Is where the heart is.
I've just gotten back from what has been one of the best vacations I've had ever. My family and I went to Mabul-Sipadan (Sabah) for 4 days. Though it was a short stay, the time we spent there was bliss. We stayed at Seahorse Sipadan Scuba Lodge where the service was top-notch. Lisa and company made us feel like family. They even surprised us on our last night to celebrate my father's birthday and our passing the PADI open water course :) Was truly a home away from home holiday. Oh, we were the first visitors!
I strongly recommend the place. It's kinda like a homestay. Not a resort resort if that's what you're into. Simple, relaxing and just perfect. Full meals, transfers and heh, even entertainment cos at one point or another, someone would strum their guitar and sing. Have I mentioned how beautiful and clear the waters are?
If you're into diving/snorkelling and you're game to live like one of the locals (ok, maybe not exactly since the lodge has excellent sanitation and beds :) ), then gooooo! There are turtles and a whole host of aquamarine life to observe. I saw turtles!
That said, I'm pleased to announce that I am an officially certified diver! :)
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Milestones
Najib and I are currently crossing a milestone in our relationship. Alhamdulillah, we seem to have secured ourselves a home :) Our application for a 5-room home is, I would say, successful as our queue number is within the quota of flats available. To think that the development was in such demand with approx 8 applicants to one unit.
Now, everytime I find myself driving past the field that rests in between his place and mine, I smile. We've really been eyeing this spot for a while now. I remember last year, we walked past the field and he showed me how he used to park his car and just gaze at the sky there. And I remember saying to him that Insha-Allah, if they ever build a flat there, this special place will continue to be special...and I remember feeling how right it was. Alhamdulillah.
The past couple of days, my mind has been filled with excitement mixed with anxiety. There's so much to do! This really is what growing up is about. Considering our finances and priorities...
But exciting nevertheless :)
Now, everytime I find myself driving past the field that rests in between his place and mine, I smile. We've really been eyeing this spot for a while now. I remember last year, we walked past the field and he showed me how he used to park his car and just gaze at the sky there. And I remember saying to him that Insha-Allah, if they ever build a flat there, this special place will continue to be special...and I remember feeling how right it was. Alhamdulillah.
The past couple of days, my mind has been filled with excitement mixed with anxiety. There's so much to do! This really is what growing up is about. Considering our finances and priorities...
But exciting nevertheless :)
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Updates
1. My nenek passed away on 5 March 2011, at around 8.40pm. Her passing was just as she had imagined it to be, Alhamdulillah. She was surrounded by her loved ones who were praying/selawat. She was sharp (and funny) till the last breath. I'm glad I was by her side and I do miss her so very much. I cant even type this without tears in my eyes. I think this is as far as I'll go (or can bring myself to go) for now. I shall dedicate another post entirely on her (and Baba) at some point. Just in case memory fails me.
2. Najib. Noticed that the dynamics of our relationship has changed over the past year or so and in a good way :) More exciting times ahead for us both, Insha-Allah.
3. I'm contemplating of going back to school. I've been thinking about it for some time now, but never had the energy to fill in all the application. Clinical psychology - something I've been afraid to pursue, shielding myself behind the fear that I'm not good enough or dont have the personality suited for the field. Then a conversation with a colleague transpired and I found myself asking, why not? After all, if I take the 2 years as a learning process, and not expect myself to thrive only on results, then why not? Isnt that what life is about? To learn and grow? I've narrawed down a couple of Aust unis. Hoping I'll get admission into western aust so at least I wont be so far away from home. Psychologically, proximity, or illusion of it, is assuring. Now if I can only get my personal statement, references, and so on in order.
4. I experienced my first ever vote last Saturday, 7 May. Interesting. I love how un-apathetic we have become. And the elections only heralds great things to come in our country's political landscape. I've had a fair share of thoughts on this. But I'm afraid, if I start, a thesis might come off of this and again, I've got no energy for this. I know I have a parallel blog for this purpose but I cant remember the blog name. Funny!
5. I've hesitated mentioning my job in this post so far. I suppose one of the difficult things about blogging after being absent from it is how to decide where to start. You may have noticed I've mentioned 'no/lack energy' at least twice above. It's true. I find myself without volition. Don't get me wrong, I'm happy in my life and ever grateful on what Allah has bestowed upon me. I don't know where my resentment towards my job started. I suppose the work is alright, but something in the organisation culture has changed. I would say it's the new CEO but I think it might be closer to home- my team has changed drastically. Generally for the good as finally, I have people my age whom I can have a sensible conversation with, or whom we can laugh around and forget that we're colleagues and not school mates. But things have changed in my view of my boss and I think that hits me the hardest. There may be impetus for her recent behaviour which I find to fluctuate between being distant and cold, to simply snappy beneath the veneer of agreaableness. I'm trying my best to be as objective and cool about this. And I will continue to try. There is a hierarchy. Perhaps it's only now that I'm feeling what I should have been feeling 17 months ago. Now all I need is role clarity.
And strength to continue doing the best that I can in all that I do.
2. Najib. Noticed that the dynamics of our relationship has changed over the past year or so and in a good way :) More exciting times ahead for us both, Insha-Allah.
3. I'm contemplating of going back to school. I've been thinking about it for some time now, but never had the energy to fill in all the application. Clinical psychology - something I've been afraid to pursue, shielding myself behind the fear that I'm not good enough or dont have the personality suited for the field. Then a conversation with a colleague transpired and I found myself asking, why not? After all, if I take the 2 years as a learning process, and not expect myself to thrive only on results, then why not? Isnt that what life is about? To learn and grow? I've narrawed down a couple of Aust unis. Hoping I'll get admission into western aust so at least I wont be so far away from home. Psychologically, proximity, or illusion of it, is assuring. Now if I can only get my personal statement, references, and so on in order.
4. I experienced my first ever vote last Saturday, 7 May. Interesting. I love how un-apathetic we have become. And the elections only heralds great things to come in our country's political landscape. I've had a fair share of thoughts on this. But I'm afraid, if I start, a thesis might come off of this and again, I've got no energy for this. I know I have a parallel blog for this purpose but I cant remember the blog name. Funny!
5. I've hesitated mentioning my job in this post so far. I suppose one of the difficult things about blogging after being absent from it is how to decide where to start. You may have noticed I've mentioned 'no/lack energy' at least twice above. It's true. I find myself without volition. Don't get me wrong, I'm happy in my life and ever grateful on what Allah has bestowed upon me. I don't know where my resentment towards my job started. I suppose the work is alright, but something in the organisation culture has changed. I would say it's the new CEO but I think it might be closer to home- my team has changed drastically. Generally for the good as finally, I have people my age whom I can have a sensible conversation with, or whom we can laugh around and forget that we're colleagues and not school mates. But things have changed in my view of my boss and I think that hits me the hardest. There may be impetus for her recent behaviour which I find to fluctuate between being distant and cold, to simply snappy beneath the veneer of agreaableness. I'm trying my best to be as objective and cool about this. And I will continue to try. There is a hierarchy. Perhaps it's only now that I'm feeling what I should have been feeling 17 months ago. Now all I need is role clarity.
And strength to continue doing the best that I can in all that I do.