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! :)

Goodbye 2024, welcome aboard 2025!

Hello,

Today is the last day of 2024. I feel compelled to commemorate this moment somehow. It just feels right. :)

2024 has been incredibly kind to me. I almost wish I could freeze this moment in time and savor it forever. But of course, life moves on. I anticipate that 2025 might present some challenges. However, I'm confident and all ready to face them head-on.

 I don't typically make formal New Year's resolutions. I find writing them down a bit daunting. However, I do have some personal goals that I'm quietly working towards. I am determined to set my motivation straight and achieve my goals successfully.

So, today concludes the final page of this chapter: 2024. I am ready to bid farewell to the old year and welcome the new. I wish for 2025 to be a year filled with greater meaning and purpose.

Goodbye! :)

Back to Normalcy

Hi,

I'm already back in Penang. We went back a little earlier than initially planned. We made a stop in Kuala Lumpur to visit some relatives before continuing our journey back to Penang. Traffic has been smooth northbound despite some on and off heavy rain throughout Perak.

Thank you Acu for inviting us to your humble abode.

We share the teaching profession. She is a faculty member at UIA.

My son has a mild fever right now. He's been having so much fun playing outdoors these past few days, and now that it's over, he's come down with a fever. Hospital and clinic visits have become a frequent part of my routine in recent weeks. It began with my sister's surgery, followed by my daughter's checkups, and now I'm tending to my son's fever. 😅

Getting back into the routine after a trip can be a bit daunting. There's a mountain of laundry waiting for me, and I need to unpack my suitcase quickly before it becomes a permanent fixture in the corner. Better get started on sorting things out! 😁

It's alright, I have the entire Sunday to complete it. Then, I'll start preparing for the remaining weeks of school before the holiday begins in the third week of January.

Okay, I have to go now. 

I'll be back soon, hopefully before the New Year.

😊

When Students Remember

Hello, I'm back :),

In my previous post, I shared how teaching MAT223 has been incredibly rewarding, particularly in demonstrating the practical applications of mathematics in students' everyday lives. Coincidentally, today I received an email from a former student I taught during the pandemic in 2020.

I taught Jason in MAT223 nearly five years ago, during which we had numerous engaging discussions via Webex. I'm proud to recall how I was able to address most of his questions and cultivate his curiosity. Today, he reached out to me, requesting that I serve as a referee for his postgraduate application. It's truly delighting to receive such a humble request.😇

Given his application to the University of Oxford, I am eager to support his aspirations. While I have always admired Oxford, the opportunity to contribute to a student's application to such a prestigious institution is truly rewarding.

Bodleian Library, University of Oxford. Source: Facebook. 

A place I have always dreamed of visiting. 😊

You know what's the best part of my job? 

Hearing how my teaching has impacted my students. 

It's truly gratifying.

Equations of My Life : Teaching at USM

Hi,

I am finalizing some assessments and notes, and I realized I have a lot to complete in the remaining four teaching weeks. By the way, I haven't introduced you to the courses I teach at the School of Mathematical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia. I'm the primary course owner for MAT 223 - Differential Equations 1, which I teach in the first semester. I also co-teach MSG 328 - Introduction to Modelling with another colleague in the alternate semesters.

MSG328 - One of the most enjoyable courses I've ever taught in USM.

These two courses are my favourites because their content perfectly aligns with my interest in applied mathematics. My expertise lies in this area, and I find immense satisfaction in solving application problems that connect to real-world scenarios. Even though teaching the courses focuses primarily on theoretical approaches, I thoroughly enjoy incorporating interesting applications of mathematics to real-world problems. Witnessing the 'wow' moments from my students is incredibly rewarding.

And I believe due to that, MAT223 is consistently becoming one of the most popular courses in our school. Enrollment numbers continue to grow each year, attracting students from various schools within USM. Some even choose this course as their elective. Hence, I feel a strong sense of responsibility to ensure that all my students enjoy the learning experience in my lectures and ultimately gain valuable knowledge and skills that they cannot acquire elsewhere. 😇

So, regarding my current teaching responsibilities, I need to finalize the date for Test 2 within the next few weeks. Due to the large class size, I'll likely need to schedule it as a night session to accommodate everyone's availability. I aim to conduct the test sometime in Week 14. This will give me ample time to complete the marking before the final exams begin, allowing students to receive their coursework grades before the exam.

