Goddamn! February flew by in a flash! And it's March already? Gosh. Short summary of the-now. Spring break is around the corner! More traveling (just not sure of where yet)! Had mid-term review last Thursday. This week is concept development week (how exciting).
Anyway, too many things have happened! I think I've been to too many places within a month (not that I'm complaining!). Okay so let's start from ... my trip to Glencoe!
Some time in January, Baba and I went up to Glencoe to ski. At that time, I didn't know how to ski and I clearly underestimated the effort it takes to learn it; especially at the beginning when I kept falling or panicking 'cause I kept sliding backwards. But after all the fear and panic subsided, I managed to pull through. The first time was super tough though, and I was scared shitless when the Italian convinced me to go to a higher peak and I literally froze from fear - suddenly realizing that my fear of falling and cleithrophobia were met on a mountain that was windy, wet and misty as fuck (couldn't see shit)! But like I said, I managed. I mean, I'm still alive today after all. Haha. ヽ(ﾟДﾟ)ﾉ
The view from the chair lift! I nearly froze my fingers off trynna get this picture. #dedication
White white white.
Gear that got me down the slopes safely a few hundred times (also gear that caused me so much pain and frustration). #bittersweet
Look at how white it is! Baba was not impressed by the weather at all, since he's so experienced at skiing in beautiful places. #lansi
This was the view from the bottom; before entering the "ski resort". Lemme tell you, on our first day, the weather was so bad and depressing! According to the people there, it hadn't been that bad until we arrived; cause you know, we bring luck and sunshine, and we shit rainbows too. #emo
Regardless, the place is beautiful! Though it would've been so much better if we hired a car. Next time, we'll do that. Cars are important; especially when public transport is lacking.
Gotta love Scotland for its landscapes.
View from our walk up one of the hills on the way to the youth hostel we stayed in. It was pretty! Just that we couldn't stay out quite long because it got dark at like 3:30pm. Sigh.
Here's Baba trynna capture the "feel" as he said (hahahahaha).
Quite a scenic place no? Would love to go back but perhaps when the weather is kinder to us and also when we can hire a car! Cars are important!(!!!!)
As scared as I was while skiing, I'm pretty sure I will do it again. And keep practicing so that I won't feel scared of the higher spots anymore. I feel like it's the universe's way of challenging me. I don't like feeling like I didn't accomplish something just because I was scared! So maybe during spring break, if we go to Slovenia, I'll try again and be more confident. (ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:・ﾟ✧
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After that, term 2 started and we were introduced to our new studio, new project, bla bla. Nothing much really, just a lot of work, talking, presenting. Along those lines, we celebrated Misha's birthday as seen in the photos below.
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And then some time during that period, I decided to visit Azam in Newcastle (lol I know damn random but I was bored). And so I took a train down to one of the windiest places EVER for the weekend. But it was a great and relaxing weekend! Newcastle is a bit like Glasgow, but I would say that it's a tad better (only cause the Asian market is amazing and the weather was super good when I was there).
First of all, Azam's flat is fucking amazing larh ok. Not like this dull ass of a place I'm living in (but then again, I'm living in a student hall so it can't be helped). But goddamn I'm super envious!
Here's me annoying Azam so that he'd wake up. Bangunnnnnnnn!
Before heading out to the Tynemouth! Look at Lok! So kawaii-desu. ヾ(。◕ฺ∀◕ฺ)ノ
One amazing thing about Newcastle is that you're train-stops away from flea markets. This was a pretty huge antique market! I could've stayed there for hours! And I wanted to buy like every little trinket I found over there but of course, there's no point since I can't put it anywhere in my flat. 。ﾟ(ﾟﾉД｀ﾟ)ﾟ｡
Some #skyporn for you. At the beach and Victorian pool at Tynemouth. A tiny rainbow greeted us that day (and so did 35 mph winds).
Azam's hair is the result of the 35 mph wind I mentioned a second ago. I was protected by my hair and double-layer hoodie. (￣︶￣)
They also had a market along the river! Azam's flat is like right next to this Sunday-awesomeness. We don't get markets like this in Glasgow. Super envious (why la).
Nice to live next to this no? If I stayed here, I'd be sipping coffee all day err'day while soaking up some sun.
Also, the one thing England has greater than Scotland is of course the existence of Krispy Kreme. Y U NO HAVE KRISPY KREME GLASGOW? I'm like an addict! Nothing is better than donuts! （；￣д￣）
And lets take 2 seconds to appreciate and admire this Asian market found in Newcastle, that had about a hundred choices of Asian drinks that I would gladly buy every single day if it existed here in Glasgow.
