Confusion: where only Flynn resides

Living vicariously

2008-08-22T14:48:00.002+10:00

Just be happy that I am living at all...

Through no fault of my own (only to be expected, however), I have made a severe mess of things. It may indeed help if I narrowed it down to exactly what I've severely mangled (possibly permanently), but I refuse... to elaborate, that is.

Do you know why almost all companies/stores/businesses undergo the painstaking process of stocktaking?? Well, I don't. Although I do wish I could hire anyone or anything to take stock of the confusion in my head.

Question: What do you hear??

Options:

Mostly slow & soft music/songs
Mostly loud & ear-thrashing stuff (like heavy metal)
Silence, almost always
Your thoughts & memories
Too much noise surrounding you
Other (explain...)

Last question: What do you reckon I hear??

Joseph Sedley

2008-07-25T14:38:00.003+10:00

I love avocado. I really REALLY love avocado.

This morning my fever was worse. I woke up to the smell of avocado & I felt SICK!...nauseated...dizzy...queasy...

Unbelievably, I felt sick because of the smell of avocado! But I love avocado!!

So I skipped breakfast... I went into the kitchen & almost everything smelled like avocado...& I couldn't stand it. I don't understand... why?? Will I be able to eat at all today?? More importantly, will I EVER be able to eat avocado again??

I also woke up to a name- a name that's been bothering me ever since: Joseph Sedley.

WHO IS Joseph Sedley?? Do I know a Joseph Sedley? Is Joseph Sedley someone important? Someone who has become lost in the labyrinth of my almost non-existent long-term memory?? Why is Joseph Sedley bothering me??

I do not know anyone named Joseph Sedley. I have never met anyone named Joseph Sedley. I'm sure of it. I have thought about all the Josephs from my past... and I've found that I recall nothing. That is, there were no Josephs in my past... I'm fairly certain none exist in my present. But the name sticks... it won't go away...

Maybe Joseph Sedley is an avocado??

So, readership... what, oh what, do I do with this useless, deranged, chaotic & labyrinthian mind of mine??

The Poison Study

2008-07-10T23:50:00.003+10:00

Just to let you know that I'm not completely unhinged, that list was my first list of things to take to BD. (It looks like it's pretty much final... my going to BD, that is... so any/all tips on how to survive are more than welcome. Seriously, my first time back & my slightly sadistic family enjoys watching me squirm while they relate BD "Tales of Horror").

Now, let me tell you about The Poison Study (think alternate reality & loads of kick-ass action/suspense):
So this girl kills some well-known political figure (dunno why), gets arrested, is sentenced to death (friends of the murdered politician want her dead, asap). On the day of her execution, she's offered a choice: die or become the food-taster of some Commander who's being hunted down by a truckload of assassins (two guesses as to the fate of the ex-food-taster). Anyway she chooses food-tasting, but her Trainer/Guard doesn't trust her. He injects a poison into her that'll kill her if she doesn't get a shot of the antidote every 24hrs. Naturally, the only one with access to the antidote is her Trainer/Guard... To make the story more complex... she's being hunted down by friends of the politician she murdered (they want her dead right now). To top it off, she finds out that she'd been abducted as a child & that there's all this related intrigue involved... All I know is that she survives... somehow.

Unfortunately, I think this is a trilogy or something... but it sounds good so far.

The Model House (that shall never come to fruition)

2008-07-05T16:41:00.004+10:00

And no Snowy, it never occured to me to remind you (today) what a BORING person you are... Llama will understand what I'm referring to. Tell me Llama, what do we expect from she who asks: "What shape are houses?"...

List #1:

Band Aid
Panadol
Tissue
Insect Repellent
Chewing Gum
Lollies (Snakes & mini Dinosaurs... & maybe Jols)
Cereal (& milk??)
Shampoo
Lotion
Veri Deli
Torch
Batteries
Coffee
V? (O please, o please, o please!!)
Picnic
Lindt
Ferrero Rocher

Here it is... my return.

Llama, I tell you now... the more I try to think, the fewer the number of words enter my head...

Jaded, but still confused

2007-06-05T11:42:00.000+10:00

Storms, torrents, floods, really really strong winds & so on... didn't go home last night...
That's how the last couple of days have been in Sydney...
Friday: Had my Japanese speaking exam, so I HAD to go to Uni - no two ways about it.
FREEZING temperatures (well, it was for me, since Sydney's had nothing but extreme to above-average temperatures as far back as my memory stretches).
Anyway, had plans to do stuff with Emu, so went over to her place (which is half a world away). By the time we got there, it was about 2:30... I think. By the time we finished the stuff we wanted to finish, it was 4:30- record time, if you ask me. But it gets dark by 5PM AND Nemo called (on behlaf of extremely over-protective Dad) to ask whereabouts. Told them my whereabouts (half a world away from my place).
Dad freaked.
Nemo was confused.
Flynn freaked.
Was told to NOT CATCH A TRAIN under any circumstances.
Emu freaked (more than Flynn, if memory serves).
Crashed at Emu's for the night (homeless, clotheless & toothbrush-less).
Mum called in confusion & bewilderment (how did Flynn manage to disappear??)
Mum freaked (but less than Dad...MUCH less).
Ash was told not to bus over from Canberra on Friday night.
Ash called & was as confused as I was about Dad's over-protectiveness.
Had a good night, though... Emu's cat's really cute (give her a scratch for me, will you, Emu?).

Left after lunch at Emu's.
Still cold, but marginally more tolerable waether.
Was afraid to come home & face wrath of Dad.
Got home in one frozen piece.
Luckily, parents had to leave for dunno where.
Escaped afore-mentioned "wrath".
Ash came down for the long weekend.
Mum left instructions for me to cook dinner (ARGH!)
Am attempting to cram before exams... or pretending to do so.
Will most likely fall asleep before revising anything.

Shikkari! Shikkari!!

It means RUBBER SANDALS!!

2007-06-03T20:36:00.000+10:00

It's always a good idea to begin with definitions... clear the air before bagging out folks & all.

Tool (Aussie slang): an idiot; a fool

Thongs: rubber sandals (called flip-flops in New Zealand on account of the noise they make when walking).

It took me 2 & a bit years to complete the picture, but it's now ready for all you folks out there (ok, there's only you, Emu) to have a read-through. Years of people-watching & psychology-studying has led me to conduct an in-depth analysis of what you are about to read below.

It's the phenomenon I've dubbed "The Tool in Thongs" (AKA) Your average Sydney Uni student (of the male variety).

The Tool in Thongs:

Summer dress code is as follows (let's follow a bottom-up examination here):

Thongs are the ONLY way to go(if you're not in thongs, you're a tool). Going barefoot is marginally acceptable.

NEVER wear long pants, but if you must, then only jeans are acceptable (as long as they're 10 sizes too big & halfway down your thighs thus allowing a spectacular view of your boxer shorts). However, shorts are ideal (also preferebly 10 sizes too large).

T-shirts must be light, short-sleeved & taken off at 5mins to midday... no need for sun-protection, skin cancer can be worried about when you're older, but if you're well-muscled, sunscreen may be used to show-off abs/biceps/triceps & all other muscles in the upper body region.

The hair is the most important. Appearance MUST reflect the just-rolled-off-bed-and-ran-hand-through-hair look. Also accpetable is the have-neglected-hygeine-for-2-weeks look, but research has found that the latter is not as attractive to either sex.

Accessories are frowned upon, unless they're sunglasses or mobile phones (which are ESSENTIAL).

Bags are only for freaks & geeks.

A pen will suffice (along with wallet & mobile).

Lack of paper/notebook provides ideal opportunity to borrow from the hot chik next to you, which in turn paves the way for introductions & an exchange of numbers.

Autumn & Spring dress code is almost the same, except that the T-shirt must not be taken off & walking barefoot is no longer acceptable. Shorts are still all the go & bags will always be for freaks & geeks only.

So that's the end of my analysis... I don't understand this phenomenon, I just know that this is it.

What happens if the postman doesn't smile??

2007-06-01T22:00:00.000+10:00

A bit of randomness:

Marilyn Monroe apparently used to chop off half a centimeter off one of her heels (from ALL her shoes), so that she could get that whole hip-swinging-while-walking thing happening... I mean, who cares that that would totally screw up her back & spinal cord in the long run, right? As long as she was hot & hip-swinging, it's all good right??

(what would I do without my social psych lectures?)

Jap people apparently use 3 times as many tissues as Americans, so does that mean they use like 10 times as many as Aussies??

(don't ask where I got this info from, I just know that it's true)

So, it's been ages & eons & stuff, but hey, maybe I've been busy studying & whatnot? (yeah ok- I guess not...). There's just nothing to tell.

Ummm... I think that's all. Lke I said- nothing to tell. Except one thing ... I'm only starting to realise that this is the last year of my degree! Yeah- my panic button is kinda halfway switched on. Someone's finger's just waiting to push the button & then I guess I'll panic... or maybe not.

Speaking of panicking. A while ago 2 people (wont be naming names or anything, they know who they are) have insisted that they really wish something would happen to turn my life upside down.

Eh?? What??!! WHY!?!?!

I don't understand why... I like my life thanks. A bit mundane- no real crises or exciting events, but who's complaining?? Mundane suits me. I like smooth sailing, going (whereever) with the flow ... yeah. So, if you're gonna wish for something for me, don't let it be "for something HUGE to happen". I'm alright with the daily grind thanks.

cheerios are yuck & I dunno when I'll be back for more, but heads up, Emu.

& Cheers all!

:D

Cognition, Language & Thought

2007-03-21T08:36:00.000+11:00

The paraglider got sucked into the storm cell created by a sparrow and was lucky not to be killed on Mt. Everest like the people on the Boeing 747.

The sparrow was riding the paraglider who was pushed from the Boeing 747 into a storm cell and died after crashing on Mt. Everest.

The smell on the spaceship called Shakespeare auditioned for the play 'Purple People Eaters'.

Furin-chan auditioned for a Shakespear play that was to be held in a funky smelling purple spaceship.

The eggplant followed the doormice, tripped on the the evening stars and landed inside a rocket launcher where it founded a new religion.

As a religious tradition a group of doormice living in the eggplant that looks like a rocket launcher like to watch the evening stars annually.

The bum theif's underwear was stolen from right under his nose hair and was pinned to a coconut shell that became the magpie's new home.

The bum theif in a hairy underwear ran down my street with two halves of a coconut that he stole from a magpie.

The wind blew away the peanut M&M before he swallowed his trochea and celebrated the miseries of weird noises that were perfumed.

Hiragana? No sweat!

2007-03-15T19:00:00.000+11:00

Watashi wa Nihongo no gakusei desu.
Watashi no namae wa ****** ja-arimasen.
Watashi wa Furin Chii desu. Hontoo desu!!

Sorry folks. I had to get that out of my system.
Latest news: have taken up Japanese... FINALLY! I've been wanting to do so for years, but for many reasons didn't do so until now.

Will write more later...
cheers!

Creatures of the Night

2007-03-02T11:02:00.000+11:00

The horror she's been through is unbelievable. If she
doesn't quit now... Well, let's just say that I refuse to let her
out of my sight for a long time to come.

It would appear that bats and vampires were not the only creatures of the night. My turbulent thoughts of late had turned me into an insomniac. Little had I known that on one of these nights, my insomnia proved to be a blessing rather than a curse, especially for "her".
It was one of those surreal nights- I was thinking too much, and the more I thought, the more I came back to that one word.

2 o'clock in the morning is not a time one would expect one's front door to be making a significant amount of noise. Yet that's what was happening- the front door was being pounded on... non-stop.

There were only two of us in the house, and neither of us asleep. We first tiptoed towards each other's rooms, then boldly (and I use the term loosely) made our way downstairs to see who had paid us a visit at such ungodly hours. Our imaginations played havoc with thoughts of ghouls, vampires, homocidal maniacs... or worse, a drunk lunatic.

People fall from the sky

2007-02-22T23:05:00.000+11:00

In this day in age, a few people falling from the sky is nothing exceptional... yet, when driving to Canberra, it seems a little out of place to look up from the endless motorway to see (not cows, horses, sheep or even llamas, but...) falling people. Rather, one person falling from the sky.
A few hundred meters down the road, all became clear. A sign read: "Sydney Skydivers". Then again, another few hundred meters down the road, and an ambulance whizzed passed us (must have been travelling at 200kph)... I assumed the worst, but I could be wrong... there was no news of a dead (or injured) skydiver.

Speaking of dead skydivers... I went to Canberra again. Took Ash her "new" car... drove it for about an hour meself... very tedious work, but felt sorry for me dad, since he trusts me with a car about as much as he would trust Squishy with candy... drove at 110kph at one stage... illegal, I know, but it was worth it.

Boredom has struck again... Ash struck lucky- is to live with 5 other girls in a large house... Nemo starts Uni... Snowy worries too much (I feel as though we've swapped ages- she acts 20, I act 15... can't be helped).

Did I mention that I quit my job less than two months after I got it? Must not make a habit of quitting... "Get it together! Get it together! Get it together! Get it together! Get it together!..."
Hehe... gotta love that Oosaka-san!

Cheers, all... Follow that dust particle!!
:D

Backless, Strapless, Sleeveless & Short

2007-02-09T21:55:00.000+11:00

Have witnessed a true Arab-style Hen's night (or so I'm told)... rip off the sleeves, straps & backs of any nice-looking T-shirt... add a short skirt, some lingerie (wrapped in pretty boxes, of course)... throw in a bit of belly dancing (or any dancing at all), and there you have a truly Arab-style Hen's night (I only repeat what I was told).

Actually, it was... how shall I put it delicately?- a lame party (except for the pressies). My dearest Bubbly-Bubbles, the party organiser, neglected to organise a few key aspects of the party- namely, food & entertainment *ahem*. She made up for it with her endless bubbliness.

The clothes were pretty good & tame... nothing I hadn't seen before, but a slight culture shock nonetheless... my being curry sort of demands that I'm shocked by such clothing (or lack thereof).

Pressies- now therein lay the real shocker of the day- lingerie!! Your all out kinky little numbers including corsetry, sleepwear, matching sets & other "novelty" items- not tame at all! I nearly died of shock at the thought of my even stepping into a lingerie store, but to buy my friend lingerie!! Oh, the shock, the embarrassment, the dread!!
Frankly, I bought no such thing for her! Meek, innocent, naive little creature that I am *ahem*, I bought her some nice jewellery. Nonetheless, I sat there ... a witness to the end of some of my naivety... Lord, let me forget this day soon- very soon!

I wonder what awaits us at her wedding...
What to wear, oh what to wear??

Prolonged Absence of Sanity

2007-02-01T13:31:00.000+11:00

2nd anniversary passed (forgotten) long ago...
It's already been 2 years... I can't believe I still have it.

There's so much to say & all of it so significant, but I can't seem to find the words.
I dub thee, odious disease, "Prolonged Absence of Sanity"

... Confusion reigns supreme.

Quotes quoted by the distinctly un-famous:

"Thank Ye 4 comeeng weeth me today (the "aee" button eesnt workeeng... use ur eemageenashon)"
"There's a sticker under the window that says: "Join the fight against DODGY LADDERS".
"Amoeba-patterned skirt!!! LOL!"
"I just walked into the men's room"
"There was an oyester in my seafood soup"
"Come! Come my love! I'm ever so lonely!...Ok that's pushing it. But come anyway."
"The $7000 toilet is playing music. And that says something."
"I'm being conspired against! I NEED HELP!!! Hail to the younger daughters of relatively normal families."
"...This doesn't make sense, but WHO MAKES SENSE WHEN THEY'RE GO A DILEMMA???!!!"

All above-mentioned quotes are hereby declared the intellectual property of She-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named!

Although Flynn.t has not been given permission to publish above quotes, Flynn.t expresses her sincerest hope that She-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named will personally give permission... soon... ... ... please?

Enjoy, good people of Earth/Venus/Jupiter (inhabitants of all other celestial bodies will be hanged & quartered).

Cheers :D

Riley (melodically speaking): "Hello"

2006-12-14T20:09:00.000+11:00

Nameless, but nicknamed: Flutterfly, my new baby cousin... she is a she & an adorable little she, at that.
DOB: 9th Decmeber 2006

:D

20... Anniversary... Guy... Girl/Boy?? Nope- a List!

2006-12-09T11:29:00.000+11:00

...
...
uhhhhh...
I've forgotten how to blog.
My title makes no sense, does it?
Wow... this place is a bit too barren & creepy... silence & Flynn don't mesh well.

Let me begin by listing:

20! Yes... that's right. Bugger me, I'm 20!! I'm inconsolable... there's no point to life if I'm not a teen. Lord help me, I'm going to have to pretend to have some semblance of rationality and intelligence. (Maybe there's a way out?)
Of course this means that it's my blog's 2nd Anniversary! Yay! I've successfully neglected my blog for 2 years without forgetting about it.
Guy... well- shall explain more about him later... yes it is a him (surprise, surprise) & he is now a crucial stepping stone to my future as a psychologist.
As for the confusion about girl or boy... my aunty is expecting any minute now... dunno if its a boy or girl, but what I do know that I've had more than I can take of babysitting to last the rest of my life! AAAARRRRGGGGHHHHHHHHH!! Kill me now! I can't take it much longer!
And finally- the list. Have made a list of all the things I need/want to do before I begin Uni next year, but I can't be bothered writing it up now... maybe I will later.

Hope there's still life out there...

Be good, be safe & consider yourself lucky if it isn't bushfire season wherever you are.

Extension cords

2006-10-06T11:19:00.000+10:00

Have given self an extended holiday, during which time I studied more than my actual holiday.

Currently in a strange hole, where I feel completely isolated from the rest of humanity... strange names everywhere... strange empty roads everywhere... strange busses.

Have told a total of ZERO friends of extended holiday... no special reason, just didn't...

Have realised that Flynn finds baby drool highly disgusting. Shall let you know how the ANUMA & UCMSA Ramadan Event go... was told not to expect much
:S

Ramadan's almost half finished... can't believe it- almost in shock. Hence, must discontinue the bludging & continue with more reading (everyone should read "Even Angels Ask", Jeffery Lang, which I'm reading for the 2nd/3rd time).

I've stopped digging my hole & burying myself in there for a while only because philosophising runs in the family... apparently.

My du'as are with you all (may Allah forgive us).

Thak God You're Here, Rove McManis & Andy (as in, the Hamish & Andy, Andy)

2006-09-15T19:11:00.000+10:00

You know the places on earth that seem like empty little (or big) places... like holes in the middle of the planet? Yes- those places... where there's all of one person per street (the rest are either lunatics or insects- yep, the six to a million-legged creepy crawlies).

Now before I start raving on and on about nowheresevilles, let me get to the issue at hand.
Normally, these are places where nothing happens within and nobody can really connect to what's happening without. Or so it would seem...

When I scratched the superficial (and seemingly serene) surface of these hole-towns, I discovered that it's actually very disturbing... shootouts & bus stops; shopping & cafes... yep- that's the daily news from the sleepy little towns (Nowheresvilles/ Hole-town).

Onto more important issues: I missed Thank God You're Here!! AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!

PS- 2/3 (Muslim) comedians are over (from US??) performing in Sydney (24th Nov, I think). I REALLY want to go & USyd Sisters are trying to organise to book seats together... anyone else interested?? (visit ticketmaster.com.au- or whatever the website is).

Modifying Memories

2006-09-13T20:00:00.000+10:00

I've forgotten the English language (incidentally, the only language I know)!!

This Be the Life of a Student??

2006-05-21T21:46:00.000+10:00

Can this REALLY be the life of a student????

Feeling as though someone has been holding my head underwater & not letting me resurface for a LOOOOONG, much-needed breath of fresh air!!
Have had my Stats Mid-Sem exam (hoping I passed, but I NEED to do much, much, much better); somehow survived my Algebra & Claculus assignments & Tests (credits & distinctions for all so far...YES!! A thousand times Alhamdulillah!! There's just 2 more to go-followed by the final exam :S ); handed in my Lab Report for the shaping of behaviour & effects of schedules of reinforcements on rats ('twas a sad goodbye I had to say to my poor little albino Wistar who was first named B3- the 3rd Banana- then Cicero & finally Gilligan).

