Rusty Fingers

Exactly four months today since I got back from Newcastle.

Got held back from writing due to work, weddings, preparations... I think my weekends are now filled with all sorts of activities. Not that I'm complaining but it is quite hectic. I'm lucky enough I only work from 8 to 5. phew.

My most recent trip was my graduation. Happily to announce that I am now a MSc Marine Engineering (with honors) graduate! Alhamdulillah it has been a milestone for me. Way too many obstacles during my 1 year study in Newcastle. I've had my ups and downs but in the end it was worthwhile.

I dedicated my thesis to my late grandmother, Rahmah Bujang, and a day after Maktok passed away my results came out. I didn't even got the chance to tell her I got a distinction but I hope she knows.

It has been a very tough year for me, really. I constantly think of her especially before I sleep. It's heartbreaking to actually admit she's no longer with all of us. Sometimes I dream of her at night, where she would call my name.

I think there are lots of things I wish I had done with her/ for her. I wish I had brought her eat durian just like I promised, I wish I had taken more photos of her and with her, I wish I had called her every single day when I was away, I wish I had spent more quality time with her, I wish I had gone back Malaysia when I knew she was unwell, and sometimes I wish I had never even gone to Newcastle so that at least I could have spent my last Hari Raya with her.

These are the things that we regret in life, things we wish we would have done, could have done. But it's all in the past now and we grow to be better human beings each day, learning that it's never the amount of things we do, but the quality time we use is what matters.

I always try my best to make doa for Maktok, hoping that one day we could see each other once again, hopefully in heaven. Insya'Allah.

Because of you Maktok, my world in filled with joy, OUR world is filled with joy. :')

Al-Fatihah.

Long absence

Yes, I have been on extremely long absence for weeks, okay months. I have so many pending stories to tell. Too many I don't think it will fit in just one post.

First good news is my master's journey has officially ended on 6th August 2014. Yes, it has been 3 weeks! And I can't believe I have not find time to write until now. Tsk.

Above all, alhamdulillah the journey is finally over. I can't believe I have survived the 11-month classes-exams-research process. The process was not easy, totally not. I'm taking MSc Marine Engineering for goodness sake it is not easy at all! Especially cos I have very very little knowledge on that area. It was indeed a good experience for me, yeah people might think it's all happy and fun being able to study abroad, what they don't know is that everyday is a struggle being away from family. That is the truth. As much fun it is to be able to explore new things, nothing beats the joy of being with your family. Nothing!

I really can't wait to get back home, spending all the time I have in the world with my family, especially with my mother and grandmother whom I owe the most. She is truly an angel to me (my mother) I just don't know how I could ever repay her. And to my grandmother who is not very well back home, I'm sorry for being away for too long, I'm sorry I couldn't be there to help you go through the pain, I'm just sorry. If I could take away the pain from you, I would. All I could do for now is pray for your health, may you be 10 times healthier each day every single day. *wipes tears*

So yes, trying to cope with studies while being away with family and constant worry over them is excruciatingly painful.

Good news is Maktok is getting better by day, alhamdulillah; and I will be back in my family's arms in 3 weeks' time InsyaAllah.

I'm thankful I have such strong support system in my life, and I want nothing more than never-ending happiness and good health for all of them. Because of them, I am who I am now. :')

"All that I am, or hope to be, I owe to my Mother"

As Mother's Day is approaching, I can't help to think about my mom, how grateful I am that she brought me into this world. She is just such an inspiration to my life, and all I have been doing so far is because of her, because I want her to be proud of who I am now, the daughter she has brought up for 27 years. There were times when she would put on a fake smile in front of us when times were difficult, that time when she constantly looks for us because she feels lonely, also that time when she's in pain but refuse to let us know just because she doesn't want us to worry.

Dear Mama,

I wish you know how much you are loved by us all, how grateful we are for all the things you have done for us, and how guilty we are for giving you hard times, for making you sad, for making you cry. I hope you know that was never our intention at all, because all we want in this world is to make you happy just like how you've made us all.

We love you, from the bottom of our hearts. We promise. And no one could ever Ever replace you.

Happy Mothers' Day, Mama. Can't wait to see you.

Lots of love,
Nadiah

On a shopping streak

Hi, I'm Nadiah and I'm a shopaholic. -__-

I've lately been on a shopping streak. I bought some stuff on Saturday and when classes start on Monday I returned some one item, but ended up buying some more. No, I did not tell anyone. Well... it's practically my money... so why should I..?? No.. I'm not being defensive... (in denial)

I managed to buy 2 pair of jeans from Topshop - put up a really nice outfit, camouflage studded jacket, glitter black top, dark blue ankle grazer jeans, a cute navy leather bag, and my grey NB trainers. My friend commented that I look like a hipster. Lol where did that came from?

