Ramadan & Eid El-Fitr 2017

When we are about to celebrate Eid El-Adha. Haha sorry for the late post. I knowww, I should've tried to find a time, now that I procrastinate like this, I literally have so many things to update.

Right. So I spent the whole Ramadan in Egypt. It wasn't my first time, but it was my last time there. It was still good as it usual did. Ramadan in Egypt was never ever disappointing. Like I used to post before about how merry they would celebrate this holy month. So alive. With decoration and so. I didn't manage to buy the fanoos to bring it back home - cause I was on a tight budget but I bought a carpet and few more Egypt-y stuffs instead. Hahaha can't wait for them to arrive to Malaysia! Since I sent them via sea shipping from Egypt - gonna take months to arrive.

Anyhow, Ramadan goals checked. Even though in the middle of my final exam (yes, gonna make a special post about that weee I can't wait). But still, I managed to juggle both and even more! In term of ibadah and all. I am so gonna miss Ramadan in Egypt guysss, like so much! Not to mention the free ifhar that we, Malaysian students got haha. Definitely one of the sweetest moments abroad.

Then Eid was quite nice. Lonely a little bit. Not my first time away from my family, but my first time as a wife but my husband was working on 1st Syawal. We're both just raya through whatsapp haha but it was okay. 

My friends and I decided to make a match kurung for this raya. We took pictures around Zagazig, and that made me realized how much I was going to miss that foreign land. Sigh. 

Raya as a foreigner is sure different. A lot. 

The foreign feeling and all. But still, that's going to be my sweetest memories. *sheds tears*

last autumn semester

Seems like I'm gonna post more on my 'last' things I do in Egypt now since I already have a few months left before I graduate.

Time really marches. Was it just yesterday I passed my 4th year final exam? Haha and now I only have one final paper left to end this semester. And my winter break starts (which I'm gonna spend it in Malaysia, Ameerul misses me so much guys hahaha). And there goes my very final spring semester afterward.

I was quite busy this semester. Really busy cause I started this sem quite late due to my long holiday in Malaysia haha I didn't start my classes on time, I cut a few classes at the first few weeks haha but don't worry I managed to catch up the syllabus. Plus it was a short semester, they crammed the midterm exams all at once. I barely able to breath! And of course, it gets tougher in final year!

Finished 7 papers now, only have 1 left.

Going back to Malaysia in 3 days! Someone's already excited hehehe.

Last departure to Egypt

.... as a student, I wish. Will probably come again as a tourist, perhaps haha.

So this time was totally different. Different vibes, different feeling. As much as I got excited to go back to my temporary home, I'd feel rather sad to be apart from my husband. Of course, I was ready for this. He was too. But, to go through it was just.. hard!

To be honest, we weren't really that sad, until.. when I needed to pass the international departure gate, we hugged for goodbye then he looked me in the eyes. "No, please no. I can't start this or else this won't stop haha" - my brain said so. But my heart said the opposite, "Oh, no. He cried. Can he please not. I'm weak". I cried too.

Must. Be. Strong.

I am so weak when it comes to people crying for me. I can't do this.

When Ameerul hold my entire head (small head haha), he looked at me right into my eyes, I could see his teary eyes and no, he cried. And his brother took our pictures hahaha and the entire family actually was there witnessed us saying goodbye and encouraging us to hug and kiss longer since we were going to be apart like very funny okay cause I feel like I was going for a war battle leaving my loved one here as if I wasn't coming back haha.

But true, one year is really long (especially for newlyweds lol).

I salam-ed everyone. I cried a lot when I hugged my mother in law cause why was she so nice, why was I so blessed, god this reminded me of my mom who was in Kelantan, god I was so weak.

My footsteps felt heavier as I walked alone after that. I looked back many times until I couldn't see them anymore. The funny sad part was whenever I looked back to see them, Ameerul was always there waving at me. Then I looked back again after a few steps, Ameerul was still there just staring and waving. I looked back again while pulling my luggage, Ameerul was still there while the other family members were starting to disperse. God, was he that loyal? Hahaha.

I cried, guys. Forget coolness. I missed my husband already just after I sat on the plane.

I sat next to a friendly medical student who also studies in Egypt, we made friends and still keeping in touch till now. It was a smooth journey and it's so nice that we got along so well, it's funny cause it really felt like we already knew each other for so long. We shared our stories and many more issues especially our crazy experiences in Egypt and of course our first selfie ever. Lol.

Reached Egypt around 2 am local time, I felt empty cause Egypt was quite and chilly. I missed him. Was it just yesterday he helped me packing my luggage? Was it just yesterday we ate together?

I was such a drama queen. Haha.

Everything got back to normal again after all. It is my final year, though.

So, next time, we will come here together right? Hehehe.

summer hospital training

Going back to Malaysia in 2 days wohoo. Of course, I'm all excited. Should've have been feeling this earlier but I told you we all had a hospital training to attend, I postponed my holiday for a month zzz.

When my dad asked me about this, I said, "It's bored. We listened to lectures and seeing patients, that's all". But honestly, I learned a lot of things through this.

