Happy Jesus' Birthday Everybody!

Today I read something that made me happy. Today the Wilayah Mufti announced that we Muslims can wish people "Merry Christmas" and just because we do, doesn't mean we acknowledge the fact that Jesus is God's son. 

Alhamdulillah!

Finally! A news about Muslims/ Islam that shows progress - it's about time!!

I have never seen any wrong in wishing people Merry Christmas - it's a day of celebration for Jesus's (i.e. Nabi Isa A.S.) birthday, why can't we wish people for that? We believe in Nabi Isa too! In fact, we believe in him so much that there's an empty tomb next to Muhammad S.A.W.'s tomb specially for him. 

When the news of Muslims can't wish "Merry Christmas" to others came out, I was enraged. I was like "What stupidity is this?! Just because I wish someone 'Happy birthday' it'll shake my iman?!"
-___-

I won't say I am a forward thinking Muslim, because I still do think I'm quite traditional in some sense - but I don't believe in how some religious bodies in Malaysia prefers to put out blanket statement to "curb" the problems rather than educating our people. 

It is in the Quran that Jesus was birthed by Mary - and if they wanna mark December 25th as the day, why not? It was not mentioned in the Quran exactly when Jesus was born. To me, December 25th is nothing more than a symbol, a point of reference used for a celebration of the birth of someone equally as important in Islam as he is in Christianity. Every year we celebrate 12 Rabiul'awal as our beloved Prophet's birthday, why can't we mark 25 December as a day to celebrate someone who's tomb is ready to be placed next to our beloved Prophet? 

It is just a day. And okay, maybe they didn't want people to get confused with the whole Christian thinks Jesus is God's son - then educate according to what was written in the Quran. 

Like about the hotdog and rootbeer issue -_____-

Macam tuh usage of "cider" and "ale" also should be prohibited and marked as haram no? 

Educate people on what makes a ale/cider/ beer/ dog halal or haram. Not just because of its name! 

*rolls eyes til I can see my own brain*

I had this conversation with my dad about the ban on the hotdog and rootbeer name. He thinks its was done to avoid confusion for all those "less educated" who studies/ travel overseas. 

"They'll question, hot dog dekat Malaysia halal, overseas pun halal lah? Rootbeer boleh jer minum, asal beer cannot?" 

Ayam dekat Malaysia also halal but not necessarily in UK! -____-' 

It is about time that Malaysian religious authorities review back their statement/ rulings. In current time where Muslims are put on such a spotlight, we don't want to be appearing as a regressive and restrictive religion that we are not. 

As a child I was always educated that even though I am in church, does not mean I can simply run around and make noise because I wouldn't do such a thing in a mosque. I was thought to respect all religions just like how I'd respect mine. Respect doesn't mean believing in. 

And this wasn't because it's my parents' own teachings to their kids, it is an Islamic teaching or more of a requirement as even our Prophet wont demolish a holy site during wars. 

Therefore I shall end this post on a happy note, wishing all a very Merry Christmas and 2017 to be a more progressive, peaceful and united year for all humankind, especially us Malaysians. 

Pocayana's Party in the Woods

This is way long overdue, so let's jump into the time machine and go back to August/ September.

____________________________________________________________________________

Cik P finally decided to on what she wanted to do for her birthday like 2-3 weeks prior to her birthday. She wanted a full blown party, solely because she wanted a chalked-out backdrop.

This was actually quite funny also, because initially Emilia (Cik P's friend) and I were planning on throwing her a surprise (I still remember going over the list of "If I was Zayana, who would I invite to my birthday dinner?" with Emilia) and we even got her Cik P's sister (Dada) onboard to help us spy on Cik P.

One day, while I was out I got a text from Dada: "Aisya, I thought this was supposed to be a surprise? Why is Zayana going over a list of party planner with Kak Ya?"

I immediately made my way to Cik P's and from just looking at party planners, we ended up confirming a date and even went to recce a few potential venues for the dinner. By the end of the day Cik P not only had a (self-appointed) party manager (me!), she also had a confirmed venue (as suggested by her awesome party manager of course)!

This was of course done after sorting it out with Emilia where we decided to let Zayana be as involved as possible with the planning (we don't want her to not like her own party), and we would throw our own surprise elements in there.

