A Podcast-Inspired Reflection

Hi,

I was listening to a podcast while I was running the other day, and it reminded me that I haven't given you an update on my machine. Well, it's back from its little vacation! Turns out it just needed some serious TLC, no actual repairs needed. And the best part? It only cost me RM150. The same guy from Fitness Concept came out, just like a couple of years ago when it was still under warranty. 

So, back to the podcast! They were chatting about how we get nervous before big things in life. And guess what? A little bit of nerves can actually be a good thing! It shows that you care, right? Like, you're putting your heart into it and want it to go well.  It's like your body's way of saying, "Hey, this is important, let's focus!" And sometimes, that little push of nervous energy can even help us perform better. And that... resonates with me so much.

And you know what's even cooler? If you still care about something after all these years, like, it's in your blood, it means you genuinely love it.  It becomes a part of you.  And because of that, you always want to give it your all, even if you've done it a million times before. You just can't help but try to make it the best it can be. You pour your heart into every detail, no matter how small, because you know it all adds up.😊

Now, where was I? Oh, the podcast! Okay, they were talking about a musician, actually. Someone who'd been playing the violin since they were tiny, practically a part of their DNA. But even after all these years, before every performance, that familiar flutter would return. It wasn't fear, exactly. More like… anticipation? It was their love for the music, bubbling up and demanding to be heard.

So, it got me thinking about something I really relate to as an academic. When they were talking about how we get nervous before big moments, and it really hit home. Like, before a conference presentation, or leading a big event, or even just teaching a new class, I still get those butterflies.🦋It's funny, because you'd think after doing this for a while, it would go away. Doesn't quite work that way for me. My stomach does the butterfly dance every time.😅

But what the podcast pointed out, which I thought was spot on, is that being nervous isn't necessarily a bad thing. Turns out, it can be a positive! And honestly, I think that's kind of beautiful. It reminds us that we're human, and we care deeply about the things we do. It can even give you an extra boost of adrenaline, help you focus and exert your best efforts.

My all-time favourite.

Blooming flowers are delicate and fragile (representing the nervous stage).

But it symbolizes growth, potential, and the blossoming of something beautiful.

And that, is where my head's at today. From elliptical to tulips, podcasts to presentations, it all comes down to passion. Caring. Putting your heart into what you do. And sometimes, that means embracing the butterflies. Now, I'm going to go listen to another one, not running this time. 😁

Crafting Memories

Hello,

Can you believe it's already second day of February? Where did January go?! 🤔 I have a feeling this year is going to fly by, being a whirlwind too, but.. no time to dwell. Let's keep the momentum going!

I'm currently on a short break from work, and honestly? It feels like I've barely escaped! My mind keeps drifting back to the office, like a mosquito buzzing around my ear. But I'm trying my best to stay focus on the kids. School holidays are in full swing, and I need to make the most of this time with them. Wish me luck!

While we were in KL recently, the kids got to experience the MRT for the very first time! The train ride from Putrajaya to Titiwangsa was quite an adventure for them! Their eyes were wide with wonder as we zoomed through the city. It was such a cool experience! However, all that excitement eventually caught up with the boy, and he drifted off to dreamland before we even reached halfway. 😂

 We snagged seats at the very front of the train and the kids pretended they were on a high-speed VR rollercoaster. 

And then, we also spent a night at Splash Mania Waterpark, and let me tell you, kids and water parks are the best combination ever! They could have stayed in that water all night if I let them. Seeing their faces light up on those water slides was priceless.

We created some amazing memories somehow. The thrill of the train rides and the laughter, also the way they'd splash each other and then collapse on the poolside, exhausted but happy.  Both were filled with pure joy and those infectious giggles that only kids can make. And.. happy kids meant a happy mom.😊

Okay, I have just a few more days of this trip! I'm going to make the most of every moment. Then, back to reality and focusing on work.

See you again. Bye!

Up Close and Personal With..