So now it's all over. 4 weeks of hospital training had over. And also we'd done with the final presentation. Truth be told, it wasn't all that bad. I had fun, really. Even though I had to go to the hospital everyday seeing the patients, attending the lectures for hours, in the hot summer - to be added. But never mind - it's all ended now. Hahaha.

And so we had a presentation to finish this. Supposedly the presentation would be after we finished with all the training, which means it's gonna be soooo late. We (ie: I) were running out of time! We desperately wanted to end this early, I even spoke to one of the coordinators to make everything so fast. She asked me why? I really have no choice but to answer, "I have to get married in Malaysia this summer break" hahaha.

(My apologize to any Egyptian colleagues who are happen to be reading this. Trust me, we aren't selfish. But we really have to back to Malaysia. We have to book the plane ticket early - so it won't be too expensive. And the time is very limited. Hahaha).

So yeah, she made it early, in the middle of the training. We had one day off of the training just for the presentation. She said "I made this for you. You Malaysian people are always polite". Yes of course, I was flattered. How could I respond to her kindness. Awhh. Bless her.

My team

And then like the usual annual routine, we had a class photo shoot. Everyone agreed to wear all green, so that's the theme of our class portrait for semester 8.

And so, we've done with Year 4 officially. 

See you guys again for Year 5, our final year. Seriously, can't wait to end this.

open house eid 2016

My first open house ever organized by my friends and myself. Usually in Malaysia, my mom will decide on everything. The meals especially. I am more like a kitchen helper. And I will just decorate the house and the hardest is to choose the table clothes to use hahaha.

This time was different. My friends and I made everything from scratch starting from buying the raw materials, to cooking to post-event house cleaning. Egypt is so hot and we basically walk to everywhere since we don't own any vehicle. Oh, if I could speak Arabic fluently, I would definitely just order them by phone and make them deliver the things to my house hahaha (just like we have Tesco online in Malaysia - my brother is one regular customer of it zzz).

We came out with several menu, with limited ingredients of course - but we did it! Like the previous years, we would packed our luggage with just food from Malaysia and for me, daun kesum (Vietnamese coriander)  and bunga kantan (torch ginger flower) are compulsory. Besides ginger and lemongrass. Because I really like asam pedas, so I often make it here.

We have a lot of daun kesum and bunga kantan supply this time, as well as daun kunyit. We made asam laksa as a main dish. Also, another main dish like rendang, lontong, instant ketupat palas, instant nasi impit and kuah kacang.

Phew. Hahaha.

Dessert: bubur jagung, green tea pudding, orange flavour cupcakes, chocolate cake.

Beverage: The best part. We had iced sirap rose, bandung, sarsi, green cocktail, lychee.

Phew again.

Hahaha of course the preparation wasn't that easy but we enjoyed making this. Gathered at the living room while peeling the onions whilst watching Malay movie, Isteri vs Tunang Raya and got mad at the stupid husband in the movie cause nobody ever like cowards zzz. At the same time preparing for beverages, making sure it wasn't too diabetic but still too sweet anyway haha.

We took turn to sleep cause yeah it was tiring. I slept for about 2 hours and got up at 7 am to bake the cupcakes. While of course, eating the rendang for breakfast hehe.

All set and ready. Let's make ourselves pretty, but danggg. BLACKOUT! I was about to iron my clothes. Ahh, so spoil.

We all became so bad mood, it was so hot. My neighbourhood  rarely affected by any blackout/short water supply or something but what a perfect timing, Zagazig government. You chose it that day wow hahaha.

Everybody managed to get dressed except me. I showered and just wearing a casual jeans and went to the campus to settle a few things regarding the studies (just to kill time) and came back home to see everything's came back to normal. Phew.

Catching the nemo for rendang 

Succeed.

Yes. We listed out the menus on the board, hung it in the living room where people eat. Actually I did it as a to-do-list memos at first. They were being funny when they said, "I'm eating number 4 now". "I'm at number 2 now, long way to go". "Where is number 6 on the table?". "Finished all 17 menus". "I'm eating according to the orders". "Is this buffet or we should order to you by the numbers?".

And we got more and more guest after Zuhr. We didn't invite a lot. Just coursemates and some close friends. My classmates stayed at our house till night to watch some movie and all. While I already knocked out at the corner of my bed. So tired hahaha.

But it's so fun. When it's just you and your friends, no curfew, no restrictions. Just us.

Definitely the valuable experience as a perantauan. I'm gonna shed tears to remember this one fine day. It's too sweet. Too diabetic.

summer hospital training

I really have much time now that I can blog frequently. Cause I'm still in Egypt doing my practical training at the hospital for 4 weeks. 4 weeks guys, so long. It gets longer when it's summer. 1 hour feels like forever.

Don't get me wrong. I like doing this. It's just that it's too long and too hot. Well, it isn't that long but I'd rather be in Malaysia right now preparing for a big day, but what am I doing here?! My heart is in Malaysia already.

Well, I survived the first week at O&G department. Gonna proceed to Peadiatrics next week. And next to Internal Medicine, lastly to Surgery department.

