Basketball, Heroes & Friends: A Perfect Friday?

Assalamualaikum,

I woke up this morning a little differently than other days. My father was asking me to look for a map to go to "somewhere" from the computer. I brushed my teeth and washed my face and surfed the internet. Anyway, later I went down to buy some rice and when I went home, I saw Abdullah waiting for me outside of my door, on the stairs. Then we went to the masjid together for our Friday prayers.

After prayers, we (Abdullah, Luqman Nur, Haziq) went over to my house to play basketball. We threw hoops for about an hour, then went up to my house to just cool down. Watched Heroes Season 3 as usual and played DJ max and God of War of Luqman's PSP.

At around 6PM everyone decided to go home.

Salam...Peace..[(:P)<-<

Age of Empires IV and V

Assalamualaikum..

Wow, I found this picture on the internet which was one of the pictures released by Ensemble Studios to the public. In the picture you can find a shot of age of empires I, II,III, IV and V.. The first age of empire revolves around the dark age where people still fight with armors and swords. The second age of empires revolves around the discovery age where people start to learn and improve in technology. The third age of empires is in the industrial age. The fourth one which is not released yet, may revolve around the world wars or the vietnam wars.. The fifth Age of Empires revolves around the genetic or computer age. Cool huh?

Can't wait till the next Age of Empires IV to be released..

Salam...peace..[(:P)<-<

Bookfest 2008

Assalamualaikum,

Yesterday (Sunday) was the last day of the Bookfest at Suntec City Exhibition Hall, and my family and I managed to get some books with the Bookfest discount. My sister bought "The Navigator" by Eoin McNamee and "Artemis Fowl: The Time Paradox" by Eoin Colfer, apparently "Eoin" is an Irish name as both men are Irishmen. "Eoin" is pronounced as Owen by the way. I bought a book about the Tales of Sokka from the hit nickelodeon series "Avatar: The Last Airbender." Its basically a summary of the second season.

After that we went to my cousins house where we played Naruto on their PSPs and Marvel Nemesis and Star Wars Battlefront on their XBOXs. The new Star Wars Clone Wars movie is going to be aired on Channel 5 (free-to-air) soon. I don't think this is fair, in fact I wonder how come its going to be shown so early, the movie was just released a few months ago. What baffles me even more is that Channel 5 usually airs the movie much later than other cable channels about a year or two.

Salam..Peace..[(:P)<-<

1st friday of the holidays..? (Running out of blog titles!)

Assalamualaikum,

Today was a slightly better day than yesterday. Mainly because the frenzy of people asking about my sisters high aggregate has died down. Yesterday my sister appeared in the news, and today in the local Malay paper, Berita Harian. Here's short briefing of my day.

Its a Friday, I woke up this morning to the sound of the phone ringing in my ears (My sister placed the cordless phone there). Abdullah called me about where I will be praying today. Feeling dizzy and still sleepy, I told him I was going to go to the usual Masjid An-Nahdhah.

(12.30PM): Going to the masjid

Went down to the bus stop, but Abdullah surprised me by being at the void deck instead. We took bus 410 directly to An-Nahdhah.

(2PM): After prayers

Went to Junction 8 mall. Browsed through books at Popular Bookstore and Abdullah bought Spiderwick Chronicles (Movie) at LASERflair, a CD shop. Then we headed to the basement to buy some sweet drinks from SweetTalk. Went home.

(3PM): On the way home

Bought the cash card for my sister at E.K. Books. Went back home. Realised no one was home. They went out to Cresent Girls School, one of my sister's choice schools. They also at elunch at Adam Road.

(4.30): Writing this post

After this I plan to write three movie reviews, The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian, Wanted, and The Spiderwick Chronicles.

Salam...peace..[(:P)<-<

Flashback..Deja Vu..what ever you call it..

Assalamualaikum,

Today, the 20th of November is the day all the Primary 6 students get their Primary School Leaving Examinations (PSLE) results. This year is my sisters turn to take her PSLE. I still remember the day I got my results. Its like I am taking a parallel journey into my past today. The day I got my results.

Anyway, I woke up this morning and got ready to go to Irsyad to see my sister's results along with the rest of my family. I had a feeling she was going to do so well for her PSLE. I went to school the way I did when it was my PSLE results. Sat down at the Multi-Purpose Hall (Musollah) and waited with my parents while my sister sat with her classmates. Nervous faces. The same type of worried, anxious faces I saw two years ago. The boys in her class were a little different. Trying to look "macho" and "cool". Like my batch, my sister's batch had expected who would make the top ten. "Oh, the usual people," they would think. I can't tell you who they are though.

(2PM): Revealing the Top Ten

Everything is happening the same way it did two years ago, but not on me, but my sister. She got 2nd. So proud of her.

Alhamdulillah..

The only difference is that the media were there. Apparently the kid who got 1st in Irsyad and also all the 6 madrasahs got an aggregate of 260. Amazing. Breaking records. Reporters from various newspaper and news channels interviewed the students who got 1st and 2nd. Lets just skip that part.