I'm so behind on lectures having skipped too many in the last 2 wks.
It's not over yet, though. I've given myself what's called a post-reinforcement pause (a break) just so I don't go completely off-my-rockers!!
Tomorrow, must start my neuroscience assgnmt (should I do hearning loss & it's neural basis, or evidence for the two vision pathways...or maybe the dis/advantages of fMRI??)
Did I meantion my Stats group assgnmt??
I know- how can you POSSIBLY have a 15 minute group presentation for Statistics?? Thank god it's not just 15 mins of reading out numbers & the significance of them... not quite sure WHAT the task it, actually!! :S

Following all that, my exams are coming up in... ohhh 3 weeks... and I know nothing about anything that's even remotely connected to a human brain, or maths... or anything else that i've apparenly studied for the past 3 moths.
:S

BUT- after that, my firends, I'm off to Canberra!!! WHOOOPIE!!!!!

Here's a photo of my favourite Suishy (just to keep me entertained & stress-free) :D Shall eventually realte ALL the absolutely adorable stories of my little Squishy cousin.

Having taken down half the contents off the dressing table & scattered it all over my floor, he gave me his smug little grin. Little did I know that his aim was actually my mobile.

Pint-sized computer engineer...ever met one of those?? You have now! He looks as though he's been at this for yonks, the little bub.

MMMMMMWWWAAAAHHH!! Masha-Allah (times a trillion & 1)!!

He's the most adorably squishy little Squishy, especially when he say : "Wherestheball?" & replies to his own burning question: "Therestheball!"And he says "BallooooM" instead of balloon, which is also extremely adorable.

Such extreme cuteness should be made illegal.

*Sigh*...ok- I'm happy enough now to begin that dreaded essay... and find out exactly what my Group prject is about.

Apostasy: to abandon/leave one's religious/political/other belief.

2006-05-02T11:37:00.001+10:00

Heartbreaking news:

I haven't been this upset in a LONG time, but...

A revert brother (well, he WAS), has left Islam... and for what?
Well, am not too clear on his reasoning, but it's something to do with his disgust & disillusionment with the Muslim community... at least, those he's come accross. We're supposed to be "the best of natons", which we're clearly not. I'm told that because of our failure to be the best of nations, he's left Islam... I'm talking total apostasy here, folks.

I can only make Du'a that Allah shows him the truth. Not that my friends have given up on him... it's just that things have become complicated for them.

I'm just so sad because I've always seen him as having so much potential...
Helplessness is never a good feeling... instead, I think I'm going to make du'a.

I really need some good news...

Excessive

2006-04-14T13:41:00.000+10:00

If you did read that last post, pretend you actually didn't... had a bit too much fluff in it for my liking. Must've been under the influence of excessive amonts of caffeine.

Anyway...Ash is home now. I'm sure she'll blog... now that she has access to Broadband.

Ishi, I hope you read this: Tuesday... expect additional "guests", but first & foremost, what/when/where/how & for how long?

Now, to both Emu & Ishi: Wednesday... Grad, then lunch... when/where (maybe we should let specifics of lunch be a surprise to Nira Apu?)???

What? What IS it?? WHAT DO YOU SEEEEEEEE???

2006-04-13T20:58:00.001+10:00

OH! Almost forgot to mention: Dag/Nemo has updated! She went back in time for a Party dedicated to the Woodhouses!
AND...the SNOWMAN has a sense of Poetry?? :S
Finally: Ash comes home tomorrow, iA. :D (all those who can must come to visit...or at least call)

A Few Funny Flynn Stories 3

2006-04-07T23:57:00.000+10:00

Where was I?

Oh...yes- inside Eastern Ave. Aud...

I was waiting patiently for one set of students to file out of the lecture room, so that I could file in with my fellow Maths students (blrgh!!:$). Coming down the stairs to my left was this friend of mine and some unknown guy. They were having a very animated conversation- the guy looking exTREMEly overjoyed at something & my friend faking an equally ecstatic mood.

And THEN... *shock*, I saw the guy make a lunge for her (ok- I know that sounds bad, but the guy was happy and he was trying to give her a hug of happiness....like: "OMG!! We did it!! *screech*" kinda hug... know what I mean?)
Well, no matter what kind o hug it was, my (hijaabi) friend was clearly very uncomfortable to begin with, but now had a look of disbelief and shock on her face.
A nanosecond before... well-before it happened, I yelled out her name (I couldn't help it, I didn't know what else to do at the time). Both of them turned around only to see this girl grinning very strangely and waving madly at them.
My friend didn't quite know whether to be embarassed at being "caught out", or to feel relieved that she didn't have to go through the full ordeal. At any rate, she practically flew down the last few staris, waving just as frantically at me. She said rushed goodbyes to her companion-of-the-stairs, and pretended that she was going into my lecture with me, which she did...for a little while.

After the initial awkwardness of "should we talk about it or not", we were hard pressed to control our laughter because- seriously- it was SOOO funny.

What does one DO in these awkward, instantaneous and unexpected situations??
I later found out that my friend and her stairs-companion had gotten D (ie- distinction) in a group assignment...hence all the ecstasy.

There might be more Funny Flynn stories to come, but I'll see if I feel like sharing.
Until next time me blogger buddies.

A Few Funny Flynn Stories 2

2006-04-06T23:37:00.000+10:00

Eastern Ave Auditorium:

That there is my Math lecture theatre. Such a nice place... air con, comfy chairs, good lighting, grass (outside, of course), and even a couple of little water-place-thingos (maybe they're fountains??) Well- that's where one of this morning's incidents occured.

I was seated on one of those huge concrete slabs they call seats... near one of those (what should I call it?) water-holes. All of a sudden, I saw this flying thing go right over my head and land with a splash behind me (I didn't get wet, thank goodness).
Next thing I knew, a bunch of hooligans are laughing and running around asking if anyone'd seen a black thong (as in those rubber/plastic sandals...flip flops...yes those things).

I was trying VERY hard not to laugh because I knew that, nope- 'twasnt a bird nor a plane... it wasn't even superman, but a thong that'd flown over my head.
I "kindly" pointed out that it had landed in the water hole behind me. So the poor dude who'd lost his thong (god only knows how), came 'round and was trying to stretch his leg & fish it out.
It was SO funny, I couldn't help it... I was laughing at the poor guy.
Before I had tears coming out of my eyes, I escaped and made my way into the E.Av.Aud.

Here's where the next funny incident occured. Unfortunately, I can't share that with you now... just think of hugs, a hijaabi, and a VERY awkward situation... oh, and someone lunging at you in sheer ecstasy.
:S...Actually, don't think too much on that last bit.

:D Must be buzzing off now.
Cheers & my salaams to all.

A Few Funny Flynn Stories 1

2006-04-06T17:07:00.000+10:00

This happened a while ago, but I thought I'd share now:

Friend of mine, Shay, had left her watch at my place. So, I thought I'd give it to her at Uni. I took it in my bag, but that's not the safest place to put fragile, breakable things. So when I got on the train, and before I sat on my bag & crushed her hapless watch to pieces, I decided that it was safer to just wear it until I saw her. I was just about done putting it on when random bloke in front of me turns and says: "Assalaamu alaikum sister, can you please tell me what the time is?" Naturally, I open up my bag and shuffle through until I find my mobile phone, then tell him that it's "10 o'clock".
At this point I epect him to thank me and turn back around to enjoy the train ride. But NO! He was looking at me with this slightly bemused/comic/ "you're-weird" look. And Flynn, not one to be easily intimidated *ahem* raised an eyebrow and gave him a haughty "what-do-you-want-now" look.
And he said: "Ummm... sister. You have a watch." He smirked & turned around, while Flynn was left looking like an idiotic tomato...
& my reply was "...oh...".
Yes- very articulate, Flynn... nice one.

Turns out that the watch was actually set in Egyptian time (since Shay'd only recently come back from Egypt, and not bothered to change the time. Come to think of it, that kind of defeats the whole purpose of wearing a watch). Anyway- too bad I couldn't tell that to the smirking bloke :P.

Note the "1" in the title... it indicates that there's going to be a 2... one hopes.

I'll try to keep it Short & Simple

2006-04-01T11:31:00.000+11:00

Parents flew off to Melbourne at the very convenient hour of 5AM this morning.

Last night was hectic:

Uni: Stat. quiz (very hard, although only 2 questions)...
Was meant to come home, but the prospect of ice cream at the Quay was too tempting to pass up. And it was SUCH a nice day...hot, but not unbearably so... and no rain, thank goodness. Hence, spent the afternoon (after Jumu'ah) at the Quay with DEEEElicious Veronese Choc & Hazelnut icecream (I mean... with friends: Shay, Dreema, Cosmos & later, Lily-flower). MMMMMMMMMMMmmmmmmmmmm... (the icecream, not friends!)
Watched a guy on a bike do funny things (totally off his rockers, if you ask me, but entertaining nonetheless).
Also, a bunch of guys (obviously from NZ) just randomly started doing the haka (scary, traditional warrior dance of the Maori's) on the Opera House steps. We all rushed to watch and (I can't believe it) Cosmos, Dreema & Shay were fully prepared to ask for an encore! UNbelievable!! Don't have a pic. of them doing the haka, though :( It would've been a sight...blonde, blue-eyed blokes from NZ making scary faces & generally doing a very good job at performing the haka for a random audience... actually, I though it was kind of funny.
AND...how could I forget the Shay-moment?! She'd just come down from C'town, which is about an hour away (by train) from Circular Quay. Anyway, she hadn't prayed Dhuhr. So we went into the gardens, had a little sit-down, let Lily-flower finish her lunch, when Shay announced that she needed to make wudhu. Searched for a tap somewhere nearby, but there were none, so we (Cosmos, Dreema, Lily & I) took out our half-empty bottles of water, and let her use them, though Shay insited that it wasn't nearly enough water for her. For those who've met Shay, you'll know how pearky & well... loud she can be. For some reason (can't recall what), we were all laughing. In fact, Shay was laughing so hard that she could barely keep water in her hands! And THEN, a tourist tram was coming around to where we were sitting. Dreema'd been pouring the water for Shay when all of a sudden Shay yelled out: "OMG! Quick!! The train's coming!!" The funniest thing was that the tram-driver had heard, and that's exactly why he'd slowed down (with the 20 odd passengers staring) until he came to a complete stand-still. By this time, I was rolling on the grassy ground (literally), laughing so hard that I'd turned red & was having trouble breathing properly. Just our luck... in that instant, a couple of others were walking past where we were sitting... and the fact that they ALL stopped (did a one 180 degree turn) to see what was so funny & why one girl was yelling at another to "Pour the water properly!!" only served to make us laugh harder... LOL- what a girl, and what a day.

When I finally got home around 6:30 PM, I was informed none too gently- that we were going to be late for dinner (at a friend of my parents' place)... and it was all the way in C'town region (40-45 min. drive fromFlynnland)!! So I barely had enough time to run in, change, pray & run back out again- at 7PM... Half an hr for all that- it's a world record!!
Barely had enough energy left to walk into the house when we got back, was so exhausted. But after I walked in, had to help Mum pack for her trip to Melbourne... then of course, got up at 5AM to bid her adieu.
They're set to be back tomorrow, iA...I think.

Note to self: ring Mum & find out when they're planning to get back.

And that, gentlefolk, be the tale of Flynn's Friday.

Guilty Conscience...

2006-03-26T20:10:00.000+11:00

Confession time:
I've GOT to get rid of this guilty conscience somehow... and you lot are going to read my confessions!! (Hopefully, it'll make me feel a bit better).

People... I've been engaging in secret, illegal activities!! I've now become an "agent" ... officially.
It's all your fault! (You know who you are). Why must I feel sorry for people & their predicaments?? I swear, a certain someone had BETTER remember my name... said person owes me precious talk-time (I mean, not for myself, but precious talk-time with someone else)!!
Well- it's nothing serious... Imean- I'm sure to be forgiven if anybody finds out... who can hold a grudge against Flynn...right??
:S

Was also told by someone today:
"you're happy enough being single and carefree and clueless now, but you can be happier, you just dont know it yet"

Powerful words of wisdom, I'm sure... but they're completely wasted on Flynn.
I'm sorry to say, o Dispenser of Wisdom (if you're reading this), that Flynn has no wish to be any happier...

See, I have this theory... if you're VERY happy, then the flip side of the coin is that your going to be VERY sad...VERY soon. It follows the "sine wave" theory that Sara B. came up with for Ishi.

Anyway- that's just me going on and on... better get to work: have a calculus assignment & a Stats quiz to study for.
:S

Don't even get me started on Uni, people... I'm havng panic attacks (well- not really). Can you believe that out of the 4-6 HUNDRED students doing Psych, only 60 are being offered to do Honours??

The rest are royally screwed.

What are the odds that I'm offered to do my honurs @ USyd?? Credit averages aren't going to cut it... if I don't get a Distinction avg (at least), then there goes my future down the bloody drain.
Oh well, I can always move to ANU with Ash... which would be a problem, because I don't want to leave USyd and all my friends ... and SUMSA *sniff sniff*.

See? I told you Flynn doesn't want to be any happier!

As I was saying...

2006-03-25T12:39:00.000+11:00

Had a wander round the Islamic bookstores after lunch. Shay bought an Ahmed Deedat DVD, Dreema bought a miswak + tiny Quran & Syriana bought a prayer mat + The Message DVD.
Next, we stopped over at ALL the clothes shops & even had a MASSIVE faction-thing happen in Streetgear (clothes store)… one party FOR a blue top that Shay wanted to buy & one party AGAINST. Poor Shay was so confused that it all ended by us laughing over her reaction & her just forgetting completely about the top when her attention was caught by a (and I quote) “totally Egyptian-looking top!!” (In case you’re wondering, she’s very much an Egyptian, and VERY willing to let everyone know about it. Which reminds me, she said to send a MASSIVE salaam to BSE & co. from her, and also to relay the message that Egypt is “THE BEST!!”- Her words, not mine.)

The next incident was over Dreema’s mobile. (Btw- in case you’re wondering, Ishi- this is all after you had to leave). All of a sudden, Dreema realised that she had to call her sister up & ask if she wanted any food from Flynnland. BUT, when she reached for her phone, IT WAS NOT THERE!! We were sitting on these seats at a bus stop (not that we were actually catching a bus or anything- it was just one of our many pit stops). She had one MAJOR heart attack. She even did a distressed little squeaccup (squeaky-hiccup), which only had me rolling on the floor. At the same time, Tiara immediately ran all the way back to the bookstore (which is the only place we stayed long enough for her to have left her phone). Meanwhile, RiffRaff was shouting at Tiara to come back & stop running there because she was just going to call Dreema’s phone in the hope that someone at the bookstore would answer. BUT- her mobile was switched off!! This had Dreema in an even more of a panic because her phone is NEVER off… and the poor girl, I felt for her. I mean- just imagine life without your mobile… DEPRIVED!! I tried calling her phone as well and sure enough, it was switched off.

Just when we were all about to rush back to the store, I heard a little squeal from Dreema, followed by an evil giggle from RiffRaff. IT WAS HER!! RiffRaff! She’d nicked Dreema’s phone when she wasn’t looking. After the initial “OMG! I canNOT believe you, RiffRaff!!”- moments, we just laughed it all off…especially Tiara & Dreema’s reactions.

By this time, it was 6PM, and my folks must’ve thought I’d run away to join some cult (with the rest of my “friends”) because- in their way of thinking- how long can you possibly spend on one street in Flynnland?? And my honest answer: HOURS…literally! Especially when you’re with the girls…well, those girls.

The idea behind this whole day was to show Syriana the whole Muslim community-thing, which she’s never seen before. Did I mention she’s an exchange student from the US (Tennessee) here to study for a semester?? Well-now I've told you, and she is.

My mission for the day accomplished, I was ready to head home (plus my folks had called wondering which cult I’d joined…not seriously, of course). Just then, we all realised that ‘Asr time was running away from us… so, consensus: girls wanted to come over to my place, pray & leave. Called Mum, let her know that I was bringing an army of my friends ‘cause they needed to pray…just so she didn’t get a shocker.

Honestly, the walk that normally takes 10 mins when I’m walking at my slowest pace, took us about 30 mins!! Unreal!! Gotta be a world record! We finally made it just in time to pray ‘Asr, but after we’d finished, we sat around chatting, whilst everyone pretended that they were getting ready to leave… Before we knew what’d happened, it was Maghrib time…
Where the time flies, I’ll never know! So prayed Maghrib as well, after which the girls started to get threatening calls on their mobiles (from concerned parents, of course).

And that was that- they left for the station, and each made her own way home…poor Shay had the longest way to go.
Of course, no friend of mine comes over without leaving a trace of themselves: Tiara left her ring & Shay her watch…so typical.

PS- TeaBiscuit: if ever you get the chance to come (even for a semester) to USyd, seriously do so… it’d be “awesome”! We’d shout you lunch, as well. Oh, and Charlie is all Cheered!! :D

PPS- Ishi, you’ve been invited to “Movie Night” (or day) at Syriana’s dorm & ice-cream at the Quay… and we’ve got to go visit her dorm sometime soon.

PPSS- Emu: Sorry, couldn’t make it to your place this time…shall come another time, iA- probably on a Friday… which is when you’re free, right??

AND finally- where on earth is Sara B??? I’ve not seen her the ENTIRE week *shocked*!! So much for my mentoring…

WARNING: Looooong post below!

2006-03-24T22:33:00.000+11:00

Doom & gloom SO does not suit my blog…so I’ve decided to bring you lot up to scratch on my totally gloom-free existence.
:D

Seriously- I’ve had a VERY good day… it wasn’t anything totally out of the ordinary, but something just so ordinary that I’ve become one very happy Flynn!! (Or that may be a consequence of all the “V” I’ve consume…what with all that caffeine & sugar…)

So- it all began after I finished my Stats tute. Since my tute room is 2 doors down from the Musallah, guess where I end up before & after my tute? Yep- where all the fun begins…

Shay (the Original, the Little One) was there, with Cosmos, & Ishi (of the Brains) came in a few secs later. SO I sat & got some work done (I’m sort of happy with my focus…well-at least for today- just pray it lasts). Hmm… maybe I should mention that I missed my lect. (but it’s ok- I copied Little Shay’s notes, so I’ve caught up & it doesn’t count as slacking off).

Just as a little aside- met this cool as Japanese chick (forgotten her name, *blushes*) & she’s totally cool because she’s so interested in Islam. The Little One, Shay is doing an excellent job of filling her in on the basics, Alh. Did I ever mention how much fun Shay is?? She’s such a bag full of bubbly/ fun/ exciting/ original energy…LOVE that girl- she can cheer up a Scrooge in his/her direst moment- no joke! Just adorable… everyone should have a friend like her- I highly recommend it.

Anyway- now, moving onto the next exchange/international student I’ve introduced myself to: Syriana Clooney. Another “awesome” chick (picture Flynn saying “awesome” with a VERY American accent). Syriana Clooney is studying for a Semester at Usyd (so awesome!!- something she’d say) & was only recently introduced to THE GIRLS in the Musallah. Carefree, fun-loving, & a very cool girl in general.

To give her a true Aussie-SUMSA welcome, we decided to shout her lunch (actually- it was Tiara & RiffRaff who planned it)… I just followed along- tell you why in a bit. Huge plan-time/ decision-making about where to take her (with one thing in mind- somewhere with a fairly large Muslim community): Auburn?? Too far for some. Bankstown?? Nothing much to do/look at, except shopping- and she’s already done loads of that. So, we decided on the one and only place to be if you’re looking for a large Muslim community: Flynnland. See? That’s why I decided to tag along! (Flynnland isn’t the actual name of the suburb, but in the interest of maintaining anonymity & security, I’ve dubbed it Flynnland, because- wonder of wonders- Flynn lives there!)

Oh, the RiffRaff DRAMA that followed the eight of us (Sunny, Cosmos, Dreema, Tiara, Shay, Ishi, Syriana & Flynn) all the way from Redfern to Flynnland!! Homestly! RiffRaff can be SO ambiguous sometimes. But I’ve sort of learned to expect this from her… it’s very unusual not to have a RiffRaff moment when going out with her. Unfortunately, Ishi was in for a bit of a surprise… she likes to be well organised, and for everything to be well-timed; whereas RiffRaff sort of goes where the current takes her.
And the actual ordering of lunch was another fiasco! Some wanted Indo, some Chinese, some Curry & some Lebo food… so what was a girl like Flynn to do? Well, in the worst-case scenario, I’d have gone home (a ten min. walk away) & had home-cooked lunch, which I REALLY didn’t want because I knew it’d be something curry-like :S blrgh!

