Day 10 : 1Malaysia

Do you know what other people think of Malaysians? (Part 1)

They think that we are the natives. Yes, I mean the ones who still live in jungle, got no tv and all. Like some Egyptians here, they always called us, I don't know how they actually pronounced it, but it sounded like this, 'honga monga', 'bonga bonga', and etc. And yes, they liked to make fun of us. Annoyed? Yes, me too. -.-

But some of them, who actually know where Malaysia is, what a modernized country it is, and bla bla bla, respect us, a lot. I also feel kind of proud when International Cultural Day (where all students from other countries participate and present about their own country) came up and we got to present about our Malaysia. A big grin was on my face when our presentation came out on the screen, and showed what we got in Malaysia; the various races, cultures and foods under one roof, the highest twin towers KLCC, the mesmerizing Gunung Kinabalu, the clear blue water of Pulau Sipadan, the Orang Utans, and so on. It also made other people grasped and said, "Wow, so this is Malaysia!". Proud to be Malaysian? Yes, me too. =)

Do you know what other people think of Malaysians? (Part 2)

The doctors (that's what we called our lecturers and professors here) always said that they like Malaysian students very much more than their own people, as we are always punctual and go to classes early, and are well mannered (by this, it means keep silence during lectures and being polite, I guess). Well mannered? I don't want to talk about this, but punctual?

Do you know that some (not all) of our own Malaysian people labeled us (who are also Malaysian people), someone who's always late at anything. You've heard of MRT? Malaysian Rubber Time? Yes? Then, you'll get what I mean. So, I think that it is not appropiate to label other people being late or lazy or other negative things, just because some of them are. Don't you think that there are the opposites too? Ones who are puctual, hardworking, and all? I really don't like the peribahasa, 'kerana nila setitik, rosak susu sebelanga'. Why can't we think of the goods in every person? Why do we have to think of the bads? There's always a positive, good side in an individual. Always has. So, I'm hoping that there's no more labelling or such things in us, people. But, to label someone something good, it is okay for me. =)

What do I think about the various races in Malaysia?
It's super duper awesome and cool! You know, we got to learn about other different cultures and got to eat a lot of different foods in just one country! You don't have to go to China to learn about the Chineses and go to India to learn about the Indians. We do have all that here, in Malaysia. How about nasi lemak, yong tau fu, and roti canai? That's what I like the most! There's no other country like Malaysia, even if there is, I don't think that the situation is the same. Do they celebrate Hari Raya, Chinese New Year, Deepavali, and Christmas, like we do? I don't think so. =)

Do I think about my race or country first?
When you are entering other country, you will have to fill out a form (sort of visa, I think) about yourself, right? Do you think that there is a column, about what your race is? No, it does not have one. But what I do know is, it does have a column to fill about your nationality. So, I don't want to explain more about this and here's a piece of my mind, I think about my country first before my race. =)

Do I think there is a tension between various races in this country?
Of course, there is. Who said that there isn't? We, people, can't always get along with all people at all the time. Who said that in a public school, there isn't a fight between the students of different races? Please, correct me if I am wrong. But what exactly I want to say is, even though that there is a tension between us, we can always tolerate each other. That's what the best in us. =)

What I think about 1Malaysia?
I don't exactly know how this project (I also don't know if 'project' is the right word) works, but what I do know is, I like the idea of it. Togetherness, integrity, unity (and add some other words that are related and have the same meaning as these three words), what's not to like about it, right? =)

Malay + Chinese + Indian = Malaysian


Another iklan by Petronas. I love the kids. =)

Day 9 : Brands

Is branded products important to you?
As long as it is affordable, then yes, it is important to me as I think branded products are better in quality compared to non-branded.

Are there any brands or products that you would be embarassed of using or being associated with?
I think of none. Some things that I bought at Pasar Malam were good too. =)

Where do you find new informations about products that you like?
Mostly, through online and on the websites. Others, like on the newspapers, and also, subscriptions to the products.

Does religion influence your choice of brands?

