Celebrating My Pandemic Children

Hi,

What a busy week it's been in the School of Math! It's all about final year presentations, and let me tell you, the math-a-thon is in full swing. Tomorrow, I have four students I've been advising presenting their projects. Wish them luck!

I'm also on the panel for six other projects this week. Four wrapped up today (phew!), with one more on Wednesday and the final one on Thursday. Reading these Final Year Projects (FYP) is always a blast. It's like a mathematical treasure hunt! The topics are so varied and genuinely fun. While they might not be ground-breaking theories, it's fascinating to see how these bright minds explore so many real-world applications of math. Who knew numbers could be so adventurous? 😉

With Intan Nuraini. She may be small, but this girl is absolutely bursting with energy!

Ain Suraya and Hasliza. I've witnessed first-hand their incredible resilience, watching them bounce back even after facing tough times.

This batch of students is about to graduate with their Bachelor's Degrees, and a wave of happy tears is definitely coming. Why, you ask? Because my very first group of students I advised are among them! I affectionately call them my COVID-19 children because our first "meeting" was virtually, during the pandemic. Our communication mainly happened through the wonderful world of online platforms. Can you imagine starting your university life without even stepping foot on campus? It was a wild ride, but I tried my best to make sure they still felt connected and enjoyed their first year, even if it was through a screen.

Once the pandemic decided to pack its bags and they finally arrived at USM for physical classes, we started a beautiful tradition, pizza parties at the end of every semester! Being an academic advisor isn't just about handing out advice, it's about making sure these young minds get the right guidance to not only graduate on time but also choose courses that truly spark their interest and align with their strengths.

I'm really going to miss our lively gazebo parties! Academic advising sessions were always so much fun with the never-ending flow of pizza and boba tea.

I've watched them grow from being a little naïve and unsure of themselves, making a few 'oopsie' decisions (some even hitting the P1 and P2 stages, don't worry, those are just academic pit stops, not permanent parking spots!). But they didn't give up! They buckled down, caught up, and are now ready to graduate with their friends. It's truly inspiring. 

No matter the hurdles they faced, I truly hope they gained something valuable from me, the school, and their time at USM. My biggest wish is that these past four years have felt like a second home to them, and they know they're always welcome back, pizza parties or not! 🍕🎉

Calm in the Little Things

Hi,

Just now, the sky above my place suddenly opened up, giving us a heavy burst of rain! It feels like forever since we've had rain this strong. But it didn't last long, just a quick sprinkle, like the rain was saying hello. And just as I was enjoying watching the drops fall against the window, it stopped. It made me think that rain, like many other beautiful things in life, comes and goes quickly, but it always makes us feel calm and peaceful while it's here.

My weekend was pretty calm and usual. Nothing exciting happened, just a typical weekend when I don't leave town. So, like other quiet weekends, I decided to tidy up something in my house. This time, I took on my overflowing collection of scarves!

I went through them all, picking out the ones I wear often. The rest, the ones I haven't worn in over six months, I carefully put aside. I plan to give them away to people who need them when I get the chance. I mostly wear square scarves, so I got rid of all my long shawls. I only kept a few that mean a lot to me or were gifts. The rest will soon find new owners.

It feels so good to get things sorted out like that! There's something truly calming about arranging everything just so by color, size, and pattern. It's more than just tidying up, it's almost like a therapy session for my mind. When I bring order to my physical space, it feels like I'm also untangling thoughts and calming my mind.

Now, my collection only holds square scarves. I've organized them neatly, separating the solid colors from the printed designs.

Okay, that's all for now! It's time for me to head to bed. Work will be back to its usual routine tomorrow. Until then, see you! Bye for now!

Life's Shifting Adventures

Hi!

Lately, I've noticed my publishing finger has been a bit quiet on the keyboard. It's not for lack of things to say, my brain is practically overflowing with stories and I've got a bunch cooking in drafts! But sometimes, those stories are just meant to be cozy little secrets, right? So yeah, let's keep those tales stay tucked away for personal enjoyment, at least for now.😉

This quiet spell has really got me thinking about how much we evolve. It also made me wonder: what's the wildest thing I've done lately? My younger self was an absolute whirlwind. From spontaneous 400km day trips to private beaches, to scaling mountains just for a legendary bowl of hot soup, and even bold solo escapades across the globe. She was definitely all about those no-second-thoughts adventures!

Fast forward to present day, and my definition of crazy is a tad different. Now, I'll literally cross the country border, indulge in my favorite massage, spend the night, and then nonchalantly return to regular life the next morning. Whatever it takes to keep the sanity meter from hitting zero, right? That's my current level of extreme, it's amazing how our definitions of adventure change!