Leigh skinny jeans from Topshop

This is one of the colors I bought, and the other one in very dark blue. I'm sorry but I just can't get enough of skinny jeans. I understand the craze on 'boyfriend jeans' now, and I love it too! But since I'm short, and not very thin, skinny jeans somehow looks the best on me. :)

Maybe I can try borrowing Cd's jeans. haha

Then earlier today I wore my new denim jacket which I bought from Warehouse. Was a really good buy, got 20% off for being a student (aren't they just too sweet?) I put up an outfit with black leggings, long plain purple top, my leather bag and again my NB trainers (I really do love 'em to bits!) The denim jacket comes in two colors, dark and light blue. Mine is the one below

from Warehouse

And the rest of my clothes are still lying there inside their respective paper bags slowly whispering at me when am I taking them out. They will all be added to my collection 'still-in-tag-clothes' safely in my closet.

My retail therapy is now complete for the time being.

Imma happy bird!

Also not to forget, it's my Mama's birthday today!

Happy Birthday Mama!

I love you very much, can't wait to see you!

And of course, you are looking as beautiful as always :)

Mama & Fanna <3

The beauty of Scotland

Nevis Range Mountain Resort

If you've been to Scotland and have only been to Edinburgh, you should take your time and review Scotland again. This trip was realised when it so happen that England did not snow at all this year. (No, snow that fall for 3 hours and disappear the next day do not count.) How weird is that and I'm living in the north.

Back to my point, this is mainly the reason why we decided to give Scotland another go. We wanted to play with snow, build a snowman, & snowball fights you know. Then, we found out about Fort William.

We drove to Scotland from Newcastle passing through Glasgow and Glencoe and Glen Etive. Such a wonderful drive it was (except that half of the time I was sleeping so soundly in the car! Poor Syidi..
nah, you're right I don't feel so guilty about it haha)

We stayed at Fort Augustus further north to Fort William. We visited Loch Ness and I know you won't believe this but we actually saw Nessie! Can you believe it??! The Loch Ness monster??! yes we saw her! (hahaha yeah right, if only Nessie was a 'log' hahaha)

Ok, so we didn't find Nessie, but we visited her home and the Loch Ness Exhibition. 

There are still no valid proof of Nessie but there have been people who persistently insist that they have seen her before! But it was not caught on camera so that leaves another mystery that will always keep us wondering. Personally, I believe she's there somewhere trapped inside Loch Ness hee ^^

Visiting Loch Ness itself was already a delightful experience, and then getting the chance to go up on the gondola at Nevis Range Mountain Resort is another wonder :)

These are the main reasons why I love travelling so much. Not because I can update my instagram pictures, not because I can tell people about the places I've been, NO never anything like that.

The true meaning of travelling is the exploration, the wonderful things in life you've never seen before, things you thought never did exist until you see them, and ultimately how powerful and beautiful Allah's creations are. Buildings versus nature, hands down nature just wins my heart. Ultimately because no one else in the world can do it, except Allah :)

If ever you have the chance to visit Scotland (and I hope you will) or anywhere in the world, do explore beyond the cities, as you may discover something truly spectacular behind those skyscrapers, an experience even more satisfying than shopping. ^^

Steall Waterfall

Capturing the view of Loch Ness & Nessie

A snowflake

The smallest castle I've ever seen and in the middle of nowhere

kill me already

Hey do you get that kind of feeling when you are all alone at home, you have so many things to do, but you just can't sit down and do it coz you're so bored of being alone and yeah the cycle repeats. Man, how I wish Syidi was here so that I can kacau him. *hmm, what is he doing now anyway..*

Oh now I can't wait to start classes! Not coz I'm eager to start studying pfft don't be silly man but just coz I need to see people and talk to people LIVE! So since I was really bored and no mood to do my work (I'm sooo dead!) I decided to check latest trend outfits. I miss Malaysia where you can just put on anything and you'll be fine- hot? go indoors, cold? stroll in the sun! Here I practically need to think ok how many layers do I need to wear today, what's the weather like, what shoes can I wear with all this bulky coats and jackets.

Sigh. Lucky thing this ain't London- who cares what you wear! Lol.