Yes, as a Muslim, I can't just buy anything without checking it to be halal and not boycotted, first. Like what our friend, Naim Azizi, said in her post, some things can't be used or eaten by us, Muslims, as they are haram, like shoes made of pig's skin, foods containing pig's gelatin or alcohol, and also like, chickens that are not being sembelih (slaughtered) in proper way. Other reason is, some of the brands or products are boycotted. But, that's not a problem to us as there are still a lot of other choices other than the ones that we can't use or buy. =)

My favourite brands :

For wrist watch, I love Casio, be it G-Shock, Baby-G or even Sheen. Have been using this brand since the first time Ayah got me one. Tahan lama, is the reason, I guess?

Sony has always been a part of my family. TV, radio, camera, game consoles, handphones, you name them all.

Johnson's would always be one of my favourite brands. I use all of the products that they got - baby powder, shampoo, lotion, facial wash, and etc.

iPANEMA - for slippers. It really is tahan lama. Once, Abang got this one slipper and later gave it to me after he got a new one. After several months using it, I then, gave it to Ayah and he's been using it until now, I think (I don't know if the slipper is still at home). And yes, they are 'selesa' too! That's why Ayah liked it too much that he said, iPANEMA's slippers are good for old people's feet, like his? LOL.

P.S. : To Mak & Ayah, if you are reading this, I am talking about the black, hampir-lunyai slipper that Abang brought few years back, and he gave it to me (or should I say, left it?), just before he flied to Egypt. And that means, in year 2007? =)

Habhal's Kicap Cap Kipas Udang. I'm not kidding, man. This one is really, really 'sedap' and has been in my family since like, forever?

Scarlet, I don't know if there's any girl/lady/woman has never heard of it. H&M for dresses, mostly. Applemints for my jeans and dresses too. Also, Nike and Adidas for my shoes, sometimes shirts. BATA for my other slipper. And, so on. Too many of my favourite brands to mention, yeah?

These two videos are one of my favourite commercials :


By Samsung DCC - Do Not Trust Profile Pictures. Very funny!


Enjoy, Petronas - Happy Deepavali. This one still makes me laugh. One of my favourites from Petronas. As for me, Petronas has never failed to make good TV commercials for our festive celebrations like Hari Raya, Chinese New Year, Deepavali and also, Merdeka Day.

Day 8 : List Down My Favourites

Three things that I have seen, read or listened to recently, that I love and have recommended or shared with others.

1. A video posted on Facebook made by a Malaysian student (who is studying abroad) for his mom on Mother's Day.

I don't know whether you can open it or not, but here's the link anyway. He's very funny and creative! =)

2. Lifehouse's new album, Smoke & Mirrors.

3. This Realvoices blogging project and, of course, Youthsays!

My 'Must See' list for 2010 :

1. My family
2. My friends
3. My hometown

My 'Must Do' list for 2010 :

1. Take driving course and get the license
2. Take the ICDL course and get the certificate
3. Food travel and holiday!
4. Do what I want and what I have to do

My 'Must Have' list for 2010 :

1. New laptop
2. New handphone
3. New clothes
4. New shoes
5. New books

My favourite gadgets/toys/collections/things/items that I can't live without (exaggerating, I know) :

My Casio Sheen. Feel like I'm kind of naked if I don't wear this when I'm outside. LOL.

My Sony Ericsson. To call or SMS my family and friends?

My Acer Aspire - my source for everything (if the internet cable is plugged in, of course).

My Transcend. There's 500GB of my life inside. Now, how can I live without it?

My house key. How can I get into my house if I don't have this?

And yes, a book to read, and a pencil to jot down anything, would be nice too. =)

Day 7 : Entertainment (Books)

Continuation from Day 7 : Entertainment (TV Shows) and Day 7 : Entertainment (Bands and Singers)!

I really, really enjoy reading books! I can spend hours and lots of money just for books. I don't know why, maybe it's in my blood, I guess. Plus, a book describes and explains a story in more details, and the words used to make even a sentence, are beautifully arranged! Wahh, just talking about books, can make me all excited and yes, happy too. =)

Recently finished reading :

I love Meg Cabot! I read all of her books since I was a kid, up until now.

My another favourite author. Yep, finished reading these three books in a row.

Okay lah. Not too bad.

Currently reading :

and this,

Want to have a look inside?

I feel like I'm reading a newspaper, actually. By the way, I don't know why this photo turned upside-down after I uploaded it.

