Small Wins, Big Heart

Hi,

There is nothing more satisfying than reaching the end of the day and ticking off those big wins on my list. Today, my heart is extra full.

We started the day celebrating Auni’s amazing performance in her KAFA exams. Alhamdulillah! She did it again! 🎉

Now, here’s the funny part: Auni is basically a part-time student. At the start of every year, I have to politely tell her teachers that she’s going to miss a lot of classes. Why? Because this mom has a daily date with the monster traffic on the bridge, and I just can't wait until 5:30 PM every day! 🚗💨

The Promise: ✋ I promised her teachers that if she leaves early, I’ll be her home teacher to help her catch up.

The Reality: Most subjects were a breeze. I can still handle reading Jawi, and we actually had fun memorizing together. But then... we met Bahasa Arab. Oh boy. 🤦‍♀️ This mom has zero third language skills! While Auni was learning, I was basically a professional at using Google Translate. Let’s just say I am destined to struggle with languages forever, but at least we laughed through the confusion! 🤣

The Lesson: I truly believe you always need a teacher to learn properly, but I didn't want that to be an excuse for her to give up. I wanted Auni to know that trying your best is the most important step. Even with missed classes and a struggling mom-teacher 😅, she stayed focused and nailed it. I’m so proud of her for not drifting away and for giving it her all.

Good job, Auni! You’re the real star! 🌟 You’ve shown me that with a bit of hard work and a lot of heart, anything is possible. Thank you for making all those early pickups and bridge-traffic races totally worth it. You are my greatest achievement!💕

My Kampung Victory!

Hi, 

Hey everyone! Guess where I am? I’ve hit the road and landed in Jasin, Melaka, visiting the in-laws! Even though I haven't been back in ages, it instantly feels like my cozy, easy-going second home.

The best part? The little ones are having an absolute blast! They are basically tiny, fearless explorers, running wild, chasing all the kampung critters, and burning off all their energy. They don't get this kind of freedom very often, so I'm just sitting back and enjoying the chaos. Let them run! (And maybe apologize to the neighbour's cat later.) 😉

Now, for my major victory of the day! Since I had a little free time on my hands (shocking, I know), I decided to tackle the dreaded MMPA course. You know, that boring, compulsory training that all government folks have to finish?

The Mandatory Certificate that Caused Mass Chaos. 😂

I heard all the noise and panic the last few days about people struggling to log in (digital traffic jams are the worst!). But I stayed out of the rush. Honestly, I was too tired. I registered, then immediately put it on the 'I'll Do It Later' list for seven whole days.

This morning, though? After a fantastic night's sleep (eight glorious hours!), I logged in, and it was the smoothest mission ever! No crashes, no lag, just pure, uninterrupted course completion. I finished the entire thing before I even had my morning coffee! Talk about a win! 🎉

Finishing that course really made me think about our students and their online learning, like those Microcredential and MOOC classes. It’s tough! Now I totally get their pain and frustration. Since almost all the lecturers have now had to complete this MMPA course, I really hope we take away a lesson: Compulsory learning is hard!

I realized that I absolutely love reading and learning new things... unless I am forced to do it. When it’s mandatory, the fun drains right out. And that, I bet, is exactly how our students feel about subjects they are forced to take. It was a great moment of understanding!

So, between the family fun and my online course triumph, I also managed to get a lot of work done, including finishing all the marking for Test 1. Hooray! The results... well, they're a little frustrating, to be honest! It shows we have a serious challenge ahead. I need to figure out a new plan right away so my students can rock Test 2 and the Final Exam!

That’s my kampung update! I’m so happy I managed to tick off so many things on my list. Two more days of chill time before I head back to the normal routine.

Talk soon! Bye! 👋

The Final Sprint

Hi,

Hello, lovelies! How's everyone holding up? As for me, I'm currently operating at peak commitment capacity. Think of a finely tuned academic machine... that occasionally stuck because it forgot to refill its coffee. 😅

We're in the final stretch of the semester, and my calendar is looking like a battle plan: 3 chapters to go, 1 test, 1 assignment, and the final project submission. Not forgetting the 'elephant in the room', a stack of Test 1 and Assignment 1 papers that are patiently (or impatiently?) waiting for me to finish marking. Productivity is a journey, right? 😵Honestly, if anyone finds my sanity lying around, please return it. I need it for the next few weeks!

To make things extra spicy, I'm also donning the hat of Internal Examiner for several upcoming viva-voce sessions. While this means I have to read reports that could potentially rival the length of a small novel, it’s a role I genuinely enjoy.

It keeps me grounded. I get to read about amazing projects, and sometimes, they zoom light-years past my own expertise. That's how I know I'm still growing by being the student again while being the examiner! It’s an invaluable way to keep my knowledge base fresh and my thoughts agile.

Anyway, I'm a massive fan of the speedy viva (under two hours is a dream!). It's not a race, but when a candidate, their project, and the panel are all efficiently aligned, it feels like a harmonious academic ballet. No lengthy, unnecessary defenses. Just straight-to-the-point discussion.

Record-breaking. Among the shortest vivas I’ve ever experienced.

And another one of the quickest sessions I’ve ever been part of.

Efficient and effective. I’m a fan!

I have two more reports to prep for and two viva sessions for my own students coming soon. I'm crossing my fingers for quick and decisive sessions for them all!

This is the life of an academic. A constant juggling act of guiding, learning, and self-improvement. If you’re pushing through a tough deadline, a heavy workload, or a challenging personal goal, remember that this intensity builds resilience. Take a deep breath. Focus on the next small step, and celebrate every little win. We're all pushing to the finish line. Keep your head down, remember why you started, and just keep moving forward. You've got this!