So I kinda like this skirt from Asos, but it's like 40 quid! But I swear it is the gorgeous thing ever.

credits: www.asos.com

credits: www.asos.com

Pretty righhhht! I can sooo imagine myself wearing this

Maybe some ankle boots will do the trick since I have to wear covered shoes here or my toes will be freezing! Some inspirations I got from Pinterest below

Thinking of wearing something like this for my daytrip to London in 2 weeks time *excitedddd!

And I've got a student discount 10% from Asos so I'm thinking of buying it.. but Topshop, Miss Selfridge & New Look are kinda like doing a 20% discount till end of this week so I need to drag myself out from the house tomorrow! If I don't get anything I'll probably buy those skirts ^^

I kinda have a list of things I wanna have been "thinking" of buying..

1) Denim jacket- you can practically wear them with anything, can even wear it in Malaysia..hmm

2) New pair of jeans! or maybe two?

3) Midi skirts like the ones above

4) Black skater skirt - I saw Kourtney Kardashian matched it with a white blouse and belt sooo cute!

*ok, these noisy neighbours above are really annoying, I think they purposely stomp their feet while walking you know... -__-

continuing...

5) Those waterfall jackets/ cardi/ blazers which are so in trend now! - I'm gonna check some in Primark xp

6) Metal belt!

7)  Ok no maybe that's enough for now, greedy me.

Oh I also need a haircut! my hair's a mess!

Yay now I'm looking forward for tomorrow, let's see what I bring back ;p 

For now, let's get back to reality and start doing some actual work shall we? ^^

1.5 days in Brussels

Mannekin Pis

Yayyy it's time to travel! 

I'm always soooo excited to travel especially to new places!

But what I hate is that there's just too many people and it's Easter holidays, tourists from all over the world bla bla bla a total bummer righttt but you just do it anyway!

Since we were on a strict schedule, we NEED to make full use of our time there. 

We departed from Manchester airport at 6.30 am and arrived around 9.50 am (local time in Brussels) using Ryanair (cheap tix we got only 20 pnd pp). 

The mistake we made was that we did not buy the airport shuttle tickets to main city earlier online (my fault, I didn't find the link!), so that could actually save us a lot. Ended up paying 17euro pp vs 10euro online? 

So remember buy your airport shuttle tickets to city center in advance!

Checked in our hotel, (we stayed at Theater Hotel Brussels, was alright but our hotel area is kinda scary at night) and then rusheddddd like maddd back to city center to catch our New Europe Free Walking Tour which is at 11.00 am. 

We were late haha but it's okay you just join them anyway. 

Look at PJ so enthusiastic telling his stories ;p

This tour was gooood! 

It tells you about the history of Brussels (oh no, the history is like blur2 to me now.. i always suck at remembering these stuffs...) anywayyy...tells you about some of the interesting buildings there and you get to kinda familiarize yourself with the streets of Brussels.
Go check them out! 

And of course at the end of the tour, if you think it is good you give them some tips :)

We finished the tour around 2.30 pm and were really hungry at that time. But we decided to walk ourselves to the most. beautiful. park. I have ever seen so far!! 

It is Parc du Cinquantenaire, quite a long walk approx 30 mins towards Jourdan another beautiful area in Brussels full of cafes and supposedly the best frites in Brussels called Maison Antoine which I did not care of when I ate it...

McD's fries macam lg sedap je... hmm...

See.. What did I tell you, beautiful isn't it?

Cafes in Jourdan

After having a full tummy of kebabs we made our way back to our hotel. We were too tired already since we started off very early in the morning. We reached hotel around 6 pm, and took a so called nap... bangun2 je dah pukul 8 pm!

Ok then we headed out for dinner and to Grand Market platz, sooooo prettyyyy at night!! There were people singing.. Everyone was so laid back.. 

See how pretty it is!! I kinda miss this place now.. hmmm...

So that's the end of day ONE! We actually covered a lot in just one day!

Then day 2 begins at 9.00 am, we checked out and made our way to Atomium! We took the metro can you believe that there is no English on the ticket machine! Pandai2 la tekan ye. So we just belasah nasib baik la sampai.. Atomium = that big cube-outlined molecule. ^^V

Look.. Davey and Stuey are so happy ^^

We didn't go in, I think there are museums inside but we're not into that stuff anyway so we opted for Mini Europe instead! Like the name says it's a mini of Europe ^^ Really knowledgeable stuffs they have there! It was pretty cool!

Brussels' Grand Market Platz

Around 12.30 pm we headed back to town and enjoyed the yummiest waffles ever at Maison Dandoy, bought some Belgian chocs and crispy waffles and continued our journey to Amsterdam :)

I miss you Brussels, the next time I go there I will definitely check out Brugges another beautiful city in Belgium.