Vox // _

What exactly is it that you do for us? Pay the bills? Take care of my education? Bah manages that fine. Buy food and upkeep the house? Ma does more than an amazing job of it. Don't fucking lord something that you don't do over me. Don't fucking tell me that I have nothing to show for my life. I have accomplished almost all the dreams I've had for myself since I was a child, save for raising a family. What about you, Mr. Hotshot Corporateman? It ain't easy achieving your materialistic dreams is it? Don't fucking impose your ideas of success on me. We don't need your 'help'. If we are a burden, if you don't want to be here, if family is to you but an obligation, then leave us alone. We're running out of space here in this house what with your fat head still living in it.

I have three brothers, but you are now no longer one of them.

Vox // QotD: Also Known As

What other names did your parents consider for you?


Iman (my mother's suggestion, still sore after 22 years that my father decided against it)
Nusrat (because my brothers' names coincidentally end with the letter 'T' - Farhat, Ismet, Evil Spawnt)
Zulaika (funnily enough the name of my character in my first and only telemovie)

There are more, but I can't remember at the moment. What I do remember however, is that around the age of 6 or 7 I hated my name intensely and wanted to change it to Zaitun. Then I decided that wanting to name myself after a brand name for toiletries was a bad idea and stuck to Alia.

So hello, I am Alia.

(I have decided to name my first two daughters Iman and Nusrat, because really, those are very nice names.)

Vox // north / south

It was too short a time in Singapore, too long a time away from home. Sitting on the bus, I was missing everyone I knew.

Vox // Checklist, or Can You Say 'Fangirl'?

Concert ticket - stub autographed by Anberlin and Copeland

Anberlin tshirts, one for Faris and one for me

Anberlin sticker

Anberlin buttons, one for Faris and one for me

Never Take Friendship Personal CD - sleeve and CD autographed by Anberlin

Handwritten Anberlin setlist - autographed by Anberlin

UP ON STAGE WITH ANBERLIN AND TELLING THEM WHY I LOVE THEM, FUCK YEAH

Hospital tag (they used it to tag audience members) - autographed by Stephen Christian

Secret show flyer - autographed by Anberlin for Faris (it's not Ferris Bueller, Joseph)

Conversations with Stephen Christian, Deon Rextroat, Joseph Milligan, Christian McAlhaney (who looks like Jake Gyllenhaal, no shit - even his mother thinks so), and Nathan Young





The highlight of tonight has got to be when I called Faris and passed the phone to Deon. After hellos and how's it goings, Deon said that he couldn't hear Faris. I thought it was the crappy Digi connection so I took the phone back. Turns out Faris was speechless. YOU SHOULD HAVE BEEN HERE WITH ME. I think my trip was so amazing because I was living it for the both of us. It was probably the best time of my life. I could not have asked for a better experience with them. I took no photos of us together because I didn't want to ruin the experience. These last two nights are intact in my mind, perfect as how it should be.



One down, four bands to go.



ps - Razi, I love you. I mean it. Anytime you need a kidney I've got one with your name on it.

Vox // Because June Was A Long Time Ago

Seven things you plan to do before you die
Backpack around South & Central America with Maryam. Eat asado with Federico. Kaiseki (in Kyoto) minus the breakfast. Bear/adopt a son and name him Muhammad Kassim. Live on a farm. Learn shoemaking. Fly a plane.

Seven things you can do
Cook the best nasi goreng in the world (and no I ain't giving you any). Be nice to other people's parents. Type pretty fast without looking at the keyboard. Clean out blackheads obsessively. Change clothes while driving. Empathize with everyone. But still make you cry.

Seven celebrity crushes
Tim Kasher. Toby Amies. Diego Luna. Takuya Kimura. Milo Ventimiglia. Gael Garcia Bernal. Jensen Ackles.

Seven most repeated phrases/words
Alololo. Cayang! Ow. Asshole. Ada apa dalam fridge? I'm cold. *cough*

Seven physical traits you look for in the opposite sex
His smell. His hands. His jawline. His walk. His brows (hello Jakob Dylan). His veins on his arms. His voice.

Seven tags to go to
You're it.

Three names you go by
Alia. Iman. The Alia.

Three Screen names you've ever had
splitskinfingers. radioactivefly. the_alia

Three physical things you like about yourself
My pianist hands. My just-blowdried-but-not hair. My eyes.

Three physical things you don't like about yourself
My thunder thighs. My excess hair (thank you Indian genes). My troublesome teeth.

Three things that scare you
Heebiejeebies. Animals foaming at the mouth. Mirrors.

Three drinks (alcoholic or non)
Air suam. Ribena. Soya milk.

Three of your everyday essentials
Dental hygiene ritual. Nose bumping the cats. Setting alarms on my schedule for the next day.

Three things you're wearing right now
Blue caftan. Striped panties. A chocolate stain (on my chin - gone now).

Three of your favourite movies
Amores Perros. Y Tu Mama Tambien. El Laberinto Del Fauno.

Two truths and a lie
I usually pick my nose when I'm driving. I've ridden six rollercoasters one after another. I've attempted to murder my mother.

Three things about the opposite sex that appeal to you
The ability to laugh at themselves. Saying no when I offer them food, just take it already la ok. Their voices when they tell me they'll always be there.

Three careers you are considering, or have considered
Komplotan surirumah leader. Aerospace engineer for the military. Chef (but my knees can't take it).

Three people you would like to see take this quiz now
So demanding one.