Why I Wear Crocs

What do you know, Crocs is actually one of the most hideous shoes ever in creation. And wearing them around counts you as an arrogant self-centered person who thinks she's beautiful enough with the rest of her outfit to overcompensate the hideousness of her footwear.

I think those critics think too much, and no that's not what I think of my humble self. Though I couldn't agree more with the arrogant self-centered part. Maybe I should tone it down?

I just wanna vouch for Crocs practicality and comfiness (I originally bought my LE300 ones for medical reason). And mine is seriously cool, check this out for yourself!

That, and the fact I couldn't find any Blundstone boots around.

I used to have them when I was six and scamping about Australia, but obviously at 20 I would have outgrown it.

We're gonna go wardrobe hunting soon.

p/s: Apparently, location does not hinder your sleep issues.

27th July: Owh Alex, you scratched my heart

1. Do not let people decide for you.
2. There are times to be safe and NOT take the risk of uncertainties.
3. Do not take flight from anywhere in Egypt except from Cairo.
4. You know you love Emirates.

Wait, since when did I take the risk of uncertainties??

This is why I always rather be on my own thus in charge. Leaving things in people's hand is just.. sickening when at lost.

---

Insane. "But I was told I'm getting 30kilos!"

"You have to pay LE114 per kg excess, so 10kg will be-"

"Yea I know, LE1140." This is insane! "Can I combine the weight with my friends?"

"That's not allowed. If you're going to pay-"

"I'm not paying." I don't care if I came across rude for interrupting him twice. "Is there anything I can do about it?"

"You can talk to Mr. Ayman at the first counter there. Go."

---

Mr. Ayman let me check my luggage in the First Class counter. Alhamdulillah the 33kg luggage passed with His blessings and that dude's nod.

I'd like to think it was due to the fierce glint in my eyes that said I'm gonna complain all out and shove your b****** up your a**, bring this up to the highest authority if I must. I did not paid LE3750 for a 20kg flight, no I did not!

But everything is all Allah's blessings.

اللهم لا سهل الا ما جعلته سهلا
وانت تجعل الحزن ان شئت سهلا

Twenty

Owh it's good to be back. Just in time to spend my last day of the somewhat crazy 19-year-old in the safe cocoon of PT 715.

Since I failed to sleep in the last 24 hours prior to touching down in Malaysia at 3pm, I crashed at midnight and was woken up by my grandma at noon. Barely finished my lunch (Nasi Ayam Mok Noh, haha. Sweet evergreen.) and body shut down right there afterwards.

Back alive at 4pm, was it? Then I remembered it's 29th today. Haha. And I still aches all over, I wonder am I really 20? Feels like 50 ouch.

I've had a funny start. Sure hope this is no indication to what lies further.

Happy 20, Atiqah.

---

30th July, 8.30pm - 10.00pm

Euro Fun Park. I had the time of my life defying gravity and staring wide-eyed at the ground from a perpendicular position meters above, thus taunting the fact I am acrophobic.

---

31th July

There was two weddings to attend today, both couples were students in the medical profession.

"If you want to get married, better do so before dad retires," mom said.

Which is next year. What is this, Mission: Marriage Impossible?

---

1th August, 8.00pm

Dinner at New Horizon Restaurant. It was my first time dining at the family's favourite restaurant, and it was splendid.

Angela's Ashes

Date: 100710
Location: Calais heading to Belgium.

I was on the bus reading Angela's Ashes up till 117 and dutifully ignoring everything else when my eyes watered and my nose clogged needing sniffles.


And I chuckled at the innocence and wisdom of the wee lad of Frank McCourt and dabbed my eyes on my sleeves at the poverty and death claiming his brothers one by one.

In France I missed my family thus sms-ed my father. I thanked God for the blessings I have, the opportunity I was given, the bright blue sky of Calais, the home-made tuna and cucumber sandwiches and the two seats I procured on the bus.

Sigh. It's a nice change from the mind-reeling online fictions and mind-boggling PDF non-ficts I've been reading nowadays.

---

In short, this is a memoir of Frank McCourt growing up in extreme poverty. But the gold in this paperback that got me reading thoroughly was how he told the story with the keen observation of a growing lad, the innocence of a child taking the world at face value, and the wisdom of an eldest brother forced to mature up early.

