Storm In A Teacup

All important, trivial and unnecessary things, all at once. Enjoy! Disclaimer: I don't seek for anyone's validation on any of my posts. Cheers!

[fnabila]

This year's Eid was different, far from home. Although it was the same for everyone else, away from their loved ones. In the midst of this pandemic, lockdown and exams marathon, I was blessed to be able to celebrate the day with some of the loveliest possible companies. Who shared the same excitement and were willing to stay up all night preparing those traditional lebaran dishes and cookies. Whom I could perform ied and goler2an di rumput with in that perfect sunny weather. So this year's Eid was an anomaly, but I got a breeze of normalcy/familiarity. And that's enough for now🙏 https://www.instagram.com/p/CA-BF_LBNoD/?igshid=5b7ji0iqljku

[fnabila]

Self-Reminder

Next time I feel like whining or complaining about my situation, I hope I could be reminded of:

- How bad I wanted to be in this position days, months or years ago and how happy I would feel to know that I could be in this position, back then.

- How desperate others wanted to be in my position today and how happy it would make them feel to know that they could have the same/similar opportunity as I’m having today.

- How offensive it would be for those people to hear about me complaining about my situation and how hurtful it would be for me if it was the other way around. 

Then instead of whining/complaining, I should be grateful. I will remember all those things that I should be thankful for. That this hardship is nothing but the fruit of my own action and choice. That my hardship is just a small pebble that I can kick aside. That I can handle this. And that Allah will always be with me and help me, if I could just remember to be grateful.

[fnabila]

October 26, 2019

I lost my phone. My relatively new phone that I bought in September. HAHAHA. Someone stole it in Fortnum & Mason, Picadilly Circus. I mean, out of all places, really?????

[fnabila]

First Day of School

School officially starts again today, Monday, September 30, 2019.

I was honestly really excited to start the day. I’ve been dealing with issues and dramas in securing a flat to live (which, at this point of time, is REALLY concerning), and so, the thought of going to classes made me happy and gave me some sense of normalcy.

Anyway, I had three back to back classes today since 11 am up to 8 pm, from International Trade Law, Carriage of Goods by Sea and Legal Aspects of International law. I am very satisfied with my first two classes. I enjoyed the classes and I love the fact that I get to learn something that I would never learn otherwise back in Jakarta, Indonesia.The last class was a bit of a challenge for me. Tbh, finance and banking related matters have never piqued my interest before, but at the same time, I know that having more understanding on those subjects would be very useful to me.... moreover if I were to continue working as a corporate lawyer, again heuheuheuheuheuheuehu soooo yeah.

I’m looking forward to my next class on Friday (yes, you read that right. I only have classes on Monday and Friday!!!----yep, that means, in general, I would not have a long weekend) !!!

[fnabila]

April 30, 2019

I hope this is a sign. I hope everything falls into place this time around. 

[fnabila]

Maybe it was a sign, or maybe it was not a sign and everything was just one big coincident, but thankfully everything fell into place, right as I dreamed it to be.

I made this post after I read the sudden announcement from LPDP that they suddenly opened another round of selection, and that those who already had an LOA by the time of the registration could start their study by September, at the earliest. I had an LOA. The timing was just perfect.

A LOT HAPPENED, but to sum up here’s how things went down:

- I registered to LPDP selection;

- I took another IELTS test, since my previous certificate would be expired by July 2019;

- I processed the deferral of deposit from UCL;

- Learnt from past experiences, I took courses (emphasise on the plural form) to prepare my self for the potential academic test (TPA);

- Passed the TPA;

- A mishap occurred. I almost missed my chance to be interviewed in the next stage of the selection. Fought my way and got the interview;

- Passed the interview and selected as LPDP Awardee :)

- PK 126

- Processed the visa and all of the administrational stuffs that follow (including those with le office);

- Bought a one way ticket to where I am now: LONDON <3

I could made a detailed post about this, or my journey to get to this point, but honestly, that would be waaay too long. So maybe.....  maybe, if I have the time and actually feel like it, I would write about it.

Cheers,

Nabila.

September 2019

[fnabila]

Fudgy Brownies (Very First Attempt)

People may not believe it, but I used to bake. I stopped doing it after I graduated from my university. I’d blame it on the lack of spare time, but I guess that’s just a lame excuse I made up in my head. Now, thanks to baking & cooking videos that showed up in my explore page in instagram, I am motivated to improve my baking skill and to pick up cooking as my new skill. HA HA. 

