Graduation

Yesterday, I officially graduated. No pictures of me tossing the mortarboard because I did not attend the ceremony. I can't recall since when I've told myself that I will not attend my degree's graduation. Anyway, this entry is not about why I chose to graduate in absentia but some thoughts I had last night before going to bed.

Monash, although I've complained so much about the tuition fee, parking wars and overly flavoured cafeteria food, thank you so much for the amazing 3.5 years. I wouldn't be who I am or do what I am doing today if it's not because of you. So....we're pretty much even hah.

If to draw a graph of my years at uni, it would look really extreme. For one semester, I did so well that I received the Deans Recognition Award. And the next semester, I failed a literature subject and flushed my GPA down to the river of Kayu Ara, which explains the .5 year.

Fortunately, there were more good things than bad that happened throughout the years at Monash. Made some really amazing friends and thanks for still keeping in touch with me and being so patient especially when it comes to my ranting session.

Also, Sports Journalism was definitely one of the biggest highlight of uni life. I had so much fun, went through some silly moments, met a bunch of bonafide media representative, and to be able to write/read about things that you like feels really nice. But the best best best part is I was able to earn the best working experience ever thanks to Sports Journalism!

And not forgetting, I ate fire! 

Monash, if you don't mind having me back on campus again, I'll be back!

My Must-Have from Coach's Legacy Holiday 2012

The season of giving is just around the corner! I've got my Xmas cards ready but guess what? There's something better (and someone more generous) in town! What do you get when you put Bag Addicts Anonymous and Coach together?

G-I-V-E-A-W-A-Y!

Yes, it's the Bag Addicts Anonymous x Coach Giveaway! And if you think a Coach Legacy Leather Medium Skinny worth RM 300 is tempting, they are also giving away an exclusive leather-bound notebook that is not for sale in any Coach store in the world. So what are you waiting for? Head over to Bag Addicts Anonymous for more info!

Anyway, here's my take on "My Must-Have from Coach's Legacy Holiday 2012" Collection.

Legacy Color Block Leather Large Clutch

Not so much of a clutch fan because I prefer my hands to be free but I like the zip on the clutch because that would be so useful for me. I always have this 3-minute panic moment because I can't find my parking ticket or my thumb drive. Besides that, then color block makes the clutch looks more casual and who said that clutches are for dinner only?

Legacy Leather Canteen Bag

What I like the most about this bag is the shape! Definitely not the bag to bring to camping or hiking but I can imagine myself carrying this bag with the sundress I bought just a couple of days ago. The tassel detail has definitely add some aesthetic touch to the bag.

Present picture frame key fob

I have something for cute miniature key fobs! When I saw this, I knew that it would make a great present for my car keys. The bottle opener key fob is pretty cool too. For more of the Coach Legacy collection, feel free to check out the link below!


All photo credit goes to Coach and bagaddictanonymous.com

It's the talk of those who sees it

The weather at the Langkawi Island is like a temperamental woman. It rains and shine without any warning. The bottom line is its humid, hot, rain and all that other characteristics of a tropical island.

So when I came across a penguin fridge magnet that says 'Langkawi', I thought it was really hilarious. Hello? Langkawi is the house for a variety of wildlife and why are the penguins immortalized?

Being that person who would buy things to laugh at, I put one of it in my shopping basket. I felt really satisfied as I thought it would make a good story for one of those catch up sessions.

I did journalism back then in uni and I guess that part of me came back as I felt the need to find out the relation between pengs and Langkawi.

Googled and damn!! They do have penguins at Langkawi's underwater world! I can feel the bubble burst and I bet the penguin is secretly laughing at me!

I ranted about it to my boss (who laughed and bought the fridge magnet too) but unlike me, he defended for the fridge magnet like a proud owner. And he told me 'it is the talk of those who sees it'.

Not too sure what he sees in that fridge magnet but that sure strike a chord on me. Maybe instead of "damn, I laughed for nothing", life would be more enjoyable if I look at it as "my fridge would look so good with this".

The solution to Monday blues

Very simple! Just work seven days a week. You won't even realize its Monday.

Go fix yourself a nice warm cup of tea and melt those blues!

Anyway, Happy Monday everyone! Have a great week ahead while I suffer from some work withdrawal symptoms.

First world problem

During my last day at Langkawi, I finally had the chance to do some tourist-ey activity with my boss and a fellow team member of the event.

We started our adventure with a cuppa from Starbucks and head to a mall in town to get some souvenirs.

Langkawi is tax free so chocolates, liquor and cars are known to be pretty reasonably priced there. However, Langkawi is also famed for cheap plates and pans or anything you would use in your kitchen.

So after stocking up on chocs, we head to our next destination to get stuff that will make our mums happy.

I've always wanted a complete tea set but my mum aka the kitchen cabinet's dictator would say that it's impractical, there's no room for that bla bla bla.

But being the stubborn daughter, I was like screw it, I'm getting one!

Then comes the first world problem. Every set that they have there is so elaborated. It comes with like hundreds of cups and at home, I am the only one who appreciates tea!

But I still bought one anyway! Didn't really like the design of it but its the smallest set! (See pic)

So, what's your recent first world problem?

Call me Laila

As you all know, my name is Ai Rene (pronounced as Irene) but I also go with the name Rene and Rene (pronounced as Reen). People often ask me what should they call me? Ai Rene? Reen? My answer is always "up to you, whichever you are comfortable with"

Names can be quite political with a whole lot of discourses behind it.Instead of me telling people how to call me, I let others define me. They can address me as what they feel is most appropriate. Some of my former uni mates hail me as 'Chongar' and sometimes my sister would call me 'car'. There are also people who calls me Hi Rene! instead of Ai Rene.

Anyway, I better stop getting too ideological about names because I can have writing diarrhea if I start discussing about Althusser's theory of interpellation.

So one day, I was reminding my boss to call a person named Meilaila. Everyone else in the office gave me a funny look. And the next thing I heard was "how many names do you want Rene?"

Apparently they misheard it as "have you called me Laila?"

That's how I earn the name Laila.

But don't address me as Laila if you see me cause I might not know that you're talking to me. And only 3 people can call me Laila.

So, do you have any funny or ridiculous names?

Two Months

I'm terribly sorry that Buffet Spread has not been serving anything for the past two months! But hungry peeps out there, dinner will be served soon. In fact there's too much ingredients and I'm in the process of planning the menu. During the past two months of hiatus, its all about work. Two sports event that spreads out throughout the week, one after another. Throughout my 22 years of life, I've never fought so hard with my id.  (Maybe except that one time when I was writing my law assignment). Sleep and meal became a luxury to me. Thank whoever who invented isotonic drinks because I wouldn't be able to pull through without it. Also, Murphy must be that best friend that I took for granted. His law had to come and hunt me everyday and I've still yet to learn my lesson. Now that my work is slowing down a little, it's time to prepare for a feast at Buffet Spread. Stay tune!!