Story-telling at its best.

---

Moments like this remind me how grateful I am to be handpicked by Allah to further my studies in Egypt. This place toughened you up yet the people and surroundings humbled you.

Though it does make you wonder; is there a possibility to be one tough chick with a humble personality?

Albeit me currently is self-centered; the intensity depends on who you are to me. [Oh ayat ini sungguh berlagak, someone do come here and lempang me.]

---

Date: 090710
Location: Waterstones Piccadilly Circus.

"Hi, good afternoon. I was wondering if you have Ashley's Ashes here?"

"Good afternoon. You mean Angela's Ashes?"

"No, Ashley's." Confidently as usual.

"Please wait, I'll run through the system."

I clicked and hummed while the Waterstones guy scanned through his screen.

"I'm sorry, there's no book by the title Ashley's Ashes. What is it about?"

"It's a memoir of Frank something I forgot."

"Oh yes, Frank McCourt. Angela's Ashes." He smiled and walked around his cubicle and gestured for me to follow him.

"Oh yeah, that's his name," I smiled sheepishly. "Sorry I got the title wrong."

Chuckled. "Irish writer, isn't he?"

"Ah yes, American-Irish."

He took the book from the top shelf that was quite beyond my reach and handed it to me. "Here you go."

"Thanks, sir."

18th July: Toppled in Earl's Court

Coming down from the Kelana Convoy coach for the last time, I couldn’t see where I was stepping with all the sleeping bags I was carrying. I fell on the landing by the driver’s seat and had to break my fall with my left elbow.

It effing hurts. I couldn't straighten my elbow, lift my left arm above its level or leave it hanging/swinging in its anatomical position without cringing in pain.

Park Royal - Earl's Court. Muka penat budak-budak kaki merayap.

It was 10pm already and we were racing at Earl’s Court underground station for our 10.30pm bus at West Brompton. I stood at the bottom of the escalator and the cabin luggage I was pulling around was two landings below me.

I hoisted it up but the luggage was being painfully stubborn. I twisted to my back to hoist it up. Tugged the stubborn cabin bag up. As the steep escalator climbed steadily, I was tilted backwards and suddenly I was on my back, spread between three or four very steep steps.

Blood rushed to my head. I blinked and assessed the situation. Alhamdulillah at least the cabin luggage did not sail all the way down, nauzubillah. And me neither. Owh nice ceiling.

Okay, now get up.

I tried to but the packed Deuter Futura 32 liter hiking rucksack on my back cemented me on the ground. My right arm was flattened on my fallen side so it was useless, plus there was no space on my right to plant my palm on the ground and hoist myself up.


I tried to grab the handrail with my left but argh I can’t reach it, it was too high from my slanted prone position. The strain on my elbow throbbed from my earlier fall that morning. I could hear the two concerned Londoners behind me asking repetitively, “Are you okay?”

“I will be,” I tried to grab the handrail. “I just-” Again, trying. “-need-” Ouch my elbow hurts. “-to get up.” I’m exhausted.

Can I just lay down here?

“Can you get up?”

“I’m- Can you help me up, please?”

The lady held her hand for me to grab and ouch, stupid girl, why did you have to hurt your elbow earlier on the bus? The man pushed me from my back and after a while struggling, the tortoise was righted back on her feet.

Alhamdulillah, phew. “Thanks guys. I’m okay now.” I laughed.

“Are you sure you’re okay?” The man asked again. “Because you just sort of toppled over.”

Toppled over? I laughed at that word. Had I reminded them of a tortoise? “I am, I am. Thanks.” Smiled.

We then reached the landing and I thanked them both again. It was a really high escalator and I was on my back for quite a long time considering that I fell at the beginning and only righted up towards the end. Nisa thanked them as well. I finally noticed the two of my travelmates and Ara, Allah bless that still laughing girl, relieved me from the luggage.

---

“Lama ke aku jatuh tadi?” I asked the girls in between laughing. The man from earlier stood at the door of a carriage and looked at us in amusement. We smiled gratefully at him.

“Lama!” Ara the exaggerator. “Semua orang yang turun tu tengok~ je kau.”

We boomed out laughing in the middle of the station.

