We all have those little things that make us who we are.
The foods we refuse to eat. The habits we’ve had for years without really thinking about them. The things we notice that other people completely miss. The strange preferences that make perfect sense to us, even when everyone else looks at us like, “Why are you like this?
I think these little details are what make a person interesting. You can know a person for years and still discover something about them that surprises you.
There are quite a few things about me that even people who have known me for a long time might not know. Some are completely random. Some are about my personality, food preferences, or everyday habits. Others are connected to different chapters of my life that I rarely talk about.
So, I thought it would be fun to share 30 random, quirky, and slightly unexpected facts about me. Think of this as a little peek into the person behind the blog.
Let’s see how many you already knew.
1) I had a different name when I was born.
When I was born, my parents gave me the name Nurul Syazana.
They later decided to change it, with my grandfather helping them choose my new name. That became the name I’ve gone by ever since.
There was a little confusion with my birth certificate during my primary school years, though, and my old name ended up being used again for certain things. At one point, I even had a bank account under my old name.
So technically, I’ve had two names following me around at different points in my life.
If you look closely at my signature, you might notice something interesting too. I’ve combined both names into it.
I suppose that’s my little way of keeping both versions of my name with me.
2) I don’t drink milk.
I’ve never liked the taste of regular milk.
Flavoured milk is a completely different story. I can drink strawberry, banana, chocolate, or pretty much any flavoured milk, as long as the flavour is stronger than the taste of the milk itself. If it starts tasting too much like plain milk, I’m probably not finishing it.
I also only learned to eat yoghurt after I got braces in 2020, after my doctor suggested it because of a complication with my gums. Even then, I had to force myself to eat it and slowly adapt to the taste. Eventually, I learned to choose flavoured yoghurt, which made it much easier for me to eat.
3) I don’t like strong-tasting food.
I’m very particular about strong flavours.
I like shrimp, for example, but I’m not a big fan of lobster because I find the taste much stronger. I can eat meat, but I generally prefer it when the taste isn’t too strong or “meaty.” I’ll eat fish too, as long as it doesn’t have that strong fishy taste.
I also avoid raw food, so yes, I don’t eat sashimi or sushi.
Cheese is acceptable when it’s melted into a burger or fried chicken or used in something like cheesecake. Eating a strong cheese on its own? No, thank you.
Am I fussy? Yes, maybe a little. I can be quite particular about certain flavours, but I’m still adventurous when it comes to food. I’m usually willing to try something at least once, and the taste will decide whether I like it or not.
4) My asthma came back in my late 30s.
According to my mum, I had asthma as a child, but after regular treatment, it eventually went away. I grew up without having any breathing problems and was actually quite active, playing sports at school and running as an adult.
One thing I did notice growing up was that whenever I got a cough, it always seemed to take a long time to go away.
Then, in 2025, I developed a cough that just wouldn’t go away and eventually became much worse. At night, I would experience wheezing in my chest and struggle to breathe. It got to the point where I knew something wasn’t right.
After a check-up and a nebuliser treatment, my doctor told me that I had asthma. That was when I realised my childhood asthma had come back.
5) My favourite smell is vanilla.
I’ve always loved the smell of vanilla. I like pretty much anything with that scent.
As someone who doesn’t really like wearing perfume, I usually prefer having a light scent from my body lotion instead. I normally mix vanilla essential oil into my body lotion because I like having a subtle vanilla scent on my skin throughout the day. It gives me a nice scent without being too strong or overwhelming.
If people around me ever said I smelled good, it was probably because of my body lotion. Never perfume.
So if I’m choosing between two products and one of them smells like vanilla, I’m probably going for that one.
6) I Can’t Stand Brigh Light
Call me a vampire if you want, but I genuinely enjoy being in the dark.
My old housemate used to get annoyed with me because I rarely turned on all the lights at home. I prefer my surroundings to feel calm and slightly dim rather than bright and overly lit. Bright lights actually annoy me.
Sunproof curtains are essential for me. During the day, I’m happy to let some natural light in, but at night, a small lamp with a warm orange light is usually enough.
I know some people feel uncomfortable in dark spaces, but I’m the complete opposite. I can even sit in a dark room and watch horror movies without needing to turn the lights on.
7) My favourite weather is moody & rainy.
I’ll always choose gloomy skies, thunderstorms, and steady rain over a bright, sunny day. I know plenty of people love sunny weather, but I’m much happier when the sky is grey and the weather is gloomy. I feel calmer when it’s like this, and sometimes I wish I were in a little cabin in the woods, sitting next to a fireplace with a warm drink while listening to the rain outside.
That kind of weather makes me want to slow down, stay home, read a book, or simply enjoy the quiet. It just feels more comfortable to me than a bright, sunny day.
8) My nose is very sensitive to smell.
I have a surprisingly sensitive nose. I can pick up smells that other people don’t seem to notice, especially strong or unpleasant ones.
Sometimes I’ll walk into a room and immediately notice a smell before anyone else does. Food, perfume, smoke, cleaning products, damp clothes… I notice all sorts of smells very quickly.