O&G should be fun. But it got so bored you know. Because we got to attend the lectures at the department's lecture room (which what we've already learnt daily at my faculty - listening to facts and so on). Then we moved to the outpatients/inpatients to learn about study cases.

Nightmare.

I don't like the smell of hospitals. Hahaha. Especially here in Egypt (sorry no offense). I can't really stand the smell. Especially when we went to the labour room the other day. Oh my god, I instantly covered my nose cause it smelled so hospital hahaha. Don't care if people ever judge me, or you'd rather seeing me throwing up.

I didn't make to be in the hospital. But I have to work there! Sigh. I remember the old times when I had my internship at the governmental hospital in Malaysia for the first time, I barely ate there. But then I got used to it and the environment. But now, it's a whole new story. It's Egypt by the way.

Ahhh. First week, done.

Gonna see poor-sick-cute babies next week at Peads ward.

Second week, I'm ready!

yellow me

Everyone knows I like yellow. Sometimes go for red too, if I'm suddenly feeling sexy hahaha anyway for the raya outfit the other day, this one uncle in my neighbourhood custom-made them for me so I could wear them for my raya. Yes, it's yellow.

Short sad story here. I ordered a few outfits in Malaysia with this Chinese aunt last year so that I could wear them this raya when I come back there, but little did I know I needed to spend the Eid here, ahhh bad bad planning ever. But still gotta have new outfits, so I made two here. The upside is that now I got a lot of traditional outfits hahaha.

But of course it's gonna be hard explaining to the Egyptian uncle about how you want your outfits to be. How do you expect him to understand kain kipas belakang or kain batik depan or the hardest kebaya nyonya hahaha. So I just made simple ones here and kept missing the raya outfits in Malaysia that I won't be able to wear (especially the emerald green one, I missed you).

I really like the fabric material for this one. Just a cotton but comfortable.

Mom said it looked beautiful, all moms are gonna say the same thing by the way hahaha.

Ameerul said I looked stunning. Okay. Maybe because it's an Eid and he just wanted to make me feel good.

But something strange happened. He kept saying the same thing all over again. I thought, okay maybe he should stop trying to make me feel better here. Hahaha. He insisted it's true that I looked so good the other day. He loved everything about me (and the outfit). The yellow colour suited me, it made me looked gorgeous and elevated my inner beauty bla bla bla hahaha, what he said.

Okay, okay. I got it now. That you loved to see me like that.

The next morning, I got a text message from him, "I still can't move on on how beautiful you were yesterday".

Okay, wow. Can he be like this everyday, please? *prays hard*

eid 2016

Selamat Hari Raya. Maaf Zahir & Batin!

My first eid in Egypt, ever! So many new things happened and I learned a lot from this. And it was so so fun actually.

The night of 1st Syawal, we all gathered at the Malaysian Hall for a free iftar (simply because it's free haha), and for Eid takbir. It reminded me of home, seriously. Cause that's what I usually listen to at the night of Syawal at home, so I had to play tough here. But it wasn't bad after all.

We didn't prepare much for the 1st Syawal. Except for the new outfit, that I once told you before about this one uncle who sews so well and I am his regular customer for the three consecutive years already. For the meal, nayy. Cause we got a lot of open house invitations which was so happy of me haha.

Earlier at the morning:

We slept quite late at 3 am cause Fajr got early now that we spent the night by preparing for our outfits and just enjoying raya songs. It was quite different this time that I wasn't really busy at the night of 1st Syawal, because usually in Malaysia, my mom and I would basically just sleeping in the kitchen hahaha kidding but sort of true. I need to make sure that everyone gets their outfits neat and arranged, I clean up the whole house, rearrange few stuffs in the house and I have to do so many more chores!

It gets different this year, I was one happy free kid. Hahaha.

Since Fajr was early, our Eid prayer started at 530 am. We got ready at 5am to rush for a prayer. All set up and happy. I managed to make a video call to my family in Malaysia to maaf zahir batin everyone and of course asking for duit raya hahaha. Quite disappointed when my duit raya was being postponed till next year.

Still got ones from dad and fiance by the way (happy kid I am).

Eid here was quite fun actually, when we had to do everything by ourselves, it's totally a new experience for me.

Syawal 1st to 6th were fulfilled by open house invitations. We held one on 5th Syawal. Gonna blog about that real soon.

Anyways, Eid Mubarak everybody. May Allah accepts our good deeds. I apologize to everyone if I ever hurt you intentionally/unintentionally. Let this Eid makes us a better person than before.

ramadan 2016

Done. Alhamdulillah.

Everything was so smooth. It's my first time ever to spend the whole Ramadan in Egypt and it wasn't all that bad. First three weeks of Ramadan were great. Despite of having final exams and all, I still managed to juggle them all. Forth week, I got all tired and exhausted. Maybe because I got all the exams done, I just wanted to relieve myself. I slept a lot. I have no appetite at all. Even after 16 hours of fasting and I was fine with having a glass of water for a break fast. #skeletoninthemaking

So, I'm on a multivitamin supplement therapy now to make everything balance back.