---

After what happened at Earl’s Court, I am now paranoid at taking the escalator.

When riding an escalator, make sure both of your feet are on the same step, all of the soles of your shoes planted firmly on it. Grip the handrail loosely so as not to be dragged downwards should the handrail cease moving. Face forward and don’t turn your back!

Say your prayers and try not to be so buas.

13th July: Luxembourg

Craig parked the bus near the Gëlle Fra Memorial at the Constitutional Square. We raced for the public water closet only to face this bossy lady who apparently own the institution and demanded half euro from each of us, reprimanded us into a line as she inserted our coin into the slot at the door knob and shoved us one by one into a cubicle.

I was like, wow, wow hold on! Argh she already closed the door! Huh laju gile mak cik ni. At least do so while smiling, I might obey along like a lamb.

Gëlle Fra Memorial is a World War I memorial for the thousands of Luxembourgers volunteering in the allied armed forces. There was supposed to be a gilded lady up on the top, but apparently she is now in Shanghai for the Expo 2010.

Encik Shamsul and Encik Khubaib led us across the street. We walked pass a man sitting through a telephone conversation in his car and said man was talking Arabic. Egypt colloquial, to be precise.

I truly believe Egyptians are everywhere!

We walked through William Square where it was empty of local markets, glorified with a few pigeons here and there and the town hall wasn't as bustling with life.

William II in his horseback glory was actually the King of the Netherlands and Grand Duke of Luxembourg.

We arrived a little late at where the rest of the group were. We missed the place overview by Sir Hairul, thus I was clueless.


It was a building alright, with a mini square? What am I looking at?

"Oh bangunan ni atuk aku beli dulu, lepas tu dia jual dekat pembesar-pembesar Luxembourg, sekarang dah jadi tempat tinggal diorang."

"Oh." I snickered. "Berfungsi lagi ke?"

"Haah, tu ada guard tu."

Grand Ducal Palace, the official residence of the Grand Duke of Luxembourg guarded by a single (seen) soldiers of the military of Luxembourg.

See that black Sirius-like animagus? I believe it’s a small bear. It’s too big for a dog!

Boss Hairul led us pass the Luxembourg City History Museum


and into the Corniche, marvelled as the most beautiful balcony of Europe.

And indeed, the view was magnifique! Luxembourg City being carved into cliffs and valleys is of strategic military significant. Among the UNESCO heritage site here include the casemates and fortresses used during the last world war.

The one with pointed tower, that’s the St. John Church and near it is the National Museum of National History. I think :P

Aristocratic houses.

Group pict! Haha spot meh! Owh and that’s not even everyone.
Picture stolen from Kak Faten’s FB hehe.

Overlooking the terrace and viaduct.

Encik Khubaib’s mighty Olympus versus my ciput 3.2 megapixel.
-_________-

Mak Cik Afida proud by European City of Culture.

The old quarters and fortifications earned the UNESCO world heritage site. That is Pak Cik Yen sharing his experiences with the mischievous Encik Shamsul.
No use defaming him here, I’ll get to him soon ;)

We walked pass the St. Michael’s Church, the Chemin de la Corniche and the National Museum of History and Art towards Place d’Armes with free time to browse around and poke noses at their culture.

It was lunch time thus packed.

Luxembourgers have a classic sense of humour.
Sengal! XD

Ice-blended for the summer.

And we were back to where Craig dropped us off.

Europeans cycle a lot, don’t they? I can’t even bring out the cycling topic to my old bro without getting a “You mean your flattened-tire rusty bicycle?”

They are blessed with longevity, though not as much amiability as their German cousins.

Just before climbing onto the coach, we looked down to muse at the Pétrusse Valley and the Adolphe Bridge at the end.

Pétrusse casemates.

---

On the bus though, they talked about a slightly bitter part of human attitude. Mak Cik Ena was browsing a souvenir shop when she was rudely chased out by the owner. Something about they don't sell discounted stuffs or something. Ever the good sport, she walked out not realizing her cream dropped from her handbag.

The owner kicked the cream out but it rolled by the door near Nisa and Ara. Nisa picked it up and placed it on shelf, thinking it was the owner's.

Outside, Mak Cik Ena rummaged through her bag.

