over again! Can't get enough!




And these guys are versatile and professional; they would sneak behind you or hide in the bushes to get natural and perceptive shots without you even noticing. This is a plus point for me, as I really dislike photographers at events who literally place their hugeass lenses in your face and snap away whilst making hustles and giving all sorts of comments and instructions (i.e. "adik muka tunduk sikit, tapi pandang kiri then kepala condong ke kanan sikit je.." -- are you kidding me?!), and then murder people with their hugeass camera bags smashing away in the process.

They only take few commissions per year, just to give more focus and undivided attention to the event/wedding - I guess inclusive of the post-editing etc. (I dated a photographer once and my mom used to be a photographer too, so trust me on this, it will take as long as it will take) So if you want to book them, find them earlier, like maybe a year before! Hah kidding (but seriously).

I'm going to stop pulling their plug here, so just head on to their website for more info or just to daydream and get inspiration for your own wedding and stuff. When I have the time I will share some interesting bits about the entire wedding.

Meantime, take care guys.


p/s: can't believe Amy Winehouse just passed. She was just 27. Long live great musicians.

For Future Reference

Hello Izza,

I hope one day you will scour through this blog again and read this post.

I am proud of you today. You have overcome one fear; a very old fear, and although it may look trivial to others but I understood how huge this is to you.

That's why I think (and I know) that you deserve the best. Because you have believed in yourself for once.

That was no easy feat - in fact, I thought you would have chickened out as you will always do when it comes to this, but no. You swallowed all that nerves and put on a pleasant front.

Better days are yet to come, and when the day comes, do not chicken out or think that it is a scheme - coz most of the time, good things are genuinely just good things. Do not presume otherwise until proven to be so.

Again, I am proud of you.

Nothing Glorious

Nothing Glorious by Musée Mécanique


Had a chat with my colleague about love (yea, we are paid to figure out what love is lol) and this really wise person told me:

"..really, love comes in many forms; and often times you are too oblivious to it because you think it will come in an extravagant form - fireworks, sparks, confetti, all that shit - but really, sometimes it comes as something you see everyday..maybe in the form of a person you already knew.."

How can a person my age be so smart? Haha. Well, it's probably coz I'm nowhere close to being affluent at this. And oblivious too.

So love can be something ordinary, something common. It can be nothing glorious.

Lahaha

Lahaha  by Shugo Tokumaru

Cheers - to happier days ahead :)

Who was I in the past life?

My sister showed me this website: Past Life Analysis (click to go) and it will diagnose you to who you were in the past life.

So, who was I? A jeweller or a watch-maker apparently. Sounds good.


Your past life diagnosis:

---

I don't know how you feel about it, but you were female in your last earthly incarnation.You were born somewhere in the territory of modern Portugal around the year 400. Your profession was that of a jeweler or watch-maker.

---

Your brief psychological profile in your past life:
Inquisitive, inventive, you liked to get to the very bottom of things and to rummage in books. Talent for drama, natural born actor.

---

The lesson that your last past life brought to your present incarnation:
The world is full of ill and lonely people. You should help those, who are less fortunate than you are.

---

Do you remember now?

So find out yours now!! *Excited*

#bersih

There are two types of people in this world:

1. Those who conform
2. Those who conform blindly

Be the first all you want, but don't be the latter.

All in the Nuance

Come August.

Manusia dan Masalah

Kadang-kala rasanya macam diri ini kurang bersyukur; sentiasa menyalahkan keadaan, mencari cela dan yang negatif - sungguh ironis kerana rasanya aku seorang yang optimis.

Kebelakangan ini, aku seperti hilang kepercayaan dan sukar untuk melihat yang baik.

Bukan untuk mencari salah siapa, tetapi lebih untuk mencari penyelesaian. Mungkin juga bukan penyelesaian yang aku cari; mungkin suatu kebenaran. Ah, aku sendiri tidak pasti.

Memang, setiap manusia itu didatangi dengan masalah, cuma bezanya skala masalah tersebut. Aku tahu, Tuhan tidak akan beri umatnya masalah yang Dia rasa kita tidak boleh atasi. Tetapi adakah aku cukup tabah untuk semua ini?

Setiap kali aku rasakan masalah aku cukup besar, aku akan mengimbas nasib orang lain yang lebih teruk - bukan sebagai escapism , tetapi sebagai peringatan, bahawa aku tidak layak untuk merungut.

Baru semalam aku mendapat tahu beberapa rakanku kehilangan insan-insan yang mereka sayangi, malah, ada juga yang telah cacat anggota akibat kemalangan. Namun mereka semua mengharungi hidup seperti biasa.