Anyway, for sure I would go back to Newcastle if I have the chance. It was super nice to just chill and not think of work. I think I'll do more visits soon, maybe to Canterbury to see Jojo, or invade Amir's house in London. Sooner or later, when I'm bored again hahaha. (◕‿◕✿)
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The week after, I headed to Amsterdam (again) with Baba to visit my sister, Kak Nina and fam! We stayed at Nina's place which was super comfy and gorgeous. (✿ ♥‿♥) Still very much in love with that house of hers. My parents came by to Amsterdam too! And yes, they met Baba, and were not-judgmental (or so it seems from my perspective). I was super paranoid about it at one point but, all is vell~ I met one of Baba's best friends too and he's hilarious as fuck. So far, his circle of friends are just amazing! Never fail to make me laugh.
This is where we stayed! Nina's loft at the top of her 4 storey Dutch house. It's so beautiful! I'm still in love with it!
Here's a photo of everyone, and by everyone I mean satu kampung of my parents, sister, Nina, David, Milla, myself and the Italian. Where did we decide to go? Pasta e Basta (mega lol for Baba hahaha). It was a good restaurant if you ignore the waiters/waitresses live performances of American songs from the 70s or something; the atmosphere of the restaurant was a tad strange hahahaha.
Here's us at a Frank Sinatra pub one of the nights with my sister and her classmates. The owner is a super mega fan of Sinatra (obviously). He had vinyls, posters and pictures like every where!
Here's one of my favourite places in Amsterdam to-date; the Droog hotel/boutique/cafe! They sell designer products, furniture and of course, have this wonderful cafe situated above all the awesomeness. Baba and I were so happy with this place!
Look at the whimsical courtyard in the middle of the buildings! Would love to go back there during summer and just sit there for hours.
And by the fucking way, I need that mug and saucer so bad. Such a simple design but so clever.
\Here's a photo of my dad (LOL). He was like "... take a photo of me with Leiden University". Ok dad. My sister is studying there btw. She's officially moved out of Malaysia so when she finds a place in Amsterdam, I can properly squat there (mwahahahahaha). This was also one of the funniest days because I almost fell into the canal, chasing after my mother's hat that gone blown away by the strong winds + my sister walked into a pole. Classic.
We visited this place called NDSM-Werf which is an area that was abandoned but then was taken over by artists, designers, craftsmen etc. They made studios and exhibition spaces in the old ship manufacturing warehouse! It's super nice! They have art festivals there too so for sure I'll be back in Amsterdam to attend them.
They have abandoned trams that people live in and graffiti every where; it was an interesting atmosphere. I really loved it. And it's so near to Amsterdam! Only like 20 mins away by ferry and the ferry is free!
Look at that sky. JUST LOOK! I was crouching down just staring at the sky for a few minutes. Beautiful! #skyporn
A photo with my hyperactive niece. Love her to bits! ♥(✿ฺ´∀`✿ฺ)ﾉ
And I super love these photos! Very rarely do I have photos with my family. It's strange, really.
Oh, I'm super convinced that I belong in Amsterdam! I love it so much there! And I really don't mind going back there over and over again. There's always something new to discover! Was a bit sad that I didn't get to ice skate in the canals because ... well ... winter isn't really happening this year eyh. It's pretty mild, even here in Glasgow (I assume Spring will be an extremely cold one this year), but whatever! Seeing my family and spending time with Baba made up for that minor flaw. Will be back again, FOR SURE. (★^O^★)
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Just RIGHT AFTER our trip to Amsterdam, we had to go up north to Forres for studio; presentation with an Italian man from MIT named Frederico. It was somewhat important but the best thing about this trip was that my studio mates and I could spend some quality time together! It was super fun. Cold, but fun.
This is a photo of us caught in snow! Us Asians went cray y'all seriously. Misha and I were like jumping every where. Super jakun. But it was beautiful too! First proper snow (not painful hail) experience!
White white wonderland! I love this photo. (´ ▽｀).。ｏ♡
Lol a moment to laugh at Hee Eun and her totally nonchalant expression as she lurks around and searches for her breakfast. The kind people of the hostel prepared so much food for us! And they did this everyday!
A hipster completing a very hipster scene (hehe). We stayed just 2 mins walk away from the beach!