Fiasco eventually played out to a smooth finish: Ishi & Cosmos got Indo, then followed the rest of us to Le Rouche for a YUMMY AAASSSS meal of Lebanese food. $8 & I felt like someone had stretched my stomach to explosion point: was VERY satisfying after 2 hrs. of starvation.
Too soon, Ishi had to make a dash for home (as it takes her over 1 hr to get to her place from Flynnland). We weren’t even half-way through our meal, but after we finished, Cosmos had to leave. And after we lost 2 of our crew, we decided to wander around Flynnland…

To be continued...else the post shall have no end!

Eeerrrr- right you are, folks…

2006-03-18T23:04:00.000+11:00

Feeling down-in-the-dumps…sort of. So, NTC sent Flynn a little pick-me-up… of sorts:

I pray for Light

NTC: 18/03/06 (It's Copyrighted people... no stealing of NTC's intellectual merchendise!!)

I seek the Mercy of the One, who never forgets,
I seek Truth, Knowledge and Understanding from One who always delivers,
I ask for Insight and Patience from One who gives beyond measure,
I ask for the Protection and Contentment that only such a One can give.

I am weak, often led astray, misguided, and heedless.
I forget, I err, let go of hope too often and too soon.
I sometimes lose faith, reason, morality and my conscience.
This is who I am, and yet I am more…

I am also loved, sheltered, rewarded and blessed.
I am watched-over, cared-for and listened-to.
Night and day, I am reminded, urged & encouraged
That I am here for the One and Only,
And such a One is here for me.

I pray for Light from One whose guidance is steady and true.

***

Have just experienced Freak Storm of such tumultuous & epic proportions that I feel scarred for life, at least as far as my psyche and ability to think clearly for the next ten years are concerned. (Hence, the weird string of words put together by an unknown, NTC- not to worry, I have NTC’s FULL permission, so no copyright violations, folks).

As I was saying… ain’t nothin’ like venting, they say… well- sure. There’s really nothing like venting, if it’s directed at nobody in particular, but when Freak Storm vents & when Freak Storm vents AT someone in the vicinity… we-hell…

Could’ve sworn me eardrums had a bloody roller coaster ride; could’ve sworn that 2 more seconds, and my brains would’ve been addled for life; could’ve sworn that my heart would either stop dead in its tracks or beat at super sonic speeds, then explode for all to witness… yep- all in all- I was scared. Deathly scared. Scared I would never be able to withstand another vent-session from another Freak Storm moment.

Somehow, o lost and confused readers, I survived. Whew… but once a storm blows across your land, be weary and alert because another will surely follow… in a decade or 2 (one hopes).

And in other Flynnland news: life of the Uni student BITES!! Just 2 weeks, and the pressure is on, mates… the pressure is ON!!

Also, Dan Brown & “his” DaVinci Code is too good to be true, someone else beat him to it… and to top it all off- it was his wife (Blythe something-or-other) who did all his research for him!! Men- can’t trust ‘em with much, can ya? Actually, not that whats-‘er-name (his wife) did a good job at plagiarising… has she not heard of the age-old, primary school technique called “cover your tracks”?! (You could replace that last word with something more crude, but I won’t).
PS- If you've got no idea what I'm on about, then you should really keep up with the times, and to help, here's what I'm talking about:
The key to "The Da Vinci Code"? Dan Brown's wife

They might, however, just get away with it- since they did manage to rake in billions in profit…I doubt they’re givin’ it all away to a couple of blokes who didn’t have enough brain cells left to publicise THEIR work well enough. Ah well, unless the billions are comin’ my way, I see no reason to care enough & actually feel any sort of sympathy for either party.

Speaking of sympathy and brain cells… let’s move on to the Games in Melbourne. Ok **deep breath**- Who can explain the duck to me (the duck at the Opening Ceremony, that is)?? Hmmm?? Any takers?? I mean- Delta Goodrem, koalas, unreal costumes, weird, wonderful and inexplicable doohickie-thingamabobs and even the flying tram, I get… but the duck. For the love of Melbourne… A DUCK??!! Now, everybody who watched Melbourne in all its glory is going to think that, along with the Emu (no, not OUR Emu), Koala, Kangaroo & other iconic creatures, the duck is- somehow- a very significant bird to all Aussies. Eeerrrr- right you are, folks…

Note to Self:
I really, really, REALLY hope there’s no more going down in this bottomless pit. That’s it- I’m closing my eyes and ears now!!

What?? Is this Uni????

2006-03-11T00:31:00.000+11:00

Too cool mate!!
Errmm- the "too cool" thing would be the training (or Shaping, if you wanna get technical) of rats/mice/rodents. Sounds a bit icky, but I'm also kind of excited- & no, I'm not lame, just excited. We're learning about Instrumental Conditioning (read: teaching rats to "learn new tricks", in a manner of speaking) & well, along with the theory & examples of all the brilliant psychologists (Skinner, Pavlov, etc) we get to actually test out these theories ourselves... well- that's the shortened long version, but here's the shortened short version: I need names for my rats (preferebly unisex... cant be sure if they're going to be fe/male & probably wont be told).

Other things:
HELP ME (with Stats)!! The lecturer was explaining that the little (superscripted) 2 next to the "x" means that its "x-squared", which means that its "x" multiplied by itself.
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!
Jumping Jellybeans!! Am I a second year?? Wait- am I a Uni stdent at all????

After the lecture, (which, by the way, is at 4PM... & Flynn becomes RUST-ay) Shay2, Fruity, HorseRoofs & I spent 15/20 mins breaking into hysterical giggles & random spurts of laughter. We could NOT believe the lecture we'd just suffered through. I'm actually looking forward to Stats becoming somewhat more intellectually stimulating.

Brain & Behaviour is better *relieved sigh*... I actually write notes (a totally new thing for me).

Sadly- I only just figured out that nothing will feel like first year, ever again. I remember back in the days of my 3 hr. Chem Lab sessions with Sandals, HorseRoofs, Rabzzz, Fairy-al, The Original Shay & Skaterboy + Inconspicuous Partner... tedious, but a lot of good memories.
I hardly see those girls any more. I have yet to bump into Rabzzz, our timetables are sooo different & Skaterboy + Inconspicuous Partner have disappeared altogether.
Ideally- I'd like to go back to yr-4/5 in Primary School... the carefree days of not knowing much of anything, yet thinking that I know enough of everything.

Should sleep, mateys.
But before I do, WHERE THE HECK IS EVERYBODY??!!?? You've all gone and ditched me!

And you question me for being a cynic??

2006-03-07T10:26:00.000+11:00

I feel I've earned the right to complain, so here goes...

Firstly: Where on earth is Autumn hiding??!! Blimey!! It was almost 40 degrees yesterday... and what's the weather gonna be like for winter? 30- 35 degrees, average?? We should all just get fried and be done with it!!

Moving right along...
Just this morning I was woken up by a friend in panic. Sort of like the hyperventilating-I-was-nearly-run-over-by-a-truck-doing-200kph kind of panic. And she had news of the worst kind.

A friend of mine (or more along the lines of "a friend of a friend") had a miscarriage not 2 weeks ago (can't and won't say names). BUT- only a week afterwards, she goes straight back to work. And she says she's remorseful, but when I saw her and had a chat to her & her husband, it seemed that the poor guy was more devastated than her... in fact, she seemed very ... errrmmm- ugh! I know this is going to sound evil, but she seemed happy to loose the kid.
Blrgh... I'm disgusted, but I'm sooooo serious. I mean, god woman!! Your job be damned!! And THEN......................... don't say it, don't say it, don't say it.............................
ARRRRRRRRRGGGGHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!

She got me so mad and frustrated and shocked that I stood there, in front of her... in utter silence, with one of my famous "lost looks", the look that Sara B. calls my "I-don't-understand-what-you're-saying-but-that's-not-my-fault" look. Suffice to say, I feel so bad for her husband... the things that girl gets up to... I'm amazed she's married at all!! I don't dare say any more... and hopefully I'm going to put this WAAAAY out of my mind in... hmm- I'll give it 3 days.

So that was that done a couple of weeks ago (or so I thought). Turns out (and this is what said friend in Panic called to tell me) that the Superficial-Space-Cadet friend of mine has just gone right back into her old routine... and she's pulling the younger, more impressionable girls down with her.

AAARRRRGGHHH!!!
If only you lot couldve seen me... bleary-eyed , yet fully awake, punching holes into my perfectly good notebook, about to pull out my hair and just plain very angry in general. There we were, Friend in Panic & Flynn... but said friend wasn't done with the divulging of her shocking secrets... she had more.
Yet another "friend" of mine has been up to her old tricks again... only this time, it's worse, MUCH, MUCH worse.

I TOLD Freind in Panic that I didn't want to know... in fact, it's only when I insisted that I REALLY don't want to know, that she told me everything.

Dear god, I want to retain what little sanity I have left in me!!

Why is it that whenever I tell people "I DON'T want to know!", only then do they think to tell me of all the terrible things that happen to people & all the mindless things that "friends" of mine get up to??!!??

That's it- I've given up... I officially wash my hands off this bussiness of stressing for people who can't see passed their noses!! And I'm announcing, officially of course, that I'm no longer expending emotional energy for people who can't think beyond two seconds from now. In short- I'm through with being a "friend", but shall be, from now on, a mere associate... and don't try to convince me otherwise!!

I can't help these people anymore... I just can't! I've tried... I really have.

Ok- that's all... I am no fit to sleep again.

Horribubble!!

2006-03-03T21:04:00.000+11:00

Still haven't recovered enough to keep my head from spinning. And to top it off, I'm dying of hunger, but at the same time, the smell/thought of food makes me ill... AND I get very exhausted after eating.

Anyone have any idea what this diseas is???

God help me... and just before Uni starts, no less.

Still spring cleaning, but decided to take a 2/3 day break...

Jumping Jellybeans!! Forgot to mention The Emu & her antics. The poor girl was stranded on a friend-less Island (her Uni) for her O-week, and decided to call me up, then decided that she wanted to come by my place. So she got here, but the house (ie- my room) was a complete DANGER zone & I was being a horribly graceless host. I did, however, get her hooked on The Emperor's New Groove...very funny cartoon movie thing- so that's one thing accomplished. Of course, no visit from the Emu can be complete without a distinctly Emu trademark left behind.
On her way out, guess what she discovered somewhere on my driveway?? A stray bird. That's right- the Emu found a Budgie, walking around our driveway, and naturally- she being The Emu- decided that poor thing needed nutturing, and so took him home... in a shoebox... on the train. Lol- Emu- you never cease to amaze me with your antics. (PS- have yet to check your blog for updates).

Went to Uni today... got my timetable...*sniff sniff*. Horribubble!! It gets worse: Ishi & Cosmos have 2 DAYS off!! AAAARRRRRRGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!! NOT FAIR!!

I dont have a single day off! AND- I have only ONE STUPID lecture on Tuesday- from 4-5PM! Someone tell me what possible motivation I can have to attend that lecture...every week... *sigh*.

On a brighter note: Look at the cutest little bundle of joy- my newest cousin (I think)... & her name's Imaani... isn't she sweeeet?

That's it from me, folks. Don't expect to read too much on this after Uni starts.

AHHH!! OMG- nearly forgot to mention. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!! Sara B. (the floppy, carefree, Charlie) THE Sara B. has transferred to my Campus! YAY!! I'm so happy. My physics-plant-beverage-drinking buddy is (hopefully) going to be in my math classes.

Maybe its the weather??

2006-02-28T12:57:00.000+11:00

I wonder if Flynn's mind works in such terribly confused ways that she feels... no so much depressed, as restless & maybe even nostalgic... & not when it's cloudy or raining, mind you, but when the sky's a perfect Aussie-summer-blue, with only a hint of those white, fairy-floss-fluffy clouds.

Did I mention that I've come down with a VERY weirdly confusing illness? Haven't stopped feeling dizzy & light-headed since last night... can't eat without feeling like I need to chuck it all up again, so I haven't eaten since yesterday arvo (hmmm- maybe you lot didn't need to know that).

So, Miss Brainiac, unless I'm better by tomorrow morning, I can't promise that I'll show up for O-week. Sorry... don't worry, I'll let Deniz know sometime Wednesday.

PS- the new look? I felt like a change, but for some reason- the stupid sidebar is aaaaalll the way at the end of the page. Any ideas as to how I can fix it? Or is it just my dizziness confusing me?? Am I the only one seeing things??

Gotta buzz seeing as I'm a very busy bee today (spring cleaning... in the middle of summer).

Is it all in the Name??!?

2006-02-24T11:32:00.000+11:00

OY MY JOLLY JAMS!! You lot will NOT believe what I'm about to tell you.
Was just checking my hotmail, when I find this email from someone named Nadia or Nadine or Natalie... or something (and scarily enough, it's not in my junk), and the horrible message goes something like this:

Hi ******* (insert my name), I was looking for someone like you. I think you're a really hot guy!

LOL!! ROFL!! AAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHAHAH!!!!
**wiping tears from eyes**

I swear- this is the EXACT wording of the email.
I don't get it... what about me says that I'm a guy?? It can't possibly be the name, Flynn.... can it?!

Soooooo hilarious!!

Anyway- onto the news of the week. Been very busy. Monday- went to Usyd with Ishi & Rabz, got our IDs & enrolment stuff sorted. Speaking of IDs- does anyone else have absolutely horrid ID photos?? In my Uni ID card, my face looks as though it's been well pumped with helium- it's swelled to enormous proportions!! :S And in my USydUnion card, I look like a Death Eater, fresh out of Death Camp... deadly (I'm ready to kill) looks & all included. YUUUUUCK!!

Moving onto Tuesday: Spent most of the day at Ishi's (with Emu). The train ride there was uneventful, but the train ride back: OMG!! Can you say FREAKY?! I get the shudders every time I think about Tuesday arvo on the train from Livo to Flynnsville (where I live).

I came across the oldest tricks in the FOB book on how to pick up a chick with a PR or Citizenship. Lord help me- he (didn't get his name, but let's call him jerk/leech/moron/freak/ etc) took out a photo of his "wife". BUT:
1) it was a black & white printout on an A4 sheet of paper... (I wasn't supposed to fall for it, was I??)
2) the photo was soooooo obviously from a random website (the little copyright sign was on it...lol!)- like DUH! How thick can you get?? (Unless of course, he married a BD saree model?).
3) He was SO obviously trying to weasel as much info out of me, as he could (mostly, I turned up my MP3 player, then asked him to repeat & gave a reply along the lines of "I don't know"). Lol- at one point, he asked (in Bangla) where I live & my reply: "I really don't know". And all he did was nod & say "Accha, accha"... I was sooo tempted to laugh in his face & then get up & go, but I was stuck in my seat because a funky smelling old man had fallen asleep beside me.

The most unbelievable thing was, at one point, he even tried to cajole my Dad's name out of me. Apparently, he & my Dad had "run into each other a few times" [errrrrr- no!], and according to him, he'd seen me in somewheresville before [eeerrrrrrrrr- double NO!!]. Moreover, he claimed that we'd meet again, undoubtedly & that he'd inform my Dad that we'd met.
The scariest thing was that this man is like a hundred & one years old!! He could almost be my Grandad!! (slight exaggeration there).

Seriously, what was WRONG with him?? I was TOTALLY ignoring him (my MP3 was on so loud, I bet he could hear it) and every time he asked a question & looked at me for an answer, I was like: "Sorry? what was the question??" & then ... "Oh, I have no idea."

Maybe I should've left my seat, but hey! I GOT THERE FIRST!! I was sooooo ticked off at the MORON of the century that I alternated between raising one eyebrow at him, glaring & turning my whole body around to look out the window. But I was NOT vacating my seat because of some insolent leech who refused to take the million & one hints that I was giving him to bloody get lost!!!
Maybe I should have said: "Can you like, not talk to me?!" or something more along the lines of "I'm like, totally going to spew if you don't shut your filthy mouth!!"
Seriously- I came this close to saying something along those lines, when Emu FINALLY got the SMS I sent her & gave me a call. UGH! The whole scenario was such a disaster!! I didn't even have enough credit on my phone to prank Emu!!
But I have now learnt my lesson- if ever I come across one of their species, EVER again- I'm going to turn into nasty Flynn & tell them to shove off or I'd spew in their face!

Ahem... sorry about that, folks. I was all riled up from just thinking about it.

Wenesday: went to UNSW with a traitor of a friend who transfered there from USyd. Went around with her pretending to be a UNSW student...got all the free chocolate & iced green tea (YUM) & fairy floss & loads of other stuff.

Thursday: was sooooooo exhausted that I did little work & too much of nothing-but-sitting-around.

Finally, today: Shall be heading to Central to pick Ash up from her bus stop. But before that I MUST remember to get the newspaper thing that Nira Apu asked me to get.

& now: it's a hot day- no sign of the winter to come...

2006-02-21T21:00:00.000+11:00

Tragedy, I'm told, is beautiful... in its own way.

But there seems to be no "beautiful" way to put this...

Today, I found out that my Grandma (my Dad's Mum) died.
I don't know what to say or think...
What I do know is that I'd never met her, but perhaps I will... so now, I hold out hope that she & I may meet in Heaven someday, Allah willing.

Please make Du'a for my Dadi, a lady who suffered her share of tragidies in this dunya, but now has been called back to her Lord. Pray that she is forgiven her sins & does not suffer in the next life.

Again- the Suggestion?!?!

2006-02-17T18:44:00.000+11:00

Let me make the previous announcement of mine clearer:

I, as in Flynn, would like to edit the unedited version of the DVD taken in BD.
BUT- in order to edit, I need suggestions on things like background songs, any parts/footage that holds special meaning to those who were there, anything you lot (ie- the lot who was there) DON'T want to have included in the edited version.

PS, BSE- I was thinking of sending the finished copy to you, but little birdies have been telling me that you're off to Egypt. Does that mean, you're not going to be able to watch it??
:S

And Ash, I guess I'll have to wait until you're here next weekend to have you harass me about which parts I should or should not include... no doubt you'll be reminding me that Hasbi Rabbi & Mu'allim MUST be included in the final copy.

Has the whole world gone & died... or are people just ignoring me??
:S

Fake Lakes, but that's old news

2006-02-16T16:09:00.000+11:00

I know I was supposed to write up something about the fake lakes in Canberra about 3 days ago, but- honestly- I haven't had time... I've really just been too busy. AND, now that Mum's back & always at home with me, she keeps a hawklike watch on me & what I do.

I'm fuessig I have about 10mins before she comes rushing in here to tell me to get off the computer & do something constructive with my time... not to waste my life (or something along those lines)... Yes, Mum- I'll get to that in a minute. First I have something more important to share.

Let me just tell tell you now that Canberra= less people, but more (and bigger) insects- including flying spiders (YIPES!!)- BUT it's also too planned. This is where the fake lakes come in. See- Canberra's like the center for all embasies &amp;amp;amp;amp; where the PM & hid parliament people hang out & that... so the whole city is planned, with a capital P! The lakes were artiicially made (some with a teeny little island in the middle (nicely decorated with trees & flowers & maybe even some fake birds... who knows). There are sooooo many round-abouts that Mum complained of getting dizzy instead of lost in the city.
Well- it was a nice place- and to demonstrate, here's the view from Ash's (new & temporary) room:

And here's a glimpse of her room... and the rest of the house she's living in (which is not actually her house, but she's just living with a mate of my Mum's):

that's her table & chari...oh-wait- that's not her chair- that's the borrowed one (anyway... not important)

One of the doors that lead to the backyard... nice isn't it??

The dining room... dont ask about the mess on the top of it- it wasn't me- I swear!!

The frontyard looks like a dream, especially after it's been sprikler-ed... all shimmery & sparkly...

On more important news- news that concerns Flynn's extended family, esp those in UK... hint, hint BSE- I need help & suggestions:

Monkey Uncle & Aunty (from the U.S.) has sent us (finally) all hte footage from the "Reunion" (as I refer to it) in BD. So, I've decided to get started straght away on the editing & hopefully I'll be able to finish it off before Uni starts (5th March, if I recall correctly)- or at least by the end of the first week of Uni.

Anyway- I need HEAPS of suggestion for songs (think reunion/family themes... and maybe just sings that sound nice in general). ALso, if anyone (*ahem* Ash, Snowy, BSE) has any little moments that they think MUST be included in the edited "Trip to BD/ Reunion-Thing", then speak now or forever hold your peace.