(4.30PM): Going home

On the way home, we talked about my sister's results. Thinking of which school she wants to go to. Choosing. Decision-making. Permanent decisions.

(5PM): At home

At home we surfed the internet, the Ministry of Education's website, to find which school she's eligible for. The same way it happened. I can almost expect what comes next. They fussed over the scores and cut-off points. I am just worried if it really will happen the way it did with me. My sister really wants to get into a better government secondary school where she hopes her true potential in academics subjects will flourish. If the same thing happens to her, she will stay in Irsyad like me. Not that its a bad thing. I mean, its great! Look at me. I am starting to improve in my ukhrawi subjects. I still remembered when a week before my results, Miqdad and I were walking along the corridor (heading somewhere I do not recall) when we bumped into Madam Faizah, our science teacher:

Mdm: Miqdad, I heard you were thinking about changing schools.

Miqdad: Yaahh..(Dreading a conversation)

Mdm: Miqdad, I think you should think it over, you should complete your madrasah education before going to a secular school..

Miqdad: But I finished primary school at Irsyad, is that not enough?

Mdm: No lah. the least you should do is complete both primary and secondary at Irsyad, get your religious knowledge stable first.

Miqdad: Teacher..I will be taking extra religious classes..(sighing/annoyed)

Mdm: But that won't be the same as being educated in Irsyad. Anyway, Aziz I heard you also want to go out. To Victoria..is it?

Me: Maybe, depends on my results and if they accept my appeal. (Madrasah cannot apply like normal schools, must appeal)

Mdm: Otherwise you'd be staying here?

Me: Yup (Looking unsure)

Mdm: Anyway, Miqdad, whatever you choose, hope you will succeed and never forget your religion.

Miqdad: Yeaa Yeahh...(leaving)
Me: Ok..bye..(left with him)

Probably the above conversation affects me the way I do not want my sister to change school. She should get her religious studies stable first. Be sure of what is Halal and what is Haram. There are many things I've learnt in secondary Irsyad that I wouldn't have been able to know if I left Irsyad. Important things.

So after checking out every girl school there is. My sister settled with....erm..wait (running to my sister)..

Me: What school did you choose?
Sister: Cresent Girls..Why? Did I get in??
Me: I don't know...(Dragging my words)

So after this, I am going to perform Maghrib prayers, and then watch the humiliating news. (My sister being interviewed) Its worse now that my mother told almost every relative about it.

Ok I am off then..
Salam...Peace..[(:P)<-<

P.S.:Just remembered, need to get her a gift. Thinking of getting for her an Audition Cash Card. Which is so expensive! ($10.70) for what it does. (It gives her online character credits to buy stuff for her dance game)

A little concern of mine

Assalamualaikum,

I had the worst dream last night. While slipping into dreamland, I was thinking about our new school. Thinking of the great things Irsyadians can accomplish with the facilities. Then, I thought about the worst that could happen. I dreamt about little kids running in the hallway, eager to go to the canteen for recess. Irsyad is an 8-Storey building. Suddenly one of the kids, was pushed over the parapet by another of his classmate and fell to his doom. Again, more and more kids fell off but there were no dead cold body on the ground. I was pushed by some unseen force. This just worries me. I am very much afraid of heights.

Looking at some pictures of our new school, there are some things that just scares me. The parapet is low. Perhaps even slightly higher than my waist. I feel nauseous just thinking about it.

Back to life, as you know now its the school holidays. I am staying at home, relaxing, blogging, watching videos and other stuff.

Right now, I am chatting with my cousin while playing some online games together on MSN. So far I've beaten him in UNO, Sudoku and Tic Tac Toe. After this will be reversi. See who wins.

.. ..
.. ..
.. ..
.. A couple of games later ..
.. ..
.. ..
.. ..

I won. He won the first game and I won the second and the third.

Right now my sister is at school, taking the American Maths Contest, AMC, along with other students from other schools.

OK now I am bored. Maybe I'll read the book my uncle bought for me, Eragon & Eldest.

Salam...Peace..[(:P)<-<

Start of the school holidays? Already?

Strength and Honour

Assalamualaikum,

Its here. Its finally here.

Today is the start of the holidays and its pretty gloomy. Its raining again, signifying the start of the monsoon season. I woke up to the sound of my sister's laughter, watching Friends reruns on Star World. Had my breakfast. Watched more Friends. Showed my parents my report book. My mother was a little, maybe a lot, disappointed for my results. She said I could do better but she wasn't angry. Just a little disappointed.

After that I went to my room to surf the internet. I read other people's blog about their interesting lives. Chatted with Abdullah for awhile, while watching Simpsons on my computer. Then I edited a picture (above) with picnik.com as told by Shazaa. I couldn't use Photoshop CS3 as this computer I am using does not have Adobe Photoshop CS3.

Right now I am writing this entry while my mother and sisters watch Final Destination 1, the creepiest movie about death, on the other computer. Still dark and rainy.

Salam...Peace..[(:P)<-<

Sad Day, Happy Day?

Assalamualaikum,

Today is everyone's last day in Madrasah Al-Irsyad Al-Islamiah, Winstedt Road. Today was a day of feelings and emotion.

