Day 02 : Studying again!

We woke up as usual on 4:45 a.m, since that's their fajr time. And went breakast on 7, finding someone who is already there. We both come to the table, kindly decline to shake hands with him & exchange names. Which I found Nt is kinda sounds like a girl name. He didn't smile a lot, and look pretty sore. Which then we both knew that Russian don't usually smile. He obiously finished breakfast first, and went back to his room. We met the others while finishing our breakfast.

We got our ride to the university first, where they put us in a really nice Auditorium kinda like the Dentist's Audi. We sat our usual position. Then, the others came. Nt didn't know where to sit so the committee gestured for him to sit besides us. I kinda expect it as it was just us sitting by the right side of the Audi. We had a small talk with him. And well, you can guess when people who are not really good in english trying to make up conversation. It is kinda funny to be honest. And Nt kinda quiet? I presume. Not like the other participants who can converse quite a lot with us. He didn't ask us any question to be frank. Which made me wonder is it his usual personality like this? Or he seems to learn a different kind of Islamic culture. Still in Russia I later learn the second major religion is Islam, although not practicing.

Our lectures began, and Nt likes to put both of his arms on like the chair arm thingy where I in my habit I like to put my right arm there, which doesn't really work. Plus, to be honest I was not really comfortable sitting beside him as we might accidentally bump each other. Where it did happen. Several times. Still, study was like normal. I like the lectures honestly. Studying again for awhile gives me the hype. So I was really into the lectures. Really.

We had our 10 minutes break in between the lectures so we all went on a walk to the cafeteria. The cafetaria was most likely close excepts a few stalls, as it was holiday season. There, we all bought some kind of ice blended, at first I wanted apple then I changed to guava. Ks took mango, if I'm not mistaken. Mines were nicer than hers. It taste like when you have guava with asam. Yeah that taste. But hers were nice but kinda watery. We went back to the lecture hall, for our second lecture.

We had lunch at the park near the mosque, where I sat with the Cambodians. I was kinda jealous that Ks was kinda close with them. So here's my chance. Had a good chance talking to them, mostly with M about our language and stuff. It was a lunch box which I kinda like, except it seems like too much food for me. Later, we prayed at the mosque which was nice. It's an open air concept & it has many levels (I guess?), but one level for the girls. The ablution space where kinda different. And they have different doors to go in & out from the like water part.

We had our IPE discussion the afternoon, where they had like actors playing doctors, nurses, and patients with dementia. Honestly, I was kinda afraid. Also, does Ks. As we are both first year students. Of course, our knowledge is lacking. And to our despair we got separate groups. I got paired up with Nt, Nk & Kh. I was at least relived as Kh is there with me. Nk dominates the Q & A, which I relieves me more as I won't be talking much.

We later had our lab activity, which I'm afraid the most. I kinda want them to do it all. As of course they would be looking at my hand, which is awkward. We made herbal scrub for the first session & then muscle pain reliever for the second. The committees mistakenly give us all includes the hijabees with mask that you git to put on your ear. So I had to ask if they another type, which they have, took a while though, and my group was already finishing. They had a scrub session after that while waiting the other group, I didn't wanna join as I would probably ask to expose my arm like them. So I didn't. During the second experiment, it's obviously Kh's & my turn which was awkward. My left hand has been on slight contraction since the first day maybe because of nerves, so I wouldn't really want to use my left hand. Which Nk pointed out during the experiment, so I awkwardly replied I'm okay. We got the female scent for our muscle pain reliever which Nt was obviously isn't liking much, while the other group got the male scent although they have all female. Haha.

So that ends our second day. :)

10 more days to blog TT.TT

The Girl in A Hood

Day 01 : The journey begins!

Sorry for the cliche title. I couldn't think of something else.

The summer school started late for the first day. We got our morning off so we both stayed in our room. I was busy with my business matter, ironing the clothes for the week & had a short nap. Ks was pretty much on her phone the whole time. She was so excited! And I'm practically the chill me. Meh.

For breakfast, we had nasi goreng & some kind of Jawa tea (I couldn't remember the name). Still, basically exchanging our names which I still couldn't remember. (It was only a few days after I could remember their names, that's when I spot the spelling. Huhu.) I remember P & Nk still flashing their perfect english to us. Haha. And the Cambodians talking in Khmer & us talking in Malay.