PS- EMu, if u get a chance to call before nxt Tuesday, pls do... hopefully I'll be at home. & Ishi- you were supposed to call by now... what happenind?? And what's happening with our plans to get Uni official thing done & out of the way??

This is one happy Flynn, signing out :D

NO NET!!! AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!

2006-02-10T23:04:00.000+11:00

Dear God!! How on earth did prehistoric people survive??!!
I was STARVED without the net (for over 8 days)!!

BUT- had a GREAT mini-holiday in Canberra... looking after Ash, who shall tell you all about ANU, Med-student life & all the rest... oh-yeah... I had LOADS of fun, typed up some blog entries on Ash's laptop (my life-saver). I'll post those later, when I have time & when I get some sleep.

Fake Lakes, people! (That'll be my next blog)...

Btw- I missed blogging & the mini-blogger-nation here SOOO much!!

laterzzz....

A Home Again :D

2006-01-28T01:06:00.000+11:00

Yay!!
My house has become my home again... & not the empty (though sometimes very satisfying) shell it had been for more than 2 months.
What I'm trying to say, in my round-about way, is that Ash, Snowy & Mum are BACK!! (Must admit that half the excitement comes from the fact that they brought back loads of DVD's, which I really wanted, and which I shall spend my month alone watching over & over again- with no Ash, Snowy or Dagz to stop me).

Can't blog much more than this... have the C'towm Program on Sunday, and preparation is still practically at a stand-still.

BUT- been listening (engrossed) to the tales from BD.
Poor Ash & Snowy... they can't listen to "Hasbi Rabbi" without thinking of Mad Cow (& then reminiscing); they can't have dahl without thinking of Raiyan; can't get over the "Family National Anthem"- the Danish (pronounced Dannish) song... lol- just heard the little tyke (Arif) sing it for us on the phone; they hear "Saw" & think of the night BSE, Raiyan, Mr. & Mrs. C & they spent half the night watching it.

We've shuffled through the 100 odd photos about 50 odd times already... each time accompanied by Ash's (or Mum's or Snowy's) telling & re-telling of the captured event.

'Tis all I've time for now... will be back after the 29th to blog better, iA.

Gotta buzz now.
:D

PS- WELCOME BACK PRINCESS & LAMZITY!! Can't wait to see y'all!

PPS- Ash has updated her blog & promises (yes- your words, Ash not mine) to post more (possibly photos... some of the more memorable ones). And you've no right to complain about no comments from Flynn on yer blog, when you've not commented on mine!!

:D

Locked out, Wandering temporarily homeless, aaaand Ash returns soon

2006-01-16T10:01:00.000+11:00

Had nearly forgotten the return of Ash, what with all the commotion about Uncle & Aunty S's door & fridge, and the stench... oh, the horrid stench.

Crikey!! Had awful, awful, AWFUL Saturday... and Friday too, I guess. Allow me to start from the beginning...

Friday: Uncle & Aunty S's kindly neighbour calls... gives the terrible news that Cops have smashed through their door, and says someone needs to check what's happening. Dad rushes over, checks out extent of damages... and doesn't return home. So, left with no other choice, and armed with cans of airfreshener, Nemo & I walk ourselves to their place. Oh, the entrance... the memorable entrance... suffice to say: "AAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGHHHHHH!! KILL ME NOW!!" Me nose felt distincly flakey... I could have sworn parts of it were disintegrating into non-existence. Oh, the stench... the putresence. **shudders** I think we used 3 cans of air freshener & 1 or 2 plug-ins.

And that was our Friday.

Saturday: Door fixed. Great- we think- but not so great, as it turned out. made our way back to Uncle & Aunty S's (Dad was busy, left home after Fajr & not back 'til 11PM). More air freshener... Also needed some major grocey shopping done (I mean, we didn't even have cheese at home!!) + junk supplies were pathetically low. So, went emergency shopping. Was almost at the check-out conter... opened my bag to reach for wallet... found NOTHING!!
Bugger me, I nearly had a heart attack right there... I, being the imbicilic lost-case that i am, had forgotten my wallet... on my coffee table AAARRRGGGHHH!! Blast! Anyway, so no shopping for me... but worse was yet to come. Guess what my wallet has attached to it??

My keys... as in the keys that allow me access to my own home... as in we were locked out!!
My stupidity knows no bounds... *sigh*. 'twas the worst day in such a long time.

Moving on... matters took a turn for the worst yet again. You see, I had Uncle & Aunty S's keys in my stupid little bag, so we (that is, Nemo & I) made our way over to that house...again... thought we'd at least have refuge there. (Did I mention that by this time, it was Maghrib?? And we'd been walking around the whole day...)
Anyway, we got there, I took out the keys... everything was fine, until we got to the newly installed door... none of the keys we had would open a lock on that blasted door!!
And so, we wandered around in the almost-dark, in a neighbourhood that is errrmmm... unsavoury (for want of a better word). Not to mention that both our legs were about to buckle & cave in. On top of it all... we had yet to call our Dad. Oh boy- the call didn't go well. Was dubbed "pagol", "trouble-maker" & everything in between :(

Finally, was instructed by Dad to seek refuge at a friends place... and had to intrude until 11PM, when Dad finally came home... so he could yell at me some more.
**sigh**...*huuuuge sigh* ...

I NEVER want to go out of my house again... home, sweet, beautiful home... except maybe to get Ash from the airpot.
:D

Hmm... Anyone have any suggestions for how to attach a wallet to myself?? Y'know so I don't ever leave home without it?? Superglue doesn't seem like the best option...

(I just can't believe) Small deeds that are overlooked (can you see?) Little deeds that are overlooked (and you read) Read about it in my Holy Book...

2006-01-13T18:00:00.000+11:00

... Small Deeds never overlook...

Title: Small deeds, by Native Deen (the lyrics are stuck in my head)

News: Cops had to smash through my Uncle's door today. He's overseas & must've left perishables in his fridge or outside or something because apparently neighbours complained to the cops & the cops, being as smart as they are, smashed through the front door, instead of checking to see if he has any relatives (like us, for example) to see if we had any keys.
Maybe they thought Uncle & Aunty S. were trying to poison the neighbourhood with bad smells...Lol.

Now I dunno what to do about their door yet. :S

What I don't get is why the neighbour who called us after the police broke in couldn't just call us before anybody was genius enough to smash through the doors... shees!!
Dad's gone to check the extent of damages done... I'm wincing at the thought of having to tell Uncle S. about his poor door... Yipes!! What if Dad makes me break the horrbile news?? :S

Anyway- to cheer myself up, I was listening to Native Deen & drooling over some gorgeous specimens of pure man-made genius, & so completely unattainable (for Flynn) ...

Ferrari F430 Spider

Firstly, there's the Ferrari F430 Spider. I never thought of myself as a Ferrari kinda gal, but... after looking at this soon-to-be-released hunk of metal, well... Nemo & I were both left choking on whatever food we were trying to eat.

Then there's the Porsche Carrera GT...

Currently set as our wallpaper, Dagz and I are loathe to open up a window on our computer because then the desktop won't be visible (So blogging is slightly painful at the moment). I think we both sat here for 10 mins. simply absorbing the sheer beauty of this 2-seater convertible... as Dagz says: "1 seat for me& 1 for my bag"...lol :P Too tru, Dagz.

Lastly, the Lamborghini Concept S...

Not sure if this is me, but then again- I don't have something near AU$4/500, 000 to roll around in, now do I? (This, btw, is the approximate cost of each of these beauties) *sigh* Oh, and an FYI: Did anybody know that the Italian Police use Lamborghini's as their police cars?? *amazed & jealous*. No fair!! I should move to Italy & join the police force :D

I think a more practical car for some time in the (hopefully) near future for Flynn happens to be the Yaris YRX...

...not as attractive as the rest, but a nice hunk of junk nonetheless... and the best part is that I can actually think about affording it at a nice $21,000 (Approx.)

PS- to those reading and wondering how many screws Flynn has lost... I just thought you should know that I'm not a luxury-car-addict... I simply appreciate the finer things in life. I guess cars are my on-again-off-again fetish... kind of... but I'm NOT obsessed... seriously.

Anyway... so what think you lot?? You like?

Rashed Bhai & Jharu Bhai... and Dhabol??

2006-01-11T13:11:00.000+11:00

Will explain the title in a bit, but first... *drum rolls*

You'll never believe it!!!!

NIRA'S GETTING HITCHED!!

Called BD last night to have a chat to family & found out the most amazing/ exciting/ unbelievable news: Nira Apu is to be married... VERY SOON!! Her wedding is on the 13th January... which is like 2 days away... YAY!! Alhamdulillah!!

Ash was telling me how she got a call from one of the twins, who told her that Nira APu was getting married to someone... it seems all sudden because even Twin #2 couldn't tell us much about Nira's-hubby-to-be. All I know is that he's a Doctor- *ahem*- and very Islamic, and... that's all. Apparently, Aunty & Uncle went, they saw, they liked, they agreed, and it was done!!

WOWEEE!!

Straight away I SMS-ed Emu & Ishi (btw- Ishi, you still haven't called to find out the details). Anywway, it was after midnight, and I'm sorry if I woke either of them up, but it couldn't be helped... I was soooo excited & happy for her that I HAD to share the news!!
:D :D
:D :D

Now, Flynn is all smiles and very hyperactive!!

The sad thing is that Ash most probably won't be able to go to her wedding (it's somewhere in some village VERY far away from Dhaka)... BUT, Snowy & Mum might be able to go to the reception which should be in Dhaka. Ash'll be back in Oz-land by then... bummer.

Ok- now to explain the title...
Snowy hasn't experienced BD-style Eid-ul-Adha before... as far as she can remember. So, she's thrilled to have a new pet goat & a cow. For reasons she hasn't told me, she named the top half of the cow Rashed Bhai, and the bottom half Jharu bhai... :S ... Correct me if I'm wrong, but the last time I checked, weren't all cows females?? And yet, she's dubbed her cow Rashed & Jharu bhai??? And her goat's name is Dhabol... what the????? I didn't even bother to ask her to explain this one. Righto Snowy, you go ahead & explain how you came up with these names... I'd looooove to know.

Anyway- as long as she's having the time of her life feeding the goat/ cow, it's all good... and she is having a ball, but that might all change when the cow & goat're gone... poor thing, I hope she isn't too traumatised.
:S

Anyway- well- there you have it... I've rambled quite enough now, and I can't WAIT until Nira APu comes back as a Mrs.!! She is coming back, though... right??

Eid Upcoming!

2006-01-09T22:18:00.000+11:00

Eid Mubarak to one & all.
I must say, this HAS to be the most... errmmm unique Eid I've had. Half the family overseas, kindly neighbours "donating" food, as though I can't even cook 2 min. noodles for myself! Hmph!!
Gimme soooome credit... I can pull off a few dishes (maybe not the curries- they're too hard), but other stuff. I swear I can!! But these kindly neighbours, who've appointed themselves our (Dagz & my) temporary-food-providers probably think I don't even know where, in my house, the kitchen's located... I'm sure they mean well.

Anyway, on the menu: tandoori chicken, biriyani, the rooti/bread-thing, salad, some lamb-curry-type-thing I don't know the name of, the whats-it-called, spring rolls & tiramisu for dessert! Love the dessert (and I've already claimed most of it to be mine), can (and probably will) eat the tandoori & the bread-thing, & everything else... well- the guests can have it all!
:D

Eid Mubarak y'all...

Bloody Brilliant Bugger!!

2005-12-31T20:07:00.000+11:00

Can't believe my ears right now... CANNOT believe it!!
Friend has just told/shared news of the friiend of this friend. And the news is MAJOR! So, this friend of a friend has just been accepted into YALE (yes- the one in the US), and get this- its for a Commercial Law degree. And get this- it's a scholarship!!! And finally- believe this: friend of a friend has refused !!!!!!!???
Can you tell that I'm shocked & dumbfounded??
Obviously, friend of a friend is a Bloody Brilliant Bugger. BUT, friend did also tell/share the reasons for such an inexplicable refusal. Friend of a friend wishes to pursue Islamic studies in Egypt & elsewhere. Friend of a friend also has many responsibilities (won't go into details), AND friend of a friend has just decided to get hitched.
My friends... I wish them all the happiness... and I wish they'd let me take that scholarship instead (except I'm lacking the much needed brilliance & the will to go to the US) *sigh*

This only highlights the absolutely horrendous results that I've had to show to my Dad, who (needless to say) has given up on my ever making anything of myself.

And now for the million dollar question/s: How do those people do it? What is it they have that I don't have?
If it's money, then I'm doomed. If it's determination, then I'm doomed double-time.

***

And on more doom & gloom news- have just realised that I'd completely forgotten about the first anniversary of a dead friend. I hadn't seen said friend for 5 yrs.
Died last year- can't even remember the exact date. Shows to go how self-centered my little world has become & how easily I forget those I once called "friend". *shudders*... I'm scaring myself here.

Ah well- worry not, my friend, you deserve serenity... but is that your destiny?

I've got the baton, now... what next?

2005-12-30T19:08:00.000+11:00

So Dazey's handed the baton to me, and the only complaint I have is that I'm actually going to have to use my brain & try to remember some of this stuff from 5/10 years back. Whew! I need me some of those marshmallows....nothing like brain-food to get the ol' wheels chugging along.

Right-o... now, where do I start?

10 Years Ago: My first step into my new home. I was a little 8-yr-old, not a care in the world, and not a care as to where we landed, as long as my parents & sisters were there with me. I can still remember my first impression of New Zealand: FREEZING!! (and it wasn't even winter). Aside from the cold, there was the green. *sigh*... ain't never seen green like NZ green.

5 Years Ago: My first step into my new home. I was a bit older (13-going-on-4), confused, obstinate, not really believeing that I was going to leave all those friends behind and move, yet again, to some unknown ( and frankly, unwanted) place. And I can definitely remember my first impression of the land down under: BLOODY HOT!! And I'm tellin' ya- hot doesn't explain the half of it... 'twas mid-December, temperatures of 40+ degrees C, towards the end of ramadaan, and the highest temperatures I'd EVER experienced (in NZ) was close to 30 degrees. C.

Middle School: In other words, Intermediate (which is what it's called in NZ)... OH-MY-GOD! Those were the days of my stupidity... the peer pressure I succumbed to, the parties (wild- for 12/13 yr olds- & totally inappropriate for me), the weird fashion-phases I went through & have yet to understand, some of the most AMAZING and some of the WORST friends (all of whom I've lost contact with) &, in essence- a time of my life I'm glad is waaaay over, swept under the rug, never to be spoken/ thought of... EVER again (I hope). *shudders*

5 Bands & Artists: Sami Yusuf (good voice), Evanescence & Celine Dion (amazing voices, but I'm trying to get over them), Dawud Wharnsby, Native Dean & a guy with the most serene voice, whose name I don't know, but who sang an arabic song I heard only once, fell in love with & can't find again, though I've searched EVERYwhere... I don't even know what the song was about :(

5 Things I'd do with £100,000,000: Pounds?!? Wow!! That's like double in OZ $$!! So I'm thinking more along the lines of what to do with AU$200 million.
WOWZER!! How about buy an entire (teeny) island as a refuge for Muslims & oppressed people in general?? (Actually, I might need more that a teeny island... and in that case, more that a couple of hundred million).
Failing the island-buying scheme, I'd give about 70% to extended family so that they can have a comfortable, but not lavish, existence, pay off some loans, etc, etc... insist that their kids (all my cousins & what-not... the young'uns) get a decent, authentic education on Islam (preferebly overseas... can't see much decent islamic education happening in BD).
Repay any loans that my parents/ sisters/ grandparents may have (the others can fend for themselves :P). Hmm... what else?
Oh, definitely give like 20 million to YMSA & others like it (in OZ), 20 million to orgs overseas (esp in non-muslim countries).
Heaps towards advancing Islamic educational material + Islamic media (dunno how much... say another 20 million).
Is that 5 things yet??

5 Places I would run away to: NZ (anywhere), Japan, Morocco, Dubai, 1 friend's place (won't metion who).

5 things I like doing: Writing, reading, sketching, cleaning (say nothing people... it can sometimes be very therapeutic... it caaan!!), skating (ice or otherwise), oh and sometimes shopping (but mostly, I hate it).

5 things I will never wear: Blue/ green eyeshadow (unlessI'm at a costume party dressed as a freak)
A pink scarf (detest the look that colour gives me... esp on my head).
Socks with sandals (I think that's a BD thing... me Mum made me when I was a kid... eeewww- I've been traumatised since!)
Skinny jeans/tights (I thought that was done & over-with in the 60s/70s, those hideous things!)
Rings/bars/studs anywhere except my ears (not even my nose, thankyou very much).

5 Movies I like: Gladiator,
LOTR,
To Kill A Mockingbird (yeeees, I did like the black & white film, and I loved the book too),
Home Alone (the forst one only... and although I'm a bit enbarassed to admit this one, I loved the cute little Caulkin with his ingenious & over-the-top ideas... and it's funny!),
and any other movie with meaning + Will smith/ Jim Carey/ Russel Crowe/ Jhonny Depp...

5 People I'd like to meet: The prophet (saw)- that's a given,
'Isa... aka Jesus (as),
Helen Keller,
& my Dad's parents.

5 biggest joys at the moment: No Mum & mostly no Dad to "supervise"/ keep track of my second-to-second activities
No Uni in such horribly humid/hot/inhuman/ugly conditions (and it's only getting worse... ugh!!).
Loads of time to myself,
Food, food, gloooorious foood.
My YMSA girls (and friends)... so enthusiastic!

Weeeell, that's it.
It seems that I have to pass the baton on... and I choose: Dagz & Tea Biscuit.

The A**** Family Traditions??

2005-12-19T23:14:00.000+11:00

Just had a little chit-chat session with Snowman & me Mum (have yet to chat to the Anxious Ash- will explain below).

Seems that Ash, youngest khala, BSE & more of extended family sped off to "see"/ meet/ be introduced to Mr. & Mrs. C (mainly Mr. C, seeing as he's our errrmmmm- Bhai? Dula-bhai?? Sounds sooo foreign coming from me). At any rate- they're down right evil, they are... making the poor man believe all sorts of crazy and kooky things. Here's a glimps (from what my Mum told me)...

Actually- let the glimpse wait- shall speak to Ash on the phone then get back to you lot about the "evil" masterminds that my family are proving to be
:D

ok- NOW I wish I were there... I hadn't before, but...
Ok- time to fly to the phone.
Will update soon (possibly tomorrow).

Just one last thing before I log off:
BSE, "A bonny lass"??!!?? Ahem... Snowman quoted you, and I'm just wondering...what the??

Innocent Eyes

2005-12-15T23:06:00.000+11:00

Splash of Life
I miss those days and
I miss those ways
When I got lost in fantasies
In a cartoon land of mysteries
In a place you won't grow old
In a place you won't feel cold

Seems I'm lost in my reflection

For the little girl inside who won't just hide
Don't let me see mistakes and lies
Let me keep my faith and
My innocent eyes

Sketch Book becomes Saviour from Insanity

2005-12-14T00:16:00.000+11:00

Stuck my foot in my big pie hole today... SOOOOOOO embarassing!!
I can be amazingly stupid & clueless at times... sheesh! Argh! Betroot-red doesn't do justice to my face, I tell ya.

Anyway... finally, my baking frenzy has come to an end, with Ash out of the country.
To explain: I baked 3/4 different kinds of cake for Ash to take to BD, so she could feed Snowman & me Mum some actual food. 'Twas somewhat fun, but I wouldn't rush to do that again in a hurry. Ah yes, and Ash leaving (by herself)has caused me Ol' Man to almost cark it! He almost lost it because she didn't take her mobile, and hence we'd have no way of contacting her beyond the boarding gates & after her arrival.
And now, of course, matters have only become worse, since he has nobody but Flynn to exercise his "Parental Instinct" on.
Scrap that GPS tracker, I've been sentenced to incarceration... within the confines of my own home!! Won't be needing tracker or both pairs of Ishi & EMu's eyes, thanks all the same.
Bless my sketch book, without which I would have destroyed half my home... and possibly my psyche along with it.

BUT- Ishi, (Kid-Nid?) Rabz & myself have planned to re-visit school (on Friday, if I remember correctly). Why isn't Emu coming along?? Emu, why aren't you coming along???
Anyway, that should give me some respite from my psychotic, do-nothing days.
Maybe I should cook some more.

I can't believe it- I have so little to do that I'm actually thinking of soiling my hands with housework! *makes a sour face* blrgh... Heeeeelp!!