"Mak cik cari krim ke?" Nisa offered.

"Haah, krim mak cik tercicir."

They went back to the shop. Mak Cik Ena asked politely to the ignorant owner who disregarded them three. Finally he turned to them, made a disgusted face and announced the cream was thrown in the trashcan as he has no use of keeping non-store item inside.

Wth???

14th and 15th July: "Nak stay takmo balik!"

After a rather heavy and hasty (on my part, sape suh lambat?) English breakfast of sausages, baked beans and mashed potato, we started our walk/climb from our Schützenbach camp to Lauterbrunnen bahn station to catch the train up to Kleine Scheidegg.

Halfway up the shortcut, there was a bench overlooking the scenic valley and being one of the earliest to be up there, I could see the rest of our group huffing up the trail.

Picture stolen from Kak Faten's FB haha.

"Boleh duduk kat sini kalau nak," Encik Hairul the convoy boss said.

I immediately rose to the occasion and kicked my heals around humming contently.

He continued in between chuckling, "Tapi untuk orang tua je la."

Our group laughed.

Mak Cik Afida was just about to sit when I scrambled up. "Eh kenapa?"

"Kerusi tu untuk orang tua je," I blurted out.

"Hah?"

Our group boomed in laughter.

"Eh Encik Hairul yang cakap!" I whined innocently!

---

Out from the trail and there was the main road to the right, left and straight ahead. Encik Hairul led the way across the street and onto the path straight ahead.

Obediently I followed.

"Percaya je cakap orang," He smugly made a u-turn towards the earlier right.

"Argh!"

Tahniah selamat sampai station bahn.
Owh and my name is Nur, of course I'm all bercahaya whatsit.

---

The bahn to Jungfraujoch from Kleine Scheidegg.

View from Eismeer Station at 10368 ft.

The white wall behind me is actually the clouds. And it's not really that cold up there. Maximum temperature of 5 degrees during that time and wind up to 50km/h I think.
Those people even brought their dog out on the plateau.

When the clouds move out of the way, you can see the valley way down below.

The walk-through freezer of Ice Palace inside the mountain, where they display sculptors of penguins and seals and igloos and don't they have rabbits in the Arctic?

Sphinx Terrace at 11760 ft. It was cold and scary fun I prayed hard I won't wobble and fall. Hyper people tend to do just that.

View down from Sphinx Terrace.

Croc on ice yeah!~

Snow-fun trail at Jungfraujoch where people trek towards the Monchsjoch Hut, amuse the sledge dogs or play at ski and snowboard park. Or stumble around like a penguin like what yours truly did in her Croc.

Vanilla ice cream for lunch after coming down from Jungfraujoch, before wandering off the untouched beauty of Kleine Scheidegg.

Played with kakak-kakak masters engineering from Dublin in Kleine Scheidegg. They are awesome cool with humour and Bollywood poses.

Emerald green valley of Kleine Scheidegg.

---

I've always had a soft spot for nature, thus really love being in Switzerland. From the Kleine Scheidegg station you can see the huge lake with dainty wooden settlements build sparingly around it, the emerald green valleys and the snowy topped mountains. Everything of nature in contrast yet magnificently complemented each other.

It's indescribable. No camera can capture its beauty and do justice. I tried to stay as long as possible to commit and burn everything to memory, yet the vividness is not a dip compared to the real thing.

Oh and my eyes watered on the way down. Allah the Almighty, the Creator of everything, the Only One to be worshiped. I have the gift of vision and the opportunity to land my Croc here, yet I sin despite His never-ending blessings.

I will go there again.

---

That night we had nasi lemak for dinner, so you can imagine the amount of energy I built up. Encik Hairul suggested we go up the Staubbach waterfall before it turn dusk.

We walked up through the crazy golf area (originally Sir Janggut here was supposed to treat us to a game, but he thought the place was already closed when we came down. It actually closes an hour later.), a graveyard and at the corner, I saw a small dog without a leash to our right.

Eh no, that's a cat! Wow a big one, I haven't seen a cat since Cairo! I was giddy with excitement and called out for Kak Izzati.

"Ye pergi kanan, pastu masuk kiri dekat kereta hijau tu," Encik Khubaib said.