I told you guys before how amazing Ramadan here was. It turned to be extra amazing this year when we got a lot of free iftar invitation outside haha. Of course we loved it, even though it was all Egyptian foods (some that I couldn't really eat - plus I am not really a big eater) but the idea of having it free was just great hahaha.

We got a few iftar invitations from the campus, from our Dean, from our beloved Pharmacology lecturers, from Dr Afaf (Pharmacognosy lecturer who gives us free iftar every year without fail!).

And we had this one uncle living in the same neighborhood as us who cook for us EVERYDAY! So every evening before an iftar, he would gave us loads of foods with so many side dishes, fruits, juice and all. Crazyyy. We were so happy actually and we're just so excited to see what's coming on to us on the day. 

After a month of eating Egyptian cuisine, I am now totally look like an Egyptian already haha.

I know! I missed Malaysian foods so so so much. Sometimes we cook another Malaysian side dishes too, cause the stomach just kind of missed the chilli paste. Sigh. You really have no idea how much I missed those Malay foods. *cries* *reminds myself it's only a few months left*

Okay, done talking about food hahaha.

I told you before about my Ramadan goals. Alhamdulillah, I'm really happy to get all that fulfilled. I mean not 100%, I still feel like I'm lacking here and there. 

We managed to khatam the whole Quran and even made a small khatam Quran ceremony hehehe. I missed terawikh prayers too sometimes, but usually we all would prayed terawikh together at the living room. And sometimes just by myself. 

On the last day of Ramadan, I thought to myself about how happy I was to celebrate Ramadan this time and it was so meaningful. I learned a lot too! And my health just amazingly cooperate haha alhamdulillah.

My last Ramadan as a single lady, by the way. I'm happy I made it this way. May Allah bless us all. 

Eid post coming up!

semester 8 exam results

So fast, right? Exams results are always been announced real fast, like a week/two weeks after final exams finish. And now it's only 6 days ago that I just finished with my last paper, Phytotherapy. That my study desk is still stacked up with Phytotherapy notes haha. I haven't start to clean up all this semester's notes yet. Everybody at the campus must be so rushing for an Eid, right haha.

I was so busy just now rolling my sleeves up making biskut raya (honey cornflakes one is the tastiest, no kidding), then rushing for an iftar with the housemates. We made a joint iftar today with the other friends too, we made nasi tomato and suddenly our class WhatsApp's group beeped a message "The results are out, can check at the website".

My ayam sambal suddenly felt so hard to be swallowed.

"You guys check yours?"

"No, after iftar. Don't wanna spoil the appetite".

Hahaha.

So after iftar and maghrib prayer, I sat down on my bed holding the cellphone tightly, half nervous half curious. I keyed in my student number and password slowly, looking for a column labelled Natijah (Result).

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim..

Okay of course, I'm not gonna announce my results here hahaha, only a few people got to know.

Most importantly, I passed all the papers! Alhamdulillah, so thankful. I still maintain my CGPA above 3. But of course, still having a regret as always, like, "Oh, maybe I should do better next time" or "Awwh, this paper, a little more effort might make my grade look cooler on paper".

HAHAHA.

And a few marks like in Medicinal Chemistry which got me 84/100 (B+). I'm not quite satisfied, cause why I can't get 85! 85 is A-. Only 1 mark, guys. Only 1 mark to get an A. But you know, the old Qistina would go all bad mood and depressed. But the new me just be like, "It's fine. It's all rezeki. Let's be thankful".

And all the worries (which I wrote in the previous post) were just washed away!

But at this rate, I really need to work harder next year to make this 3 pointer looks promising.

I only have 2 semesters left.

Now, I don't really have anything more to wish, just maybe, be a little bit more hardworking next time, okay Qistina? Hahaha.

forth year

The end of my forth year! 

(Still have one year left).

When I sat for my last paper this semester, Phytotheraphy, I said to myself that I was gonna make it good. Let me ended this semester with a good one. Because the rest of 7 exams that I needed to take, they were all just fine, no too great but not too bad. I'm not sure if I did well or not, I just tawakkal and moved on. The worst feeling ever among all semesters.

I realized that this semester was the hardest among all since the first few weeks - already! Even before this, when I took General Immunology and Microbiology paper (the black sheep exam paper), it wasn't this hard.

Clinical year is no joke. 

I didn't really stressed out throughout my studies life here, except with this semester. I stared on the blank wall for a long time thinking what was I gonna do with the low carry mark for Clinical Biochemistry. I cried a little bit thinking about how hard Clinical Pharmacy final exam questions will be under Dr Amru supervision hahaha. Don't get me started on Drug Interactions. Well, I had a lot of useless thoughts! 

I was a little discouraged too this time. I wasn't as enthusiastic as before. Which I also pondered about what actually I was struggling in. I couldn't focus as before, which I made a conclusion that this may be the time when I was in the lowest level of all my study phases.

I convinced myself that nothing gets easier. Of course, I need to work harder. And I tried. 

Everything will be just okay, right? 