Hi,

Guess what? Something super interesting happened today! hint hint: It involves a national treasure, a serious dose of starstruck-ness, and possibly some mild hyperventilation. Yep, you guessed it (or maybe you didn't): I MET SITI NURHALIZA!🤩

Well, I was spending my public holiday at my brother's house, and there she was. Right there at the entrance, looking like she'd just stepped out of a magazine (or maybe a really good Instagram filter). Siti Nurhaliza herself! Beautiful, looked about ten years younger (how does she do that?!), and positively glowing. My inner fan girl was screaming. Aaaa. 🫠

Okay, so, I tried to play it cool, you know? Act like I wasn't completely freaking out. But inside, I was doing the Macarena. 😂 She was chatting with some people, and I swear, she has this aura of…niceness. Is that even a thing? Anyway, she was so incredibly down-to-earth. Like, you'd never guess she's a national treasure. She greeted everyone with this warm smile, and you could tell she was genuinely interested in what people had to say. We chatted for a bit about… honestly, I have no clue. Something about how to keep being healthy and young. Whatever. 😁

But she was so easy to talk to, so humble. It was like chatting with a really cool, really famous, really nice friend. She took photos with anyone who asked, and even though she must have posed for, like, a million pictures that day, she still smiled and made each person feel like they were the only one in the room. Talk about a pro!

What really struck me, besides the fact that she's basically a goddess, was how… normal she seemed. No airs, no diva moments, just genuine kindness. It completely shattered my perception of what a superstar would be like. It's easy to admire someone from afar, but meeting her in person and seeing how gracious and humble she is, made me appreciate her even more. It was such an unexpected and wonderful experience. 

I’m still pinching myself! I’ll definitely cherish that memory forever. It just goes to show, sometimes the most amazing moments happen when you least expect them. And sometimes, you meet a legend in your brother's living room, on just another casual public holiday, right? 😊

Weather Report : Emotion Edition

Hi, 

Woke up feeling pretty good this morning. Compared to the other mornings that often began with the fog of sleep deprivation, battling the urge to hit snooze button. But no, there's a superhero job to do! Time to get up and be a mom! 🦸‍♀️

As the day went on, clouds started rolling in and I'm hit by a wave of panic. Those upcoming deadlines and unresolved issues creeping back in. I felt a sense of unease settling in. Might need to invest in some serious emotional weatherproofing! Haha. I wish it was that easy. 😁

I spent the afternoon battling these internal storms. The sunshine, briefly peeking through, offered comfort, but the showers continued to fall. Craving the comfort of a warm cup of coffee and some quiet time. Often, I binge-watch something mindless. Always a help.

As evening approached, the clouds thickened, and a gentle rain began to fall. Tears welled up, a release of the pent-up emotions. It felt strangely cleansing, like the earth being refreshed by a summer shower, and creates some stunning rainbows.

Wish I could go back to those days of chasing rainbows and splashing in puddles. Life was simpler then. 🌈☔️

See, even the worst emotional weather will eventually clear up and things will look brighter soon. And.. even the darkest clouds have a silver lining. ✨ I'm holding onto the hope of sunny skies ahead.☀️ 

Sunday Kitchen Comedy

Hi,

As you know, Sundays are my cooking days. I was mentally planning my cooking routines for today. Everything seemed to be going smoothly – I even visualized my delicious favourite breakfast: two perfectly cooked soft-boiled eggs. Easy peasy, right?😋 

Little did I know... Disaster kindda struck.

I boiled the water, put the eggs, then I reached for the pot lid, but couldn't be found. And… well, let's just say it was a case of mistaken identity. Instead of the snug-fitting lid I was expecting, I was greeted by this…thing

It looked like a tiny wok lid, lost and confused on my pot. Upside down. 😂

Oh no, it's stuck! The struggle opening it was real. I tried everything – twisting, jiggling, even whispering sweet nothings to the lid in hopes of convincing it to cooperate. But it was no use. And I was panicking. Needless to say, my culinary masterpiece quickly devolved into a scene from a slapstick comedy. Veggies were flying, steam was rising, and I was starting to resemble a character from a cooking show gone horribly wrong. And to top it all off, I was only trying to boil eggs! Just half-boiled eggs! My goodness. 🤣

