Movies of 2009

I am a movie-junkie. Always love movies. 2009 has been a great year. Shouldn’t say that I’ve wrapped up everything, because I haven’t watch Sherlock Holmes. Tomorrow maybe. That’s next year. Darn. Anyway, my latest favourite movie this year was Avatar. Like I’ve said, “beyond imagination”. I love the glow in the dark forest-or Pandora. Like when they step on the ground, there’s light. Each step, one flash. Then, the hanging mountains. Now, those who love mountain climbing should re-think their technique for this one.  Also, the character. Every characters. The birds are different-they called them Ikran. The horse. They have more than 4 legs. Everything….The effects…Awesome. And most of all….I SEE YOU…

Not to forget, 2012. One word-AWESOME. Hell amazing. 2years to go. Really hope it’s fiction. The movie touched every sense of emotions. Remind me of how close it is to the next world, which has been promised -would happen.

Then, of course. Twilight (released in 2008). Corny, yes. But I love it. So do I care what other people think? No. Hee.. Which straight brought me to the novels. Twilight-New Moon-Eclipse-Breaking Down.  Then the sequel, Twilight Saga: New Moon. A bit dissappointed really (on the premiere day). Probably because I’ve read the novel, so I kinda know the what-happen-next.   Though the second time I’ve watched it, kinda not too bad. Especially the part of Volturi. In the novel, I couldn’t imagine how Volterra will be, what Jane will look like. Almost entirely skip the chapter with the Volturi people in.  So, this would be another fav. movie this year. Look forward for Eclipse next year.

Love as well: Micheal Jackson’s This is It. He’s just not that into you (a different kind of chick-flick). Night at the museum 2. Ice age 3: Down of the Dinosaurs. Monster vs Aliens. 500 Days of Summer. And, there’s plenty others. Wolverine (not the best of X-Men sequels), Transformer 2 (compare to the first one, this was too much actions), Harry Potter 6 (too much emotions), Coraline, The Proposal, The Ugly Truth, Cloudy with a chance of meatballs, The Hangover, Old Dogs.

2010: Bring it ON!!

Books of 2009

To be honest, being a graduate student, I no longer swim my self in tons of books. Usually journals. Or books; for quick reference. So, when I say book, it oftenly means novels or the self-help one.

These are the books (beside Patricia Cornwell’s) that keep me awake all night. Stephanie-my new fav. author. ( I mean, who could imagine a story about vampire, human and werewolf-or if you’ve read till Breaking Down-“shape-shifter”, in such fine, twisted storyline..anyway, I couldn’t. )

My recent guilty pleasure- Cecelia Ahern’s. Yes, I’ve read P/S I Love You. In 2007 I think. So, when I bought “If you could see me now” in a garage sale in Adamstown, I thought it will be, you know, not much difference from other fictions that I’ve read. But then, bang. She rocks. The story was so magical. Rationally unreal. Captivating till the end. From there, I became addicted to her piece. Like I always do with my favorite authors. Patricia was the first one. Second one Stephanie. Now, Cecilia. Every titles of theirs, I love to own..hehe. 

  

For 2010, my aims, beside my Permanent Head Damage thingy, are to read (or to really read) the pieces from John Grisham, Dan Brown and Jeffrey Archer. Have had their books for quite some time now…….=P …And of course, to try to complete my collection of Cecilia’s and The Host from Stephanie..

2010: BRING IT ON!

The last Chemistry Barbeque of 2009-international students

I was actually browsing through some photos and found these videos..bring back the memory -last year, only me-with the head scarf, and about 4 international students in Chemistry..things have changed over the year..
Besides BBQ for “end of the year”, this one is a farewell party as well..for Xiao Guang and Deborah as “single”..they are going back to China and Goa, India, respectively, for their wedding…Plus, we celebrated my birthday too…Thanks people!

Confirmation seminar, Tasmania and OIAM Season 3..

This past few weeks has been an amazing journey for me..

1)      24^th Apr 2009- Delivered my PhD confirmation seminar and had the verbal defence with the meeting panel…so far, alhamdulillah..

After the meeting, we had lunch, like to celebrate my work after it’s done..we went to Fire Station Hotel to have a brief (well, not really..) LUNCH..

I’m the only girl (or, lady if u like) there..the others were Ian van Altena (my supervisor), Ian Holland (research group and office mate), John Tulloch (office mate), Bob (confirmation panel coordinator), Prof. Jeff and Marcel (both are lecturers in the Chem Dept)..

We had various dishes-mine: Tasmanian scallops..the ONLY thing that I could stomached-even the fish and chips-the barramundi fish is beer battered..so,can’t eat..

