FFXII for beginners

Okay first of all I know this game is waaayyyy done with, since everybody's been talking about the current one: FFXIII for PS3. So this post is specially dedicated for slow pokes - like me - who has other comitments in life than just playing games =P

The battle layout
At first you see the layout for this game is completely different from those of the past. You don't have to control every character and it's a fast pace game so you won't waste time selecting actions for each character.

The graphics has never been better..it gets more detailed every time SquareEnix launched "episodes" of Final Fantasy - in this case FANTASIES! =P You'll enjoy watching the cinematic parts as you run along the game.

The story line is a little bit confusing at first since it uses such bombastic-funny-looking-tongue twisted words to tell apart our world to this other world they've created. However after awhile you'll understand the plot.

Hence let the game system be explained!

Gambits - addition gambits obtained through license board
As said earlier you just have to control one character or even nice just let it be since it will fight according to it's own gambit. Gambit is like the strategy that you want that one character to do automatically each time it encounters fiends. Having said that, when almost all your character is nearly KO'd you'd better gain control of one of them depending on your preference.

The main casts in the game
Other than that, at some point of the game, guests will be joining in your party. However, you can't do nothing about them. They are free characters minding their own business to complete their own missions. They prove to be useful now that you have 4 characters to fight fiends with!

Unlike previous series, this game is very stingy to toss gills out. You have to work your butt out to earn them! Killing fiends leads to finding loots that would then be sold to merchants or traders. Stuff like magicites and teleport stones are quite useful in battle. So look carefully at what you sell.

The License Board

South board containing weaponary

North board containing skills and quickenings

Espers
Then, there's this license boards - one for skills,quickenings *serves as limit breaks* and Espers *serves as Aeons and Guardian forces in previous games* and the other is for equipments. They use License Points (LP) to gain access to newer skills and battle equipment. Mind you since gill is scarce, plan out what you really need in the battle - White magick is the essential tool since you'd be drained out of HP before you know it!

Hunts list stuck on the notice board in Sandsea Sundries
As always there's sidequests plus addition hunting mode for you to dwell with. Sidequest is always good to do since you'd be leveling up quite fast and gain rare items and sometimes rare Espers. Hunts on the other hand level up your rank in the Clan Hall earning you extra money and items from the partitioner. It's good to practice you skills here too!

Since I'm still playing this game that's the basic things that you need to be familiar with. Oh and one more thing always talk to bubbled people for informations and Chocobos now comes in COLORS! yeah COLORS!!

I enclosed to you my favourite character in this game. Presenting Lady Ashe! She looks like Yuna but not as soft as Yuna was. I like her since she can kick butt amazingly nice =)
Lady Ashe

Enjoy the game! (^__^)/

Behind the scene of Sirih Junjung

Not many notice the importance of this old tradition that our ancestors passed on from generations to generations. So today's post is to inform the youngsters of what significant value does this Sirih Junjung gives to the newly weds =) From what I've read, it represents as a du'a from the family to the bride and the bridegroom. It also functions as a "future reference" on how wedded life will be like. Extracted from the website itself, Enjoy!


Hari nie kita akan kupas serba sedikit mengenai sirih junjung dan kenapa ia biasanya dijadikan sebagai ‘penghulu’ atau ‘kepala’ hantaran, sementara barang-barang yang lain dianggap sebagai ‘pengiring’ hantaran.

Mengikut tradisi atau adat resam Melayu, sirih junjung nie adalah perkara yang wajib di dalam setiap majlis pertunangan atau perkahwinan. Selain menjadi penyeri dan pelengkap majlis, ia juga membawa maksud tersirat iaitu melambangkan asam garam hidup berumahtangga di antara suami isteri. Ini kerana hidup setiap pasangan suami isteri tidak dapat ‘lari’ daripada segala duka dan duka. Begitu juga dengan sirih junjung yang digubah dengan daun sirih dan campuran beberapa bahan-bahan lain di mana jika ianya di makan, akan timbullah rasa manis, masam, pahit dan masin. Kalau korang biasa tengok, tok nenek kita pada zaman dulu2 suka sangat mengunyah sireh nie..:-)

Seperti yang disebut di atas, terdapat beberapa bahan lain yang biasanya dimasukkan sekali ke dalam gubahan sirih junjung. Jom kita lihat apakah maksud yang tersirat di sebalik bahan-bahan yang digunakan itu:


Daun sirih – membawa maksud mulia hatinya, berani, tidak mudah berputus asa dan rendah diri