So homey! The kind of setting I love.

It's a powerful reminder that treating ourselves well isn't always about ticking off bucket lists. Sometimes, the wildest and most important thing we can do is simply listen to what our bodies and minds truly need. In a world that constantly asks us to do more, be more, give more, the most rebellious and vital act we can commit is to unapologetically prioritize our own well-being.

Ultimately, what counts isn't the grandeur of the adventure, but how it fuels your spirit. Taking care of ourselves, in whatever form that takes, is always worth the journey. With all that said, please take good care of yourselves out there. Stay healthy, be kind to your mind, and keep shining as your best, most authentic self.

Love, A.

A Note from Within

Dear Amirah,

Here's a note for you.

It seems like you're carrying a heavy load right now, and it's completely understandable to feel down, especially when someone you care for is hurting.

You're a resilient person. You know how to push through your own challenges, dictate your own mind, and get back up when life knocks you down. That's an incredible strength, a testament to your inner power. You've always trusted yourself to handle things well, emotionally, spiritually, and in every other way.

But here's the thing, when it comes to someone else, especially someone you're responsible for, it's a different kind of pain. You can't control their feelings, and you can't just tell them to "be strong" the way you tell yourself. That's a heavy burden, feeling their hurt and wishing you could make it better. It's okay to feel overwhelmed by that.

This moment, though tough, is also a reminder of your deep compassion and sense of responsibility. It shows just how much you care. And while you can't fix everything for them, your presence, your empathy, and your unwavering support are powerful in themselves. Keep trusting that inner strength, not just for yourself, but to be the anchor for those who need you. You've got this, even when it feels incredibly hard.

Love, A.

Catching Up on My Corner of the World

Hi,

Well hello there! I hope everything is going great for you. My weekend was mostly about making my house super clean and nice. You know, giving it a good old refresh! So, I did a lot of deep cleaning, which is basically scrubbing every nook and cranny to make sure it sparkles. The rest of the time was just my usual routine, a mix of errands and chill time.

And guess what else? My kids are getting ready for some big events! They have their Taekwondo tournament coming up, where they'll be showing off their awesome kicks and punches, and a swimming competition too, where they'll be splashing their way to the finish line. Both of these are happening in August, so my weekend schedule has been pretty packed helping them with their practices and training. I'm basically their personal cheerleader and taxi driver these days! 😂

Amidst all that, I actually managed to snag some really good rest! Seriously, getting a full 8 hours of sleep is like hitting the jackpot for me, especially on days when school's in session. So, I made sure to take full advantage of the weekend and sleep in a lot. Ahh, it feels so incredibly good to wake up feeling totally refreshed and ready to go! It's like my brain finally got a much-needed reset.

Anyway, it's study week now in the academic calendar, which means my schedule is a bit more relaxed. Hooray for that! But I still have a few important things I've already planned. One of the most exciting is a special lunch treat for minor project girls. They've been working super hard these past few months, putting in so much effort, so they absolutely deserve a delicious reward! We've decided to try the new cafe that just opened at USM. I'm really excited to see if it's as good as the other one I usually go to on the mainland. My taste buds are definitely ready for an adventure!

Oh, my pretty girls! They had their final year dinner, and guess what the theme was? Arabian Night! I apparently missed that memo big time! 😂 I'm definitely not an abaya person. Good thing a simple black dress is always there when you need it! 

Okay, that's all for now! I'll definitely pop back in with more updates if I have time. Until then, see you soon. Bye!

My Semester Wrap Up

Hello weekend, is that you?! I've been waiting! 

It's very late, I know. But I just got back from a dinner escapade. (Details to follow in a highly anticipated, potentially never-written post, because... life. 😬). Okay, okay, I will. As soon as I get the chance to do it.

As per tradition, a night out means my chores decided to go on strike. So here I sit, a captive audience to my washing machine's spin cycle, proving that even exciting evenings end with domestic duties. Skipping laundry is just not an option unless I want to live in a future where my laundry basket stage form a textile Everest. Nope, not today! 😂

Big news, though, the semester is officially done! My Test 2 papers are still waiting for their grand finale, but I'll tackle those over the long weekend. Then, next week, it's time to face my nemesis: the OCADS system. I think I'm gonna start preparing all the coursework marks ready in a separate file, then just plop them into the system. Easy peasy (hopefully)!

Soon after, the final exams will hit. Thankfully, I'm splitting the marking load with a colleague, so at least half my sanity will remain intact! Ah, this reminds me of getting my new favourite red pen from Popular. A reason to visit a bookstore over this weekend. 😉

Enthusiastic girls. They're practically in a competition to be the first to get to the board and write solutions!