We got to Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta for the first after lunch which was only 10 minutes away from our homestay. Had a short briefing, and introduction of ourselves, which was supposed to be 3 minutes long per person. We had like this kind of game like passing the pen & who gets it is one who had to introduce themselves. The others did great, except me of course. I'm so used to only introducing my name & course instead of a whole introduction.

I didn't know my hobby is. So I simply blurt out I like cooking & reading (which was partly true, although I don't do that often now. #lazypeopleproblems) And also said I usually watch kdramas & kpop in my free time. Busted, when they ask my faourite group. Which I didn't have. And also, as korean is a South East Asia thing, the UKs was practically disinterest. Haha. Poor them. And me.

We made a round around the faculty. Which attracts me the most is their ancient weighing balance & fake clinic. Which is cool. They also have their own library for their own faculty.

Then we got back to homestay to get ready for our welcoming ceremony which to my surprise is at the first sultan's palace where the mother & younger sister of the sultan currently lives. While, we were waiting me & Ks got a separated table from the rest. They chatted a lot between themselves and took pictures. I was quite worried if we didn't get along well (but nah.. That's not the problem.)  At first I was so busy with my phone trying to settle a business problem, which was bothering me. Plus, I didn't like watching people dancing even in traditional dance due to their tight clothes. The dance was practically so slow, very slow at first. And normal speed then. Overall, it looks like a women trying to prepare herself to go out. Like a 'dandan' kinda thing (sorry, don't know the word in english.) And I didn't pay attention to the Princess speech. Sorry your Highness. It was only then, when they invited to the house (Mi nudged me to go in). I stop looking at my phone.

The house is a living museum for a fact. They still kept the ancient things keeping it safe & sound. And also the Queen loves Malaysia. As a fact our country is one of the one who visits them & bring souvenirs. Got a picture with the royal Highness which I think their are so humble. The food was great, it was the Sultan's favourite food for his birthday. So it was a honour eating it. The rice.

We got back, pretty tired. So I went to bed early, When I heard P & Nk talking to whom we assume the 'Russian' guy. So he arrived safely, I thought. While we hear from our room (you could literally hear everything from outside in our room), Ks said his english seems like ours. Haha.

Sorry, Nt.

The Girl in A Hood

Pre Day 01 : Arriving Yogyakarta.

I'm so lazy right now, but knowing I'm gonna be mad for not posting these memories...

Still, Happy Independence Day Indonesia!

So arriving there, at Yogyakarta Airport.

Well, before that. The whole journey been a view to be awe.

The ocean, the land, and one of the mountain looks like a zit from earth passing through the clouds.
How I wish I can see that forever.

So we arrived.

Even, before the seatbelts signs were off. People were already up and bustle around.

I didn't quite like it, still I waited for a moment.

When my friend got a little impatient. That's when I thought we had to hurry up as we don't know where to go! Haha.

So we got off the plane to this airplane field and followed everyone to the airplane station.

It's kinda like a simple bus station at a glance. But what to expect? This is not Jakarta. Still, I like it as we don't need to move much. Haha. Unlike KLIA which is so enourmous is like a workout just walking.

We queued to get our passport cop, waited for our luggage (which is like a while), gave our like declaration something that was given for us to sign at the plane, scanning process and off we go. Along the process we still talk to Yana, she's really nice & gave us a lot of tips. An Indonesian but live in Malaysia. A soon to be doctor too. I wish her the best!

Outside, we met the commitees that pick us up with a banner and all, which really warm my heart.

We exchange greetings and names. Waited for the car. Off to homestay which is about 40 minutes away.

The car ride was kinda awkward cause we still barely knew each other. Zo helped a lot by breaking the silence, and me kinda lot of answering & questioned back. While, Ks was enjoying the view. Ni & Ir was in the front seat by the way.

During the car ride, they said we have to share rooms with all the other girls. I didn't care much except we need our private space to pray. But Ks cared as she hold on to the opinion which our aurah to non-muslim is the same as with the boys.