Day 7 : Entertainment (Bands and Singers)

Continuation from Day 7 : Entertainment (TV Shows)!

Bands and singers I'm into :

Siti Nurhaliza. The one and only singer I listen to from Malaysia.

Jesse McCartney. Do I really need to explain why I love him? I bought all three of his albums. My parents and sisters like him too, just because I make them listen to his songs over and over again.

Super Junior. They are just, GREAT!

Big Bang. They are awesome!

CN Blue. This one is, cool?

2AM and 2PM. Nothing much to say, I just, like them?

I love their songs and the lyrics.

Lifehouse. Like the songs and lyrics too.

Again, their songs and lyrics.

Again and again, the same reason.

The same reason with Daughtry, too.

I don't really know why I like The All-American Rejects.

I download the song if it's worth listening to. If I like a singer or a band too much, then I will buy the original albums to show that I am really supporting them. =)

To be continued... Day 7 : Entertainment (Books) !

Day 7 : Entertaiment (TV Shows)

Sadly, my house here in Egypt does not have TV. So, most of the tv shows or movies I watched, I downloaded them from the internet. When I'm back in my real house in Malaysia, that's when I actually have to struggle with my two sisters for the remote control! =D

So, here are my favourite TV shows :

Just finished with Season 3. Don't you think that it's getting boring?

Another 3 episodes to end this first season. The songs played are nice. That's what I like about this show.

It's getting complicated. But it never fails to make me laugh, though it's supposed to be scary. Ghosts and demons, huh?

Yeah, that's right! Jesse McCartney was in it! And, it only had two seasons! It was aired on NTV7 few years back but I had downloaded it just to watch it all over again!

My favourite on Disney. Enough said.

Currently downloading this for my housemate who has requested it. Will try to watch it after my final exams.

I still remember that my brother and I actually had to sneak up into the tv room at 10pm every Tuesday night, just to watch this on TV2. And, continue with 'Popular' at 11. (I was in my Standard 2 at the time.)

We Got Married : Sweet Potato Couple. Yonghwa and Seohyun really suit each other!

Family Outing. Will continue watching this one after the final exams.

Those that have been mentioned above are my current favourites and now watching. I do watch other tv shows like CSI (all three : NY, Miami and Las Vegas), House, and etc. Just didn't put them up 'cause I think this post has already been too long. =D

To be continued... Day 7 : Entertainment (Bands and Singers) and Day 7 : Entertainment (Books) !

Day 6 : Social Networking

P.S. : I don't have Twitter. =)

Day 5 : Going Online

How many hours do you go online everyday?

My computer is connected to the internet 24/7. So, err, calculate yourself. =D

What do you usually do in the online world?

Checking emails, blog, facebook, formspring, youthsays, and realvoices' blog, as for now.

When you go online and interact with other users, do you use any nickname/alias profiles online? Tell us why you use it or don't use it.

Except for my blog, I use my real name 'Anis Safiah' because it's easier for other people (mostly my friends) to find me. I use 'Anesh Shapiah' (my nickname on my blog, somehow almost related to my real name) because at first, I didn't want anybody to know who I am. But I guess, now there's no point anymore as I have put up my Facebook's badge and my photo on my blog. =D

Have you become good friends with people you first met online?  

Some of them are now my good friends, and some of them, I might say, that we're not that close as before anymore. Don't blame us for being busy and yada yada yada. 

Tell us stories of how you make friends in the online world.

After SPM, I got nothing better to do other than online, so I join some groups on Friendster (still popular in 2007, HAHA) like groups for 1991s and candidates of SPM 2007. Other than that? I've added some of my classmates in college even though we have never talked to each other before. Then, in real life, when we bumped into each other, we actually greeted one another and become 'real' friends. The end. 

How do you know whether to trust them or not.
I follow my instincts, I guess. HAHA. Seriously, I mean, when someone is being a jerk or somehow making me annoyed and etc., my instincts would say, 'This is not someone whom I can call a friend.' Not friends, means not to trust. So, then, I'll start to make less connections with that person. By the way, I never approve random friend requests or someone I never knew before. But, if he's someone I 'know' but we're not friends yet, MAYBE, I'll press the 'APPROVE' button. =)

Tell us if your parents monitor what you access online. 