Oh and how could I forget? Insomnia sems to have me well in its grasp... can't seem to wriggle free.

2005-12-11T21:25:00.000+11:00

Ishi & Emu- if you can make it to my place 1st Jan. (Sunday) from about 10:30- 3:00 (or whatever time), then let me know.... having a little party-thing for my girls... nothing huge- just small-time "us-girls" type event.

On other news: Ash & I & Dagz met a suprisingly open-minded, decent, forward thinking, (and perhaps, understandably, a slightly pessimistic) girl/woman today (Fresh Off Bd- lol... just kidding ;)... she wasn't typical F-O-B material... refreshingly different, thankfully). Spent a few odd hours chatting away about topics ranging from the Hijaab to suing to some downright deep issues affecting humanity (especially in BD).

Oh, and just last night, Ash and I spent another few good hours chatting away to a friend of hers (from Uni)- Maryamary- about loads of other things (eg- people going overseas, family, friends, events, life, etc). Last night was more light-hearted banter, compared to tonight's deep discussions...lol. Oh, and some of the things Maryamary said, Ash! LOL!! *rolls on floor*... 'twas goodgood, not just good :D

Ah yes, how could I forget that the night before, Ash's other friend came over to say g'day & probably g'bye before she took herself off to BD? Flynn didn't spend much time chit-chatting that night... 'twas mainly Ash gas-bagging away about Lord only knows what.

Speaking of taking off... yep- Ash is finally leaving day after tomorrow (Tuesday). Yay! Another visit to the airport!! Anyone want to come along??
Actually- sorry- you aren't welcome... y'know it's exclusive visitation rights for Ashes in Avilion
:P

And on some pathetic news: I am still dirt poor & already 19 (but not as poor as Ash, who spent every cent for BD-visit preparation).
At this rate, I'll be an old, frail crone before I can afford that laptop & new mobile & Echo/Rav4/Barina & digital vid. cam. & new printer/scanner & ... oh yes- there's my Uni fees & the money for textbooks & so forth... not as important as the above-mentioned, but perhaps just as necessary

To Hell... not back yet

2005-12-07T18:48:00.000+11:00

This abomination we call weather down here NEEDS to be mentioned.

Is it just me, or did people feel as though they were wading through foggy-lava?? Even at 5PM, I was walking home and, By George, the heat was trying to literally shove itself into my system!! The HOTTEST day in a DECADE- yes, that's 10 Years for the laymen who don't know.

Sheesh, I may as well have taken a swim through the swamps of HELL (have yet to emerge)... there's NO WAY I can survive this heat.

Bugger me, it's gotta be at least 45 degrees C!!
Anyone for Flynn Filet (that'll be Freshly Fried too!!)??
Well, that's how it is- I'm so cooked, you could eat me!!

And just to reinfrce the idea of a hot, HOT, HOT day, I've typed in red :D.
Aren't I brilliant? :P

PS- And there's the small matter of my turning 19 today, which I would rather not have because I liked being 18... and in a limbo, of sorts. Drat- why did I have to become older??!! :( :S

Claustrophobia resurfaces

2005-12-06T18:37:00.000+11:00

Feeling restless & mildly claustrophibic again.

I need something... anything... to fill up almost every second of my time (and I can only read for about 6hrs continuously, at a time).

So, any ideas??

Oh, and here are a couple of other "Kodak moments" from that day:

The wonderful plant in Ishi's kitchen... who had the brilliant idea of taking a pic of the plant anyway??

I can't believe we ate this stuff... but really- it tasted better than it looks.. seriously!!

Especially for Disaffected College/Uni Students

2005-12-01T21:52:00.000+11:00

Dreams are like rainbows. Only idiots chase them.

If you're attractive enough on the outside, people will forgive you for being irritating to the core.

The best leaders inspire by example. When that's not an option, brute intimidation works pretty well, too.

PS: I canNOT believe I've neglected the editing (I can't believe I've forgotten... even with the thousand and 1 reminders on my mobile). Flynn is much Sorryness...please, oh please accept my infinity minus 1 apologies, but I completely forgot! Believe it or not, I actually have so much to do, even though I anticipated a nothin-to-do holiday.

Doom & Gloom & the Neurologist

2005-11-27T12:11:00.000+11:00

Seems to me that my last post sounded a bit doom & gloom. Well, to explain:
I was completely bored off my rockers, thought about calling up random friends and asking what they were up to, and whether they'd like to go... anywhere, actually. As in- OUT. Not at home. Infact, out of my suburb would have been best. I called up Lily, we went places... not too far away, unfortunately- my dad had a tracker, of sorts, attatched to me (called parental instincts). Blast it!

Now, here is a theory that I've formed about myself: I must have yet another Flynnic disease/condition. I can't seem to stay at home for over 24hrs at a time. I get all claustrophobic, kind of funny in the head(ok- funnier in the head)... I drift off into some lala land (I've even been caught staring out my window for hours on end... not blinking... completely lost and absorbed in some world or another). It's a Flynn thing... no explanations for it. Anyone else have that...problem? (Although it's not really a problem for me).

Apparently my doctor was soo, so terribly concerned about the well-being of my brain that she's recommended a visit to a neurologist. So that's my destination come Tuesday.
Let me tell you how it all came about (the fact that my doctor imagines something is so terribly wrong with my brain :S) ...

Mum, before heading off to BD, thought she'd do right by her daughter and ensure that all's well & good with my health before flying off.
There I was, at the doctors... not comfortable at all...insisting that nothing was the matter with me. And since nothing is wrong with me, the doctor- logically- sucks blodd out of me in order to do a blood test. Got the results back, only to be proven correct- there's nothing wrong with my blood. And again- logically- if there's nothing wrong with my blood, then it must be that something is wrong with my brain or my CNS, which is more or less the same thing.
(*You lot had better note the heavy sarcasm*)

So yes, I'm looking forward to discovering the enigma that is Flynn's brain. I wonder if I'll get to keep an image of my brain? That would be waaay awesome! I'd hang it up on my wall- and scare all the annoying brats who dare walk into my den.
:D

One last thing: Check Snowy's blog... you lot MUST!! She's updated- wrote pathetically little, but it's an update- so check & leave comments :D She's having a ball (can't believe it).

2005-11-24T14:30:00.000+11:00

'tis thursday... Flynn is a bit downcast & ermmm... well- VERY lost. In my own little world, where it's all very nice and quiet & simple.

Don't feel like updating. Don't know what I'm typing... errrrrrr... I think that's all I have to say.
Except- I have one last question:
If I call one (or more) of you up...one day, randomly- and ask if you're free to umm... do something. Do you think you'd be able to come?

I need a good book- haven't read a good book since the beginning of Uni (end of HSC)... any suggestions??

Maybe Thursday??

2005-11-22T20:44:00.000+11:00

I will update... I will, iA.

...But maybe on Thursday- I hope.... I think.

Sad News in Happy Times... Oh the Conflict!!

2005-11-18T10:45:00.000+11:00

And yet again, Flynn shall write about a dear, dear friend of hers. And yes- this is yet another friend, not the ones I've written about so far.

So- Party... yes, I'm very excited about that, but something has come up that has led to Flynnic confusion.

And this is part of the message that has Flynn all in a tangle:

"shon amar pokkhe party-ta attend korte possible hobena……ami-je kibhabe sorry bolbo bujhte partisina……shudhu ektai karon..." [And said friend gave a very understandable & valid reason]. But it continues...

"...and we only got da news last nite……so ei obostai amar party korata thik hobena……I hope u understand….!!!but I hope u guyz just enjoy……..im sure u willll!!!!!!arekta kotha, ami shopping-e giye maltesers kinsilam yesterday…..oigula ami kuno rokomei howk ishider bashai pouchiye debo….so she can take it 2 da party 2mrw…….thik ase??ar shon, since ami party attend korte partisina, amar behalf-e tui [...] msg diye dish…"

There's more:

"...TC, ami khub really verry sorrryyy ami ashte parbona bole….nahoito ami party miss debo, eita to jiboneo hoinai ar hoitona…..kintu situation-ta dekhe ami na kore dichchi…..achcha taile, shobaike onek onek gudluk….ar hav fun!!!! tc and bhalo thakish……..amar nira apu-ke dekhar otirikto ichcha chilo, but I guess ar holona…..inshaAllah..... ar kobe je dekha hobe ke jane…."

Ah yes, and she left a final request for Flynn to do on her behalf, which I shall... if I can:

"...i know tui aga matha kichui bujhbina, but here it is…." :D

Lol- gee thanks... oh well- even though I won't understand head or tails of what she wanted me to do, I'm glad she trusts me enough to do it for her.

For some reason, this particular friend of mine never fails to leave an indelible impression on me... She is one very unforgettable character!! :D

Addendum: Does anyone else feel slightly nauseated?? And short of breath?? And about as prepared as that uncooked chicken lying in my fridge?? Or is it only Flynn???
God help me- the thing's all WRONG!!

days & nights

2005-11-16T13:05:00.000+11:00

Argh!
Frustrated, kinda confused, lost...

So what's new??

I've gotta get outta here!! Soooo much to do, dammit!

Don't Tell Me these things on MSN!! I nearly DIED!!

2005-11-15T14:13:00.001+11:00

Holy mother of pearl!!!!!!

Can you believe it??!
Who on earth would drop such a HUGE burden on Flynn... and on MSN, no less??????
Well, this friend of mine told me that there's a wedding being planned for, sometime next year... I nearly keeled over!!! Sheesh!!

I CANNOT belive it!!!!! And neither could this friend of mine, but hey, if Allah has planned it thus, then so be it. But Golly!! I'm sooooo EXCITED!!!!!!!!!!!

Ok- Flynn is happy, but has been on this computer for too long. HP- please check your gmail... and everyone else, salaams, until I see you all at the Party!!

Can't wait 'til Friday arrives! And Ash- you ARE soooooo nosey, so NOT A WORD!

Temporary goodbyes

2005-11-14T11:21:00.000+11:00

Going to the airport in about 30/40 mins, although I wasn't meant to go, but... party-crasher Flynn is going anyway.
I'll be saying temporary goodbyes to Lamzity, Snowy & me Mum. And then, a month or so later, it'll be au revoir to Ash from me :D

And of course, the Party of the year will be temporary goodbyes to the others... PS- it's an exclusive, invited guests only party :P
No- seriously, we want to keep it small and meaningful, not just a day to eat... and well, party.

Speaking of the party... I have sooo much to do! (Food, pressies, memorabilia, etc, etc, et...). At first, I thought I'd be tied up with things, but it looks as though I've managed to squeeze in some extra time... YAY! So more time for Flynn to plan and prepare...

PS Ishi- bring ur digital camera, as ours will be with Snowy & in another country. & remember to bring the "Glitz & Glamour" DVD you made.

Time to get flying! Off to the airport for me :D

New Beginnings

2005-11-12T15:13:00.000+11:00

Party YAY!!

Ok- I'll just reveal the Theme: "NEW BEGINNINGS"
That's the official theme!

And another thing, Flynn has not only been invited, but she has been dubbed Party Planner (but only because I finished my exams before you lot :P)... oh well, I don't look a gift horse in the mouth (and I don't actually understand what that proverb means... but I know I'm using it in the right context...lol).

I think I've lost the plot & gone insane... but I'm sooooo happy to have finished. Can't believe I've finished first yr @ Uni already! I'm getting oooold! :S

Ok- peoples, keep thinking about the party, but ONLY as a motivating factor to do better, DO NOT let it become a distraction.

PS- HEEELP!! How does one go about planning an unforgettable party (for those who are moving on or just plain moving away)?!!??

Double Strikethrough

2005-11-10T22:42:00.000+11:00

Tuesday: Psychology (If I don't even get a Credit in Psych., then what am I doing at Uni??)

Wednesday: Differential Equations (the only exam I've EVER nearly had a panic attack at the end of... yep- it was THAT bad... no WORSE!)

Thursday: Chemistry (I just want to Pass...pleeeease, oooh, pleeeaaase!)

Friday: Statistics (If any of you read this before 12PM [my time] tomorrow, then please, please, please make some intense du'a for me. I don't know what I'm doing on blogger... I think I've pretty much given up hope...)

CONGRATS ASH!!

2005-11-09T14:52:00.000+11:00

OH MY GOD!!

ASH GOT INTO MED!!!

CONGRATS, MAD SCIENTIST!

C'mon, you lot, congratulate her, already!

Alhamdulillah!!

Things

2005-11-06T22:20:00.000+11:00

Random things I’d tell you all if I saw you all more often:

Around midnight (note the time, it’s significant), Ash was sifting through her lecture notes, and I was peering over her shoulder for no particular reason. I read in one of them something about the “Blood Brain Barrier”. Now, I know what this is because I studied it in Neuropsych. So I got all excited, and said: “Oh, oh, oh! I know what it is! The Blood Brain Barrier- it’s… in the brain…”
Thus followed a 2 second silence before Nemo collapsed on her bed in an uncontrollable fit of laughter, followed by Snowman & Ash. This was the second “Cher/Clueless-space-cadet” thing I’d said in one night (the other being that 7X4=14). BUT, they hadn’t let me finish my sentence! I was going to continue and say “… it prevents certain drugs/ hormones from affecting parts of the brain, but it doesn’t stop anti-histamines from making you drowsy…” So I’m not stupid… really, I’m NOT!! :P

Speaking of stupid… did anyone know that Aus has it’s own MENSA soc.? I had no idea… just found out when I read about it in the Sun Herald. Oh, and speaking of the Sun Herald… Ishi, who delivers your SMH (Sydney Morning Herald)??
See, every Saturday & Sunday, the poor Newsagent man (whom I used to buy from- gum & lollies & junk in general- back in my school days) delivers it to my place at friggin 5:30 AM!! Is he NUTS?? I don’t read the paper that early! I wouldn’t mind if he delivered it at 5:30 PM… for goodness sake… 5:30 AM is the when I’m going back to sleep, having prayed Fajr. Poor guy, I feel so bad now (for subscribing to SMH for the next, whole, entire year!) So now, every Weekend, at 5:30-ish, as soon as I hear a thud coming from my veranda, I’ll have to try to run outside if I want to thank him.

This is getting too long & none of you will have read up to here, but other events in the life of Flynn:

Aunty & Uncle S. have gone for a temporary visit out of state (with Fuzzy & Squishy), leaving Lombu & Big Man in (our) care.

Tuesday- Psyc; Wednesday- Math; Thursday- Chem.; & FINALLY! Friday- Stat.

Guests were still coming in their flocks on Saturday! The final lot (hopefully) left around 11PM Saturday night. Me poor Mum’s deader than Elvis Presley & I think I’ve grown an aversive, conditioned response to the kitchen & phone (but not my mobile- that I can’t live without!).

Ash is hyped (I suppose Snowy is as well, but she doesn’t show it), as she expects multiple wedding parties to be held during her stay in BD. I refuse to give exact numbers, but suffice to say that she’s going to need a LOT more clothes & gifts (for the newly-weds) if she wants to attend ALL those parties. Strange, but even so, I have no wish- none at all- to go to BD. Hmm…

Lastly: things are happening… ermm- specific things… I’m just wondering how to word them.

Facts of Life

2005-11-04T10:48:00.000+11:00

Assalaamu Alaikum... the latest facts of (my) life...

Fact: I hate the kitchen!!
Reason: I spent a good 12+ hours there (and on Eid day, no less). Don't try to dispute that fact of life, Ash... you know it's true. And ther's also the fact that I spent 2/3 hrs the night before (having come back from Uni at 7:10 PM)... in the kitchen!

Fact: I'm going to be killed!
Reason: I spent (wasted) my credit in all of three days... down to $5 now :S

Fact: My eyes are bloodshot.
Reason:Haven't slep more than 8hrs in 2+ days.

Fact: Australia sucks!
Reason: It was waaaay too hot (30+ degree C, and humid beyond belief) on Eid Day, of all days!

Fact: I'm DOOMED!!
Reason: My exams start Tuesday (4 days from now :S)... and I have not done a thing! Lordy, I don't know how I plan on passing my exams... don't ask me what I'm doing on blogger.

Fact: Eid-ul Adha will only be half the fun of Eid-ul Fitr.
Reason: If Ash goes to BD, then there's 3 of them gone (Ash, Mum & Snowman)... and only 3 of us left in Aus. (Nemo, Dad & myself)... and hence, we'll be celebrating half an Eid :( Oh well, it's better than having a lamenting Ash around the house while Mum & Snowy are there having all the fun.

Fact: HP left her handbag at our place last night.
Reason: They (HP & family) were in a rush to get home last night... any ideas how I give it back to you??

Fact: My Mum's heading in my general direction.
Reason: She's checking to see if I'm studying :S

Fact: I've gotta buzz off now... (Wassalaamu alaikum me mateys!)
Reason: I want to live to see another day!

Cheap Way Out

2005-11-02T22:41:00.000+11:00

For all those who've sent me Greeting cards or just greetings in general, and for all those who are out of my reach (ie- a whole country/ ocean or two away), I'm really, really sorry, but I'm afraid I have to take the cheap/ easy way out... and wish you all a generic EID MUBARAK on blogger!

So here it is: HAPPY...

Ok- I loved the pic, so I just HAD to include it :D

Eid Mubarak (in Advanced)!!

2005-10-30T16:01:00.000+11:00

To Ishi: How does it feel to be 19? And don't say no different to being 18... that's no answer. And btw, you must think I'm completely insensitive, but seriously, I just can't relate to your situation, and unfortunately, I'm not good at beng very optimistic & looking at the brighter side of life... so there... that be Flynn's (lame) excuse.

Moving on... had a great (iftar) night with a few friends from Uni (Leila, Raf, Farah, Sureya, Nury)... food was goooood... Leila's Mum can COOK! Folks & family were away on another iftar party, so I figured that Leila could drop me home (read: sho off her new car). She got a bit lazy, as we all did, and we decided to just sit around and talk until about 9PM, but all of a sudden, I got this ominous feeling as my mobile started to vibrate. It was a call from "HOME"...I haven't done anything... have I?? was the first thought going through my head. Nemo or Ash (or both) were on the other end scaring me half to death: "Dad wants you to come home... NOW!!!"

But, but... I could have sworn I SMS-ed them to let them know of my plans.... I'm NOT doing anything illegal!
*sigh*- I will never understand my overprotective Dad... he can't seem to breathe without knowing my exact whereabouts (he'd probably love to attach one of those GPS tracker-thingo's to me... if he could)

Anyway, so Leila was freaked... and blaming herself for getting me into deep waters (seriously, she could hear my sister yelling on the phone... how embarassing! It was just like the time Nemo called up when I was at Ishi's place... remember that, Ishi??) Where was I? Oh yes... Leila.

We all went into her car (except Nuri) since they wanted to drive around for a while, after dropping me off:( ... on the way to my house, we all missed a stop sign... didn't even notice it was there, until we came about 20 meters close to it. I think it was Farah who screamed bloody murder first, followed by Leila & Raf & Sureya & even myself, whilst Leila came to a screeching, rubber-burning halt. She made it... stopping just before the white line, and just as a some woggy sports car flew past us at 100 kmh... had we not stopped, we would have been goners (pancake goners) that night.
We all sat there, Leila about to choke on nothing but thin air, and the rest of us chanting "Oh my god" in shaky voices... lemme recall some of the convo that followed:

Sureya: That was TOO close.
nervous giggles...
Farrah: Oh my god! Oh my GOD! Leila you were gonna KILL us!
S: Farah... shutup! You're scaring her.
Leila: Oh my Freaking God! *almost hyperventilating* Did you guys just see that? Oh my god, I nearly killed you guys! Oh my god, I'm so sorry, I nearly killed you guys!!

notice a lot of repitition... and basically, we were all almost talking at once & breathing so hard we could brealy speak

Raf: Hey, don't worry, it's cool... this is like an adventure.
L: An adventure? Are you freaking kidding me?? Raafia, what IS wrong with you?! For God's sake, I can't feel my legs!!
Me: Umm... Leila, there're like a thousand cars behind us.
L: I DON'T care!! Guys, I can't feel my legs!! Oh my god, my legs are numb! *Very, VERY close to hyperventilating*
F & S: Leila, it's ok... don't worry about it... we're all fine.
Me: Leila, there's a massive truck behind us...
we hear a huge honking noise that makes us all jump... followed by more synchronous screaming (from us).
Me: OK, ok... just calm down guys *my throat is clogged & dry, I'm feeling dizzy* Leila, we have to get out of here... it's ok, just go. Nothing happened so just GO!
L: Raafia, I have no idea where I am, where the hell am I?
Raf: Relax, I know the way... just turn right here...
Me: No! Don't turn right, just keep going straight.