So as her PM, I was the middle person dealing with the party planner/ decorator and her and this ladies and gentlemen is when my pesting skills is very useful!

Exhibit A:

The event was <14 days, and we still haven't book the decorator because we're still waiting for the price quote and payment details.. So,

And this is after I messaged her in the morning (previous day): "Hi <insert name>, I think you forgot about me :("

Obviously status reporting is essential in project party management.. She's thankful but Kak Ya thinks Im nuts cause I Bitmoji-ed her, lol. But see that time stamp! It worked!!

Lesson learnt: Always use Bitmoji guys - it'll get their attention and you'll get a reply :p

I've never been more appreciate for pesting skills before this whole entire party management thing, I swear. This is why God placed me in Zayana's life, lol.

Anyways besides managing her party planning, I always was planning on getting her birthday cake - that was something that I told her to leave it up to me. Emilia, Zayana's other friends, and Raema also decided to chip in to the cake and we entrusted KekandCo (love them!) with the cake - and it turned out so beautiful!!

And we also decided to add one "centrepiece" balloon with the cutest name on it (courtesy of Aizat): Pocayana.

I was supposed to pick up the cake during the event day itself, straight from work - which btw I might add wearing all white full day and keeping it clean is a damn challenge (which I barely passed). About 5.30PM sharp I left office and made my way to TTDI to pick up the cake and then drove like a turtle to BSC - which was easy to do anyways cause it's peak hour. However getting to BSC on time during peak hour while driving like a turtle (Milo must've been very shocked at the speed I was driving it) was a challenge!

I needed to get to BSC by 6.15PM as the balloons we ordered were scheduled to arrive during that time. Thankfully I'm quite familiar with shortcuts around Bangsar so I managed to reach BSC by 6.17PM and parked my car, delivered the cake safely to the restaurant all before the balloons arrived!

The balloons arrived with a bang (because one of the balloons popped) and Zayana was in proximity when I collected it (one person you can't expect to come late -.-).. But somehow she didn't really realise what was on the balloons til much later, phew!

All in all the birthday dinner was so perfect - the deco, the kek and more importantly Zayana looked amazing that night. She looked like what Pocahontas should've looked like when Pocahontas went to the ball. 

Isn't it gorgeous?!?! 

The decorator was so worth the money she's paid for because look at the happy face:

What I didn't manage properly for the night was however the servers/ waiters -.- Which quite honestly I thought this wouldn't be something I'm supposed to handle cause well we've been in communication with the restaurant manager, he should've known better..

But I had fun making sure everyone got the food they ordered correctly - I swear I forgot how much I love the rush of event management..

After that chaos was settled, we all enjoyed our food - I enjoyed my lychee watermelon cooler, "cooler" was aptly included in its name - cut the cake, and took lots and lots of pictures!

Some of the pictures from the night:

Clearly not one used to having all the love on her..

In case it wasn't obvious, the theme of the dinner was "Pocahontas" because that's Cik P's favourite Disney princess, so all the guests came as characters from Pocahontas.

Zayana's sister's-boyfriend's-sister made the little playcards/ props of all the characters that people were coming as.

Once a year we do the "Zayana pose" - other times we go back to me always showing the love and she pushing me away.. *rolls eyes*

Batman to Turban

So not too long ago I discovered Bitmoji and life  (read: trolling) has been fabulous ever since.. 

Look who recently jumped on the Bitmoji bandwagon: 

That night when she called me down to her room (I swear, even at the age of almost quarter a century, I still get nervous whenever one of my parents say/ text me: "Sya, come down") was all because she wanted me to set up her Bitmoji.. -___-' And it's all because her friends started using it already, lol. 

And I swear these aunties... They can be CEOs or Chief Investment Officers and their Bitmoji is hilarious. 

This is Aunty X1's Bitmoji: 

"I couldn't find a tudung, so Batwoman pun jadi lah.."

 Both me and my mum cracked up (and actually coughed) after her explanation.. lol! 