I’ve baked various flavour of cupcakes and its icings, based on the recipes from a book that my mom bought in Georgetown Cupcake’s store in DC called ‘Sweet Celebration’. I forgot where I put it the last time, I just assume that it’s gone. I also baked cinnamon rolls and its nice thick glaze with Uci, based on a random video we found in youtube. I don’t remember the exact video and I don’t feel like finding it either. So, to avoid similar scenarios in the future, I am determined to record and post my baking and cooking journey, here, in this very page.

Here goes my attempt to bake Fudgy Brownies (with a recipe from a random video in instagram).

INGREDIENTS:

- 8 ounces of chocolate (I used 1 dark chocolate Bar)

- 3/4 cup melted butter

- 1 1/4 cups of sugar

- 2 eggs

-2 teaspoons vanilla

- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour

- 1/4 cup cocoa powder

-1 teaspoon salt

Whenever I bake, I like to make sure that I have all of the ingredients ready by laying them all in the table. Honestly, for me, the preparation of the ingredients is a very challenging stage and usually takes a lot of time (and patience). A great tip that I’d like to keep in mind for the preparation of the ingredients is to ALWAYS SIFT powdery ingredients (i.e. flour, cocoa powder, sugar, etc) when you first measure them. Trust me, IT MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE. 

As for the butter, I found that you can prepare melted butter by manually melting it in the stove or having it melted instantly in microwave. The latter is very tempting, but I read that the taste of the melted butter is so much nicer when you have it melted in a stove instead of in a microwave. Anyway, if you decide to melt it in a stove, make sure that you melt it in a heavy saucepan over a medium low heat.

Once you have the ingredients ready, the first thing that you have to do is to preheat the oven to 350°F/180°C. 

Proceed to chop the chocolate bar into chucks, and divide the chunks into two parts. Melt the first half of the chunks and save the other half for later. I have this unfounded fear that the chunks could melt, so I save it in the fridge (probably very unnecessary, but I don’t care). Leave the melted chocolate to cool down.

Mix the butter and the sugar. Beat in the eggs and vanilla until the mixture has become fluffy and light in color. In this attempt, I made a mistake by using vanilla powder, instead of extract. I’m not sure if it actually affects the taste, but mine turned out just fine. Nevertheless, in my next attempt, I will make sure to use the extract.

Whisk in the melted chocolate (make sure the chocolate is not too hor, or else the eggs will cook), then sift in the flour, cocoa powder and salt. Incorporates the other half of the chocolate chunks into the batter.

Transfer the batter into the baking dish that has been covered with a baking paper. Bake for 20-25 minutes. Cool completely.

TA DAAAAAA!!!!!!

My biggest regret was that I over-baked the brownies for more than 30 minutes. Hence, you can see a bit of burnt sides in the edges of the brownies, but the rest of the brownies turned out to be just fine.

The recipe said that the brownies is meant to be served for 9 people, but there were only five people in my house who were lucky enough to taste it. They may be biased, but they assured me that it tasted great. Even the burnt edges tasted pretty alright. For reference, this is how much left of it within 2 (two) hours:

So, I guess, it really is nice? heheh.

If I were to make this again, I think I’m going to substitute some of the chocolate chunks with cheese chunks and to cover the top of the batter with shredded cheddar cheese before I put them in the oven. Such addition may be necessary to suppress the overwhelming chocolate sweetness in the brownies (which I believe comes from the chocolate chunks). 

Overall, not bad for a first attempt!

[sheikah]

Game of Thrones cast at the season one table read

[retrogamingblog]

Pokemon Embroidery Hoops made by IggyStarpup

[bakedpotatocouture]

[fnabila]

April 30, 2019

I hope this is a sign. I hope everything falls into place this time around. 

[fnabila]

The word ‘Logistics’ has never been this funny

I have a new roommate in the Office. I am not trying to exaggerate anything here but she is one of the richest girls I’ve ever known in my entire life. Her family owns several well-known and luxury hotels in Bali, (and just so happened to be one of the long-standing clients of the lawfirm where I’m working in). She is not the typical filthy rich kid, tho’. She is super nice, like genuinely nice. 