Great FUN!!!

No photos tho..as, the lady who I ask help captured the pic was actually not doing it properly..hope it would still be memorable for a long time..

 

2)      25^th Apr 2009- off to Hobart, Tasmania with Kak Noni..

Road trip o Syd Airport Long Term Car Park- began the journey around 530am, arrived ~800am-killed the time with early breakfast on the way

Arrived @ Hobart around 1pm as our flight was delayed..(Plane-Jet Star)

Rent a car from Hertz..Nissan Tiida-I drove the second day..

Stayed: First night-@ Hatcher’s Manor-an old, historic beautiful cottage located in historical town called Richmond

Managed to visit-Salamanca Market, Tasmanian Devil Conservation Park, Port Arthur Historic Site, University of Tasmania and Hobart CBD..(we only have two days-the day in autumn is shorter..so ALL of these activities were some sort of rushed..with the lunch,dinner and driving time..)

Stayed: Second night-Quality Hotel Hobart Airport-only 2mins drive to the airport

Touched down Sydney on 27^th Apr 2009 at 1030am..(Plane-Virgin Blue)

Lunch @ restaurant Abang Sam (Syd Msian Hall chef) before headed back to Newcastle

AWESOME experience..!!

 (more pictures-in my facebook page)

3)      29 th Apr 2009 (Wed-Fri) No supervisor-but, still went to office..hahahha

On 28^th Apr btw, I did went to the office..proud of myself..it was such a short holiday..haha..back to work..!!

My supervisor visited his mum in Queensland (Wed-Sun)..usually in this type of time..all the escapism will occurred..but, alhamdulillah..still in the office every single day..

We even did our research group meeting tho he’s not around..and, it was great..!

I did had a task however, to deliver a talk about Colorimetric GTPAse assay in the next week group meeting..kerja kerja..haha

 

4)      1 May 2009- Tomok won OIAM!!!

One in a Million has been one of my favourite reality TV show since the first season (with FAizal Tahir and Alif) and season two (with ayu, shila, dayang)-Only the names of my fav contestants-

This season, my fav was Tomok..(adelagi la, couple of ppl..but he’s the one that I really obsessed about)

I know some of u would say, what??!! Tomok..??!! don’t u have someone else to adore..?! but hey, he’s changed.. A LOT (he used to be in a group with a very melodramatic song..called new boyz..hehe)

I love all his rendition or version of songs he delivered..

Fantastic and Awesome..like Faizal Tahir did in OIAM season1..

Wish him all the best and great luck..I believe he’ll have a very promising future in the music industry..

I like most of his performances-but posted only the “Hanya kau yang mampu” as this was the last performance of him in the final, beside “Rindu terhenti”-his own single wrote by Aubrey Suwito..Compare to the new song, this is funkier..hehe

 

5)                  More works to be done after this…hahahaha..

Amber Chia model Victoria Beckham Fall 09!!!

I have looked at Victoria Beckham fall/winter 09 dresses like a number of times, but didn’t realized that the catwalk model and the one modelling the dresses for ads was our own Amber Chia !! (she’s Malaysian from Tawau, Sabah btw..) Ah, so proud of her…The make up really change her look..it was on style.com where on this particular dress that I HEART (the purple one), that I noticed they wrote Amber’s name there..yeah, its her in the pic (below)…and, yes, apparently most of other dresses that I love so much the other two at the bottom, was also modelled by Amber..if only I could afford to buy those..heheheh…

my ESCAPISM..the weddings

obvious enough..this is my escapism..

I don’t have any idea, when I begin my journey in this research world that I w0uld be downgrading myself so much…I did things that I NEVER EVER did b4..like spending mytime with the internet and stuff..so much..just not me..

I’ll be like spending time with the facebook, youtube, googling, reading msian news, tv3.online, thinking about watching movie @ glendale, go play badminton, go swimming, driving, lpaking, watch criminal minds, studying criminology…to be honest, these are all MY ESCAPISM.. tapi, I’m actually so VERY LUCKY that I got this escapism, that I could put aside a little while ALL my research stuff..

Now. Last weekend we got this wedding reception for Kak Wardiah-Haris. Their 3rd wedding reception kot. So, here are some of the piccas..

And, not to forget. wedding kak qila @ rawang. went through video calls. got this pic pun through kak asuar pnye fb..yg len xupload lg kot..hehe..how lovely with the blue-pink bju pngntin..

alright.. that’s all 4 now..take care semua..

Life @ Down Under

Basically my life @ down under revolved around these things:

1. Friends

2. Beaches

3. BBQs

4. Camping

5. Journals & Books

6. Research

8. me car, house