Now Aunty X1 is using this Bitmoji (she finally found a more Muslimah appropriate Bitmoji):

This is Aunty X2's Bitmoji: 

I originally wanted to give Mummy a suit for her Bitmoji, but she said "Aunty X2 wears a suit! Cause she's always in one (with her Louboutins), Im not". It's true.. Sometimes my mother wears a jubah to work and only pull out her suits for BODM, so Mummy gets a slightly more casual Bitmoji.. 

She did ask though "Takde jubah ker? That's my signature style".. Bitmoji, take note!

The Torture Session

This evening as I was starting my Pilates class, my Trainer (a.k.a. Fred the Torturer) said,
"Whoa, you're really into Bollywood huh?!"

Fred, you have no idea just how much into Bollywood I am.. 

See, I've this huge crush on Deepika since like 2013 right? About a few weeks back I saw Deepika doing her usual Pilates workout (1 point) while wearing the same sports bra that I have (1 more point for Aisya)!!!

So now I'm like 2 points similar to Deepika, I feel better about my workout clothes choices now guys. #nikealltheway

Today also I've unlocked a whole new achievements of doing 60 squats in total. Normally it's 7-10-12 reps for each set of workouts, today I did 20-20-20 guys!!! Aisya feels very good about herself, she decided to have a burger after that (hi Fred, see you next week!) 

Seeing how squats didn't affect me as much (I have my off days okay), Fred decided to swap my legs/ bum work out to some "unilateral work" as he calls it and that.was.a.whole.new.level.of.torture - my butt is still feeling it eventhough Im laying down on my stomach guys!!! As I was doing the butt workout, I thought "Hrmm, I think Deepika did this kind of workout too......" (I needed a distraction in class okay!!)

So of course I went home and stalked Deepika's trainer.. Nope, completely made that "scene" up in my head :( No extra Deepika-wannabe-points for Aisya today :(

Oh well, here are some of the workouts I've done in class
(to make myself feel a lil bit more accomplished)

A video posted by Yasmin Karachiwala (@yasminkarachiwala) on Aug 2, 2016 at 9:39am PDT

A video posted by Yasmin Karachiwala (@yasminkarachiwala) on Jul 13, 2016 at 10:00pm PDT

A video posted by Yasmin Karachiwala (@yasminkarachiwala) on Jun 23, 2016 at 6:07am PDT

A video posted by Yasmin Karachiwala (@yasminkarachiwala) on May 31, 2016 at 2:15pm PDT

Some of the workouts I'm just waiting for Fred to ask me to do and that this is gonna go into my fitness "achievements"... >(

A video posted by Yasmin Karachiwala (@yasminkarachiwala) on Jun 13, 2016 at 9:56pm PDT

I await for the day til I get on this "bed" and that's when I'll make damn sure that Fred records me working out

A video posted by Yasmin Karachiwala (@yasminkarachiwala) on Jun 7, 2016 at 4:16am PDT

Until then, I present to you, my Queen:

A video posted by Yasmin Karachiwala (@yasminkarachiwala) on Nov 6, 2016 at 11:05pm PST

A video posted by Yasmin Karachiwala (@yasminkarachiwala) on Nov 1, 2016 at 1:29am PDT

A video posted by Yasmin Karachiwala (@yasminkarachiwala) on Oct 7, 2016 at 6:59am PDT

A video posted by Yasmin Karachiwala (@yasminkarachiwala) on Sep 30, 2016 at 9:27am PDT

A video posted by Yasmin Karachiwala (@yasminkarachiwala) on Aug 28, 2016 at 1:17am PDT

A video posted by Yasmin Karachiwala (@yasminkarachiwala) on Jun 21, 2016 at 11:21pm PDT

A video posted by Yasmin Karachiwala (@yasminkarachiwala) on Jun 19, 2016 at 4:19am PDT

A video posted by Yasmin Karachiwala (@yasminkarachiwala) on Feb 3, 2016 at 3:20am PST

Fantastic Beasts & Where to Find Them

When I love something, I obsess about it. 

It's the same with Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika, Deepika-Ranveer, and now lemme talk about my obsession with Harry Potter.. 