Yay can go near that cat!

Encik Khubaib brought the group to the left.

"Argh kene tipu lagi!"

View from behind the waterfall. The water coming down is the Staubbach itself, gaining volume as the rain fall. The streak of white on your upper right is the river forming down below.

Misty morning after last night's rain.

Our coach overlooking the Staubbach waterfall by day. See Encik Shamsul diligently packing our bags inside the coach.

Thunersee, or Lake Thun which is one of the two large lake lying at the foot of the mountains. It took a lot to remember I will taint the family name by jumping into the crystal clear water.

The Cairo students with the iron ladies and their kids.

Of course, people go here to camwhore XD

And we continued our journey to France. No one get to stay, sobs.

I Left My Heart in Switzerland

Aslmwbt. Hi, I'm back. Already missing the trip; the people I met,

Our trustworthy convoy crew, En. Khubaib and En. Shamsul.
Don't underestimate them, they know the world beyond the dining tent.

the places I went,

Lavender patch at Jardin de Tuileries, Paris.

the rabbits and seagulls I amused.

Seagull overlooking Calais, France.

Had much fun and felt tremendously lighter. I will meet them again and I will go there again, insyaAllah I will.

Will write properly about them soon.

Kleinn Scheidegg, Switzerland.

i am off [soon]

just a quick goodbye. please take care. and i really mean it.

rai, jaga diri.

najiha, i really wish i could see you; i haven't in a long time. no i don't miss you though.

kak bid, you know you're tougher than every obstacles Allah tests you with.

akihana, please keep blossoming those pink flowers. ukki deer, try not to prick raja when she comes around to water you.

and you, enjoy the holls and please take care. :)

and please forgive me, all of you. for all the wrong doings i did. all the feelings i messed with, and all the jokes that were too much. and the misunderstandings i initiated due to excessive talking or complete silence or eerie Sai-like smiles and whatsit.

okay i'm off. actually the flight is at 4am (GMT+3) and the driver is coming at 11pm, but the laptop has to be stowed now.

i hope i will see you guys soon.

We're Coming!

Me and two of my friends (Ara and Nisa) are going to travel the Europe for the summer holiday. Our itineraries are as follows:

6 Jul: Cairo - Munich
7 Jul: Munich - London
10-18 Jul: Five countries with Kelana Convoy.
19 Jul: London - Munich
20 Jul: Munich - Cairo

27 Jul: Cairo - Malaysia

InsyaAllah those are the plans. If any of you guys wanted anything specific, let me know ASAP. Email me, YM, or just leave a comment here or at the shoutbox on the right hand side.

Last words

Forgive me for all the sins and wrongdoings I did, and all the tremendous hak-hak yang tak tertunai. Sorry for being a lousy daughter, sister, niece, cousin, friend, junior, subordinate, neighbour, and everything.

Urm, yeah. If I owe you guys anything (cash, beef, etc) lemme know :D

Pray for us. Thanks!

p/s: Well, if anything goes wrong with my budget or something, Along, please feel free to deposit some cash into my HSBC kktymuahhbb.

what happened on 010710

oh hi. am i missed? i hope not. there are so much better things to do, books to tackle, and something special to plan.

we're down to our last oral exam, anatomy, and i am fairly calm. i am not sure whether that's a bliss or a curse disguising.

a few days back i had a major case of nutcrack prior to histology oral which was practically baseless. even got around to sms-ing my parents and fretting somewhere on the abnormal site.

and man, i received no mercy whatsoever! my parents didn't reply on the whim, a senior virtually whacked me up my head and the daredevil who broke a leg by slamming into a lorry jested about my prowess in answering the wrong question right.

(wow, blatantly mentioning people in blog now, are we?)

sigh. okay so i was asking for it. i hate getting worked up for whatever reason. it's.. draining, to say the least.

that is why i am looking forward to 6th july. we're going somewhere new and fairly adventurous, pray everything goes well.

just study and enjoy your coming holiday but remember to keep in touch.

-latest sms from dad-

-____- makhluk ni lembab sikit bab-bab telefon rumah.

p/s: if anyone was curious, this blog was on hiatus until i could regain some sense of normalcy. did a few cobweb-sweeping and voila! the eden is back for the time being.