Being an unlikely personality of a humble crazy rich asian, I observe that she sees the world through a very innocent glasses. Innocent in a way that (I think) she does not realise there are people, at least, in mid-class society who may not be able to spend money as he wishes (simply because he doesn’t have THAT much money)

One time, we had this conversation which made me realise that we live in totally different worlds.

Me : I’m so tired. I wanna go home, I wanna go to the beach, I wanna go to Japan.

V : Me too! I think if I’m not promoted to a permanent position (she’s still in probation), I will travel all around the world... before I start applying again. (IN A VERY SERIOUS TONE)

Me : (laughs) (waiting for her to laugh or say something that indicates she was not serious) (not happening) Wow, I wish I could say the same.

V : (laughs innocently) (not knowing what’s wrong with her statement)

Me : I wish I could say ‘I’m so tired with this job. I wanna resign, then I wanna travel all around the world, before I start applying again”

V : (laughs innocently) you can just take a leave...

Me : sorry?

V : You know you can just take a leave right? You don’t have to resign...

Me : (LOL) You know my leave days is not the only problem right?

V : (laugh awkwardly) (obviously doesn’t have a clue)

Me : V, money is also a problem. (ROFL)

V : Oh, hahaha (laugh awkwardly)

We then got back to work, with my occasional tease about her being innocently oblivious. 

5 minutes later, in her attempt to justify her previous statement:

V : Nab, you know when I said I wanna travel the world... I didn’t think about the logistics!

[fnabila]

Back to square one

Why is it

That everytime

Every single time

I run

To the opposite direction

To, probably, the right direction

You and your words

Give a spurt of imaginary hope

Convinced me that I was wrong

Even when I knew I was right

Pulled me back

To where it first started

Unsafe

And all those lessons that made me run

Forgotten

[stability]

[collegeessayguy]

100 Brave and Interesting Questions for Brainstorming Topics for Your Personal Statement

[collegeessayguy]

What’s the toughest decision you made today?

What’s the toughest decision you made this year?

What’s the toughest decision you ever made?

What have you forgotten?

What do you want to be when you grow up?

What’s it like being you right now?

What makes you nostalgic?

If you had two hours left on earth what would you do?

What’s the most beautiful word in the world?

Who makes you laugh more than anyone?

What did your father teach you?

What did your mother teach you?

What’s the best gift you’ve ever given?

Best gift you ever received?

How many times a day do you look in the mirror?

What do you bring most to a friendship?

If 100 people in your age group were selected randomly, how many do you think they’d find leading a happier life than you?

What is or was your best subject in school?

What activity do you do that makes you feel most like yourself?

What makes you feel supported?

Whom do you secretly admire?

What time of the day do you feel the most energetic and what do you usually do in those moments?

What’s something you never leave home without?

What’s a recurring dream you have?

What makes you feel safe?

What’s the best thing that ever happened to you?

What do you want people to say about you once you’re gone?

What’s the coolest thing about science?

What’s the best money you ever spent?

What’s a bad habit you have?

What are you grateful for?

Whom are you envious of?

What’s an image you’ll never forget?

Describe a near-death experience.

If you had a clone, what would you have the clone do?

What’s your idea of Heaven?

What’s your idea Hell?

When did you know?

What can you do better?

When are you most yourself?

What superpower would you most like to have?

If you were granted three wishes, what would you do with the second wish?

What is your actual superpower?

If you won 100 million dollars, what would you buy first?

What’s the best sound in the world?

What’s perfect about your life?

What song do you sing only when you’re alone and what memory does it bring back?

Describe a moment you were so embarrassed you wanted to disappear.

How many times a day do you think about money?

Who has been the biggest influence on you in your relationship to money?

What’s one thing you’re certain of?

Describe one of your colossal failures.

What makes you cringe?

What does your inner voice tell you?

What crime have you considered committing?

What’s great about your mom?

What’s great about your dad?

Which day would you gladly re-live?

What are you awesome at?

What do you want people you meet for the first time to think about you?

When were you most afraid?

What are you terrible at but love to do anyway?

What weapon would you carry during the Zombie Apocalypse?

Which of your five senses would you keep if you could only keep one?

What’s something you love to make?

What do you cook better than anyone?