In the end, I had to admit defeat. The lid, victorious in its defiance, didn't move even an inch. Okay, knowledge on Newton's Law of Cooling came in handy. Apparently, my eggs had other plans. I had to patiently wait for the trapped boiling water to cool down to room temperature to reduce the pressure, hoping for perfectly soft-boiled yolks. Turns out, I ended up with a pair of miniature cannonballs. Still edible though. Great!😑

But you know what? It was actually kind of funny. Sometimes, the best laid plans (and pots) can go awry. And hey, at least I had a good laugh – and a story to tell. Seems like the right tool for the right job is crucial! Let's make sure we have the correct equipment next time. Jangan asal sebat je apa yang nampak depan mata. Padan muka! 😂

Okay, that's about it! Eating my cannonball now. Be right back. Bye! 

Two Weeks Later: Still Breathing (Barely)

Hi,

So, it's been two whole weeks since I last checked in! Crazy how time flies. Things have been pretty hectic lately, juggling work, family, and trying to remember to take care of myself. It's a constant balancing act, you know? All of those things are super important, and it's hard to know where to even begin sometimes.

Okay, so work-wise, I finally submitted my grant application to the uni – phew! I still need to get on top of marking for the poster submissions and finalize those coursework grades. But good news, I've finished marking the rest of the assessments, so those are ready to go back to the students. Since I'm now chairing a few committees at school, I've got to start scheduling meetings with my team and figure out our plans for the year. It's gonna be busy, but hopefully, things will run smoothly.

And it's such a relief that it's school holidays right now, which means no more crazy early mornings until mid-February! I'm definitely enjoying the slower pace. The kids aren't too demanding, thankfully. A quick trip to the playground near our house is usually enough to keep them entertained. If we get home early enough, I'll try to take them for a walk there. It's a nice way to get some fresh air and let them burn off some energy.

So easy to make this boy happy. Play all day.

My tweenager girl. She's me. 😁

And for myself, urgh, seriously? My running machine decided to take a vacation! I guess it needs a little spa day too. It has been a trooper, this hybrid thing, almost 9 years strong. Fingers crossed the repair guy can work his magic. Otherwise, I'm facing another week of running in place (literally! 😁). Feeling the FOMO already.

Please be good. I need you for at least another 10 years. 😄

Basically, that's all for now. I'll fill you in on more details once I have a bit more breathing room from my current workload.

Talk soon! Bye!

Acts of Self Care

Hi,

It's time for some free-flowing thoughts. I still remember back in uni, I used to love wandering around aimlessly to blow off some steam. At UTM, I'd often make the trek from Kolej Tun Fatimah to Tasik Ilmu, supposedly to feed the fish with leftover bread. But honestly, it was mostly an excuse to clear my head and do some thinking.

In Wollongong, I'd walk everywhere, even though public transport was super easy and I even had a car in my final year. I'd happily walk from my place all the way to Fairy Meadow just for a chocolate sundae. That was a regular habit for me, especially during difficult times.

And if it rained? Even better! I'd get so excited because I knew I'd get to see the most amazing rainbow once the rain stopped. There's something special about Australian rainbows. They are always so huge. I've never experienced anything like them elsewhere.

But lately, I've been slacking off on my walking. I'm still good to walk to my morning classes, but if I have afternoon classes, I usually skip the walk. The heat is just brutal, and I will get grumpy when I'm all sweaty and exhausted. And to make it worse, hungry. Haha! 😆

So, less walking means less time for me to just think and process stuff. And when I can't let go of all this stress, I start getting grumpy. Again. It seems to be a cycle. It's frustrating. Sigh. 

"Now teleport me to Wollongong Harbour, please! And quickly!" 

Hold on, let's not get carried away. It's okay to dream, but let's also be realistic and opt for a breather. Hmm, I think a traditional oil massage is exactly what I need right now. 

My favorite massage therapist is Kak Ana from Telok Ayer Tawar. She creates a truly relaxing atmosphere in her home, with soft lighting, soothing aromatherapy oils, and calming music. But when she starts the massage, she really works those knots out! You won't be able to escape her thoroughness.