And on another note, I need to postpone my summer break in Malaysia this year, due to some hospital training in Egypt which I am not really happy about haha but we have no choice but to just carry on.

So, all the best? Hahaha thanks but no thanks!

Dear Past Me

Dear Past Me,


I've received your letter 5 years ago. Thanks for the effort to write and for the high dreams you had on me hahaha. Don't be surprised about what you are going to read now.

To be honest, the current me isn't that much differ to the past me. Just that, I'm getting better than you (a good thing right?). I'm not a pharmacist yet, but I'm turning into one. I'm doing my degree in Clinical Pharmacy in Egypt now. I know! You'd never had a slightest thought of me going far to Egypt. Never ever in your plan. But this is how life rolls. Allah has sent me here, with reasons. And Alhamdulillah for that. I'm happy here.

I've spent almost 4 years here, I'm truly blessed. I've learnt so many things, I get to know the real meaning of life. I feel closer to what we should do in life. My aim was only to become a pharmacist. But it gets so different now, I think being a good Muslim is all that matters the most. Speaking of studies, I think I am just you. Who still stays up late for the last minute revision, I am still the same me hahaha but still having the same aim to become what I've really liked; pharmacist.

(Is it possible for someone to become this loyal? Damn, I must be so weird hahaha).

Family is still the same. I got a sister in law now who is expecting for her first. I'm so excited! Dad is the most excited one, of course. Because he's getting old (taking antihypercholesterolemia now zzz I lectured him about this already don't worry) that he can't really wait to have his first grandchild. He already has his favourite names to give to our first newborn. He would selfies with any of our cousin's children and sends the pictures to our Whatsapp group just to say that "our time is next" hahaha. So exciting. Mum is mum, never change, she's pretty cool about this.

And as me, I'm not married yet. If the plan goes well, it'll be at the end of this year, if Allah wills. I'm gonna blog about this real soon. So maybe in the next letter, you are going to read more about my marriage life hahaha. Yes, with Ameerul (who else?). Told ya, I'm one loyal freak! Ameerul is still nice. He puts everyone ahead before him, as always. You know, it would have be a thick book if I'd got to write all of nice things he's done to me. I am not bragging but he's really one nice creature that Allah has made for me, so complementary and it fits so well like a puzzle hahaha. (That's why he says I'm good at words, I'm one sweet talker you see).

Damia and Adam are still my closest babies. Since I'm in Egypt now, I will only get the chance to meet them once per year. But they grow up so fast now, Damia has a cellphone already. She Whatsapps me all the time with her pictures, songs and so on hahaha.

Let me tell you about Dolls. They are growing up so so well. Many things happen in this 5 years. So many newborns, so many Dolls Jr. Everyone got married and all. And Mc Ah's baby had an operation for her congenital heart problem, it's really sad. But Baby Zara Humaira grows up so well now, she's really strong. And as for my diploma coursemate, we are still close. Still the same as the old us. I'm really happy about this friendship. And I've made a new circle now with my Egypt sisters, they are younger than me but that's really okay cause I feel younger hahaha.

Oh, shopping! I miss to shop. I haven't really shop for the longest time! Wow, can't believe myself. Cause I have no income right now hahaha I'm going back to become a student, so I only get my monthly allowance from my dad. What a sad thing zzzz. Don't bother to buy shoes anymore cause I couldn't find any of my size here, everything is so large, I'm miserable. Plus, collecting shoes now is a bad idea, cause Egypt gets so dusty and I love my shoes, so that's it. Handbag? Nayy. I'm a student now. Backpack is fine for me. Clothes? Nayy. Cairo is far. And everything gets expensive due to Egypt's currency. I used to collect MNG shirts and Charles & Keith handbags before. But any of international brands here are double charged to what they be in Malaysia due to the currency. I remember I really want this Charles & Keith handbag but it costed 600LE, nahh forget it I felt like giving away 6 pieces of 100LE notes, compared to what they'd be in Malaysia (just giving away 2 or 3 pieces of RM100 notes haha), so never mind hahaha. But H&M is tolerable.

So, I only shop in Malaysia when I get back there during summer break.

Well, I may progress slowly, it's fine as long as I put an effort to make myself better. Well, of course life isn't always be easy. But I'm thankful I got everyone around me through my every moments. I'm one happy girl woman.

Thanks to those who stay. I sound like an old lady now and I hate it. I'm still young! *applying anti-aging cream*

Hahahaha.

Not mine, obviously haha. Just me in 2016.

Sincerely,
The Future You.

ramadan kareem 2016

As I grow older (plus as I stay longer in Egypt) I realize just how exciting Ramadan is compared to Syawal. I used to be so worried of being not able to drink for 13 hours straight due to my UTI. But the childish me knew nothing. I've reminded myself every year that how amazing Ramadan is when Allah doubles your rewards and so many great things we would receive throughout this holy month that we wish it would be Ramadan the whole year.