Upon arriving the room which is like a small house/apartment. We meet a sleepping P on bed fully covered. So we try to match the praying mat anywhere clean, which ended up on the extra mattress.

As soon as we finished our Maghrib prayer, we prayed our Isya' prayer as the azan just arrived. The committee invited us to dining place (which as it the day before the programme we had to pay for ourselves). I choose rice with Pece Lele + plain water. Ks chose friend rice (which was our breakfast menu the next morning. Haha) + orange juice.

Finishing diner, which was yummy. The committee said we are going to get separate rooms. They've been asking us that since we arrived, and they seem to decide it's the best we got our own rooms. Me and Ks had this small talk before, and agreed to not bother the commitee to change rooms, cause both way got it's pros and cons. So we accepted both ways. The rooms where arranged 2-2-3. Where the 2 from Northern Island got one room, us got one room, and the Cambodians got one room.


We went back to the room to get our luggage, and still met with a sleeping P. The commitees woke her up (if I'm not mistaken) as I was not mistaken. I'n my mind I thought she's seriously jet lag or is a deep sleeper, as even before we made some noise, she didn't even budge. We still exchange names where I introduced my as *oppsie* you guys shouldn't know. Haha.  Still, I introduced the both Malay & Englidh pronouncuation of my name. She caught the English one, while I still didn't get hers. Haha. Sorry, P.

We met the Cambodians on our to our rooms, where V approach us and introduced others (still, I remember M & Kh's names first as I couldn't quite grab the name). They seem to be coming back from dinner outside. And one thing, they're english was purrrfect unlike us, so I was quite startled. So as Ks as she told me she's the type to need to to construct the sentence before talking. Well, our English got better then (I even still have this American-British accent so Yippee!!).

So we got our room, room 409 at De Gadri's Mansion (the name of our homestay). I unpacked my clothes, Ks was on her phone and babble about how excited she is. <3 Had a small chat on what are their names and our sad English proficiency story (well, I was quite confident).

I took a bath and went to sleep with a dream of tomorrow wonders. :)

Pre Day 01. Done!

The Girl in A Hood

Pre-Day 01 : Flying gives me shivers.

Hi. It's me. And I'm back from my trip.

In this post I wanna talk about my flying experience.

In general, the trip was awesome & an unforgettable memory. It still lingers around me, even it's the third day I'm home.

Just so you know, it's been around 14 years since my last flight. So I can't really give a good comparison review or so on. And this is a definite not a sponsored review.

My trip was to Jogjajakarta, and obviously I took AirAsia as it's the cheapest.

How to check the most reasonable flights? I used www.traveloka.com. I think it's a sister brand of Trivago. Nevertheless, it's easy to use & all the prices are truly as stated (except luggage fares, you need to search about that). For the cheapest flight you need to wait a little longer or it to appear. It also has a transit or direct option.

From their, I'd bought ticket (practically my friend was the one who bought it). We bought the tickets onlines, through www.airasia.com. It's basically simple, after you order the tickets. Print (you only need one copy for one order, example with me & my friends we only need one instead of two. But make sure you stick with your friend when taking the boarding pass. After that, it's fine.).

In KLIA2, we were practically a bit late, so we went straight to the "Kaunter Pertanyaan" which aid to self-check in the electronic thingy, which practically didn't help. So we went to AirAsia check in platform and ask them. Then, simply got our luggage check in & our boarding pass. Waved our goodbyes to my mom & brother who help send us off the airport.

And off we go. After the castam check, we saw this long line of foreigners lined to get their stamped (I thinked?). But, lucky for Malaysians we got this electronic one, if you'e got the new passport it comes with an e-passport (the hard card part) with it. So all you need to do is self-scan (you know when you got to the place) your passport & fingerprint. And that's all.

Had about a hour and half since we got there. There inside you see to shops, and all. KLIA got two parts of shopping one which is outside the castam & one is before you got on the plane.

And one thing for sure, just be sure to arrived at least 2 hours early before your flight. And safe, 3 hours if you are the first timers like us.

We prayed first when we got there, and practically got to the waiting area after. Met with Yana, a new friend and an uncle there. Had a good chat.

Then, they called for which seats, got up & qeued.

Went up the plane.