Spa-like setting at Kak Ana's.

Okay, it's time for a serious dose of self-love. I haven't been focusing enough on myself lately. A new haircut and a mani-pedi would be the perfect finishing touches.

Till then, see you when I feel better. Bye!

Project-Based Learning with Differential Equations

Hello,

We've reached Week 13, and for MAT223, I have announced the conclusion of our lectures for this semester! We've successfully covered all eight chapters ahead of schedule. The remaining two weeks will be dedicated to course-related activities. Next week, we have Test 2, followed by the deadlines for all remaining assessments the week after.

Final lecture at DK G31. 

I will see half of them again next year for MSG328.

This course has a two-part project investigating the application of differential equations in addressing environmental issues. Students will first submit a project proposal outlining their chosen environmental challenge. Subsequently, they will submit a comprehensive project report detailing their mathematical model, solution methods, solution verification, analysis, and conclusions. The project should demonstrate a strong understanding of ordinary differential equations and their applications in environmental contexts.

To further enhance their learning, students are also encouraged to validate their project solutions using experimental data as an option. This is particularly valuable for students with backgrounds in fields like physics, biology, or chemistry. This hands-on approach not only strengthens their understanding of differential equations but also provides a deeper, more meaningful connection to their respective fields of study.

I am thrilled to see the diverse range of topics that students have selected for their projects. I encourage them to explore their interests and I am happy to support them in venturing slightly beyond the course material if they wish to challenge themselves. As long as the fundamental concepts of differential equations are demonstrated and applied effectively, students have the freedom to choose the direction and content of their projects.

The groups that went above and beyond the course syllabus.

Student reports will be presented in the form of A3 size posters. With 33 groups participating this semester, I plan to showcase the top 10 posters outside my office. This is a tradition that was previously paused due to online learning restrictions whereby all submissions were made in softcopy version. I will reinstate the practice to recognize and celebrate the hard work and creativity of our students.

I'm excited to receive their submissions and finish grading for this course! 

Live, Learn and Do Better

Hello there, finally I'm back! :) 

The past few days have been a whirlwind, leaving me little time to breathe, let alone write. I've initiated a few drafts, but lacking of the right mood to finish them. Hopefully, post ni berjaya sampai ke hujung instead of staying in drafts forever. Hehe. 

Anyway, FRGS application season is here again. Based on the lessons learned from previous applications, I will submit another proposal this time. Believe it or not, this is my fifth time applying for the FRGS. No luck so far, but I'm not giving up! I'm learning with each application and looking forward to refining my proposal. 

This round, I will carefully review my previous proposals, incorporating the feedback provided by the KPT panel. I recently had a productive personal consultation with Dato' Isa, a member of the Science domain FRGS panel. He meticulously examined every aspect of my proposal and provided invaluable guidance on how to strengthen it.

Following the discussion, I gained valuable insights into the shortcomings of my previous FRGS applications. These insights will be crucial in refining my current proposal. I have carefully noted all the advice received and will dedicate significant effort to polishing my application before submission. Semangat sikit kali ni and I want to put all the efforts I can to make the project work. 

While previous rejections didn't significantly impact my research output due to my students' success with other funding sources, I'm now driven by a personal desire for professional growth. Successfully managing my own FRGS project will be a significant milestone, allowing me to expand my research expertise beyond guiding student projects.

Well, based on what I have been experiencing with my unsuccessful research grant applications, I can say that we all mess up sometimes, especially when we're not sure where to go in navigating our life. It's totally normal! The important thing is to learn from our blunders and use them to grow. Don't beat yourself up. Instead, just dust yourself off and keep moving forward. Here's to our success! 💪

Motherhood Moments: Sunday Edition

Hello,

It's a random Sunday update today. I've been missing the spontaneity of writing like I used to when I first started this space. It seems harder to just let my thoughts flow freely these days as I want everything to be planned properly. Dah kurang dah random post about my daily life. Dulu, semua benda pun I boleh bercerita. Hehe. Tapi tak apa la, sesuai la dengan umur yang dah nak mencecah pangkal 4 ni kan? 😄

Anyway, Sundays are usually my stay-at-home days, unless I have other plans. I dedicate these days to do a thorough house cleaning. I regularly take our towels and bedsheets to a self-service laundry, as I don't have a dryer at home. This is especially important for my children, who have sinusitis. High-heat bedding drying is an effective method for killing bedbugs, which can be a contributing factor to sinus inflammation.

