A place so far from home yet I know it very well.

It's my final year of my undergraduate studies, and I've been here since 2007. Believe me, there's a big difference when studying overseas and a place near to home. The exposure makes you different. I am an independent girl but coming here makes my thinking more mature. I have a lot of thoughts recently.

I'm here in a metropolitan city of Glasgow, big yet happening, but kind of boring at night. I say it's happening because if you're a concert goer like me, it's never too bored. You can have Rod Stewart this week, Rihanna next week, and then Miley Cyrus the week after next. Clubs and pubs here are never too little.


I explore the city quite well, like how I know my hometown, almost. I know every corner of my university:

Now, I can walk more confidently around university, and seeing freshers walking about, finding their way to lecture room. I always wanted to asked where are they going but each time I'm in uni I'm almost late for class because I strive for extra 5 minutes of sleep. I know my way round the uni and know who to seek advice from if I need anything.

I walk, walk and walk. Walking my way to be a better person. Walking my way to be a professional. Walking my way to grow. Walking my way to know more about the world.

I might have thoughts that is different, but that's me. Personally, I think I adapt into the culture here quite well. Know their very-so-not-like-English-Glaswegian-knows-only accent, speak a little, knows the town well, the people's personality, also the fashion style. When I see lost tourist around the city, I would really love to show them the way they want to go to. I was like them years ago when I came here.

Sometimes I do peak through the corner, being an observant. I changed my habit, and knows how to cook a little.

It always sounds so fun to travel abroad, but honestly, there is the hard side. Well, think, you have to go through some hard time without your family with you; you decide, you plan, you do, you study, you manage your money, and you do a lot of stuff on your own.

After sometime, I will miss everything here, the life and the place. It's an experience that is valuable. One big tips for anyone who's coming to UK, have an open mind.

Backstreet's BACK!! - 'This is Us' TOUR

Just read a news minutes ago that Backstreet Boys is flying to Glasgow today from Berlin after attending the European MTV Music Award. I am excited. Anyone has a clue which flight are they on?? I'm a crazy fan of them!! "WOOOOOOO!!!"

I just bought their album recently (you will know if you follow my blog closely, see here!) and it bring backs lots of my memories since I'm in primary school. For those who were about my age and listens to English songs since young, I believe you too, had once fell in love with Backstreet Boys, N'Sync, Spice Girls or 5ive! Girls out there, don't tell me you never been crazy about Nick Carter before. Hmm...

FYI! I am going to BACKSTREET BOYS concert tomorrow in Glasgow! My first ever concert!

My tickets arrived last week!

In early October, Brian Litrell was diagnosed with Swine Flu while shooting their new music video 'Bigger' in Japan. I was so worried that they are not going to make it here in Glasgow. Now he has fully recover and everything is back to plan.

Anyway, I am extremely excited and been listening to their song over the week, over and over again. They already had their first two concert in Newcastle and Manchester. I will be seeing them here in Glasgow LIVE!

Here's a few song from their new 7th album that I really like:

• Straight Through my Heart
• Bigger
• Masquerade

I own quite a few of their album, mostly originals. I will buy originals if I support the singer. I have 'Millenium' (1999), 'Black & Blue'(2000), 'Greatest Hits: Chapter One'(2001), and the current one, 'This is Us'.

Their song brought me up through my life, been listen to their song a lot more than any other singer I can say, just like people love Michael Jackson or Bee Gees.

Every album brings back my memories. 'Never Gone' (2005) album brings back memories of things that happen in college- friends, study and life! I listen to their song on my mp3 while studying in Inti College's library. They bring me through my hazardous exams.

I AM SO LOOKING FORWARD TO THEIR CONCERT TOMORROW AND WILL DEFINITELY BLOG ABOUT IT!
(Continue to listen to their song now so that I won't miss a word of their lyrics and can sing with them!)

Are you kiasu??

KIASU is a very common word used in Southeast Asia, especially Singapore and Malaysia. I believe it originates from Singapore.