And so went the convo until we got to my house, where we all breathed a sigh of relief, let out the final nervous laughter/giggles, and I made my shaky way to face the wrath of my FATHER.

What a night! But Alhamdulillah, it's a night I won't be forgetting soo, inshaAllah... and SUbhanallah! What a lesson for us all!

Edit: Ermmm, people... are you being ignored by Ishi or is it just me?? She isn't really one to ignore people... generally. BUT, seeing as I've had no reply to the SMS (or 2) I've sent her & she hasn't been online, and I'm too scared to call her home phone, I'm wondering if, by some unintentional, yet Flynnic (thoughtless) action, I've offended her? Where art thou, oh Brain of all Peaches?? Wherefore art thou S-Brain?? Hmm... perhaps you're being a Brain and actually studying for those exams?

Short & Sweet

2005-10-20T15:02:00.000+10:00

As-salaamu alaikum wr wb.
I promised myself NO blogging in Ramadan, but I can't resist:

has anyone else felt as though Ramadan is just flying away, and there's not time to just sit and really concentrate on some serious 'ibadah?? I'm soo frustrated by Uni... can't wait until my exams are over! Oh and pleeease, oh pleeease pray that I find a job, save up, and am then able to buy my own way to BD... and maybe US & UK & Italy... or maybe I should just wait one more yr... I could go with Nemo after her HSC is done, but I'm guessing I'd have to pay her fare as well :(

Finally, a message for Ash: You should definitely go to BD after your exams... this year!! I mean, think of ALL those parties you're going to miss out on if you don't go! And if you don't go, who's gonna take all the pics for me to brood over??

Take care everyone, my (delayed) Ramadan Mubarak to all... and wassalaamualaikum.

Ishi!! Noooooo... I forgot your about SHOES!!

2005-10-01T20:37:00.000+10:00

Ishi, I'm going to MURDER you!!!!!!!! I TOLD you to let me take that photo of your gigantimo-as shoes right then & there!! But nooooooooo!! Miss Stubborn-all-of-a-sudden said "LATER". And what happened later (like I knew it would)?? I forgot, of course... It's such a totally Flynnic thing to do!!

But all blame falls on Ishi- you should have just sat down, and let me give you the queenly treatement... and now I'm so upset... there goes my photo of the shoes :( You watch, you lil Braniac you! I'll not let you live this down (at least not for a while yet)!

Ice skating was fun- I had fun, I know some people (like our Miss Braniac, Ishi) didn't :P We went back to my place to pray/eat (had lunch that Nemo cooked- can't believe she can cook!). Oh, I must mention the two little cuteys that introduced themselves to us. Matthew, a lil kid (about 6/7/8 yrs old) kept trying to show us how to skate the proper way! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! Almost immediately, Kid-Nid struck up a looooong convo with him... and thus began a love-ffair on ice...lol- I'm serious, they became like age-old buddies. I'm sure Ishi took photos. I'll see if I can scab off her. The second cutey was his lil brother, Johnathan... he was sooooo adorable, mA (always had the most serious look on his face, and stared at you as though he were analysing your worth... hehe).

Woke up with more agonising muscles on Thursday morning (I really need to get fit!!)... poor Emu, she was worse-off than myself, but Snowman had a BLAST.

Friday night: For, the fun part was seeing people I hadn't seen in aaaaages, meeting the sisters/ cousins of my friends, then seeing all the girls glammed-up. It was good... but to be honest, I had more fun at my place, with all my friends over (mostly Kengalians). Princess slept over, which meant that we (Ash, Dagz, Snoman & yours truly) were up until 2AM... talking! Ishi called around 11PM (and that was a very interesting convo, but I shall not add about what, though). Speaking of the convo with Miss Brainiac... let us know how your new career as a Microcosmist secret agent goes... this is only a trial, you must get better with practice ;D...lol!!

There's more news: I went over to visit Ginni Apu & sisters (who're here from Canberra) at Nira apu's house (which is on another planet)... more talking (and not to mention absolute loads of eating!) I can't type anymore, but before I go...

RAMADAN is almost here! SO close... adn yet I feel sooo underprepared (physically, mentally, etc, etc, etc)... **Please, please, please let this be a good Ramadan... PLEEEAAASSEEE**!!

iA we can get the best out of this Ramadan (you're all welcome to invite yourselves for Iftar at my place, of course... no need to formalise the whole situation :P)

For every winner, there are dozens of losers. Odds are, you’re one of them.

2005-09-27T10:30:00.000+10:00

Saturday: One of you losers is going to pay big time for the big, ugly, swollen & bluish-purple bruise on my leg. I can’t remember which of you it was, but I do recall that the pain started sometime after we finished that Cheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee game. So it’s time to fess up: which one of you kicked me (I’ll assume with no ulterior motive)? Whoever it was must have been wearing iron clogs, or those Japanese wooden shoes… or maybe you have rocks for feet??

Speaking of bruising at Cataract, did anyone else wake up the morning after with EXTREMELY painful muscles? Other than my bruise and a few other scratches here and there, we had a good time. Next time, you should come Ishi. Oh, and climbing those steep-as stairs, I think I nearly died halfway there.

I saw the ruler-thingo that showed the water level at the dam… wowser! It’s LOW… very low. I think the reality of the water shortage hit me just then.

Sunday: went to the Stop Victimising Muslims thing… what a disappointing turnout! I think there are more Muslims in Lakemba alone than the number present at Parry Park.

Tomorrow: looking forward to ice skating with friends. Hopefully, I haven’t forgotten how to skate… I think I should expect more bruising… yipes!

Friday: SB, Yupi, Kid-Nid, HP, Yupi’s friend & Miss Doe should be coming over to my place before we head off to that dinner. I still have a hard time believing that Ash actually wants to go!

This weekend: Ginni Apu & them are coming down to Sydney, right?? I should go & visit them… haven’t seen them since before my HSC.

This gives me almost no time to catch up on Uni work!

4AM YAY!

2005-09-21T10:58:00.000+10:00

Aa my blogger buddies...

How has existence been treating you of late? I, for one, am set to complain about my not-so-fabulous existence.

BSE has finally learnt why Flynn has been dubbed Queen of procrastination. Monday night, the night before my psych report was due, I spent about an hour or so chatting away to BSE (don’t let yourselves be fooled into thinking that it was BSE who initiated the hour-long chat session). Of course, I wasted a few more hours on I can’t remember what. So, it’s no surprise that I pulled an all-nighter to finish the awful report. Ironically, the report was about Attention Capture, yet it failed to capture even an ounce of my attention. Well, the fact of the matter is that it was done, submitted on time (let’s ignore the fact that I was half an hour late for my tutorial). Before I forget, I’d better tell you lot that I wasn’t the only procrastinator. My friend, Bubbles (as she shall be known from now on) was up almost as late me. Then, there was Black Night (another friend), who had the worst time of all- her computer died on her, which led to her panicking, hyperventilating & finally fainting (I’m not making any of this up- I’m not even exaggerating!)- the poor girl had to start all over again (ie- she didn’t sleep at all)! By the time I hit the sacks, the Fajr birds were chirping away. To make matters worse (and I know I’ve complained of this before), Tuesday is Chem Lab day *shudders at the thought*, which means that I was stuck at Uni until 5PM, with just under 2hrs sleep.

Speaking of Uni, the SUMSA AGM was held on Tuesday (yesterday). I was thinking of going home earlier on, but Peach sent an SMS reminding me of the AGM, so I changed my mind (I swear to you, the pizza was not my main incentive :P). Unfortunately, I wasn’t too happy about what went on (at least with the girls). There I was, happily aware of the fact that I hardly know any of the sisters at my Uni, forget the brothers- they’re almost non-existent (meaning, I don’t know of any of them). Anyway, my plan was to vote for the sisters who I knew were capable of being in the Shura. 10 mins before I walked into the lecture room, a coupe of sisters (let’s call them Stickers & Sandals), were umm (*searching for a word other than propagating*)… informing some of the other sisters that (and I quote): “Don’t vote for Jingle Bells [actual name deleted] because she/he isn’t as trustworthy as Brace Yourself [actual name deleted].”
My reply: “But I don’t know either of them, so how can I vote for them?”
Stickers & Sandals: “Well vote for Brace Yourself and Thumbs because we know that they’re “good” Muslims. We need decent people in the Shura.”
My reply: “Think I’ll just stick to voting for the people I know of.”
Stickers & Sandals: “Just make sure you don’t vote for Anonymous, Unknown or Unique [actual names forgotten, thank goodness].”
My reply this time was a blank face- I truly had nothing to say. SubhanAllah, girls, what was that about?! I was so utterly shocked that my mind couldn’t formulate a proper reply. I understand that the sisters (who are very nice girls, and whom I still consider my friends) only wanted the best for SUMSA. However, to say that so and so is a “good Muslim (not that I know their criterion for “good”), but X and Y is not- that’s wrong. Who are you or I to judge the “goodness” of other? And even if we can see from their actions that they’re perhaps not the best choice for the Shura, what right do we have to begin a smear campaign (albeit a small version, but smear campaign nonetheless)?

No one has the right to broadcast the faults of a brother/ sister in that way. I wouldn’t have been so shocked had they stopped at “Vote for Brace Yourself and Thumbs because they’re decent & trustworthy Muslims.” But to continue and say: “Don’t vote for so and so because they have X & Y faults.”

Suffice to say that dark clouds were hanging over my head that day, but I’m planning to speak to Stickers & Sandals as soon as I can, so that I can at least tell them my perspective on this… and not simply complain on blogger. Only, my main problem is that I have a horrible habit of being too blunt- SB would agree.

SAAAVE MEEE!!

2005-09-15T12:58:00.000+10:00

Aa me mateys.
Golly, how long's it been since I last wrote up in my poor, neglected blog?
A month? Two months?? Years????

Actually, I have valid excuses- the main one being Uni (which is what I need saving from). Too many assignments/ quizzes/ tests/ etc has turned me into something of a recluse.... I mean, when was the last time I went to Oporto's??
Well, seeing as I have nothing else of much significance to say, I'd better get back to my Research repot on Attention Capture & Folk et. al.- Contingent Involuntary Orienting Hypothesis, here I come! [Someone please SAVE ME from utter, complete & total INSANITY!!]

PS- last note before I leave... I can't believe I didn't write up about the memorable events of IAW!! Let's just say that it was amazing- especially since it culminated with Jumu'ah prayers outside after which, someone named Anthony announced that he wanted to con/revert to Islam... and so he read the shahada right then and there... all the brothers started hugging him, and the girls were all ecstatic.... in short- I'll never forget that day (I hope...iA).

That's all for now, folks...
W/a & later mates!

... In the Closet.

2005-08-20T17:38:00.000+10:00

I think tissue in parts of my brain are completely dying out... withering away... rotting to non-existance!!

This is what happened today: I woke up bright and early (10 AM), and made myself a cuppa hot coffee for breakkie. Somehow or other, I was distracted, got up, went about my normal Saturday's activities...
A couple of hrs later, I finally recalled my unfinished cup of coffee. Whe I looked on the kitchen table, there was nothing there... no cup and certainly no coffee.
Half an hour after I stopped looking, I opened my closet door to look for clothes, and guess what I found. Yup, that's right- my cup of coffee... in the closet.

I think I'm becoming slightly senile.

IAW @ USyd

2005-08-17T23:29:00.000+10:00

IAW= Islamic Awareness Week (which is next week).

Ishi wrote up a little about the pre-IAW forum, but I don't quite agree with some of the detail, and I would like to add some more. The Reverand was very good, and he obviously has some knowledge about the Quran. When Muslims began to suggest he read up more on the Quran, I completely agreed, but at the same time, I thought: How can we Muslims ask him to acquire knowledge of the Quran, when we are so lazy about doing so ourselves?... and I doubt there are many Muslims out there who have even a superficial idea of what the Bible contains (Flynn included). So I say, unless you're willing to put in the hard yards and gain knowledge of your own deen, don't go around demanding people of other faiths to do so. It borders on hypocrisy, does it not??
This may all be well and good, but there are a few things I am, as yet, very unclear about (concerning Christianity and their "theological" perspectives). The reverand kept repeating that God is Love, and that God is there to serve us, not that we are there to serve God. He made it seem as though submitting to the Creator- whom we believe is worthy of our worship- is somehow not very appealing to the Christians. Is it that Christians believe that they should or need to be served, and by their Creator, Master, Maker, no less?? What can be so repugnant or disgraceful about submitting to the One you clearly believe has every right to ask- even demand- your worship??
The other thing the reverand kept emphasising (which I obviously have problems comprehending) is the fact that in Christianity, God is Love, but that "evidently" this "Divine Love" was missing in Islam- i.e., the God of Islam has no Love, or somehow lacks "Love" (astaghfirullah). There's no need to try to make you see why this is so very wrong a perspective to take. The point is baseless, since the Love that Allah has for his creations is shown through the very fact of our existance.
I could ramble on for eons and millenia about the forum, which I found to be very thought provoking, but I shall stop now.

For the moment, I'm looking forward to IAW, but not with too much enthusiasm and zeal. Someone suggested that I not stand at the Da'wah table as I might be attacked (perhaps not physically), but I thought that was a bit of a ridiculous thing to say. What's a little verbal bashing compared to the sacrifices made and sufferings endured by the Companions? Moreover, how can I help to spread the awareness of Islam if I don't stand at the Dawah table?? Sort of defeats the purpose of the week, does it not?

Right-o, this shall be the end of yet another long and hopefully not so tedious post. I shall keep you all updated (and so, I hope, will Ishi) on the up's, down's, the happenings and the no-happenings of IAW. I request that you all make Du'a for the SUMSA (Syd Uni Muslim Students' Assoc.) members to be able to impart at least a tiny grain of positive Islamic knowledge to the student body in general.

WARNING: Names have been Altered

2005-08-12T12:29:00.000+10:00

Problem of the week: How on Earth am I supposed to argue for Liberalism if I can't even grasp the main ideas behind this paradigm! But that's just a "note to self".

Getting down to the facts of the day, or rather the week, I've been up to much ado about nothing, and getting nowhere fast...
First and foremost- I have dropped down to Differential Equations- possibly the best decision I've ever made- and the work is so much better.
Chem. labs, unfortunately are still taking up 3 precious hrs of my life each week. This Sem. it's more fun. Lab B is definitely more, erm... enthusiastic/ lively/ interesting and what have you. Sam (not Sam the Leech, but Sam the girl, my partner Sami) and I had a fun day growing green, potentially harmful trees on filter paper! (It was actualy crystallised dichloromethane). And no- that was not part of the experiment. We also spent 3 hrs inhaling the toxic fumes given off by dichloromethane, which is said to be slightly carcinogenic. According to Sam, every time we have to sign something in Chem lab, it's an indication that we could very well die. A bit of a morbid perspective, if you ask me, but there might just be some truth to it...

That's all I have time for...

Redundant

2005-08-08T22:37:00.000+10:00

I suppose since the problem (mentioned in previous post) is fixed, the previous post has become redundant, right? I was thinking of removing it, but... well, something's telling me not to delete it.
Hmm... I wonder how green looks as the new colour for my fonts?

Nah... not Flynn-like at all!

MY LINKS!!

2005-08-07T12:41:00.000+10:00

Can someone please explain to me why my sidebar- the one with all the links- have disappeared to the very bottom of my web page? WHY??

PS- I want it back in its original place! So: HEEEEEELLLLP!!

& The Case Of The Missing Mum

2005-08-07T12:30:00.000+10:00

Finally, after Nandos and Bee's bloody foot, when I did get home (only a little bit late) there was nobody waiting outside (whew!). Here's when the "Case of the Missing Mum" began- for me, anyway. Barely 5 minutes after my sister came home, I got a call from Uncle S. who had left 2 messages on our answering machine already. He asked, out of the blue, "Are Afi & Big Man at your house yet?" (Afi and Big Man being our 2 little cousins)
I was left baffled, stumbling over my words... "Erm- uh... In our House? No..."
Eventually, he filled me in on the minor details. Evidently, parents had gone with Aunty S., Fuzzy & Squishy to buy their new car, and instructions were left for Afi & Big Man to walk over to our place. So off I went a-sprinting to look for the lost Afi & BigMan... couldn't find them. Came back home for my mobile, was just about to go sprinting out again, when in they hopped, skipped and ran... (whew! no.2) This is when business of feeding & entertaining the munchkins began.

Next person to come was Dagz (if I remember correctly), followed shortly by me Dad. Meanwhile Uncle S. had called to check that at least 2 of his munchkins were safe and sound- boy, was I glad to be able to give an answer in the positive! Unfortunately, positivity didn't last all that long. By this time, darkness was threatening to take over and hail night-time... yet Aunty S., Mum, Fuzzy & Squishy remained unaccounted for. Dad was beginning to pace back and forth with either cordless or mobile in his hand. They (Mum &co.) were lost... out there... somewhere unfamiliar... with no clue which way led home.

I must have inherited my map-reading skills from someone, and now, I have no doubt that it was me Mum's genes that were handed down to me (as far as map reaing is concerned). In short, to Flynn and her Mum, maps may as well be written in Gaelic, for all we understand from 'em. I, for one, couldn't tell you my left from my right if your life depended on it! So, it's understandable that my Dad was... stressing (to put it mildly) when he found out that Aunty S. and Mum were lost with 2 crawlers in the back.
Don't imagine that me Dad was the only one calling Aunty S every 5 minutes- Uncle S. was probably just as off-his-mind with worry! If it wasn't me Dad giving them left/right instructions, it was me Uncle calling to check if they were home yet.
Around 6:30PM, Dad finally told them to pull up in a corner of a street and wait 'til he came to guide them back home. Off he went, with Dagz to read the signs & street names & maps & so forth (Dagz has a natural talent for map reading). Aunty S. & Mum had somehow managed to end up in unchartered territory... even for my Dad. Yipes!

Meanwhile, Ash called to ask if she could get a ride, since it was really dark, and she needed to get home from Uni. I coudln't help it, I blurted out something like: "Sorry, the car's not here. Mum & Aunty S. are lost!"
She panicked (you all know her fragile heart condition- remember those palpitations of Ash's heart, Emu?). "WHAT?!! What do you mean she's lost?!?!"
So I explained all the details to her, and she calmed down... only a little. On her way over to our house, she met Uncle S. who also decided to come over to our place... just to see how things were going. (By this time, there were plenty of people popping in and out of our place). Uncle S. asked a million questions, Ash asked a million more, the munchinks demanded my attention and Flynn needed three heads and 10 arms to keep up!

7PM: Mum, Aunty S., Fuzzy & Squishy finally got home, also safe and sound (WHEW! no.3) with the story of how they lost their way & and what happend. That's another very long tale, which I have neither time, nor energy to tell. As for today, Saturday... let's just say it was another looooong day with Salsa, Mumta, Smarty, Buri & Zaki (five little kids, who needed constant care & attention)... and Afi who slept over for the night, and might just do so again tonight. The day involved everything from going to the park, petting the neighbourhood (stray??) cat, watching Home Alone 1, to changing diapers, feeding munchkins and trying to maintain a semblance of order in my (trashed) room (which looks as though Cyclone Tracy had a field day in it!) Maybe I should go clean it up?

Oh man, Flynn's arms have never felt so sore and useless... so it's goodnight until sometime in the (near?) future.

Bee's Bleeding Foot...

2005-08-06T18:55:00.000+10:00

The weekend barely began and already my eyelids are drooping (someone check if my speech is slurred), there's a strange throbbing in my head, and I could swear that someone attached lead weights to my legs.

If you haven't guessed by now, you should note that this is going to be one heck of a long blog- if time and family permit- so hold on to yer boots, you've been warned! [NB: this post had been 1000+ words, so I had to split it up into 2 posts.Therefore, the "Case of the Missing Mum" has been put up as my Sunday post.]