Gambir – rasa pahitnya menggambarkan keteguhan hati seseorang


Kapur – memberi rasa yang payau, pahit serta hangat jika dimakan bersama dengan sirih. Ia membawa maksud hati yang suci tetapi boleh memberontak jika dicabar


Pinang – melambangkan keturunan yang baik dan berhati mulia


Tembakau – membawa maksud seorang yang tabah dan sanggup berkorban di dalam apa jua hal


Cengkih – rasanya yang pedas memberi gambaran seseorang yang berpegang kuat pada prinsip

Jika ingin menggubah sendiri sirih junjung, anda hendaklah memilih daun sirih yang segar dan pelbagai saiz – sekurang-kurangnya 13 helai. Kemudian daun sirih itu akan disusun dan dibentuk mengikut citarasa penggubahnya. Setelah siap, bahan-bahan lain seperti pinang, gambir, cengkih dan kapur pula akan diletakkan di celah-celah susunan daun sirih. Selain tu, penggunaan bunga-bunga segar seperti bunga kekwa dan bunga mawar juga memainkan peranan dengan diletakkan di celah lipatan daun sirih. Sebagai ‘final touch’, anda bolehlah merenjis sedikit wangian seperti air mawar untuk membangkitkan lagi aroma sirih junjung.


Mengikut tradisi Melayu, sirih junjung daripada pihak pengantin lelaki hendaklah lebih tinggi sedikit daripada pihak pengantin perempuan. Ini untuk menunjukkan peranan atau tanggungjawab lelaki itu sebagai ketua keluarga. Jika dibandingkan di zaman mak-mak kita dulu, sirih junjung seringkali digubah tinggi seperti pokok. Tapi seiring dengan perkembangan zaman, sirih junjung telah digubah menjadi pelbagai bentuk moden seperti masjid atau bangunan yang disesuaikan mengikut konsep hantaran.

Credits: http://setelkahwin.com/blog/

The bond of two souls

The future mother in law is "shoving" the engagement ring on her tiny finger

So today one of my best-ies got engaged! Yes you've heard me ENGAGED! Who'd known that the smallest and the youngest among us, four is getting hitched soon. Let's hope this time you're dead serious about it okay Nenek!

How ever disbelief I am then, I began to accept that we're not youngsters who once made havoc around the school, not the kids who'd scribble on the blackboard when the teacher's not teaching, not the weirdos who'd imitate sick couples trying to show off human's affection to the partner and most definitely not the same figures! We've grown to become ladies...capable strong ladies to withstand the gruesome life.

My brain is too focused on FFXII right now that I can't really tell stories about this delightful event.

This post is dedicated to that friend who has been there ever since I could remember. Congratulations my friend, may this experience makes you realize the responsibility that you're about to face and make physical and mental preparations for building a harmonious family with your loved ones =)

Will always pray the best for you

CONGRATULATIONS Sarah Abdul Halim!

ps: Smelly buns when's our turn? (^_^")>

Roses anyone?

I found something interesting today. I didn't know that numbers play an important part of giving people a bunch of roses. A rose itself is very expensive what else to give hundreds and thousands of them...sheesh~

However, how slanted my view is on wasting money on flowers, people do it as a romantic gesture towards their loved ones =) which is sweet if you're dead rich! Anyways..enjoy! You might want to know the meaning behind it so the message gets through without scratching the not-so-itchy head.

1 Rose
Exceptional love all concentrated on you.

2 Roses
Two of us deeply in love.

3 Roses
I love you.

6 Roses
I want to be yours.

9 Roses
Love each other eternally.

11 Roses
You are the one I love most in my life.

12 Roses
Satisfactory union and mutual affinity.

13 Roses
Secret admirer.

24 Roses
Remember fondly every moment
(24 hours cannot forget you).

33 Roses
Saying “I love you” with PROFOUND LOVE.

36 Roses
Feeling romantic attachment because you come to me.

44 Roses
Constant unchangeable pledge.

50 Roses
This is “Regretless Love”.

56 Roses
My love.

66 Roses
Successful love affair.

99 Roses
Love with understanding makes love eternal.

100 Roses
Harmonious union in a century, remain a devoted couple ’till ripe-old age.

101 Roses
No other love but you.

108 Roses
Please marry me!

111 Roses
Eternal love.

123 Roses
Free love.

144 Roses
Loving you day and night eternally.

365 Roses
Thinking of you everyday, love you everyday.

999 Roses
Everlasting and eternal love.

1001 Roses
Faithful love, ’till forever


Hurm..wonder what's the meaning behind the cute rose topiary of mine? Teehehe

How's ur love for me...?