Kiasu means 'afraid of losing' if directly translate from the original word. It's not a proper English but it is translated from Chinese Hokkien dialect. It reflects how competitive a society can be.

"Eh, why you so kiasu? Everything also want, everything also want to win!"

Sometimes, as simple as queuing up for buying concert tickets as early as 5am in the morning, or even camp at night outside the ticket selling area, when tickets are only up for sale 10am the next day! This, to me is also an act of kiasu.

As I am still a university student, I find students who are competitive, kiasu. They are normally those who get top grades in class. Some of them might even peek at your notes what you have written down during lectures, that he/she might left out. (That is a not a big deal for me of those student who do that) The most kiasu students are those who kept telling you they have not finished their reading before exam when actually they already prepare for it. In the end, they score really well. However, all these kiasu situation can have its brighter side that it helps one to improve and excel in their own way.

Keep that aside, in general public, many people, I would say Asian in particular, very kiasu, not only in their act as well as during conversation. Whenever you said something, they think of that they cannot loose their dignity and think of a lie or something without realising for you to know that they are better than you. Though sometimes I am quiet, I scrutinise. I am quite good in observing other people or things in my surrounding. Sometimes, give and take, is all it needs for a good conversation, be truthful and not too kiasu. Listen, observe and talk. Sometimes, I think 'dua-pao' is equivalent to kiasu in certain conversation. (For those who dont understand hokkien, ask me what 'dua-pao' means.)

I trust that, there's a kiasu character in each and everyone. It all depends on how you surpass the brighter side of kiasu-ness. Parents can be kiasu, too, to find the best school for their kid, in order for their children to be a intelligent, better than the kids next door. You can either be kiasu while dealing with business, conversation, studies or anything without realising.

Here's a comic for you to enjoy, adapted from Google Images.

Worst month of the year???

May 2009 greets the world with the Influenza A(H1N1), Swine Flu outbreak.

With about 20 countries affected right now, and WHO is still worried whether more affected country is going to join the list. Just stay calm as it is treatable with Tamiflu (oseltamivir) or Relenza (zanamivir). Just make sure personal hygiene is done well.

Then, it's also going to be my very own horrible month. I will have my 4 final exams of the year this month. Can u imagine 4 exams???? How much studies and preparation I need to do? Sleepless night for studies and quick food for my stomach. I know 4 exams sound like 'OK' for some of you, as compare to how many subjects I took in SPM, 11!! This is university standard and Optometry ain't an easy course to do.

Exams starts on 15th until 27th May! Means I've lost the whole of MAY for anything else. Trapped with my books and need brain juice!! Wish me luck!

Swine Flu, a Pandemic fear

As you all might be aware of the new air-borne disease, known as Swine Flu. It kills people and originates from Mexico.

Everyone is very concern about this and there's cases of it in UK right now, from people who just came back from Mexico. A newlywed couple who went for honeymoon in Cancun, Mexico, has been diagosed with the flue. They are from Scotland and now under treatment in a Scottish hospital. Their condition are getting better and recovery soon. Let's pray for them!

UK, being a developed country, has now getting ready for the vaccination for this disease. Flights to and from Mexico has cancel until 5th of May, inclusive. The awareness here is quite well done. People who just came back from Mexico is now under inspection and will be under quarantine if it is suspicious of getting the disease.

Everyone out there, here's some tips for you in prevention of the spread of the disease. Also, for your own health. When you cough, do not cough to your bare hand, but into a piece of tissue or into your elbow. If you cough into your hand, remember to wash your hand after that. Get used to wash your hand regularly, particularly before and after meal. Using anti-bacterial soap or alcohol-based hand sanitisers (recommended, as I've tried this out in my Microbiology lab).

For more information, click here.

I really do hope this disease go away as quickly as possible. I just hope it don't affect my flight back to Malaysia from UK in more than a month time. I want to go home!!