What do you wish you’d invented?

What would you like to invent?

Out of 100 random people, where would you rank yourself in terms of your intelligence?

Where do you want to be right now?

If you could be someone else for a day who would it be and why?

What makes you feel powerful?

What’s the meanest thing you’ve ever said?

What’s the meanest thing someone has ever said to you?

What three words would you have on your grave stone?

What’s your first thought when you wake up?

What’s one thing you wake up to in the middle of the night worrying about?

If you could tell someone something anonymously, what would it be?

Whom would you like to forgive and forget?

If you could get rid of one of your responsibilities today, what would it be?

What type of person angers you the most?

What is your greatest strength?

What is your worst weakness?

How do you show your love for others?

Extra Brave and Interesting Questions (once trust has been established):

Why are you here in this room right now?

When is a time you forgave someone or were forgiven for something?

What’s the biggest mistake you ever made?

What are you hiding?

What’s your unanswerable question—the question you seem to always be asking yourself?

What are you ashamed of?

What is stopping you?

What’s a secret you have?

How do you secretly manipulate people to get your way?

When was the last time you apologized?

What is the biggest lie you tell yourself?

What’s the moment you left childhood behind?

What’s missing from your life?

Do you believe in a higher power?

What are you ready to let go of?

What are you not saying right now?

Click here for more college essay inspiration.

[collegeessayguy]

Reblogging this for those of you who have begun working on your college application essays.

Good luck!

[fnabila]

2015

BOOOOM ...and it's 2016 already! Hahah So last year, or to be more specific few days before 2015, I promised myself to write about my favorite trivial things in 2014. It started with my fav music playlist and happened to be my last entry as well, ha. Not because I was lazy or anything, but actually my grandfather passed away just a day after. I couldn't brought myself to write about it, and it just became somewhat painfully awkward to write or to recall about what happened everytime I make any attempt to revive this blog. I don't want to make this an overly dramatic post, so I leave it at that. A lottttt happened in 2015. Major stuffs. To name a few: -Went out of my comfort zone by signing up to this competition in my faculty which requires me to make a creative writing in bahasa and present it in both english and bahasa (all of which are not my forte). Ended up in third place, so I guess it'not too shabby. It is, however, the fact that I did not back out and continously challenged myself that made it remarkable for me. -Succesfully finishing my final thesis in time, which was an achievement in itself, taking into account my chronic procrastination. -Graduated with a friggin' law degree!!!!! -Sky-dived in Auckland, Newzealand. (fun fact: my dad forbid me and my sister to skydive, so we secretly did it when he went to work, under the cover of strolling around and accidentally spent all of our money for lunch in a fancy restaurant. He doesn't know about it up until today or ever--unless he reads this.) -Challenged myself to coach a team, who came out as the runner-up and swept all individual awards. Awesome learning experience. -Got into a lawfirm I've been eyeing on for some time. Well, not got in permanently, yet. But still, yeayyyyy. So, I believe I have the right to conclude this year as pretty much a great year, if not amazing :) Currently, I'm on a year end trip with my sister and my cousins. The initial plan was to ride trains from Jakarta to Semarang, Semarang to Malang, and Malang to Banyuwangi--cross the ocean from Banyuwangi to Bali--and fly back to Jakarta by plane... I guess it's true that one should try to make plan as simple as possible, since the more complex a plan, the more likely things will go wrong --- simply put, our plan didn't go as smooth as it's planned. Due to our ignorance, we missed our midnight train from Semarang to Malang, which we only realized in the morning. We all went panic mode for 10-15 minutes because other trains were fully booked. Thankfully, we're able to book a travel car on the same day so we still managed to arrive in Malang. In addition to that, the bus that we took from Gilimanuk to Denpasar had a flat tire, 3 am in the morning, in the middle of nowhere. Although it was fixed in less than an hour, we definitely suffer a major sleep deprived out of anxiety for our safety. Nonetheless, despite the hurdles, nothing major has really happened and we've been having a blast! Perhaps, this can be taken as a hint of how next year would turn out to be for me: great ride, great company, bumpy roads here and there but not those that can't be passed or conquered. Amen(?) hehe In the end, this post is made to tell two things only: I had a great year and I am wishing for another great year ahead. Happy new year!

[studyglasses]

[ellendegeneres]