In reply of The Smelly Bunny's post dated: Wednesday, June 9, 2010

This is how much I love you sweetheart =)

Pre Terengy-moon

13th June 2010 - Terengganu trip

Last week my family and I went to Terengganu in the school holidays for some relaxation. This year's trip is quite special at someone special tagged along as well..yeah good guess =)

We started out travel at night approximately 9.30pm and arrived there at around 5.00am. Along the we stopped at Pahang for some refreshment and shoot straight on to Terengganu. We stopped at Masjid Ladang for Subuh and rest for a bit to get some eyes shut.

After that we went to Uncle Alias's brother, Uncle Awang for a heavy breakfast. I get to eat my favourite Laksam! The Nasi Dagang there was a nice dish too! (^__^)/ After a lot of catching up done by my family, I gave in...the eyes can't open anymore so I borrowed their bed to lie down for awhile. Right after that we went to Pulau Kapas for a beach walking experience.


The crystal clear water of Pulau Kapas

When we arrived there, my father and my bunny went straight to the beach and swam happily watching corals and fishes swimming in the clear blue sea. During the evening, we went touring the small island and watch the beautiful sunset. It was breathtaking.


Watching sunset at Pulau Kapas

The next day, we went to the other side of the island to snorkel. I joined in as well,so as my sister but she didn't go far due to unbraved heart =P. I on the other hand went to the middle to see spectacular view of the sea's heritage. I get to feed to fishes as well..they were colourful and friendly. Most of the time I spent snorkeling with the bunny of mine. I had a great time!


The waterfall of Sekayu
The next day, we went to Sekayu for a waterfall adventure. Right after breakfast, we went there and get our feet soaked in the cold water. It was refreshing...you can hear the insects screeching, the birds singing, the water flowing and the waterfall thudding the rocks. A moment of tranquility and peace.

After some dipping, we went on to explore the nature, we found lots of weird insects of shapes and sizes, but this shape that's carved by the water attracted me a lot. I find it quite cute =)


Love shaped hole - Sekayu

Along the way of going to Pulau Kapas and Sekayu, we get a chance to stop by to the 100% crystal-made mosque - one of the attraction there =)


Together with Uncle Alias' family at Masjid Kristal

The last day was filled in with souvenirs and food to bring back home for others to enjoy. Overall trip was enjoyable as I get to spend most of my time with the smelly bunny..lucky me \(^__^)/

Heart Tripping Trip

The yummy chocolate moist cake from Secret Recipe. Thanks Mom and Dad!



5th June 2010 marks the most memorable experience in my life. It is the day when it feels like the world stopped spinning - honouring, the sun shone brightly for us - smiling, the wind caressed gently pass our cheeks - supporting and the nature stroke beautiful colours - welcoming us to the savour this special day together =)

Yes, it was indeed a celebration of life =)

Okay,I'm sorry it this post turns out to be all "mushy" and "lacey" but let's face the facts that when a person falls in love he/she only sees the bright side of life..and in my case, since I'm always have this mind of "The grass is greener on the other side" well it seems that the mind has changed to "The grass on the other side is having a flowery season" =P *just as expected I've fallen hard - right down the bottom*

Now the story, 4th June - like any other year - is when I aged another year. So every year, I get to have a birthday cake as a remembrance of how old I've become *even though my mind isn't growing parallel with my age* plus just to have fun of eating something fancy - like a cake =P

However this year, it turns out to be something really special and dear to me. The boyfriend came down to celebrate as well (^__^)/ As this was my 1st time having the other half for myself for one whole day, I felt rather awkward. Most of the time I tried to mix around with others and somewhat neglected him...I'm sorry smelly buns =(

Though I've done all those silly things, I was still loving his company. I don't do much talking since the eyes were busy working analyzing from far. Definitely a wrong move..teehehe silly me.


Anyways, we went on a day trip to Taman Mini Malaysia and spend almost half a day there. We looked at wooden houses from all parts of the country. It was quite interesting since my granny's house differ much from those of different region. The designs are simple marvelous and the information consumed overheated the little brain of mine. Growing up as a "city girl" I didn't get much chance to see all the traditional lifestyle and upbringings. So from visiting that place, I found out how people in the olden days found peace and tranquility in such modest lifestyle. They just manipulate nature's gifts and work together to preserve it. It was a nice sight seeing with lots and lots of woods involved =)

Then, after a long's day trip,we had our lunch and played a little bowling. After that we went home with a little surprise party which I myself didn't expect and eat rendang for dinner..

I have the best day of my entire life especially when spent with the sweetest boyfriend ever! Thank you so much for making my day meaningful =)

We share the same dreams and hope to continue this journey together