2005 In a Nutshell And The Unveiling of Me.

The speed of sound (ehem). That’s how fast this year seemed to zoom by. It seems as though one minute I was watching the new year’s day fireworks from One Utama outside my home, and the next minute, here I am, writing an entry about ‘the Highlights of 2005’, tears streaming down face, snot dribbling down lips and all (makes for good lip balm).

Ah, but even though this year swished by (time really does hurry by when we’re having fun), so much happened in such a short amount of time. I’ll start off with what’s most significant. I found myself. When last year was drabby and dreary with hardly anything that would make headlines in the Shurfa Shukry Times, except from my enrolment into St John’s, this year has got to be, arguably, the most turbulent year of my life. And that’s a good thing.

Through all the trials and tribulations I went through, I found the final pieces of myself. Now I’m able to put all the pieces together and be completely and wholly me. I stand before you now confidently, with the thought that there’s no one else I’d rather be. And I owe it to everyone who’s been with me on this crazy roller coaster ride that is 2005. Oh yeah, I’ve broken a record. This is the first time EVER I put photos of myself up. Ugh (click on thumbnails for larger pics).

Aisya’s Top Highlights of the Year:

1. April: My sister’s wedding.

• without doubt, HAS to be at the top of this list. Oh what a magical night it was. The first Shurfan, walking down the isle to matrimonial bliss. *Sob*. It was definitely a tear-jerking night I wouldn’t forget even if I fell off a cliff and got struck with amnesia. There’s just something about dedicating a whole week unselfishly to give your sister the happiest night of her life.

• And there’s something indescribably beautiful about having all the people you care for in you and your family’s life under one roof, to celebrate the union of two souls in love…

• The only downside? I was practically popping out my off-white dress that our designer, Azuddin, probably didn’t measure properly. Either that or I gained a few inches. My boobs were squashed under the bustier, and no one told me there was a flippin slit going up my legs! I fixed that with a good bra and a petticoat. But Azuddin did a good job with our garments anywho! He made us (exluding me) all look good. Thanks!

• Woah, I now have a brother in law. Its still sinking in…

Finished House Renovations.

• We ended up with a larger kitchen, two prettier toilets, a totally fresh living room, renewed parquet flooring, a new bedroom downstairs, a bonsai mango tree, and a MUCH better garden. I don’t look like I live in a slum anymore.

2. January: Sosialised.

• After finally realising that my life had turned a sharp corner upon entering St John’s, I took firm hold of the steering wheel and drove myself over to a new bunch of people. Not literally, of course, since I still don’t know how to drive. But anyway, yeah. So I made a whole new bunch of weird, wacky, outrageous, such diverse friends. And who knew I’d actually end up sharing my life with them?

• Then, undoubtedly, I discovered such beautiful, loving people who have each stolen a couple of seats in my heart. My Johannian friends – You lot are the debatably the most outrageous, craziest, loveable, annoying, beautiful people I’ve met in a long time. You’ve coloured my year up with the brightest colours.

• But its not all rainbows and butterflies and multicoloured cakes. I’ve been blinded and gutted by a few people who I thought I knew, but had obviously been playing with my emotions. I don’t hate them. In fact, I can stand in front of them right now, look them in the eyes and tell them how much I’ve learned from them. I owe them a thanks.

3. September: Hosted a Kindergarten Anniversary.

• It all started when my mother’s cousin, who owned a kindergarten down at Damansara, needed an English speaking emcee for the kindergarten’s first ever birthday bash. She asked me if I wanted to do it. I thought it was about time I made me debut appearance in front of my relatives, so I hesitantly accepted. (Hesitantly, because I was nervous as sh*t about the whole thing.) So I called up Ashli afterwards and made him swear he’d say yes to what I was about to ask him to do. So when I asked him to be my co-host, he said yes. He wasn’t reluctant about it either; he sounded quite excited. He was expecting big bucks to roll in.

• The day came and we hosted the thing quite spontaneously. I didn’t know I could do spontaneous, but heck I was spontaneous that day, so there. Kids were running around everywhere, talking in that language I have mastered (Baby Talk), and thank God there were no spoilt brats around otherwise the day would’ve resulted with mass murder (I being the person committing homicide).