I've got to spend my whole Ramadan here in Egypt this year. And Syawal too! Cause Ramadan gets earlier by year, now it clashes with my final exams and summer time too, so yeah. Basically it's 16 hours of fasting with the outside temperature of 40+ degree Celsius. Just wow hahaha. But Allah understands what we've gone through, He knows how we feel. I believe He has His special way to reward us on this.

Ramadan here is pretty exciting. People here celebrate it tremendously compared to Eid. They start to decorate their houses with fanous. The roads are just lighten up with decorations. A few days prior to Ramadan, you've got to see people would give away the foods/raw materials to those who need it. Numerous open invitation to free break fast. People/strangers happily wish you a good Ramadan. Isn't that exciting? The exciting part is the discount you'd get in supermarket hahaha most items are sold on low prices.

My first day of Ramadan went so well. We gathered at my house and prepared for suhoor and break fast together. We would stay up till fajr, so that no one would miss her suhoor (Fajr is at 3 am). Break fast is the exciting part, we cook so many things cause we want to eat so many things hahaha. Our first day of Ramadan just filled with silly conversations pretending we were in Malaysia. I wished we could go to bazaar to buy my fav murtabak. Shela wished she could go to Kedai 1Malaysia near to her house to buy her jajan. Mannn, can't believe I wouldn't be able to go to any bazaar in Malaysia this year.

This is my very first time to spend my whole Ramadan away from home. But it still fells like home anyway when you're surrounded by good companions. That always reminds you to be better,

One of our Ramadan goals is to khatam the al-Quran together. So we've decided to take part of reciting the divided juzuk for each of us.

My personal Ramadan goals are just want to khatam the al-Quran, perform terawikh every night (usually only at home so far) and just do many little things that Allah loves His servant to do. In shaa Allah.

Ramadan Kareem my brothers and sisters.

progressed

What inspire you to success in your career/field?

For me, none. I have no specific goals in life. I just want to achieve my 10-years ambition, which is to be a pharmacist (yes, that long. Been wanting to be a pharmacist since I was 16). And now, I wish to build a hospital, or err is it too high? Hahaha.

How I developed my interest in this. I once saw a flyer from UiTM's Faculty of Pharmacy on the notice board at my school.The flyer neatly described the requirement the faculty needed for those who were interested to study a degree in pharmacy. I didn't know how it got to attach there. But basically I stole it from the notice board and pasted it on my study desk. And made it an inspiration for me to be one.

Because for 16-year-old me, being pharmacist might be cool. You can still dressed up as you like (I imagined myself in a kebaya wearing high heels with make up brilliantly describing the uses of medicines to people - just a plain stupid me, right hahaha) and still able to get good salary from that. Basically two things that I liked; being pretty and money of my own haha. And just because I read in the newspaper that our country really needed pharmacists supply at that time (2006), so I thought, "Oh, it's probably me you're looking for, lovely country!"

(It has changed now. My intention spreads diverted to educate my people about health and drugs. Literally, maybe. Hahaha).

I remember the conversation I had with my dad in the car when he sent me off to my school. He had this huge ambition of sending me to a medical school but I refused. I said, "What about pharmacy?" and that left my dad in silence. But he finally trusted my interest.

His second attempt to enroll me into a med school was when I filled a form to continue a degree in Egypt. He said, "Oh, Pharmacy will take 5 years? Medicine 6 years? Go for medicine la, only 1 year difference". But I said, "But I've liked Pharmacy". *insert puppy eyes*.

I mean, I didn't expect myself to study so hard in university. Medicine is hard. It is so gonna need too many of studies, especially for a lazy me! Hahaha. That's why if any of my high school friends who managed to pursue a medicine course just got a "Wow" from me haha.

But unfortunately, Pharmacy is nothing less like that. So many things to study. Just so many things to study!!

But it gets so different when you like what you do. I'm still having the same interest towards it as same as 10 years back. (You know I'm just so loyal like that *blows nail*)

So, basically nothing has actually inspired me to progress in my chosen field. It's just my interest. My willing to study. My attraction to what I'm gonna do in the future. Of course, if you ask me, I wish to make my parents happy with what I'm going to achieve, huge or small.

If you ask my colleagues (diploma or degree), they will agree that I don't study that hard. I don't revise books/notes that much. Which I actually tried to do, but I couldn't - I lost my focus. My study pattern is definitely the famous last-minute study *high five* I know you do too! Haha.

But still feel like having a responsibility as a student or as a knowledge seeker, I will pay 101% attention to my lecturers in the classes. No phones, no chatting. My preferable seat is always at the front row. I'd even prefer to sit just in front of the lecturer so he/she can talk to my face directly. I will ask as much questions to them (brilliant to stupid ones. I realized sometimes my questions are stupid, but never mind hahaha).

And read from some outside source about your field. Eg: Current news/issues.

I do all these because I know I won't study later at home haha. At least, I have some efforts, no?

And definitely, a night before the exams, I will be studying like a crazy mental patient, reading through my books as if I could penetrate them. Keep memorizing and memorizing and memorizing. Sleep only 1 hour. Sigh. (I'd always wanna change, but I can't)

But I'm glad to know that I'm progressed from 10 years back. When I look at how much I struggled for this, I literally can cry. Just too bitter. And too sweet. Mixed feelings.