Complete attendance for the final lecture. Their cooperation truly made this course a blast.

And that's the quick update! To all in Penang, enjoy your long weekend! My thrilling plans involve deep cleaning the house and a mall visit. Boring, I know. But at least my weekend is sorted.. 😂

Redefining My Rhythm

Hi,

How's everything going for you? Well, things are going great on my end. I've actually shaken up my exercise routine this past week, and I'm really digging it so far! After a few years of trusty elliptical running, I figured it was time for a little tweak.

My daily mission is to hit 10,000 steps OR 30 minutes of exercise. If I nail either of those, I count it as a win for the day. Hitting 10K steps is a breeze if I'm on my feet all day at work. But if it's a chill day, I usually reach out around 5K-6K steps only. I know myself, I'll be frustrated if I don't hit my daily goal.

So, to make sure I always hit my mark, I've got a system. I've integrated it so thoroughly that I feel incomplete without its regular cycle. 30 minutes of running at home gets me a solid 3,000 steps, and then I will do a happy little dance with the vacuum cleaner to grab that final 1,000. By 10 PM, I can kick back, gaze at the stars, and know my 10K steps are officially conquered! Then I can finally call it a day.

Lately though, my body was getting a little too comfortable with the routine. How do I know? My heart rate barely hit 140 bpm anymore. So, I've spiced things up with 15-20 minutes of dedicated cardio, and boom! My heart rate easily jumps to 150 bpm. Though, I bet you could beat that by just making me nervous! 😉

All in all, I'm super happy with this new routine. Hopefully, in three months, I'll not only be healthier but also have a flatter "mommy's pouch"! Haha, let's be real, that's the real goal. Defining my own body, one step (and vacuum session!) at a time. My motivation? That electrifying feeling you get from Like Jennie official live performance video. 

Watch from 1:45 to the end. She absolutely crushed it! What a performance.

How Music Fuels My Focus

Hi,

Can you believe it's already the first of July? Happy new month, everyone! Just like that, we're halfway through 2025. Time really flies, doesn't it? It feels like only yesterday I was mapping out my plans for the year, and suddenly it's crunch time to see if I'm hitting them. Uh oh, not quite there yet, but I swear I'm putting in the work!

Anyway, I just noticed that it's that awesome time again! My Michael Learns To Rock (MLTR) playlist is officially on repeat, ready to play for me all day. And if I haven't said it before, let me tell you, every single song by the legendary MLTR is my absolute favorite! Seriously, I could pop their tunes on a 24-hour loop and be super happy with the music.

Back in my student days in Wollongong, that's exactly what I did, especially when I needed to really get into my reading. Their music became the perfect background music for my study sessions. I'd turn the volume way down, just enough for a soft sound in the background, like a musical whisper, not a loud concert, so my brain could still do its hard work.

My special study trick? Slow MLTR songs for reading and writing notes, helping me take in every word without my mind wandering off. But when it was time to dive into coding, I'd play their faster songs a bit. Why the musical switch? Well, my brain gets bored easily, and I've learned that if I don't change things up, I'll just be staring at my screen dreaming of chocolate muffin instead of debugging. So, changing my study routine, with MLTR as my sidekick, was (and still is!) the key to keeping my work moving forward.

Well, I can't tell you the exact science behind it and why it helped, but it totally worked like a charm! And now, as I'm dealing with lots of PhD theses, MLTR is back again. Ah, the memories! It's like a warm, nice musical feeling that takes me right back to those good old days. If only I could bottle up that feeling and go back in time!

This picture gives me total déjà vu ! It's one of my favorite reading spots. With my notebook, some MLTR songs from iTunes, I could happily spend hours there. Just me, my thoughts, and the music.

Speaking of music, I really love listening to live music, but I'm definitely not a concert person. I just don't fancy crowded places, you know? All those people jostling around, it's just not my cup of tea. But oh, how I wish I could somehow magically attend an MLTR live performance!

I know, I know, that doesn't really make sense, does it? My 'no crowds' rule and a 'live concert' wish don't exactly jive. But hey, a person can dream, right? Just imagining being there, hearing their voices, feeling the music in the air (without, you know, being squished by a thousand other fans), it just feels so good to imagine. Maybe one day they'll do a special, un-crowded, live concert experience just for folks like me!😂

Alright, that's it for now! And what a way to kick off July, right? I hope your July is starting with a bang too, maybe you're rocking out to your favorite tunes or surrounded by your favorite people (or both, if you're really living the dream!). Embrace everything around you, even if it's just the chaotic beauty of your to-do list. Let's make this month epic! Toodles!💃