(ﾉ´ヮ´)ﾉ*:･ﾟ✧
And this was taken at 730 in the morning! Sun rise galore. I like how the water reflected the sky! Very pretty.
Here are the Spice Girls, wandering around the Innovation Design studio (because we insisted on exploring the place and not starting our work).
I don't know why but this photo is amazing. Just, amazing.
This creme bulee also made one of my nights. Satisfied my craving for it!
Here's a really super nice photo of us wandering around the town at night.
And another with the girls. I still find it funny that we're wearing winter coats at a beach!
On our way back from Forres, we stopped by the same pit stop where we got caught in the snow and explored the area for a bit. I discovered that there was a bit of a nature walk behind the pit stop and so ... off we went!
Here's Baba gazing into the distance (sort-of-not-really-just-acting-lulz).
You have to admit that Scotland has seriously one of the most amazing landscapes ever! Every where I've been so far has been so gorgeous! It's surreal and whimsical! I can't wait to explore the north, to Ben Nevis, Isle of Skye, Caingorm ... ERR'THING! But hopefully we're lucky enough to experience this country in extremely sunny weather; that's when it's at its most beautiful for sure.
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After that it was more of doing work, project, celebrated (Anti)-Valentines Day (just to be extremely ironic about it hahaha), more work, more cafe hoping and trying new restaurants, watching rugby, engagement tools blar blar and then one fine day, the Environmental Design elective brought the Spice Girls to Dunoon and Castle Toward. Another place that is pretty but ... I have a love/hate relationship with it (hahaha).
First of all, we had to take all forms of transportation (train > ferry > bus > walk) just to get to the damn castle. Secondly, we were unaware of the amount of mud our shoes would have to suffer in. And third, it was cold and windy as fuck.
But on the contrary, the place was super beautiful! We had such low expectations for this trip (because we were just too lazy and tired) that it kind of impressed us, especially me, a lot! I would most definitely go back there when the weather decides to be extremely nice to me (by this I mean sun pls k thx).
On the ferry to Dunoon. First time since ever that I felt motion sickness! It was totally unpleasant.
We were dropped off by the bus in the middle of nowhere. Look, sheep! For a moment I thought that the dearest sheep were the community we were suppose to engage with. Haha. But the scenery was marvelous! It's weird to see a farm of sheep next to a beach!
I am in love with these snowdrops! And they grew in patches!
Also, this trail that was between the most unusual trees ever. They were like mangrove trees but instead of the roots going into the water, it's the branches growing towards the sky! Super nice.
The skeptics of the trip, posing in front of a very rundown, not-so-attractive Victorian pond that, according to our tour guide, has the potential of being a very romantic wedding photo point. I mean ... sure ...?
I find this photo hilarious because I'm caught being my usual spastic self and no on seems to be fazed by it.
But you gotta admit, the view was pretty spectacular! This was on our way up to see the 2 Chinese (so-called) ponds (that were actually reservoirs). I really loved the view!
I love that you can see into the distance!
I realize that I didn't even one photo of the castle itself. Lets just say that I was totally unimpressed by it ok. I was more in love with the landscape and the surroundings as compared to the actual castle (hahaha). I would go back for the nature, not for an asymmetrical, brown Victorian castle.
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Here are some random happenings from the few weeks!
These are the engagement tools my group and I came up with for our project. Super nice noh? We got a lot of insights from these tools (which was quite surprising and unexpected). I really like it! I think I'll steal one when the project ends (hehe).
One of the nights, unnie cooked a super nice Korean dinner for us! It was so good! I was so happy to have kimchi jjigae and bulgogi erhmahgerd! ＼（Ｔ∇Ｔ）／
This was where Baba and I celebrated (Anti)-Valentines Day (hahaha). This restaurant is so beautiful man I got a lady boner from it. And the desserts that we tried here were so super yum!(!!!!!)
And lastly, a photo of us and the Malaysian food I cooked up last night. Cooked for like 4 hours straight, dear God! I didn't realize how much time and effort it would take to cook so much! I appreciate my maid in Malaysia SO MUCH MORE NAO. She's a superwoman man. Anyway, the food (lontong and soto) was somewhat of a success! Will attempt to cook more in the future! ☆*:.｡. o(≧▽≦)o .｡.:*☆
OH OK TOO MUCH IN ONE POST. Abrupt end right here. Farewell.
P.S. Might be going to Slovenia for Spring break. I CAN'T WAIT ERHMAHGERD. Kbai. ( ˘ ³˘) .｡.:*☆♥
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