I felt sad that we are leaving our lovely school. The one I've known to really like and appreciate.

I felt happy that we are moving to a brand new school. With brand new equipment and hopefully a brand new behaviour.

I felt really nervous when I knew today was the day all the students got their report books, including me. The report book that is nothing compared to the one we'll receive in the Hereafter.

I felt slightly relief after receiving the results but I knew that I had made an improvement. I used to be slacking but now I am trying to improve.

Overall, today was pretty much better than expected. My results are Okay. My friends and I hang out watching the usual Heroes Season 3, this time episode 8, at my place. After they went home, I watched Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa. Great movie. Very emotional. Sad. Romantic. Terrible crisis. Hero saves the day. Happy ending. Typical.

Oh yeah, and Wind House won the House Cup. (I am fire house)

Salam...Peace..[(:P)<-<

P.S.:No B3s for my grades. Arab 50+ =(

Hangin' Out

Assalamualaikum

Today I went out with the regulars (except Abdullah due to parental restriction) at Pasir Ris Park:

(8AM): At home
I just woke up and watched Friends. Luqman Nur called. Asked if we could meet at Bishan MRT before going to Pasir Ris MRT meeting up with the rest at a promised 10AM.

(9.15AM): Bishan MRT
On the way to Pasir Ris with Luqman Nur. Luqman Hakim called to ask where were we. His father sent him straight to Pasir Ris MRT.

(10AM): Pasir Ris MRT
Ate at McDonalds for breakfast. Met Luqman Hakim (He's been there for half an hour). I bought a $2 meal as I wanted to save for MEGA McSpicy. Waited there for Haziq and Asyraf. When they came, we played DJ max Portable 2 for about half an hour then we took off. Luqman Nur wanted to walk there as he said it was nearby. We decided to walk and not take bus 403 to Pasir Ris Park.

(10.30AM): Somewhere near Pasir Ris Park
Lost. Pass through E!HUB to get to Pasir Ris Park. Saw a sign that points to the park entrance. Luqman Nur and Asyraf wanted to follow it. Haziq and Luqman Hakim wanted to take the "shortcut". We chose "shortcut".

(11.30AM): At "shortcut"
There were two ways to go. Right or left. We dumbly chose right (without reading the directory which was in front of our face). Walked for half an our 1 kilometre and realised it was a dead end. Went back, another 1 kilometre, and read the map. Learnt that we were in the middle of Area 1. Area 1 was near the end of the park. We needed to get to Area 3. Went there. Took another 30 minutes.

(12NN): Bicycle Rental
Rented some bikes (1 each at $5 for 2 hours). Cycled around the park for an hour. Returned to a shelter and wait as it started to rain. Played DJ max.

(2PM): Returning bike
Return our bicycles and head back to Pasir Ris MRT via 403. From there we went to the neigbouring White Sands Shopping Centre for lunch. Ate a MEGA McSpicy. Prayed in a stairwell. Haziq got a compass and Luqman Nur got a towel.

(4PM): White Sands
Window shopping. DJ max. Hang out.

(5PM): Home
Reached home via MRT and Bus 410 (White). Tired.

Salam..Peace..[(:P)<-<

Wet Day

Assalamualaikum..

Here I am. Back at home. Writing this entry. This morning I woke up at about 9 to go to school as I had a Peer Tutors meeting. It was raining heavily. I had to wait for the rain to come to a little drizzle.

(11AM)
I ended up reaching school at 11 instead of the 10 we decided. But anyway my main meeting wasn't until the general meeting was over. I was delegated to be the games in charge for the 1st December PT outing. We had decided one doing an amazing race at East Coast."Blah Blah Blah," just thinking of the meeting makes me sleepy.

(Fast Forward >>)
(2PM)

After the meeting I decided to meet up with my mother and two sisters at Thomson Plaza to buy stuff at popular with our Hari Raya money. It was raining and is now. We browsed the book store for interesting books. I was not in the mood to read. I wanted to buy either RISK, a world domination board game, an R/C car/helicopter/airplane, or Rome Total War. I ended up buying none. RISK was too expensive. I couldn't buy a remote-controlled item because it was a toy but I just wanted to dismantle it and use its insides. Rome Total War is a computer game. My mother won't let me. I got plenty of games at home.

(Fast Forward >>)
(6PM)

At home, I played Age of Empires III, recently downloaded. Then I started to write a review about the game and here I am now, writing this post.

Salam..Peace..[(:P)<-<

BBQ at Johor

Assalamualaikum..

Yesterday I went to Johor Bahru with my whole family to visit Cik Yan, my father's friend and also the one in charge (I think) of the fundraising at Irsyad.

It was OK. We had a Barbecue. We cooked satay, Otah-otahs, buttered corn, sweet potatoes, chicken wings all sort of other stuff. At night the older folks sang karaoke while us kids played DJ max. They also ran up and down the stairs and threw stuff from the second floor's balcony. It was stupid. Not when you're the one getting hit.

All in all, We had a great time hanging out.

Salam..Peace..[(:P)<-<