Back to Friday: There I was sitting comfortably with a friend, relaxing until we headed off to our Psych lecture. Along came Miss Bee (another friend), and plonked her foot in front of us, eliciting a screech from Roofs (friend no.1), and a gasp of shock from Flynn. It was truly horrible- I've never seen a cut so wide and deep, and blood oozing out in all its red glory (eeewww)! While a couple of others around us paled, Roofs and Aally (friend no.3) volunteered to fetch Dettol for our injured Miss Bee. Now, Flynn is always prepared (since she herself is such a clumsy dorkwad... no hand-eye-foot coordination whatsoever!), and well, had a couple of bandaids on her (5, to be exact). Miss Bee needed all 5, and two more from Aally. Anyway, we patched up her foot, sent her off to her tute, made our way to Psych lecture and waited for the hour to fly by so that we could go back to Nandos with the other SUMSA girls. When we did finally show for Nandos, we were shockered once again... there were less than 20 girls there (as opposeed to well over 50 guys)! And they'd catered for well over 100 in total... so lots of leftovers. Anyway, we were a cosy (more pleasant word for small) group- Cosmos & her friend, Tan, Roofs, Dreema, then there was Girl-whos-name-I've-forgotten, a few others coming and going, and myself.
Meanwhile, me Mum'd been jabbing at her (and Dad's) phone to get in touch with me, to no avail. Not that it was my fault, my mobile was on silent! I finally saw the thousand odd "missed calls" on my phone, SMS-ed my Dad to call me at 2PM, so naturally he starts to call at 1PM. The emergency crisis-type situation turned out to be that my little sister had no keys, and thus no access to our house, so I was told to rush home- lecture or no lecture- and get home before her!

After I got home... (see next blog for continuation of looooong story).

2005-07-31T23:59:00.000+10:00

It's been SO long since I've written something up here, but I don't have anything to write now, so I just thought I'd remind Emu to remind me about something I needed reminding about (what was it Emu??).

Oh, and WHERE IS EVERYONE?

Ishi, I think I might actually enjoy GOVT (WP), which is a bit of a surprise. Hmm... I have nothing else to say- this must be one of those rare occassions where I become speechless.

Argh! The mind is blank and Flynn is hungry, so it's salaams and g'bye until I think of something to write about.

Wheel of Life

2005-07-26T16:48:00.000+10:00

What comes to mind when I think of how I spent my day?
Read and decipher, if you can...

"The pages of life are turning, burning.
Hurry, the wheels of time are turning!
Can't afford to think, scream, weep,
We've gone too far, delved too deep."

In Another Wonderland

2005-07-21T16:39:00.000+10:00

READ THE PREVIOUS POST FIRST!

A short story, by Flynn (aka N.T.C.):

Breathe in. Breathe out. Slowly. In and out...
She chanted it like a mantra, meditating away the hubbub of the other students on the bus until it became one low, rumbling hum. She had had this migraine for the last six hours, at least.

After waking up at 5 a.m. with the beginnings of hay fever, after finding out about the forgotten maths test next period, after realising that she’d left her CD in her locker, and running back up the stairs to get it, then running back down to catch her almost departed bus back home, Shelley was exhausted. She slowly breathed out a sigh, letting it run down her chin and past her neck, gently rolling over her burdened shoulders, letting her mind gently sway past the thought that her English assignment had gotten soaked to the point of no repair right before it was due. Shelley slugged her backpack off her shoulder and onto her lap, leaning her head on it to ease the pain she felt. The bus rocked none too gently, but it was all she needed to lull her into an exhausted slumber.

The crick in her neck only got worse when she tried to lift her head. “Where am I?” Shelley thought, then as realisation dawned, “Oh no.” Shelley was still on the bus, and she had missed her stop, but not by much. She would have to walk an extra ten minutes, but that was better than having to call home. Hoisting her weathered backpack onto her shoulders, she noticed the big, wet spot it had left on the front of her skirt. Something had leaked in her bag. She sprang from the sandpaper steps, and slowly trudged her way uphill and into the local library- she didn’t need to be home for another couple of hours, so she might as well try to lift her spirits in her place of sanctuary. She stepped inside and immediately felt comforted…

The library was much bigger than she remembered, and so much noisier. She could barely hear herself think above the din, tucked away as she was in her little corner. Her favourite book “Alice in Wonderland” lay open on her lap. She tried hard to block out the all the clamour, but it was hard. A gloved hand tapped on her shoulder. Shelley turned in time to see the most amazing sight. A white rabbit asked her in a rushed voice, “Look at the time. Oh my! I’m late! I’m late!” and he was off before Shelley could attempt to guess what had just occurred. Curiosity took the better of her and Shelley ran after the hasty rabbit, but stopped with a jolt at the sight that met her. No wonder there was so much bustle and noise inside.
As Shelley walked through the Non-fiction section, she heard snippets of Einstein’s lecture on relativity, and Neil Armstrong discuss his experiences on the moon, while at the adult fiction section, Count Dracula constantly shifted from bat to ghostly man. As she tried to pass through, Captain Ahab chased his elusive Moby Dick and nearly drowned her in the process. “Hey! This is dangerous!” Shelley tried to shout, but the sea’s roar was too loud. She quickly swam her way past and sought comfort in the Shakespeare shelf. Once there, she became privy to the prophecy of the three witches from MacBeth, but wanted to see no more, as the acrid stench from their cauldron twined its way into her nose. They turned suddenly, eyes glowing an iridescent green, so frightful that she almost bolted away, but managed to just slip away slowly.

Finally, Shelley made her way back to the children’s fiction section, thinking she would be safe from harm there. Almost instantly, she was pulled into a game of merry-go-round. She gently pulled away, giving her apologies to Cinderella, Humpty-Dumpty, Goldilocks and a variety of other characters. She had almost settled down again in her corner, when the librarian shouted that it was closing time. With a sigh of relief as well as slight disappointment, Shelley prepared to leave the library- she just needed to borrow that one book. “Hello,” she smiled at the librarian, “I’d like to get this book out please.”
“You’d like to do what?” the librarian began to laugh. Shelley thought that perhaps he was laughing at her soaked and dishevelled appearance.
“I’d like to borrow this book, please.” She repeated, gathering as much dignity in her stance as she could manage.
Another librarian appeared behind the counter, “What’s going on here?”
“It wants to borrow a book,” he chuckled.
“Oh dear, don’t laugh. This is a serious problem. Dr. Hayden warned us that sometimes the characters might contract Artificial Intelligence Memory Relapse. Help me get her inside, we need to give her the injection.”
Shelley had no clue as to what they were talking about, but she did start to sweat when they came towards her with something that looked like shackles. While one of them grabbed her arms and the other tried to tie them together, Shelley flailed and tried to kick, “Let go of me, you, you….”
“It’ll all be fine soon Alice.” All too late, Shelley realised who, or rather what, they thought she was.
“I’m not one of your characters! Please! You have to listen- my name is Shelley Hennessey, and I just came to relax for a while in the library. I’m just a regular kid from school. Look- look, my uniform”- Shelley looked down at her clothes. She knew she was wearing a checked navy skirt and a plain white shirt. But what she saw instead was a pale blue summer dress with a white collar.
“Think again girlie.”
“I’m not a character! I’m not Alice! I’m not!”
“Oh yeah- then what’s that on your hand?” The lady pointed to a barcode stamped on the back of both hands. “Come with us now.” They dragged her into the dark room.
“NOOOOOO…”

She jerked her head up despite her aching back and neck. Where was she? Shelley glanced this way and that, looking for the librarians, but there was nobody around. Shelley checked her hands- no barcodes. Whew! She looked down at herself. Shelley had never been so happy to see her stained shirt and wet skirt- she was herself, still the same old short redhead with freckles, braces and a pair of huge glasses. Oh no, her glasses, where were her glasses? She began searching through her bag when the librarian called out that it was closing time.
“Drat,” she cursed quietly, Mum would kill her for losing her glasses again. And as though conjured by though, Shelley’s mum appeared in the library, searching for her no doubt.
“Mum!” Shelley called out, “Thanks for coming, I’ve had a really rough day and the wildest dream…”

THE END

Recognise the story, Emu?
And what say you, the rest of my mateys??

Ashes In Agony

2005-07-21T16:13:00.000+10:00

How many of you have been wondering at the absence of Ashes? Yes- most of you, as I had guessed. Well, let me give you the nitty-gritty, sometimes tedious and sometimes gross details of Ash in agony.

I can't quite remember how long ago it started... maybe 3/4 days ago?? Well anyway- let's say 3/4 days ago- Ash awoke complaining of a sore stomach. No biggie, right? Many things can cause a mild stomach ache. However, it soon became evident that this was not just a "mild" ache...
After a few hours of sitting/ lying around, Ash made a mad dash into the bathroom and up-chucked the contents of her shomach. Poor thing was retching violently for what seemed to me like forever (it was maybe 2 mins. in total). Anyway, so there I was, being shouted at to "Bring a glass of water!", and trying not to retch myself. Lordy, the worst thing when someone else is being sick is that I can't go to help them because I feel ill myself. Well anyway, I braved it, and fetched the much needed glass of water... all the while swallowing and trying not to hear the retching.

We all thought it was a one-off thing, but boy were we wrong. That night (or perhaps it was the night after), matters became much worse, when Ash apparently vomited blood- I don't know how much of that is true, I wasn't there to see it. So, the next morning, she was bundled up and rushed off to the doctors the next morning... only to come back with no medication. And the doctor's verdict? It's only a viral infection of some kind (note the sarcasm), and if it doesn't get better within the week, then she would be prescribed medication.
Meanwhile, Mum is trying to feed her & fatten 'er up, so that her hollowed cheeks and eyes can take on some flesh and semblance of life. Ash being Ash, is a very light & extremely picky eater, who can smell the difference between chicken cooked with chilli and chicken cooked without. So, she resists and definitely avoids eating (and even drinking) as much as possible.

What a predicament! How can one expect to get better with no food or water in their system?? She's already lost quite a lot of weight, but if this continues, I wonder if anything will remain of her. And Ash calls herself a scientist! She should know the benefits of food and water!!

This, mateys, is my perspective on Ash's debilitating condition... Lord only knows what she has to say about it.

The Reunion & the Royal Mail

2005-07-15T19:18:00.000+10:00

Thursday was the day... that day- the day I'd been waiting for. I don't know what happened- perhaps it was too much exictement?- but I slept in. Oops. Being late for a hang-out with a few mates is no biggie... normally, but considering that I had to catch one of Howard's unreliable trains and almost 2 hrs. to get where I wanted to go... well, then it's clearly a problem. Not to worry, though- I made it... late. Now, you may be wondering- what exactly have I made it to?

...The Reunion of course!
Just under 20 girls dragged themselves from whatever corner of Sydney, to Rab'z place with food, gifts and expectations of the time of our lives. I walked in, and straight away saw before me a display of colours, makeup and jewellery... well, what did I expect? Where there's a gathering of girls, there's a gathering of all forms of clothes, hair, makeup... you name it- they had it. Poor Ifafa Apu wasn't expecting a display of their peacock feathers, so it may have been a slight shock for her, but I came well shielded- after all, these were the friends I'd spent a good part of my developing period with. However, I did discover that I have a new-found phobia: CONTACTS. That one comes after my phobia of bees and pink. I shudder wehn I recall the pain with which poor Princess was attempting to lodge foreign material into her eyes. I blame Ishi for starting this craze- I could handle a first glance at her new grey eyes, but she sure did scare me with her big-eyed stares. The results were stunning, of course... beauty queens left, right and centre.
In any case, by the time all hair and makeup was done up to satisfaction, stomachs were rumbling. So, without further ado, lunch was served. Mmmm... Nihari and Biryani
and loads of food... it was nothing short of food mania!
Time was running away from us, so we moved onto the main events of the day. We played a couple of games- Princess went home with a little gift, and our gracious host got lucky as well. Everyone else was satisfied with the "thankyou for coming" gifts. Personally, I learnt a few surprising little tidbits about these friends of mine. Apparently, Rabz has a secret obsession (well, it was secret)... barbie dolls! Did I hear correctly? Did she really confess to having an obsession with barbies? And a newish friend of mine apparently once gave a speech on toes. What the??!! Help me out here, girls... what else did we learn about our friends??
It was great catching up with Nahid. Lordy, that girl hasn't changed a bit (thankfully)! Do you know what was the funniest? Her convo. with M. Apu on the phone. HAHAHA! Obviously M. Apu was feeling left out and saddened because she hadnt come to the reunion, so she called up to chat with a few of us. Straight away they became ol' bumchums, though they'd never actually met face-to-face. How about you recall the very interesting convo for us, M. Apu?
What else happened? Oh yeah... the video. We took like 3hrs worth of footage during our last week or so at school, and Ishi cut it down to about 15 mins of hularity and embarassment and nostalgic moments. Then there was the little play-acting thing... the funiest was the "Hidden Romance" scene- all about the inseperable Upi & Ship. Oh, and how could I forget our Victorian-age royalty, Emu... and Anika- the very epitome of Bangali bimbo-ness.
What, oh what, would I have done without these friends of mine??
Well, the day ended nicely with a "horror"movie- The Ring 2. Let me tell you- these girls would be scared by a cute little kitty if it bared its claws. The movie was so not scary that I nearly fell asleep- it was morelike a nice little bedtime story. Ishi, Ifafa Apu, Emu and Princess were huddled together up in front, rabz , Hasnat and her Mum sat on one side, I was on another and Upi, Omi and Nahid were seated on the sofa at the back. It was during this one scene (do you remember which Ishi?) that the three girls sitting on the sofa screamed bloody murder... in sync. Lordy what a racket. And Hasnat- the cutey of the day- saw his opportunity to blab... the movie became even more tedious as Hasnat had already told everyone what was goign to happen (even though Rabz was practically stuffing her fist into his mouth). He's such a cutey!

So, having finished the movie (of which only the last scene was any good), Princess, Ifafa Apu, Emu & I realised that we were the only ones left. Hauling our behinds off those comfy seats, we made our way to Emu's place, where Princess, Ifafa Pu and I were to spend the night. All four of us were drained, totally... yet we managed to stay up late. Ifafa Apu was first to go, followed by princess, who was planning to leave at the godforsaken hour of 8:00 AM or thereabouts. I finally dropped off at 3AM, and I don't think Emu slept at all. What a night...

Anyway, the next day, Ifafa Apu and I were homeward bound (with Ishi tagging along) at 12-ish (PM), having devoured more yummy food, chatting, and waiting for Ishi's arrival. A very exhausted and haggard Flynn reached homeat 2PM, only to find a nice little surprise waiting for her...
Royal Mail! That's what it has stamped on the front. And what, you may ask, is this royal mail?It was our invitation to Mr&Mrs. C's wedding (Mrs. C is my cousing, so I suppose I shall have to start calling Mr. C dulabhai or sum such foreign title, right?) Oh, and to my surprise, the "C" in Mr. and Mrs. C represents the same last name as mine- spelt exactly the same way... I was a bit surprised. Flynn would love to go, but their country of residence is the one and only Ice Palace Land, and the timing is not good for me- smack bang in the middle of Uni season. (*sigh*) There's bound to be a lot of hype... if only I could have been there. PS- I expect some photos, Mad Cow.

Here I shall end... my fingers hurt from the typing... and good luck to you all- this is perhaps the longest of my posts.

Episode 2

2005-07-13T14:47:00.000+10:00

Have I ever mentioned how much I hate shopping? I'm sure that Ifafa Apu would agree with me that shopping has to be the worst way to pass time! Argh! The head aches, the legs feel weak from so much walking and eyes begin to sting while vision gradually deteriorates. Eventually, the colours just mesh into one very psychadelic and very 60's/70's scene before my eyes. Righto, time to explain my aversion to the dreaded shopping.

Episode two of the Tale of Two Cities began on Sunday, when I, along with the rest of my family, headed down to the region of the Emus residing on the Plains. Princess was expecting a full house, and we were one of the first to arrive, bright and early. Well, anyway, to cut a long story short- we ate a royal feast for lunch (provided by the Princess herself), chitchat for a while until it was time to leave. Meanwhile, we dragged Ifafa Apu along with us, and brought her down to our city. (I have just thought of an interesting name for her..."She of the perfect teeth"- lol... what do you reckon, my mateys?).

The plan was that a bunch of us would meet up for lunch, since we hadn't seen each other in a long time... but circumtances and fate were against us, so lunch was cancelled. Poor Ash, she tried so hard to make it work. Well, with lunch out of the way, Ifafa Apu and I found ourselves with time enough on our hands to do some shopping (not for fun, mind you... it was all necessary business). Down we went with our list and our budget and our time limit (2hrs wasn't it?). Boy, oh boy... who knew shopping for a few measly items for a few little kids could take so much time and drain us of so much energy? But- we set out with a goal, and accomplish it we did. Thank god for that... I can't imagine going shopping again!

I don't want to give you all the impression that I had it tough. Poor Ifafa Apu was worse off. Apparently, she had to go home... before dark. No matter how much we tried, she was a stubborn little thing, and refused to remain a night longer (with the feeble excuse that she had to work... or was it a dental appointment?). Stubborn or not, we shall kidnap you soon enough... only this time, your sisters shall be kidnapped with you!

Right after she left, I began to feel lightheaded and slightly disoriented... signs of another clod/ flu/ viral infection. If you're thinking "uh-oh", you'd be thinking along the right lines. Tomorrow is to be a busy, and undoubtedly fun-filled day, what with the reunion and the staying over at Emu's. Now, Emu herself is sick... so I reckon we won't make a bad pair, the two of us... we shall just have to put her poor Mum through the torture of two sick brats.
My illness becomes more and more cumbersome... when I think about the tiring work ahead of me on Saturday, I fear that I might ot survive the onslaught of people. My main concern, at the moment, is not my fever nor my sore throat, but that I might have to take pills. Ugh! Medication... down my throat... someone save me from the horror!

History Must not Remain a Mystery!

2005-07-08T17:50:00.000+10:00

'Tis a shame that I could not have lived throgh the past century, as a simple Watcher- absorbing the sights, the human follies, foibles and fantastic achievements... and yes, I would be willing to bear witness to the death, desecration and madness as well. You may all call it another one of Flynn's fantasies... you would be right in doing so.

I cannot explain what has brought on this need for me make tangible part of the history of humanity- the part that I have within my reach. That is, I have an idea. Actually, I've had this idea for a long time, but events have deemed it almost impossible for me to play with and pick at this idea of mine. What, you all ask, is this brilliant idea of mine?? Now, bevore I digress and divulge, let me ask you all to ponder upon certain points.

Is it not a part of human nature for us all to find somewhere- that unique niche- where we all "fit in", where we belong (to use the cliche terms)? And what is the most important factor that influences, or rather, moulds this niche? It is, of course, our family. Would you not agree that we should all, at the very least, be aware of our roots, our ancestry?
To be sure, it is unlike Flynn to be thinking of roots and niches and fitting in. Normally Flynn is too absorbed in... well- other things. However, one thing Flynn loves to do is write (well, that and talk). As for this brilliant idea of mine- it is this:

I would like to attempt to write down the history of my family... that is- not just my siblings and my parents, but beyond that. I would like to write, using pen and paper (or Microsoft Word), the antics of my Mum's and Dad's siblings, and their families- who they were/are, what they were/are like (from my parents' perspectives, of course), what they have/ had done and everything in between. I tell you, this is no simple matter, especially since my Mum's family alone consists of a total of 8 siblings (not including her), my Dad's family is a mystery to me- for the most part; and I have not seen most of my relatives for ten years (or maybe more).

However, this project of mine is bound to be rife with problems. My first and most cumbersome problem... my parents refuse to co-operate.
So... how to jump over this impossibly high hurdle??

A Tale Of Two Cities

2005-07-02T23:10:00.000+10:00

Here begins the tale of two cities... one being the City of Caterbury, and the other being the City of Penrith... and both within the city of Sydney! (Confused, are we??)

So many highlights, yet so little time and space. Right-o, let's try to imbue some sense of normalcy here, shall we?
Friday morning greeted Flynn with no rain!! Fantastic! After a week of those detestable, but much needed, downpours, the rain finally relented... and just in time for my trip to the other end of the universe (almost). It was to be a long and possibly arduous journey to the house of my mateys, but I am not one to begrudge a fun day out (or in) with friends, so there I was, at the ridiculous hour of 8:30 AM, waiting for my train to arrive. And arrive it did, but 10 mins late (typical of CityRail and the Howard government). At any rate, my first train ride was simply a bore, but the life and times of Flynn took a turn for the better when I met up with Ishi and Emu at Liverpool station. To my utter surpirse, Emu pulled out her knitting gear... and began knit-knitting away. Not to worry mateys, it was all for a good cause... she was knitting a scarf (fluffy, red and warm) for little Radia. Typical Emu...