Sundays are also my cooking day. I prepare meals to freeze for those evenings when I arrive home late. I try my best to cook at home every day, tapi kadang-kadang convenience foods are also necessary. Especially bila sampai rumah dah lambat, nearly to our usual dinner time at 7pm. Ultimately, my goal is to ensure the kids eat on time and have healthy options. That's what most mothers tend to do, isn't it? 😊

My children have been expecting Sundays as outing day too. We usually keep things simple, like enjoying ice cream, browsing at the bookstore, shop hopping or having dinner at my parents' house. Ye la, hari sekolah tak sempat buat semua tu, weekend kita bagi la chance the kids tengok dunia. 😁

Tips for Shopping Breeze: Prioritize your kids' needs. 

Start with new books! It always works wonders. 😆

Okay, enough rambling! The kids are asleep, the house is clean, and I've got everything ready for school tomorrow. Now it's time to focus on some work for a couple of hours. 

Bye! 

One Incredible Doctor

Hi,

I just returned from my daughter's constipation follow-up. The doctor explained that we need to monitor her closely for at least another year. Unfortunately, it won't improve quickly. Her colon muscles need to be trained to function normally, which can take time. To help, we need to increase her intake of high-fiber fruits and vegetables. This means I need to keep being diligent about preparing fresh juices for her.😇

At the hospital, I bumped into my gynecologist, Dr. R. June George. She recognized me from a distance and gave me a warm, motherly hug, just as she used to do when I was her patient. I was under her care for both of my pregnancies and deliveries. My first child was born through natural delivery, while my second was delivered via cesarean section. Dr. June made both experiences remarkably smooth, almost making childbirth seem effortless and enjoyable.

Conceive both of my children was a challenging journey. It took three years to welcome my first child, and another three years for my second. Throughout this time, Dr. June provided invaluable emotional support, ensuring my well-being during this challenging period.

While pregnancy was challenging, childbirth presented its own set of difficulties. Both my babies were born at 41 weeks, staying comfortably within me until the very end. Even after three days of induction, they were reluctant to make their appearance. Weighing in at 4kg each, they were considered large babies, which made the delivery process more demanding. However, Dr. June's expertise made the entire experience seem significantly smooth.

My gynecologist, Dr. June and Adam, mommy's boy who refused to be born in a normal way. 

So, if you found this post while searching for information about Dr. June, I highly recommend her. She is an excellent gynecologist, trust me!

A New Year, New Challenges

Hi,

It's the third day of the new year, and I'm finally able to sit down and update this. As always, life has been quite hectic with the usual demands. Juggling everything on my plate is increasingly challenging. I need to be extra mindful and implement better time management to ensure everything is completed successfully.

A symbolic.

Among my current responsibilities, supervising PhD students gives the most significant challenges. This involves extensively reviewing numerous drafts, including theses and other academic papers, prior to submission. As a supervisor, I prioritize a thorough review of all drafts before authorizing any submission. However, I also need to acknowledge the time constraints in a student's candidature and try my best to provide timely feedback to ensure they can meet their academic deadlines.

On the other hand, teaching is progressing well. I will conclude the final chapter by Week 13, preparing students for their second test and the final exam. Three assessments have been completed, and three more are due in the coming weeks. This will be followed by a period of intensive marking, including the final exam scripts for all candidates.

In addition to what I'm experiencing, this year, I'm embarking on a new chapter as part of the School of Math's newly formed administration team. I'll be coordinating alumni relations, marketing efforts, and income generation for the school. While I haven't had prior experience in these areas, I'm eager to embrace this challenge and unleash my full potential.

Good luck with everything, Amirah! :)