So this post actually comes out just because I am in the exam mode now. I'm done with 2 papers, still have 5 more than. Sigh.

Just a picture of me getting an award for my academic achievement months ago. *cringes* 

new house

I wrote before about how my house owner 'kicked us out' from my current rental house. So, we needed to look for a new house to live in. Like homeless people, we went around the whole neighborhood searching for any potential houses. We asked local people around. Using as many connections as we had. Exhausted.

We went for so many potential houses. Just to find that they weren't really as potential as we thought. Really, they lacked so many things compared to our old house. Too far. Too dark. Unfamiliar neighborhood. Too expensive.

Pening!

We had minor headache episodes for a month just thinking about this hahaha.

So, one day, my classmate called me. He said, his house owner was looking for female tenants. I said, we're going to have a look at the house first. My first impression was, "Hmm this is not that bad, but my old house is far way better".

But we really had no choice! The dateline was so near. So, we desperately said, "Okay, we are taking this house. Deposit is paid next week".

Just. Like. That.

Thank god that this new house owner is kind of generous (so far haha), she painted our house neatly to welcome us. So it seems like a new house now. She seems so nice and friendly. And since she lives just upstairs to our house (still on the same building), so she can always come to pay a visit to our house. Things I often hear so far is "Alhamdulillah, helwah giddan. Kuwaisy". (Alhamdulillah, so nice. Good).

Because female tenants take care of the house nicely, of course. Hahaha.

Well, actually it happens that my new house is just behind to my old house. It's really close. So I still live at the same neighborhood. Still living in the familiar surrounding, which is so much comfortable for me.

So, I'm now updating from my new house.

2016

Happy new year!

The feeling is as same as I celebrated Awal Muharram few months ago. Welcoming new year is fun. You'd filled with hope and trust towards yourself. You believe you could do better next time. You suddenly have dont-know-where-it-comes-from spirit that tells you to be brave and strong in the future ahead.

I feel that.

I don't have specific new year resolutions or whatever. But I just want to be fat.

To be fat for me is equals to being healthy. I wanna fix my BMI which I've actually tried for years but nothing has came out.

(And as a start, I just finished my heavy breakfast with the last-night's pizzas and KFCs leftover -reallyyyyyyyy healthy hahahaha)

And nothing more that I wish for 2016. I'm just gonna go with the flow and rock every moments of the journey. (I don't buy New Year New Me kind of thing, sorry hahaha)

Well, since we are in the exam season now, plus it is winter, so we don't really spend that much of time outside. I'd rather be at home, wrapping myself with my qissy-smelled blanket, switch the heater on the highest heat flow. Our (housemates) kind of new year celebration was just enjoying some good seafood pizzas and called KFC for delivery and watching some movies.

And also it's rare for me to watch animated movies hahaha. You name it, Despicable Me? No. Frozen? No. Baymax? No. No. No. Stop asking.

My actual kind of movie is always about some working, sophisticated woman who knows how to dress up, have a boyfriend who is finally turns out to be a loser or rich man who suddenly becomes an asshole to his woman and all that these women do is to step up and fight. Or something thrilling and family mode movie.

Much less like The Devil Wears Prada, Bride Wars, We Are The Millers, Maze Runner etc. Animated movie? You kidding?

But last night I did. And I'd never knew it's actually fun. Really fun. This movie called Home.

It's really fun actually. How this alien tries to invade earth and finally befriends with human and they help each other to complete their missions.

I fell in love! Guess it's a good start for 2016?

You mean, I'm slowly turning into a kid?

Gosh.

Hahaha.

fun month

 I know! So much fun, right? So many opportunities to study. So many chances to improve yourself academically. Really beneficial in the future. Really helping in arranging more productive schedules.

Zzzz. Don't be fooled.

I wish I had that way of thinking hahaha. I don't even have a slight thought as that. Because apparently, who loves exams? Who loves staying up all night being all caffeinated just to memorize one whole thick of lectures notes? Who loves having the feeling of nervousness while walking down the exam hall - usually, my heart thumps so fast whilst my brain tries so hard to cram everything that I read inside it for the last time.

Semester 7 is tougher than before. Of course, nothing gets easier.

(Especially when you'd get to get deeper in chemistry this semester).

Yeah, I'm gonna get back to books now.

Btw, hello December. Thanks for still giving me a chance to rock my 2015.

char spaghetti

I know it sounds funny!

But please understand me, we couldn't find anything like kuey teow here. Except from some Malaysians who sell some food stocks from Malaysia (like ketchup, lemongrass, bird's eye chilies - cili padi la deyy, tempe and many more).

But, they are sooooo expensive. I understand because they're hot items! Come freshly from Malaysia!

They aren't readily available here in Egypt. So that's why we bring a lot of food supply from Malaysia every time we go back there. 3/4 of my luggage content is just food. If I lose the luggage, I will literally cry! It's food guys, foods!

Hahaha.

So, the other day when I come back, I brought together with me a char kuey teow paste. Which I thought I was so going to need this. And it's true.