Test 1 at DUP C. Test 2 is going to be somewhere here too.

Speaking of which, the final exam schedule is finally out, and MAT223 is set for Friday, 3-5pm. I can already anticipate potential issues that might arise. I've been dealing with cheating issues for the past two years, and resolving them often takes an extra hour after exams. With Friday traffic being prominently bad, I'm already foreseeing a hectic day. So please be calm as always, Amirah. 😇

An unexpected advantage

Hi,

It's Christmas break today, and I'm taking the kids back to their other hometown in Jasin. Whenever we have the chance, I will ensure they get to experience the true 'kampung' life that they don't get to enjoy in Penang.

The first thing I needed to do upon arriving here was to make fruit and vegetable juice for my daughter. She was diagnosed with severe constipation, and I needed to help alleviate it before our next doctor's appointment in early January.

We discovered this problem in January 2023. My daughter accidentally swallowed a plastic button from her toys. We went to see Dr. Hema, a pediatrician in Pantai Hospital Sungai Petani. An abdominal X-ray was performed, but the button wasn't found. However, the X-ray revealed that she had constipation.

3rd January 2023. Almost two years ago. Omg, she's still very small here.

Nearly two years later, one night, she woke me up complaining of leg pain in both legs. I tried to alleviate the discomfort with hot and cold compresses and warm oil massages, but the pain persisted. Worried, I took her to the doctor. Suspecting a recurrence of the constipation issue, the doctor ordered another abdominal X-ray, which confirmed her suspicions.

December 2024. Look how much she's grown in just two years! At this rate, she'll be taller than me in no time.

She was prescribed Forlax by the doctor, this time for a longer duration, to help her clear her colon. In addition, I need to ensure she's consuming a sufficient amount of fruits and vegetables three times a day. The easiest way to do this might be to make her a fruit and vegetable juice and encourage (sometimes forcing needed) her to drink it all.

Today's combination.

I've been doing this for almost two weeks now, and I'm determined to keep it up as long as I can. As moms say, 'You do what you gotta do.' Nothing brings me more joy than seeing my children free from pain.

Look at the colors! It tasted amazing, too.

I find it very therapeutic to experiment with different combinations of fruits and vegetables in my juices. I love playing with the colors and flavors, trying to find the perfect blend. At this rate, I might just open a small juice stall next to Boost! 😁

That's pretty much it. I'll be spending the next few days here, just a typical routine. I will still have lectures tomorrow and a few student meetings. I'm mostly focused on making sure the kids have a wonderful time with family before we head back to Penang.

Till then, see you next time! 

Dreaming of Escape

Hi!

It's already Sunday, and I've so far finished watching two movies this weekend! I watched 'The Maltese Holiday' while running, and then took the kids to see 'Mufasa: The Lion King' at the cinema.

I try to make it a point to run for 30 minutes indoors a few times a week as it helps me to stay in shape and to keep an eye on my heart rate. Finding the time can be a struggle, but I'll do my best to stick to my routine. To keep the motivation going, I always watch a movie while I'm at it. 

Almost the end of 2024. I am planning to do better in 2025.

So yesterday, I watched 'The Maltese Holiday' and I was glued to the screen for the whole time. This movie tells the story of Shea, facing a solo travel adventure to Malta. The storyline highlights the importance of embracing unexpected opportunities in life. I totally relate to Shea's character. I could easily imagine myself doing exactly what she does in the movie.

Beautiful landscape, isn't it?

And most importantly, through the movie I can see that Malta is truly amazing! Stunning beaches, serene vineyards, and captivating ancient history, creating a truly romantic atmosphere everywhere you turn. Now I feel like Malta is calling me! 😁 I'm seriously considering booking a flight and embarking on my own adventure there. ✈️ Err sorry, not yet for now. One day okay, one day.

And for the next movie, the kids absolutely loved 'Mufasa: The Lion King'! I enjoyed it too. It was fun imagining myself living peacefully with the animals in Melele, the mythical land Mufasa rules. And I also thought Mufasa was incredibly handsome as king. 🦁😄

It's officially the Christmas season around the world! The holiday spirit is definitely in the air. And it seems to be snowing everywhere too. I'm itching to travel right now! If you are having yours, hope you enjoy your holiday! 😄

Bye!