With the latest movie from one of J.K. Rowling's books released recently, Harry Potter became a subject of discussion at work last week - side track a bit, I love how at work we can burst out into random topic of discussion! We typically sit at a round table and more often than not someone would open a topic (by accident) and the it'll become a roundtable discussion/ forum. Our topics have ranged from religion (so serious, I know!) to Dan Brown's novels & Harry Potter to sometimes less intellectual ones like shitting/ excretion... #peopleiworkwith... Love them anyways! Some of them I've been working with for like 2 years (basically my entire career) okay!

Anyways, back to Harry Potter (I told you my brain just jumps around these days if I try to write!), we were recapping about some of the characters (up to the 8th book/ Cursed Child) and my bosses were impressed how these minor minor facts still stay intact in my not-so-good memory..

"How do you even manage to remember all this??"
"I am re-reading the series, and sometimes I just watch the movies 1-8 for the fun of it"

I am a geek (minimal social life remember? Plus sometimes I don't have time to sit thru 3 hours of Bollywood films).

I just watched Fantastic Beasts & Where to Find Them and I now have 4 Harry Potter Wikia page opened researching about Grindelwald, the Elder Wand and the Lestrange family. Tomorrow I shall re-read the Fantastic Beasts book to relearn about the creatures in the movie!

While watching the movie, I screamed to Zayana "ITS THE HALLOWS!" and she asked "How did you know it was the Hallow?" .. What else could it be when you see a straight line in a circle within a triangle? (Even if you only saw like half of it..)

I love how the movie had some sense of familiarity that we all know and love from the original Harry Potter series - like the use of some of the well known spells "Alohomora"/ "Accio"/ "Repero", the mention of notable names "Grindelwald"/ "Dumbledore"/ "Lestrange" and the Hallows.

In fact after learning about one of the beasts, I am now convinced that Ariana Dumbledore was an Obscurus and think I have made the connection there about some of the events mentioned in the Deathly Hallows (the book) and this movie..

Why can't Harry Potter be a university subject?!

Also apparently now you can dine at the Great Hall set at the the Harry Potter studios in London!!!

"Hi Malaysia Airlines? One return ticket to London please?"

5 Years & Counting

27 September

So Pisang has clingy friends, and I am one of them. After seeing one of her Snaps about celebrating her anniversary for her ex-EY-interning-days friends, I promptly asked her "WHERE IS OUR ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION!?!". Her answer was "You don't even know when is our anniversary" ... True! But I can always find out (I'm very good at these things backdating stuff, it should be listed as a skill..)

 See, I've always known that we met on the first week of Uni and I figured if they (Zayana & friends above) are turning 3, we should easily be 5 already because I met her two years earlier. A 5 year anniversary is a reason to celebrate no? 

So we went digging for information (cakap orang lupa, padahal dia pun sama jer.. See! You made my Malay come out), which included looking into my past emails on my term start date and etc. and landed that we met on 27 September 2011 which was also a Tuesday (Pisang was adamant that she met on Tuesday... Because she "heard" me on Monday and then mustered up the courage to tegur me the next day)!! 

That point onwards, with many mention of Cik Pisang/ Zayana/ Chanela/ Sadness/ Pocayana (eh this post is actually not up yet isn't it? Damn Aisya! You're slacking) later, here we are with 5 years of friendship! 

27 September 2016

Because our discovery was made quite early of the month, I actually forgot about it.. 

I'm telling you she's being suspicious! As much as my room is messy she has never volunteered to help re-arrange stuff (because she knows I hate it when people move my stuff.. I am perfectly fine with my own mess cause I know where things are that way).

But since I was at work and quite honestly I am easily distracted so I didn't put much thought to it. 

Eventually we settled on having Mikey's at Publika.. 

For desserts we decided to go to Ojo Coffee at Bangsar for their waffles & Nutella - where Pisang was convinced one of the strawberry tasted like bawang.. I still think she's delusional to this day.. 

I swear I spoke to her more than I played PokemonGo okay!! 

Oh how things have (sorta) changed after 5 years.. See original photo (our first photo together!) here.

When I got back home that night I saw a foreign box on my bed... 

I KNEW IT SHE WAS BEING SUSPICIOUS!!!! Because just as we got in the car she said "WAIT I NEED TO PEE!" and let's face it, between Zayana & I, I'm the one more likely to scream out of the blue that I need to urinate.. Also I must say she took quite long to "urinate"..