I need this. 

Because my love to prawn and char kuey teow is eternal.

And that was my first attempt of cooking char kuey teow. Which I used spaghetti instead, so I had no choice but to call it char spaghetti.

It tasted quite similar to any char kuey teow in Malaysia (oh my, am I bragging now? Hahaha), well at least it made me forget my longingness to any Malaysia's food for a while.

Char Spaghetti Recipe (Chef Qissy's style)

Ingredients

• Spaghetti - boiled
• Prawn paste (It's called otak udang paste)
• Dried chillies - blended
• Onion and garlic - blended
• Prawns
• Eggs
• Chives

Steps

• Heat some oil. Pour down blended items (onion, garlic, dried chilies) onto hot oil and stir.
• Put a few spoonfuls of prawn paste and stir some more.
• I put oyster sauce, some water, salt, sugar and anchovies stock cube. (Put them in order of what I write).
• Let them boil.
• Then, put prawns and let them boil.
• Crack some eggs inside and continuously stir.
• Put some chives.

Done.

crazy month

Been busyyyyy! Really busy.

November is so gonna be one boring month, guys. Just because mid term exams are starting now, so everybody seems to have no more time to do nonsense things anymore. Books are best friends now!

Including me.

And final exams are going to start at the end of December. November will be full with mid term exams and December is so gonna be contented by practical exams. That means we are going to be fully accompanied by books/notes/etc until January! Just how stressful is that?

I, have always been ambitiously planning my daily routine which I think would be productive enough for me. Like, "tonight I'm going to finish this one chapter of Gene Recombination then I'm going to blog about my last birthday celebration. And of course, I'm going to sleep early tonight so I can wake up early and have a proper breakfast tomorrow morning to start my another productive day".

LIES! TOTAL LIES!

Instead, I helped my housemate to bake a cheesecake, then I lured my housemates to join me watching horror movie, then the only thing I knew was I slept throughout the night, only woke up to go to school again with just a quick Milo gulp to kick-start my day and class ends usually at 3 pm. Plus, some events/projects/extra works/school assignments that I need to complete - that has withdraw-ed my energy!

But, what exactly did I do in my daily routines for me to get that tired?

Hahaha!

Well, usually a night before any exams, there's always this an owl sitting at the corner of her room, studying so hard and regretting the free times she ever got before. And that's me.

Okay, be serious now. Clinical year is no joke!

Now, where's my lecture notes?

Wait, Running Man is on air already?

Dear Future Me 2

Read Dear Future Me 1 here.

Dear Future Me, 

I know you are afraid to receive this letter. Because by the time you receive this letter you will be 30. Don't bother to slap your face, it's true. You are 30. Hahaha. You're counting your wrinkles, no?

So 2020 has been great so far? Any flying cars over there? It's 2015 now here, you are 25 year old lady. But still pretending to be a teenager, of course because you are surrounded by teenage classmates haha.

Well, I'd like to tell you in case you are already forgot that your 20's is so much fun. You were one happy girl. Your only problem was assignment. But still going to school was something fun you ever did. Going to lecture halls and laughed with friends. You think you were funny enough, so you cracked jokes all the time. Your classmates seemed to find you funny, so they laughed along. It's really fun.

You were their class president, remember?

(You missed your campus life really bad, huh?)

You were one happy-go-lucky girl (I mean, woman). You sang just after you opened your eyes every morning. You enjoyed cooking (sometimes lazy also). You watched numerous series of Korean dramas. I bet you are jealous to reminisce this, no working lady?

And waking up late at whatever time you wanted. Actually, you thought you wanted to change your lifestyle especially your bad sleeping pattern. But that one, even your 25-year-old self would probably gave up already hehehe.

Okay, move to another topic. You work? What do you do for living? Pharmacist? Fun? On call is really fun, no? Lol. I know you are missing to be me, right? Hahaha.

How's family? Has the family expands so much? How's friends? Still keep in touch?

They were your source of happiness back then. Don't ever forget them.

So old lady, how many kids have you own now? 

Oh wait! You're finally married? Alhamdulillah then haha. So your husband is still the same Ameerul that I've dated now? Wow you tough girl - I mean he's the tough one here to stand your banyak songeh attitude  hehehe. So, has he stopped smoking? Vape off already? Hahaha. So probably the headache has finally disappeared, right? Or another headaches come now? 

Well, woman. No matter what are you doing now. What problems are you facing now.

 I believe you know that life isn't going to be easy all the time. But remember this, you are one tough lady. You've suffered from so many challenges before. You weren't able to get to study in local university before. You survived staying in Egypt for years and away from family. 

You see? Allah has his way of showing you his endless blessings. Just be tough, Allah is there.

Okay wrinkled lady, your 25-year-old self is really feel like sleeping now. Because a student like me needs a lot of nap time hahaha. I'll see you 5 years later.

Take care. Be humble. Be cool. But still be awesome (Qistina's second law).

Much love, 

Just younger version of you.

(Nik Qistina, in front of Faculty of Pharmacy Zagazig University, 2015)