• Ashli did a great job, and I couldn’t have done it without him. Thanks, Ash, for putting up with me and my family, and my relatives during the whole weekend. You’re my pillar. You were superb, and you’ll have no trouble wooing my family and relatives over once you decide to marry a Shurfan (Anisah, that is..).

Got Saved; And Then Fell.

• I think it was in this month when I accidentally left my wallet in class along with my LRT ticket, money and ATM card… What a flipping nightmare! I thought I was gonna die then and there. Already halfway to the Masjid Jamek LRT station, I realised I didn’t have my art-nouveau style wallet with me. I panicked. I turned around, and there he was. Awi (cue dramatic heavenly music). He had apparently ran after me with my wallet which he had found lying desperately under my desk. What’s weird is that he had lost his calculator that day, and he was looking for it under everyone’s tables. Lucky thing he lost his calculator then! Cupid’s been a naughty, naughty boy…

• If it weren’t for him, I think I’d have to have become a beggar for a day, joining in the group scattered outside Masjid Jamek LRT station.

• September also saw me see a best friend in a totally different light (figure who the unfortunate mystery man is yourselves, kids.) I have no idea how I didn’t see it before, but that month, he became a man in my eyes. Ok I’ll shut up and not get into any details here.

4. May-August: Got Activated

• Entered a race, lead a battalion and completely messed up our formation, Took Part In Public Speaking, Solved a Massive Conflict, Got Involved In a Massive Conflict, Solved another Conflict, Got Angry, Structured The History Club Exhibition With AJKs, Wrote Best Poem In Career, Worked for Garudamas Magazine. Enough said. Ooh, ooh! Raced with Awi to get Coldplay X&Y CD, AND won the race... *evil laugh*

5. November: Raya

• This year’s raya was great, since the whole family spent the day in Taman Tun. Usually at this time of the month, I’d be stuck here alone with my siblings as my parents went off to Kelantan… So this year was especially special.

• Plus, Ramadan was fun. Highlights of the month include Anisah throwing a cup of water towards Firdaus’ face in fury during iftar, and Asma baking lovely puddings for the family…

6. November: Sat for STPM.

• November saw me finally sitting for what I had spent a whole year and a half poring, crying, sniffing, getting headaches over textbooks for – STPM! I hate thinking about the thing – the more I think about it, the more badly I think I’ve done. But really, the exams hopefully went well.

Parted Ways

• November also saw us six formers say our goodbyes to each other. My GOD I think I’m gonna start crying again. Damn these tears. We spent the last day of the month at Berjaya Times Square, eating like it was our Last Supper… A memorable way to end a memorable school year with a bunch of memorable people. And remember what I said on your plaques, dear former Arts2 buddies: It ain’t the end of anything—It’s the beginning of something gorgeous. Ok, so it didn’t go exactly like that, but you get what I mean… Click on these pics to see what we were up to on the last day of school!

7. December: Freedom!

• 3rd: Genting Highlands. On the third, I went to Genting. Best fun I’ve had in a loooooooong time, and The Outing of the Year in my books. Lee Mei, Awi, Jega and Shiraz – We have GOT to do that again. 13 hours with you lot was definitely NOT enough, and I long to see you all again. Call me if you’ve got any plans, aiiight?

• Got My First Job: Yeap, I’m officially employed. I’m a working woman. I’m hired. I’m a career-minded individual. I’m… You get my drift. I’m now an article translator for a website under YADIM (Yayasan Dakwah Islamiah), and I think I’m getting over-paid. The job’s perfect: I translate articles from BM to English, it’s intellectually and literally challenging, tests my language skills, and guess what? I work at home. Perfect, no? HAHAHAH.

A whole lot more happened, of course, but you lot probably wouldn’t be interested, so… So here I am today, reminiscing a whole year that sped by without leaving me time to catch my breath. It’s been a great year, and God, I’m gonna miss it when 2006 pushes its way into our days. I just hope next year is every inch as great as this one was. Now someone please pass me some tissues, cuz I’m blubbering.

So, before I sign off for the year 2005, I'd like to wish each and everyone of yous a great and happy new year. *Blows nose loudly*