Inside the box is a pearl necklace and I swear it's so pretty and dainty! I love it!! I don't wear jewelry often, but when I do I always feel 10 times more girly/ feminine than usual and the necklace ups my feminine level by 100 when I put it on! 

Then I flipped the card over and the message was so beautiful!!  

She loves me... She loves me not.. SHE LOVES ME!!!! (Also she wants to say she brings out the beauty in me is it? :P)

And then of course that Percy card wouldn't come back to me for no reason (again, I swear I will update on this soonest!!), so I flipped the card and then the emotional kid in my just starting tearing :') 

(at the black-ed out part because well, I don't want others to cry too :p) 

Also I figured out why "two years" - how silly of me! Well, I must say, best of luck Pisang!!!! :p

To many more years of friendship (we must hit our Chanel target!). And now we've unlocked a new level of clinginess - PISANG IS NOW MY COLLEAGUE TOO!! Who knew when we went looking for jobs together, we'd end up working together too!

Just a friendly reminder, 

Do You Recall, Not Long Ago..

Hello!

Lately I feel like it's harder for me to sit down and pen my thoughts here as most of the time my mind is all over the place (#scatterbrain), and I fear as I write, it's just gonna jump everywhere! But let's try anyway because Pisang (*waves*) said if I don't update my blog, she starts to "wander".

1. I have discovered the joy of Google Sheets.
   
   It all started when spendthrift ol' me decided that in 2017, I wanna go on not one, but two "big trips". Then one day my colleague, Manda, told me how she just created a scenario planning (so consultant) to buy a handbag and the new Macbook Pro and said she's now broke.. Lol.
   
   So I thought, I should do the same thing tooooo!
   
   After taking account of all my monthly expenses and commitments, and projecting the monies coming in on a monthly basis, this is what I managed to come up with - an "annual budget" for my 2017 salary.
   
   Now I just have to monitor the monthly spending against the budget before I decide..
    
2. I've started reading Malay novel
   
   There's no plural in there because really, it's only 1 novel so far (and by "so far" I mean in the last 24 hours - because this really is a new thing), hehehe.
   
   It all started with the Suri Hati Mr. Pilot craze that was going on. My mother been asking me to get a copy of the book (because she's an even book worm than I am) since the beginning of the show (and now it has ended after 16 episodes). So occasionally I've been popping in to bookstores trying to see if they're in stores - but nadaaa! Damn this craze is real!
   
   So on Friday, my friend was nice enough to buy me (gotta keep to that budget guys! :p) another Malay novel instead - Isteri vs. Tunang.
   
   
   
   I can't comment on the show as I didn't watch it, but I think I would've enjoyed it because I thoroughly enjoyed the book! I finished the entire 437-pages in one sitting (sampai pukul 3 pagi.. Talk about a "wild" Friday night)! I even cried at certain parts as I can thoroughly understand how it feels to be Alana Sofea's (Scha's character) position.
   
   Though there were some parts that I thought tak masuk akal (actually its the trigger point of the entire story) but who am I to question logic after years and years of Bollywood movies?
    
3. I was in Bangkok earlier this month/ end of last month
   
   
   Spent about 3 days 3 nights in Bangkok which was filled with mainly shopping.. That was very satisfying for my wardrobe and soul. I mean how can you not enjoy spending when on average, every clothing item cost me around RM25?!
   
   I love Bangkok!!
   
   On the first day Amanda & I returned to work, we wore the clothes we bought from Bangkok and we gave each other the "I know where that's from :p" look. Throughout the entire week our colleagues would be asking "is this from Bangkok?" (we've monikered the first week we were back as "''Bangkok Fashion' Week") and even my mother is going "baju baru lagi?!" almost everyday.
   
   Would definitely try to make this into a yearly thing - I mean, my wardrobe would need a refresh no? I promise no more ZARA til at least March!
    
4. I got promoted!!
   
   After 2 years in EY, and effective from 1 October, I am now a Senior! It feels so surreal that I have remained in my job for 2 years and more.. I mean, according to Gen Y's statistics, it's time to leave my job now, but then again I don't really strongly agree with the view of most people have for the working "millennials/ Gen Ys" #rebel. Out of the people who started the journey with me back in September 2014, only 6 of us are left :(

Okaylah, I suppose you're updated with my life now.