Well, we arrived at the house of M. Apu, Ifafa Apu, Uknowwho Apu, and Radia right on schedule... and in time for a gruelling hour of tennis, but not before the missing person arrived. 12 PM hailed tennis hour, and luckily, our Princess arrived (but was clueless about tennis).
The mad rush and digging through closets for suitable attire was quite a sight... but we got ready in time, and headed out. Fun, fun fun... right? Thank all lollies, gollies and mollies that there were no spectators, else I may have had to cover my head with a paper bag for the rest of my days. We played so atrociously that in the end, we all gave up and invented our own "rules". The volleying and serving (if you can call it that) was so bad that poor Radia frequently dashed outside the high-fenced court to retrieve tennis balls Flynn had hit with a tad too much enthusiasm. What a sight, oh what a sight! Racquets and arms flailing about, balls flying up, down, left, right and centre... Flynn nearly started and intercourt match as well! All in all, it was an amazing display of how inept we are with a racquet and a ball.

Sadly, Ishi had other plans for the night, so she and Emu left in a mad rush only an hour after tennis... Princess followed suite shortly thereafter. Unfortunately for M. Apu and her sisters (not to metion their poor Mum), Flynn was to linger on for a while longer. Snowman was to pay them a visit that night... Radia and Snowman being mates and all... so, Snowman requsted that I stay with her. Little did I know that one night would turn into two and two into three... how they put up with me is unfathomable! But, Flynn thanks ye lot muchly for yer hospitality (and so do Snowman and me folks, of course)!

So, Flynn spent a luxurious 3 days with nothing to do but relax and eat the delicacies served by her excellent and numerous hosts. There was never a lack of words to say or things to do... hence our late nights: 2:30 AM was bedtime the first night and 1:40 AM the second night. So, it's no great wonder that Flynn has become somewhat more absent minded now. I should give you all a glimpse of how I whiled away my 3 days, but I can't seem to recall much of anything right at this moment...

Snowman and Radia picked 40... that's right 40- yellow, ripe lemons from their lemon tree. Hours of fun, according to Snoman and Radia, but don't ask me why. My only question is, what on earth are you lot going to do with all those lemons, M. Apu?? We watched Madagascar and Garfield (the movie)... both entertaining, but not my cuppa tea. I guess the 2 little squrts enjoyed it, so it's all worth it, right? So many things happened in such a short time! You can't blame me for forgetting all the little details. Help me out here, M. Apu... relate some little incidents I have neglected to mention.

For now, I believe this blog is suffieciently lengthy to bore you all, so I shall end here, but only until I can remember further details of my stay in the City of Penrith. So, here ends yet another episode of Flynn's rants... "Cheers and Peace!" to all my blogger-mateys (and some visitors in between).

The introductions continue... Hold the drum roll, please

2005-06-27T20:57:00.000+10:00

As promised, here I now introduce my Aussie mateys:

Let's begin with the yongest and the most melted, shall we?

Snowman: Yes, for those who've tried soo hard to re-freeze our melted Snowman (ie- Ishi, Dagz, Ash), sadly it is time we faced the facts of life... Snowman ain't comin' back ladies and germs... at least not in the near and forseeable future. But for the benefit of our new Ice Palace Landers (yes, that's right Dazey- Flynnism, indeed), let's recap on what Snowman used to be like. She's the youngest of the bunch, and is currently suffering through her junior years at high school- poor girl, she won't survive unscathed. Not to worry too much, she goes to a great school, am I right Ishi and Emu??
Speaking of Emu and Ishi...

Ishi: This here is the sensitive girl of the gang, and a friend of mine from high school. Miraculously, we also go to the same Uni, although don't let yourselves be fooled into thinking that we bump into each other all that frequently... we don't. What else does one associate with Ishi? Ah yes, how could I forget? She also bears the nickmane "Brain" (a title given to her by Flynn) because that's what she is (and don't believe her if she says otherwise...she must try to be modest, you know?)

Emu/ Bump (but mostly Emu): Now, an apt description of Emu is written in my link... yes she of the enigmatic, and telepathic talents... that's our Emu. How she does it I really do not know... but that fact that she confounds and frustrates me is true. And hence, the reason we are friends. (which reminds me- I should probably mention that she is another friend of mine from high school). Her nickname, Emu, was also bestowed on her by Flynn. Should I write the full version, Emu? She happens to be the one with the many peculiar quirks (and I don't mean that in an offensive way at all, just so we're all clear on that...).

Dagz (who has resurfaced once again!): Daggy is another who is still suffering through her senior high school years... we all feel for you Dagz, but the worst has not yet come for you... one more year to go. She hardly ever blogs, but when she does, it's usually a good laugh. And in case you hadn't noticed, she does tend to get hyperactive.

Ash: What can I say? Ash is Ash... there is no other like her- am I right? I mean, really, how many people LOVE to grow/ culture bacteria and then analyse the horrid little things?! Not to worry Ash, we all have our quirks... It's no wonder that Miss Doe calls her "the scientist"... a mad scientist at that (note the pun on the word "mad")! Ah well, you are what you are Ash... but sometimes, you say/ do the strangest things! Possibly, your best quality is your apparent flair for concocting all sorts of weird and wonderful words (eg- Learic madness, Digitopia, Flynnland, etc, etc, etc... but not "riddle me piddle"!!).

Miss Doe (also "the sensible maniac"- hehe... love the oxymoron) : Dazey knows Miss Doe, probably a lot better than myself, so I shall keep this short and sweet. Actually, I really don't know what to write about Miss Doe- she's smart, but then so are the rest of you lot. Well, I haven't spoken to her in a very long time... I think. Oh dear, Miss Doe, I believe I am forgetting what you look like... see? We really should get together before your face completely vanishes from my hippocampus! Before I forget- she and Ash go to the same Uni... and are the same age... and erm- that's all I can think of (except maybe Miss Doe is secretly suffering from depression or marriage syndrome or the like... You should find out, Ash). (PS: only joking about that forgetting your face part ... ... ... what? I am! Really!!)

Nira (aka "Ye Olde and Wise One"): Yes, she is what you all believe her to be- the "boss" of the bunch... ok- maybe boss isn't quite the right word, eh M. Apu?? What I mean is that she is one of the Elders (including Miss Doe and Ash). Unfortunately, she shares many of Flynn's "lost" qualities... yes, that's right, she too is forgetful, slightly disorganised and loves to procrastinate.

And I think here I shall finish off introducing the friends of mine. Enjoy the read!

NB: I give up, I'm coming up with my own envoi! Evidently "Riddle me Piddle" is the best you lot can come up with... sorely disappointed and shocked, is Flynn.

Introducing... (drum roll please)

2005-06-24T12:59:00.000+10:00

Ahem... anouncements a-plenty here:

1) Tomorrow, although it is a Saturday, is the official last day of this semester, for Flynn- i.e. me! Downside: It's Saturday tomorrow, and I have my last e**m early tomorrow morning!! (*groaning in physical pain*). Upside: Only ONE more horrid e**m to get through!!

2) Here are the introductions of all my blogger buddies- old blogger-mateys meet the new blogger-mateys from half-way around the world and back:
Mad Cow (aka BSE... what exactly does that stand for??): She is a cousin (from my mum's side), who is as old as I am (but, not to worry Ash, she happens to be a tad more mature)... currently suffering from the torture sessions most of us are very familiar with. Note: Add a cup of hilarious, 1/2 cup of madness, a pinch of peculiarity and another of cow... and you've got yourlelf the "manytailsofamadcow"... well done mad cow!!

Dazey on a Spongecake: Recently... very recently, I discovered a NEW relative! Presenting... Dazey on a Spongecake! Now, I know we're related (don't ask me to exlpain the technicalities... I have no idea); I also know that she is another one from Ice-Palace Land (that's UK, for all who hadn't yet guessed). Apologies, but haven't had a chance to properly read through yer blog yet, Dazey (and Ash, I have permission... check the comments on the post subjacent to this one). Interestingly enough, she happens to know our own Miss Doe! Connections, connections... how small the world has become.

This post shall continue, but not for one more day (so hold on to yer pants), for I must be dashing off now...
(I really need that envoi- why won't somebody suggest one for me?? "Riddle me Piddle" is the only suggestion I've had so far (*puke*)... now, I know you lot can do a lot better! So hop to it my mateys!)

Unknow, but Free: New and Improved!

2005-06-21T22:40:00.000+10:00

*Middle of my marathon, but taking a breather*:

So how do you all like the new look?? Fabulous or fabulicious?
And its Blue!!

If any of you have problems with my linking to your blogs, then speak now or forever hold your peace...

Right-o, that's enough from my lazy corner! Still praying for all those afflicted with "Exam Syndrome" (borrowed terminology from Miss Doe- it's not copyright, is it??).
Looking forward to opinions of the blogger-mateys!

Must be buzzing off now if I am to survive the Calculus (*shudder*) exam tomorrow...

My Marathon Madness

2005-06-18T23:23:00.000+10:00

And so it begins- the five-day marathon…

Come Monday morning, I shall begin my torture sessions… 3hrs worth of Chemistry, them 3 hrs of Math (both Algebra and Calculus), 2.5 hrs of Psychology (possibly the only non-torture session)…and finishing up with a 3 hr torture session on Physics- except this one shall be even more torturous because it is on a Saturday morning!

Well, this all spells “doom” for me, but I shall attempt to maintain an air of optimism (*coughs and clears throat*...yeah right). Well, I shall survive, at least…right?

Ah well, that be the life I lead…Cest La Vie (as a certain Fish-for-Brains loves to say).
Until lots later… wish me “survival”!

Power of Procrastination?!

2005-06-12T12:35:00.000+10:00

There's no place like my dreams.
There's no place like my dreams.
There's no place like my dreams...

Have I ever mentioned that Flynn is the ultimate queen of procrastination? No? Well, let me tell you of my progress of late...
Here is Flynn, in desperate need of some serious downloading of information in the database upstairs. Do not imagine, fellow bloggers, that Flynn is in fact doing just that. She is so far from it that it would cause yet another one of Ash's cardiac arrests. You ask, is Flynn not pulling out her hair in aggravation and stress? Well, no- not exactly...
If you know Flynn, you know that she is in fact basking away in her imaginary sunlit beach and dreaming of her plans for the up and coming winter break (canNOT wait!).

Speaking of the holidays... here I must mention the reason why Flynn is excitement itself! I am the epitome of all excitement! I am so jubilant that I now know what it means to be on a high 24/7- ok it's not that good. I'm just over dramatising here. Actually, I had better tell you all what it is that has caused me to float on cloud nine- it is The Reunion. The one and only- the one in which I shall see all those wonderful friends of mine from our high school days... after years, yes that's right, years of separation. Oh, it shall be a poignant and joyous occassion- especially since we plan to watch the video we shot during our last week of school. Well, until next time, my friends! (Hmm, I must conjure up an envoi for myself...any suggestions?)

Oh, the dreary and desolate days to come

2005-05-30T23:13:00.000+10:00

Yes, pray for me people...in fact, why don't you all just pray with me?!

The exams...those detestable, repugnent e***s, are looming in the horizon, like dark, stormy clouds that portend doom. Doom, I say!
D-O-O-M!
Alright, alright- I can see you all getting your respective waepons out to murder me and put a stop to my depressive rants. Well, since I have been forbidden to write about my incidents on trains, I shall just have to rant and rave all I want about "that which should not be named" (and no, it isn't Voldemort, for all you Harry Potter manics.)

Now why, you all wonder, am I so despondent about e***s (it is synonymous to a swear word, to me anyway, so I refuse to write it!)? The reason is, my friends, that I have never been particularly good at the preparation part of the whole scenario. The acutal sitting and writing is a breeze, but all that comes before...well, let me just say that I don't know how we human beings survive!

This week shall be one of torute and unimaginable horror- what, with all those essays and assignments and quizzes and e***s, and need I go on? And more complaints about blasted titrations! I sincerely hope that this is the last week I'll have to titrate...for life! It is painful, but I've already told you all about my lab sessions, so here ends all complaints of labs.

Now, I shall end with how I began: pray for me people...I shall certainly be pestering the Divine One with all my prayers to do well...please, please, PLEASE!! Else, I shall never hear the end of it from a certain group of peple I refer to as my family. (*sigh*) Must be buzzing off now...

Those blasted trains! Is my nose still on my face?

2005-05-26T11:42:00.000+10:00

I believe it has been long enough...yes, my abstinence has been well taken, I see. I have not been negligent, in fact, some would hold the opinion that I am obsessed with blogging. Well, I can tell you, that those who hold such opinions are also those who are obsessed with a certain website that has become the bane of Ash's existence.

Now, as for the goings-on of my pathetically (or perhaps, comfortably) mundane existance. Tuesdays make a very perturbed and haggard Flynn want to sleep through entire days, especially those involving 3hr lab sessions. Now, I know I have complained of this already, but I feel that my complaints have not done justice to the torturous hours I spend in the name of science. Anyway, what I find truly amazing is that, while in chemistry lab doing my titrations (tedious, I know), I spilled not one drop of chemical, not one glass pipette or conical flask slipped from my hands...in short, I was working wonders! Yes, fellow bloggers, congratulate your otherwise clumsy Flynn...Now, by the time lab finished, it was quite dark and dismal outside and Flynn did not feel like catching a train all the way back home. (As if there were any other options). The arduous journey back home was made worse...a hundred times worse... by the presence of one very worn out and odour dispensing team of school kids back from a footy game or perhaps it was an athletics carnival. Oh, dear...I feared that my nose would surely melt into my face or just plain fall off altogether.

My dear friends, I do not claim to understand why destiny holds that most of my train rides are to be...shall we say interesting? The vile stench, reek, deathly smell of a mix of sulphurous smoke and BO combined would have made the hardiest of men keel over right then and there. But all other passangers survived...somehow. Luckily, these school kids, being very late as it were, got off 3 stops later. And so, we all breathed a breath of relief, although traces of the putrscence remained.

And here I shall end my blabbering, for I must now hurry and catch that Chemistry lecture!
Goodbye all, and enjoy yourselves while there is no stench near you.

Prune-toes

2005-05-17T20:24:00.000+10:00

You know, they don't advertise this weather of ours for a reason.

I was on my merry way to the city...the sun was up with not a single cloud to mar the sky blue dome above me. Now, who would have expected that while I sat, unaware and nauseous in my lab, the perfect blue dome had decided to invite clouds to start a new party in the sky! Well hooray, you all say! We need this rain, you say. Well guess what my oblivious friends? You got more than you bargained for! Not only was there torrential rain, but it began to hail! Hail, I tell you, H-A-I-L! (ok- permit this bit of exaggeration, it adds to the drama of my story).

I was none too happy (to say the least), dressed in my long , loose and baggy jeans, a pair of joggers so worn out they have holes (!); not to mention the fact that I did not forsee the need for an umbrella. Not that the umbrellas were of much use...I saw one after another breaking and bending and generally becoming useless after being pummeled by hailstones the size of golfballs. (Ok- I'm exaggerating there.) But seriously, it was like a domino effect! One by one, the umbrellas were going down...I couldn't count how many were in all the bins I passed!

And so I cam home with pruned toes, a numb nose, and clothes that were so heavy they might have fallen off. I wonder if I'll have to go on anti-biotics?

2005-05-14T16:01:00.000+10:00

something about a lost angel

das Es, das Ich, das Uber-Ich

2005-05-12T11:44:00.000+10:00

The Id, the Ego and the Super-ego:

Freudian psychoanalysis...
I just had my Personality Theories lecture, focusing on Freud and his theory of personality. Apparently, his main subject was himself. He frequently studied and analysed his dreams, came up with a theory, then generalised, and applied the general theory to the whole population.

According to Freud, humans have a constant conflict between their Id and their Superego, i.e.- thier desires are always in conflict with their morals. And our defense mecahnisms? Sublimation: desires chanelled into more socially acceptable forms of behaviour. (How does that explain sadomasochism??)And the fact that his theories overemphasis certain bodily functions...what does that say about his dreams??If you asked me, I would say that his should be termed the "Psycho", not the "Psychodynamic", approach.

Hmmm... I wonder if I should go to my Chem lecture?

Breathing space.

2005-05-11T23:24:00.000+10:00

Greetings of peace to all (don’t worry, I haven’t turned into Buster Baxter!)

BUT, I salute you all and congratulate you on dumping “Skye”, whom we shall no longer see or hear from. Get used to Flynn (me) because she is now the replacement.
So. I realize that I have been negligent of late, but I will try to improve myself.

The latest updates on me, myself, and my life:

Weekend: The whole, horrible, sleepless weekend was spent in completing my essay for psychology. It is now done, finished, over, gone, and handed in! Congratulate me! YAY!!

Monday: A sleep deprived, zombie-like Flynn made her way to her lectures, but not before almost drifting into oblivion during her Calculus tutorial (I can honestly say that math is a totally new language for me, a prehistoric, ambiguous and useless language at that).

Tuesday: Uni timetable was/is horrible for Tuesdays. 9-5!! I am not a full-time worker! I protest! The agony of standing in lab for 3 hours! Non-stop play with chemicals and gases! Althoug, I have to admit, liquid Nitrogen was the best...I froze my pencil, was dared to freeze my finger, but I wasn't sure if it would do any permanent damage, so I chickened out.

Wednesday: was attacked by a mob of propaganda-spreading, paper-dispensing, screaming and shouting students who were running for the Union! They all said "Vote for ME!" And their primary inducement? "You'll get a free Chupachup if you vote!" They needed to sink that low in order to get first years' votes. So, I manouvered myself around the less commonly used routes in campus so as to avoid all propaganda-spreaders and paper-dispensers. This resulted in more walking, but in the end it was worth it. Also, I had another 3hour lab (I am telling you all, these labs are health hazards!) Ok- it wasn't too bad, we got to play with really cool race cars! (Investigating collisions). Last thing: met a long lost friend on the train!

Right-o: I thnink that about sums up everything I wanted to say in the space of 1000 words or less.

when life directs another interesting dish my way, I'll let you all know.
Cheers all, and good night!

Like flies to wanton boys are we to the gods, they kill us for their sport...

2005-05-06T16:10:00.000+10:00

I wrote this once, a long, long time ago, when I actually had time and energy to philosophise:

"Time and space eventually cease to matter when you begin to question
yourself.What is it that prevents me from perceiving what someone else believes
to be crystal clear?Why is it that freedom and truth and beauty are allowed to
become a commodity, when so many of us suffer from the lack- or rather, believe
that we suffer from a lack of it?"

But I think the most important question is: Who's going to answer my questions?

Well, that's enough for one day, I think. And it is not 7:35 AM, it's past 1 AM (May 6th)!How do I change the timing on my blogs? Where in the world is it 7:35 AM now?Better buzz off now...g'night all.I won't be up until at least 10 tomorrow morning, so don't call me any sooner.

More about the “Interesting” People

2005-04-17T22:05:00.000+10:00

Ok-so where was I??Ahhh, yes...the train had just stopped...

So this Krishna man- he's just as bewildered as the rest of us, but he pretends he is no longer a non-Buddhist, but a rescue officer of some kind.He yells something like:
"Don't worry everybody- this bloke's got himself a certificate in first aid!"
The "bloke" he was refering to happened to be fast asleep with not inkling as to the goings-on in the train.

Well anyway- mortified and embarrased as I was- there was more to come. The Air-con stopped!! And I was wearing this thick-as coat, which I had absolutely no way of taking off as I was kind of squased in between 5 other people.

Ok- so you all think its over, but it's actually not!
Miraculously, the train starts again. Whew!! (*deep sigh of relief*).So the non-Buddhist-wannabe-rescue-officer-Krishna-man sits himself down again. And so began his story of how he imagines oz to be a coutry of fantasies...I'm thinking: Fantasies??!!?
Somehow I survived the next 5 minutes.

Finally...the good news: He was getting off!!!But not before a final scene.As he left his seat, he yelled out to an old lady all the way on the other side of the carriage:
"Excuse me! Excuse me madam...you can sit down now... I'm getting off!"T
he lady was hesitant (obviously), since she would have had to jump over ten other people just to make her way across to the seat.But of course (ok- I have to admit, he was doing a nice thing- its just the way he went about doing the nice thing that was really ... well, wierd) he escorted her back to his seat. And by escort I mean, he trampled over all ten others who were unlucky enough to be standing in that carriage on that day.

There's my story...Now, advise me: how would you react to someone like that??!!??