I've started chipping away at my personal passion projects too, so here's to a smooth wrap-up for everyone. 💕

Unspeakable Calm of Midnight

Hey,

It's the peaceful midnight hour of the weekend, and I cherish these quiet Saturday nights. This is my chance to do the things I miss during the busy work week.

My neighbourhood is perfectly silent now. Everyone seems to be deep in slumberland already. Meanwhile, I'm here, enjoying the quiet by stargazing through my glass wall.💫

The moon tonight is truly stunning. It looks so full and bright, radiating a soft glow that makes the entire night feel beautiful, even when it hides behind a few clouds. I tried to capture it with my seasoned mobile camera, but the photo simply didn't do it justice.

It shines so brightly, I believe it's sending a message of promise to the world tonight.

Anyway, as I was relaxing, I heard a song on the tv called "P. Ramlee & Saloma". Now, the melody is completely stuck in my head! It's so hard to believe a simple song can fit this tranquil moment so perfectly. I think I'll listen to it again while watching the moon sets away from my sight.

And you know what? Finding this quiet connection in the night with the music and the stars is the perfect reset button for my soul. It's moments like these that make the hustle of the past week feel utterly distant and irrelevant. They remind me that true richness isn't found in relentless activity, but in stillness. A stillness that clarifies the spirit and prepares you to greet the coming week not with dread, but with quiet, renewed purpose.

And with that, my thoughts come to rest for tonight. I cherished this chance to write freely again. It truly felt restorative. Now, to embrace the lingering quiet a little longer before I surrender to sleep. Goodnight. 💕

Conquering the -25°C Winter with Kids

Hi,

Oh my goodness, can you believe it? It’s the first weekend of December, and while everyone else is humming holiday tunes, I’m in full-blown panic-prep mode for our big winter trip at the end of the month! This year, we’re going somewhere seriously chilly. We’re talking high temperatures of -13°C during the day and a terrifying -25°C at night! Brrrr! ☃

This isn't my usual trip. My main focus right now is making sure my two little adventurers are equipped with proper heat wear and enough medicine to stock a small pharmacy.

You know what’s the biggest relief? My kids are easier to handle now. Remember the long-haul flight to Melbourne last year? And the ten-hour layover at that foreign airport? They nailed it! They know how to manage their feelings when travel gets tedious. They’ll bring their trusty toys and books to keep themselves busy, and that’s the magic formula. Happy, calm kids equal a happy, calm mom! That was the most important lesson I wanted them to learn, honestly. Staying calm while traveling. 

Against all odds, the 8-hour flight to Melbourne with the kids was remarkably easy.

One of the many compelling reasons why Australia remains my favourite place to live?

The stunning natural palette everywhere you look. Deep green landscapes under an impossibly bright blue sky. Ahh, so stunning. 💕

I’ve never been one for travel agents. My style is strictly DIY. All are self-planned, and somehow, we happily survive every single time! It’s exhausting, but so rewarding.

The biggest challenge is always the language barrier. Trying to figure out what people are saying and adjusting to their way of communicating. That always takes the most mental energy. Everything else? Totally manageable. Especially when you're bringing little humans, the key is just proper preparation!

Speaking of preparation, I just have to tell you about my latest purchase! Universal Traveller is having their "Travel Madness" sale right now! Seriously, if you need a new suitcase, run, don't walk! They don't do this often, but when they do, it's a fantastic bargain.

Seriously, if you need any travel gear, you have to go check out the Universal Traveller website right now! The Travel Madness Sale is legit!

Why did I need a new one? Well, to add to my collection, of course! Haha, just kidding (mostly!).

The real reason? I absolutely needed an extra 24-inch bag. Why? Because winter gear for sub-zero temperatures is a nightmare! Boots, big puffy down jackets, thermals, they are all so fluffy and space-consuming! Trying to fit a family's worth of giant, marshmallow-like clothing into our old bags was just impossible. So, the new 24-inch bag is purely for Operation: Puffy Gear Transport! It's totally a challenge!

Anyway, that’s my current mental landscape. I need to channel my brain away from thermals and into school uniform now. It’s time for my son's school preparation. Talk soon! Bye!

Witnessing Our Graduates Shine

Hi,

What a day! We finally got to celebrate the incredible graduates from the School of Mathematical Sciences at the USM 63rd Convocation Ceremony!

And guess what? We got the very last slot. Honestly, I think the universe was doing me a favor. First, it's not my lecture day, which is a little win for any lecturer. Second, being the grand finale just makes it feel like the whole week was building up to celebrating our amazing graduates, the true stars of the show!

And here they are! The incredible Class of 2025 from the School of Mathematical Sciences!

Seriously, I have a thing for convocation. I don't know if it's the fancy robes or the general feeling of "I survived a thousand exams," but I make it a point to be there every year. It tells me that all those sleepless nights wrestling with theorems and complex equations were absolutely worth it! (Even the ones that made you question all your life choices.) 😉

With the Dean and a colleague, celebrating a successful day for the students.

Lining up and ready to go! The Maths team joins the procession to kick off the ceremony!

My favourite girls.

So, after a truly momentous ceremony, we all rushed out for the main event: The Photo Session! Capes, smiles, proud parents, and slightly confused staff trying to fit into the frame. It’s chaos, but it’s the best kind of chaos.

We gave them their degrees, now we just need them to remember to visit! 😉

To all our graduates: Go out there and use those brilliant brains! Whether you're balancing books, coding the next big app, or just calculating the perfect amount of pizza for a party, remember that you can solve anything.

That's a wrap on this year's glorious celebration! See you at the next one in 2026!