Til next time! xx, A.

p/s: Guys, I discovered mash-up covers that combines hit English and Bollywood songs(!!!!!!). My playlist is gonna be complete now with this (it's currently 90% Bollywood songs I swear.. I need some balance..)

Not Having Control

Guys, I am having a serious case of Monday blues - and I'm being totally super dramatic about it. 

This evening, as I was resting after a long day (of doing nothing but watching Da Vinci Code and Angels & Demons.. *roll eyes at self*), I literally have butterflies in my stomach thinking about what a long day I'm going to have tomorrow - I need to be in office by 7.30AM... 

I slept it off for a bit before dinner and I woke up after dinner feeling even more crappier!! 

I notice lately I get anxious very easily.. And only a couple of days ago I realise what gives me anxiety.. 

Me: OMG, talking to you about me not being able to read my e-mails for the entire day just made my heart beats faster and now I'm anxious! I never knew I care so much about not being able to read my e-mails!!

Pisang: I think not having control gives you anxiety.. 

Me: Lol - I'm surprised my room is not giving me an anxiety attack everyday..

Pisang: Your mess in your room is your mess, you do have control over it - when you decide to have a spotless room, you can have a spotless room. So that's why you're not bothered by it.

IT. IS. SO. TRUE!!!!

Tomorrow seems so undecided for me - sure I know what i'll be doing from 7.30AM - 5.30PM, but it's not my usual day-to-day kind of work.. And I'm in charged of controlling the presentation, what if I screw up the order!? Omg - did I even bring back the laser pointer?! SHIT. 

I am a control freak guys :"( 

I need a break from work. Work elevates my controlling level. 

2 more weeks to my short getaway - excited is me!

May the next two weeks be smooth sailing. 

It's Never Really Goodbye With Us

It has been our tradition that before any of us leave for UK again, the last weekend would be a sleepover weekend. 

So yes, even at the age of 24 I do still have sleepover - because why not?! 

_________________________________26 August 2016_________________________________

It was one of the last weekend before Zoe leave for UK (again) so we agreed to have a sleepover. Since Zoe had dinner to go too (busy bee she was!), I went home first after work - which is good too cause then I had time to pack.. 

Once we both received the text from Zoe that she was on her way home, both Min & I left separately to Zoe's. Once at her place we just chilled with our masks and helped her pack. 

Still remember the first time Zoe was leaving and we both had to help her pack, it was a war zone. 

Me: Why the heck do you have 3 huge tubs of Cetaphil? They have it in the UK!?! 

Zoe: Well, what am I gonna use to shower when I arrive? 

Me: You don't need 3!!

Zoe: They had a promotion....

-______-

Me: Zoe, you don't need to bring all your jeans you know. Just bring two, you'll buy more there for sure!

Zoe: But they fit me... 

Me: You need more space for food! You'll shop for clothes there.

Fast forward 2 years later

Zoe: You're right Sya - I just end up shopping for clothes there and most of my luggage space are for food.

Well, she weren't kidding. She had like 3 different brands of seaweed to bring -____-' 

Of course no packing session would be complete if we didn't raid each other's closet and "borrow" (cause sometimes you never see the item back) clothes.. We also unlocked a whole new level of friendship where we literally lie on the floor and talk to each other while one of us is showering.. (Zoe's house is not a place for privacy, lol :P)

Her super belated birthday present. 

(Yes, that's right, that's a poop shape down right the middle of the shadow box.. Who can forget our "Baby I feel shitty" cycle - even til we're 23/24 is still catches up on us, sigh)

The next day, we decided to go to Dotty's for lunch and boy it was so goooooooood!

 The chocolate croissant & some blueberry pastry

Dotty's french toast - which I thought would be perfect with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. 

Faiz decided to join us and since he's on his diet phase, so all he got was our leftovers. So kesian.

I'm in my Harry Potter phase (after the Cursed Child I decided to re-read the entire series - still at Book #2.... That's a mirror image, so that's not me finishing the book, that's me just starting btw). I really do become more anti-social when I read compared to when I'm with my phone..

 Til the next farewell sleepover! 

xx, A.