KMB 11/13 Graduation Day.

First,

I'm not too sure why do I need to have a little ✿ next to my name on this blog's title. I thought it's kinda pretty and for some reasons the lady inside me decides to show up while I was rummaging through new layout ideas in my own head.

**Updated: I removed the ✿ since the longer I look at it the more it annoys me, hahaha!

Second,

Thank you aunty.

You have no idea how much this means to me. There are times when I'm completely out of things to write and time isn't just on my side (read: alasan) that I feel like ignoring the blog forever. And by that, I mean, forevahhh. But then sometimes when nice comments appear out of nowhere, I would be like, yeah you go girl! (?) Anyway, thank you for the kind words, that's the whole point of it. You have no idea how this made my day (and it still does), THANK YOU.

Third,

IB.

Again, I'm not too sure how many current/past/future? KMB students read this blog now that I've left KMB and all its glory around four years ago, though every now and then I still get questions/enquiries about IB or studies in general, and sometimes random questions like why did I choose to be married (?) Yes, of all the things, hahaha!

Anyway, last weekend Tsara had her graduation at Putrajaya International Convention Centre (PICC). And given how loyal Adam and I are towards KMB, we tagged along. It was nothing like what we had back then. During our year, and that was in 2010, everyone was seated around numbered tables, with food being served halfway through the ceremony. We had gold as our colour theme, so everyone was dressed up in their best gold outfits. There was no robe nor graduation cap.

This time they had it done properly in a formal way. Guests were seated in rows, and food was only served after the whole ceremony was done. The only downside that I found a bit disappointing with this was that guests had to eat while standing - a bit like how rich people eat during parties and cocktail events hahaha! The good thing was that sooner or later we'd have to go through the actual graduation ceremony anyway iAllah, so why not start practicing now. I also couldn't help but feel that it was only right since KMB itself is an IB World School - the teachers and students deserve such grand recognition.

Graduation aside, I know how it feels when it comes to the uncertainties of doing IB. But kids, it ain't over till it's over (read in Tae Yang's Wedding Dress voice). Keep going, you never know what's waiting ahead of you. Tsara and her friends made it - Laila even got 43 out of the blue! (and that means honor roll man!) Well then there's the issue of placement. Of course, these are all rezeki, but work hard while we still can. Feeling nervous is normal, but do not despair. At least if we die, we die fighting. 

Here's to an IB 45 and excellent semester 5! (??)

Some pictures to give us all motivation  - IB graduation okay la like degree standard what heheh.

Gratz T!

Especially in love with this picture. Awww

Live broadcast of the graduates entering the hall

Live orchestra performance

Finally last but not least,

The whole entourage!

Btw Tsara's going to Belfast. Yes you read that right.

It seems that my life will still be stuck around Leicester-Belfast for the next few years.

Okay la save on travelling cost what hahaha!

Hello Belfast!

Reaction when arriving UK

Expectation: HELLOO BELFAAASSTT LOOK WHO'S BAAACCKK!!

Reality: Oh, we're here already? Okay. *yawns* zzz

Yes people, I'm back in Belfast! (same sentence every time fly back to UK wth). You can expect great things from me now that I'm back -- and that simply means more blog posts since I'll be spending two weeks in Belfast before my class starts. And have I mentioned that Adam is having his paediatrics attachment throughout my stay here? So the story of a lonely wife begins pfft.

It was the first time I arrived UK in the evening at 6pm. And I was totally flattened! 6pm in the UK means 1am back in Malaysia and I could certainly use a good sleep after nearly 24 hours of travelling. Sigh. I've never had severe cases of jetlags before be it going home to Malaysia or coming back to UK but this time I was completely knackered. A little tip, try to arrive UK in your waking hours back in Malaysia or else all you want to do is crawl into your bed and leave things unpacked.

Now that I'm back there's a few things I need to take care of but first, Alhamdulillah, I thank Allah for this moment of serenity. The last weekend in Malaysia was the busiest!

Tsara's graduation, a lovely date with Izleen, late supper with Ms Yati at Mali's, and eventually a date with Ms Ima - last weekend couldn't get any better.

Anyway, the first thing that came out from Adam's mouth this morning when he peeked out the window was, "Wow, look at the hateful weather!"

Oh well, hello Belfast!

Eid.

One of the most eventful Eid we've had in years. First Eid was in Kedah and later in the evening we drove to Kelantan. Second day of Eid -- flew back to Kajang.

Time moves too fast that sitting in front of the laptop thinking what I should write has become a luxury.

Hence just the picture.

Happy Eid from The B's!

To a better us.

At the age of 23 where wisdom is scarce and vainglory is too common, I have the most wonderful husband anyone could ever ask for. 

Speaking of, we’ve hit that one-year mark of our marriage! A milestone that is. Alhamdulillah!

Three years of courtship plus one year of marriage, and I’m still crazy over this man. Talk about head over heels craziness. He still gives me butterflies, as much as he gives me headaches, of course. 

Last time whenever we hit that anniversary or monthly countdown (yes, I used to count each passing month), a sense of pride and achievement bloomed over me. Look how far we’ve got! Pseesh, how naïve I was. 

This time, I had quite a reflection of where I am now. 

One year and I’m not entirely sure of what I have achieved. 

I’m still not a good wife, far from perfect. My ego is still mountain high. I don’t think my humility has by any means grown over the past one year. I’m still struggling with my own definition of modesty. I’m still forever contemplating if I should style my scarf the way I really should, or the way I want it to be. I still cry to sleep some nights because I don’t know how to share my feelings in words like a normal human does. Worst of all, I still have McDonalds. 

One year, and I’m still here. 

On a brighter note, one year, and I’ve only had four McDonalds. Soo.. Err.. Yeay? 

Life is a constant struggle --

I have to admit; I once thought that marriage would make me a better person. I couldn’t be more wrong. 

Being married motivates me to be better, but it doesn’t change me per se. 

You choose to be better. You choose to change. The “Aku terima nikahnya..” wouldn’t mean a thing if you didn’t intent to make it something. 

For instance, to wear scarf in front of my in laws. I had this conversation with a friend once, about how hard it is, especially when no one in the family does it. I remember telling Adam how I wanted to do it because I didn’t want to start being comfortable with not covering myself like how I am with my cousins now. I couldn’t bring myself to wear scarf in front of them because I’m too used to not to. 

How ironic that I am stressing over covering myself in front of my in laws, when I still go out to hang the clothes or get the mails or even open the gate, with my hair exposed. 

Good thing is, I now contemplate when it comes to wearing scarf and covering myself properly. Never mind the relapse, contemplating is already something! Success rate, that’s a different story. Baby steps, people, baby steps. 

One year. 

Each passing day is a bliss, each passing moment (whether or not we annoy each other) is a gift. To a better us ---

I love you husband.