No, because I live far far away from them (as for now). But, if they have Facebook accounts and always checking up on me and what I've been doing online, does it count? =D

Is it effective, or do you know ways around the controls? 

I don't know what to answer as I don't know whether the answer above counts in or not. And no, I don't know ways around the controls. And, I also don't think my parents know how to use the control too. (You mean, the 'Parental Control', right?) =D

What do your parents think about you going online all the time?

If they think I overused the internet, they will ask me to cut down some of my time online and go study. And I will. It is that simple. =)

Do you think the online world has made you to become more disconnected with your friends?

No, why should I? Think about me, being abroad and far from my friends and family. I don't have lots of money to make international calls if I want to talk to them! Internet makes it easier and does not cost any cent! Sometimes, we even have to meet online and discuss about our next reunion or other things, because everyone's been busy with their life and got no time to actually meet outside. But we will when we have time. Oh yeah, I did find some of my long lost friends on Facebook too! =)

Even my housemates post on my wall whatever they want to say to me, but too lazy to get up and come to my room. LOL. =D

Day 4 : Work

Continuation from Day 4 : Money!

How am I supposed to write about this subject, anyway? I've never had a job before, be it part-time or full-time. But, I'll try my best, I guess. So, here we go. =)

"Work is a necessity for man. Man invented the alarm clock." 

- Pablo Picasso

THREE COOLEST JOBS

This picture of an archeologist-in-action was taken, when I was visiting Aswan Museum last winter break

• Teacher - You get presents on special days (e.g. Teacher's Day, your birthday, etc.), you get to go home at noon after school, you get holidays like the students.

• Archeologist - You get to discover wonderful, priceless ancient remains before anybody else does.

• Painter - You get to sit down and have time for yourself all the time, paint whatever you like, and the most important is, you can stay home!

P.S. : Other jobs are cool too, not that I don't want to mention them. =)

THREE LEAST COOLEST JOBS

I don't think there's one, actually. A job is still a job. Having a job alone, is something that not everybody can do. So, yeah, you are cool if you have a job, even if it is a work that nobody's ever heard of, or cared about. =)

HAVING STRONG WORK ETHIC AND BE HARDWORKING AT WORK

It is important, so that work can be done in time. It also means that you are not slacking off at the office! You are paid to work, so just do what you have to do, and that is to work. =)

"Most people work just hard enough not to get fired and get paid just enough money not to quit." - George Carlin

Done reading? So, how was it? =)

Day 4 : Money

Hi, once again, I'm Anis Safiah! (I really like to let people know and remember my name, HAHA)

"I'd like to live as a poor man with lots of money." 

- Pablo Picasso

Still remember this picture of mine in my very first post -
Day 1 : About Me? No? Never mind. Let's move on! =)

How important is money to me?

• "Certainly there are things in life that money can't buy, but it's very funny - Did you ever try buying them without money?" - Ogden Nash

• "Money may not buy happiness, but it can damn well give it!" - Freddie Mercury

• "People say that money is not the key to happiness, but I always figured if you have enough money, you can have a key made." - Joan Rivers

• "The only thing money gives you is the freedom of not worrying about money." - Johnny Carson

What do I think about money?

• "The lack of money is the root of all evil". - Mark Twain

• "Money doesn't make you happy. I now have $50 million but I was just as happy when I had $48 million." - Arnold Schwarzenegger

• "The day, water, sun, moon, night - I do not have to purchase these things with money." - Plautus

• "If money is your hope for independence you will not have it. The only real security that a man will have is a reserve of knowledge, experience, and ability." - Henry Ford

Where do I get my money?

Well, of course, for an undergrad student and not having part-time jobs like me, I get my money from my monthly allowance and that is from my parents.

Have I done any part-time jobs before to earn my allowance?

No, because I was still an underage, and my parents did not let me to have one, at the time (I mean after SPM).

If I want to buy something, do I usually save up or will I get it straightaway?

If I don't have enough money, I will start to save up. But if I have enough money, then why not I get it straightaway, right?

Before I end this post, this is how Egyptian Pound (EGP) looks like. =)

 It is called 'Gineih' - like 10 Ginieh (10 EGP)

To be continued... Day 4 : Work!