Aku sebenarnya cukup bertuah, tetapi aku juga tidak lari dari masalah. Ada masanya aku merasakan diri ini sungguh jauh - dari Tuhan, dari sahabat-sahabat, dari keluarga, dari kehidupan ku sendiri. Dan cukup sukar untuk aku berpatah balik.

Rakanku pernah berkata: Kita hanya hidup tiga hari - semalam, hari ini, dan esok. Semalam sudah pergi dan tiada apa yang boleh dilakukan untuk mengubahnya. Dan hari Esok, belum pasti ada untuk kita. Apa yang pasti dan nyata adalah hari ini. Kita masih boleh lakukan yang terbaik untuk hari ini.

Aku berazam untuk menjadi versi diri aku yang terbaik hari ini.

Peribadi

Peribadi by The Azenders

A local band consisting of Sam (Bunkface), Izal (One Buck Short), Ajam (Dichi Michi), and Kudut (Robot Asmara) formed mid last year (2010) as their side project.

I have to say that their songs reflect a diluted, slightly more melancholic kind of punk, with a whisp of some electronica. This song in particular sounded like Sam's (and possibly the others too) cathartic platform of what could be his personal ocean of doubts. I like honesty in songs. This is a win, although I thought it has a rather slow build-up. And somewhere in the song, I was reminded of the Killers.
               
All in all, good, but I think they are still searching for that niche factor that sets them apart from the sea of aspiring bands.


p/s: I lost my glasses today, and everything seemed to go wrong. Ordering a new pair pronto!

The Wilhelm Scream

The Wilhelm Scream by James Blake

I pretty much am sure that I have a weird attachment to songs with the phrase "I don't know" in the lyrics. Like Damien Rice's Le Professor and others that I can't really recall top-of-mind. Especially if it's said repetitively. Or anything else that is said repetitively in a song - I think that's the heart of the song, the emphasis.

Anyways, I think this song is almost hypnotic. It feels like your ears are being teased with feathers. Nice.

Mr. Mystery Man

                         

The smell

- familiar.

Who are you?

A nobody

- just a person

who happens to be in your life.

The sight

- well, none.

Where are you?

A place

- very near.

As close as you want me to be.

The presence

- inevitable, unrepentant.

Why are you here?

A purpose

- for you.

I am the reason you live.

I make the blind see.

Life: Un-updated

Ugh pretty much what I've been lately? A soiled sock tucked under a bed and frosted with cobwebs. Lo and behold, I have been at home, STUDYING!

I know, simply bizarre. But these photos are proof I've been a good girl.

 Really, the colored pens and highlighters aren't necessary.  They served more for the aesthetics rather than being functional. But they did keep my left brain on its toes. (I realized my bed is so orange! Must change color scheme!)

I had to take an exam (Market and Social Research Accredited Exam or something) which was supposed to mark my approx one year in the company - and it was certainly a milestone! What would be great though, is if I get a solid distinction. I'll be taking the cert and show it up my face in the mirror and tell my alter ego "You said what?! I ain't got the brain and passion anymore?! Take this!"

Yes, that's me. Earning my 45min nap after every half an hour interval of studying. More rest than study. Severe ADD when it comes to studying.

And life in general has been pretty rocky in every department - so taking this exam was, ironically, a form of an escape for me. Well, good and bad. Good: It took my mind off things. Bad: Well, I had to study! And like memorize things, underline keypoints bla bla bla all that ugliness.

So I was the only person who took the test, in the entire big hall. One invigilator, and one me. So there's the two of us. 10mins to 5:00 he said "Ok, we'll start at 5". I said ok and looked at him, coz there's nothing else to look at. So he got nervous for being the centre of the attention and declared "OK, maybe you can just start now". I got 10mins extra - hey, that's a huge thing ok!

So I came home from the exam, had some dinner before, and log on to Facebook. One new Friend Request. Hmm.. who could it be? So I checked, and voila! The guy who was my invigilator added me on Facebook!! OMG! WTH! (No offense dude, if you like stalked me and like found my blog). Where is his professionalism?! Seriously.

I've also grown into a monster if you see me up close. Since I haven't relied on home food for quite a while now (since that fight with mom. Bad bad girl!), the rempit guy from McDelivery has been my bestfriend. I've been feeding myself junk and it's taking its toll on me. I am fugly. Plus, my room is a mess. I eat, sleep, study, socialize within the vicinity of the four walls of my room. I don't even jog at night anymore - the only exercise I do is breeze-walking from my room to the toilet (around 6-7 steps). YUCK IZZA!

Nothing's going great, really. It's all been downhill. But wait a sec - that call; that fateful call I received just this week. Yep, that's one happy thing. But I can't share with you just yet. Hehe. Will see how it goes!


p/s: I'd like to see Prema Yin make it big in Hollywood and screw the world over. Hah!