So in AirAsia, their seats consists of hot seat (much more area for legs). And it's a three-three seated (you know when you book the tickets online).

It is comfortable. Not the one you expect the sofa type luxury. But it was the economy class type. If you are normal-sized, not more than 165 cm tall, the seats will be more than enough. Taller than that, your legs might have a little squeeze.

I got no headaches or all, but I was not comorable enough (but I did sleep on the flight back).

To be continued...

I got loads more to blog, Huwaa.

The Girl in A Hood

Flying again.

Just a short update. Sorry I haven't been blogging for a while (a month). Which seems too long. Been too occupied with workload. Huhu.

And I swear someone is literally reading every post of mine (I can see the views, okay?).

So the news is...

I'm going to fly again!!

Very soon..

This Sunday to be exact.

The last time I went on a plane is when I was seven, coming back home rom the UKs. And I haven't been on a plane ever since. And another thing that trills me more is that I'm travelling with my friend instead of my family. I'm a big girl, now eh?

Okay, got to go. I want to eat my lunch. TT.TT

Lunch at 4?

The Girl in A Hood

P/S: There's a lot I wanna blog, particularly in things the can help my upcoming juniors. So I promise I will really try to blog more. 

Two kittens.

This is actually the first post for this month that I'm updating. The others are typed later, and edited the date. LOL. I've been meaning to take a break for awhile from blogging, but unexpectedly longer than expected. #proscrastinationatitsfinest

As usual for the Ramadhan (or other months even), my family will go for fajr prayer at a surau near our house, Surau al-Kauthar. Which is literally functions as a masjid. The size of it is a bit smaller than the masjid UIA Kuantan I would say.

Speaking of my neighboarhood surau, I'm very proud of it. As during fajr prayer, all the safs in the surau would be nearly full. This enlightens my day everytime. Seeing muslims are still proven strong anyhow. :)

The story went like this. As I was walking out of the surau to the footwear area, after fajr prayer. I har a mak cik's scream. And I saw a car.

In my head, I knew. The car trampled over the kittens. It was two days before, I saw the 4 siblings of kitten playing in the TNB spot (yang pagar banyak2), which is just outside the surau.

Arriving at the scene, one was killed and another was injured. Poor mother cat saw the whole scene. Not even half bad, the car had to move to get the kitten out. And there lay a dead kitten on the road. Plus, another mak cik's scream.

To worsen the situation, another car from another spot also happened to knocked down another of their siblings. Dead.

What a dreadful sight to see early morning. TT.TT

It's not the people or kittens' fault. It just happened to be.

Two days before, I talked to my dad what joy if we could get kittens (not specifically any kittens) to our home, which I love to play.

And I thought what different fate awaits them, if I actually took them home.

Also, I thought. It might be a reminder of death. And as it's the second last Ramadhan. I pray. That I would meet Ramadhan again.

Dear kittens, thanks. And have fun in jannah.

Farewell,

The Girl in A Hood

Cyclops.

I got an eye infection.

A terrible one. On the fourth day, when I was at work my eyelid started swelling, and by the end of the day, half of my eye was closed.

I went to the doctors. Got my meds the very night after work.

Only to see, I can only open one eye the next morning.

So I went to the doctors back to get an mc. As obviously could not work. (And also bacause I forgot to mention I was working the day before, when I first met the doctor.)

I looked utterly hideous. I'm not beautiful myself, but after looking at myself in the mirror in that state, I'm grateful. I barely can see other people with confidence. My one of my eye wide open, and the other with non than a 0.00001 cm. Not to mention the redness and yellow watery substance I had to clean every ten minutes.

It was definite pain. Especially time solat, where I had to just acah sujud je. I could not wear my specs as the swell would clash with my specs. And most of the time I had a headache plus mild fever, due to my eye ache.

Watching dramas was another story. I don't even know whether I'm teary because of the drama (Oh My Geum Bi), or because my eyes are watery all time.

Getting a four days mc, I decided to quit my job since I couldn't take that much of holidays.

On the fourth day, my left eye seen the light back. Although half. Which was Alhamdulillah as my meds was already finished on the third day. And fifth day, nearly gone.

Being a cyclops isn't easy,

The Girl In A Hood

P/S: Remember, your adik said you look like an alien.