The funny part is that once I notice a smell, I can’t unnotice it. If something smells bad to me, it can completely ruin my experience, even when everyone else seems perfectly fine.
9) I’m a light sleeper.
I’m such a light sleeper that even small noises can wake me up.
The smallest noises can drive me crazy, especially dripping water. Once I hear that drip… drip… drip…, I’m suddenly wide awake and completely irritated. Snoring is another story. A person snoring next to me would probably keep me awake all night.
So, if I ever have a partner who snores, we are 100% getting separate bedrooms.
10) I do things fast.
I move like I’m permanently on 2x speed, whether I’m walking, talking, eating, or working. Some people struggle to keep up with me, while slowing down just feels wrong.
If you give me a task, chances are I’ll get it done quickly. Once I decide that something needs to be done, I have an almost obsessive need to finish it. Once I decide something needs to be done, I just want to get it done.
11) I am very punctual.
I take punctuality very seriously, and I can get quite frustrated when other people don’t share the same mindset.
If someone says we’re meeting at 8 p.m., I understand that as 8 p.m., not 8:30, not 9, and definitely not “I’m leaving the house now.” Haha.
I usually try to arrive a few minutes early because I think being on time is a basic way of respecting someone else’s time. I know people have different ideas about punctuality, but I’m definitely quite strict about it.
If we agree on a time, I’ll be there.
12) I am very firm and strict.
I might joke around a lot, but when it comes to my principles, I do not budge.
When I say “No,” I mean “No.” I expect people to be honest and sincere with me, and I have very little patience for lies, broken promises, or flaky behaviour. Good manners and respect matter a lot to me, and I try to give people the same in return.
If I make a promise, I keep it. If I say I’m going to do something, I follow through.
I’m also quite protective of the people and energy I allow into my life. If I feel that someone is bringing unnecessary negativity into my life, I have no problem walking away.
13) I have a keen eye for details, and I’m highly observant.
I tend to notice small details that other people might completely overlook. I’m especially observant when it comes to people’s behaviour.
I notice small changes in people, objects, and situations quite easily. If something feels out of place, chances are I’ll notice it. I’m usually quite good at spotting when something isn’t quite right.
I don’t always say anything about what I notice, though. Sometimes I’ll just sit there and play dumb while already knowing exactly what’s going on. Haha.
If there’s something wrong with something, chances are I’ll eventually notice it.
14) I’m crafty.
I’ve always enjoyed making things with my hands. I used to make origami, paper flowers, butterflies, drawings, paintings, and little handmade projects. Writing poems is another creative outlet I’ve always enjoyed.
At one point, I even had a small business related to crafting. I loved coming up with an idea, figuring out how to make it, and seeing the finished product in front of me.
I don’t practise these skills as much as I used to, so some of them have probably become a little rusty. Still, I’ll always have a soft spot for anything handmade.
15) I write a lot.
Writing has always been one of the ways I process what I’m feeling. When something is bothering me, making me sad, or simply taking up too much space in my head, I tend to write.
Sometimes it’s a proper blog post. Sometimes it’s a poem. Sometimes it’s just a bunch of thoughts that I never intend for anyone else to read.
I’ve been writing for years, and I think putting my feelings into words helps me understand them better. It’s almost like having a conversation with myself, except everything ends up on a page.
I don’t always need someone to give me advice. Sometimes I just need to write it all out.
16) I was a good debater.
High school me could argue a point pretty well. I competed in debate competitions and won the Best Debater title multiple times.
People used to think I would eventually become a lawyer or politician because I enjoyed debating so much. I simply liked the challenge of being given a topic, forming an argument, and defending my position.
My team eventually lost in the semi-finals, but still, walking away with the Best Debater title was definitely one of my proudest moments.
17) I was in a reality show.
Yep, I was once a contestant on a reality show and made it to the top 3 out of 15 contestants.
It was such a wild experience. I got to do photo shoots, appear on live television, go on talk shows, and even see myself on billboards. It was definitely not something I ever expected to experience.
Not many people in my life today know about this part of my past, which makes it feel like a little secret from another chapter of my life. Looking back, though, it’s still one of my coolest memories.
18) My right pinky finger is a bit crooked.
My right pinky finger is slightly crooked because I must have injured it at some point. The bone sits a little off to the right, although it doesn’t cause me any pain or discomfort.
The funny part is that I can make it pop, which I occasionally use to scare my friends. I’ll pretend I’ve somehow broken my finger right in front of them, then casually make it pop.
Their reaction is usually much more dramatic than the actual situation.
19) I have a few unusual phobias.
I have a few pretty intense phobias, and lizards are right at the top of the list. I can’t even be near a dead one, let alone share a room with it.
Holes give me goosebumps and can even make their way into my nightmares. Snakes are another big no for me. Even seeing a picture of one can make me panic. I immediately start imagining every possible worst-case scenario, despite living on the 17th floor of an apartment building. 😂
Deep water is another one. I’m only comfortable if I can touch the ground and have someone physically holding onto me. Take away either of those things and I’m out.
20) I hate maths.
The funny thing about working in finance and accounting is that I’m actually not a fan of maths.
Small calculations are manageable, but once the numbers start getting too big, I reach for a calculator without hesitation. I was never particularly good at maths in school either.
So yes, I somehow ended up working with numbers despite hating maths.
Thank goodness calculators exist.
21) I’m a good cook; at least I think so.
I’d say I’m a pretty good cook. Malay cuisine is my speciality, and I can be surprisingly critical when eating out if something doesn’t taste quite right.
Maybe I got that from my dad. He’s an amazing cook and just as picky about food as I am. My family also runs a small catering business, so cooking has always been part of our lives.
I take quite a bit of pride in my cooking. I love seeing my friends and family enjoy the food I make.
22) I normally don’t wear the same outfits more than 2-3 times.
I rarely repeat outfits. Whenever I get new clothes, I tend to wear them only a few times before giving them away to someone else who is around my size.
I enjoy having different outfits to wear, so once I feel like I’ve had enough of something, I’d rather pass it on to someone who might enjoy it more than I do.
23) I’ve spent most of my life having short hair.
For most of my life, I had short hair. I went through different boy-cut hairstyles and other short styles, and I used to enjoy changing my hair colour quite frequently too.
Once I got into my 30s, I felt like longer hair suited me better, so I decided to grow it out.
I’ve kept my hair long ever since, and for now, I’m pretty happy with it that way.
24) I often have nightmares and sleep paralysis.
I’ve experienced nightmares and sleep paralysis since I was a child. Over the years, I found a strange way of dealing with it: I started watching more horror movies.
It sounds completely backwards, I know. Somehow, watching horror movies and exposing myself to scary things has helped me become less afraid of them in real life. It has almost trained my brain to handle fear a little better.
My dreams can still get pretty intense, though. Sometimes I’ll dream that I’m holding my breath, then realise I’m actually holding my breath while sleeping. I usually wake up gasping for air.
Sleep apparently likes to keep things interesting for me.
25) I only shower with goat milk shower products.
I’ve always paid quite a bit of attention to my skin, especially because I have dry skin. After trying different products over the years, I found that goat milk shower products work particularly well for me.
I love how my skin feels after using them. It feels smooth, soft, hydrated, and comfortable rather than dry or tight.
At this point, goat milk shower products have become one of those little things I stick to because I know my skin likes them.
26) I’m sentimental.
I’m a very emotional person when it comes to the people I care about. I like expressing my love and appreciation openly because I want the people in my life to know how much they mean to me.
Words are a big part of how I show affection, so if I like you, you’ll definitely know it. When I become close to someone, I tend to gush about them to other people and tell everyone how great they are.
I’m also the type of person who remembers the little things. I remember places because of how they made me feel, people who helped me, thoughtful gestures, photographs, anniversaries, personal milestones, and even whether someone remembers something I mentioned in passing. I can still recall specific experiences from years ago simply because they meant something to me.
For me, it’s rarely about grand gestures. I notice the small things that make me feel remembered and appreciated.
I don’t need someone to take care of my life. I’ve built my own life, and I’m perfectly capable of taking care of myself. I simply want someone to make me feel cared about within the life I’ve already built.
27) I grew up with male friends.
Growing up with four brothers probably influenced me more than I realised. I’ve always found it easier to get along with men, and I tend to feel quite comfortable around them.
I think spending so much time with my brothers shaped certain parts of my personality too. I can be quite straightforward, tough, or blunt in ways that some people might associate more with masculine behaviour.
A few of my female friends have even told me that I can be a little harsh or tough when they expect me to be softer or more sensitive. I suppose growing up surrounded by boys left its mark on me.
28) I’m the eldest but also the shortest.
I’m the eldest of five siblings, with four younger brothers. Despite being the oldest, I’m also the shortest among all of us.
My brothers are all over 180 cm tall, while I’m 173 cm. That’s still fairly tall for a woman, but standing next to my brothers makes me look tiny. 😂
People who don’t know us sometimes assume I’m the youngest sibling, which is always funny considering I’m actually the eldest.
29) I used to have a mole on my face.
When I was younger, I had a mole on my face that made me feel very self-conscious. People would often make fun of it, and over time, those comments affected how I saw myself.
I started feeling unattractive and insecure about something that was simply a part of my face. Eventually, when I was 22, I decided to have the mole removed.
Removing it made me feel much better about my appearance. I felt much more confident afterwards.
30) I lived with chronic ear problems for 27 years.
I lived with chronic ear infections for 27 years, which came with regular episodes of vertigo, extreme ear pain, and sensitivity to sound and temperature.
One of the strangest parts was constantly hearing my own voice and even my breathing inside my ears. The condition affected my balance too, so it became something I had to live with for a very long time.
Eventually, my doctor discovered the formation of cysts in my middle ear that could erode important structures in the temporal bone.
I underwent major surgery in July 2014.
Thankfully, the condition hasn’t returned since. After living with it for so many years, having that chapter finally come to an end felt like a huge relief.
Love, Hani. ❤