Rekindling Old Friendships Through Work

Hello!

Here I am again. Seems like I'm back to my blogging era! It feels great to be able to express myself here. As many of you know, I'm generally friendly, but I'm quite selective about sharing personal details. This blog is the perfect place for me to freely share my thoughts and feelings. :)

Okay, today I'd like to tell you about how my work has enabled me to reconnect with old friends. A few weeks ago, my department organized the latest series of MathTech conference. I was in the pioneering team for MathTech18 and MathTech20. Next, I was trusted to anchor MathTech22. And then, for MathTech24, I decided to take a step back but still contributed as part of the editorial team.

Through this event, I managed to reconnect with my room mate in Kolej Rahman Putra, UTM Skudai. She was invited as one of the workshop instructors. Meeting her brought back all the good memories we had when we stayed together for a few years in Skudai, Johor.

Meet my very best friend in UTM, Wan Nor Munirah.

Despite of being just a room mate, we were incredibly close to each other. We shared the same FYP Supervisor, Prof. Dr. Shaharuddin Salleh, and also MSc. Supervisor, AP. Dr. Ong Chee Tiong. We even competed for the Best Presenter award, and both of us won! I still couldn't believe the kind of competition we had back then. 😅 But we really did it by empowering each other. 🎉 We both attended a few job interviews together and received multiple offers. However, I ultimately accepted USM's ASTS offer, while Wan chose to pursue an opportunity at UNIMAP and then to UTHM as she currently is now. That's when we went our separate ways, but MathTech 24 brought us together! 

Glad to see you in Penang, Wan!

And then earlier today, I had the pleasure of being involved in a viva session for a Masters by Research student from Universiti Malaysia Terengganu. It was wonderful reconnecting with an old friend also from UTM, Anne. I fondly remember her as the ‘pretty girl next door.’ I admired her not only for her intelligence but also for her politeness and charm. I am truly grateful for the opportunity to be the external examiner for her student.

Panels for today's viva. Completed my task as the external examiner for the candidate. Another panel is Kak Fatimah Noor, senior from UOW, and USM alumni. What a small world.

I still remember traveling all the way from Australia to the UK in 2012, specifically to Loughborough University, to attend a conference and stay with Anne. Luckily, I shared a post on my visit to Lboro HERE. Back then, solo travel was my forte. Crossing half the globe alone was no biggie. I wonder if I could still pull that off today. I’d probably be a mess! 😂

So, that's about it. I'm really happy to have had the chance to reconnect with my best buddies from our UTM days through work. I believe that as I continue on this path, more doors will open, and I'll have even more opportunities to reconnect with people who are important to me.

Till then. 

See you again next time. 

Bye for now!

A long, draining day

Hi,

I just got back home. It's 9.00 pm while I'm writing this. I am now sitting down with the kids while waiting for their bedtime. Drained and sleepy.

Today was somewhat a gruelling day for me. I started my morning rush at 5 AM, only to encounter a major traffic delay due to an accident. It took me nearly two hours to reach USM, just in time for a departmental board meeting. I managed to join the meeting while simultaneously finalizing a viva report. 😁

At 2:30 PM, I was involved in a PhD viva session as an internal examiner. Before the session began, the Chairman jokingly said that he thought it would finish before 7:30 PM. It seems he wasn't joking! 😂 The session concluded at 7 PM, after a solid 4 hours and 30 minutes. 

We survived the 270 minutes of discussion. Good job everyone! 😄

As soon as the session ended, I hurried home, drenched and exhausted, after navigating through another chaotic traffic and heavy rain. Arriving at 8:30 PM, I quickly grabbed a bite to eat. Now, as I rest, I'm reflecting on the incredibly long and challenging day I've had.

I have yet to make preparations for my role as an external examiner for tomorrow's viva session. Yes, panelling two viva sessions for two days in a row is no joke. 😵‍💫

But I figured I needed a breather to clear my head before diving back in. So, I decided to take a break to rest and recharge while reflecting at these simple moments, these quiet nights, that make life feel truly worthwhile.

Keep being strong dear self. 

You can do it. 💪

What I have been busying myself with?

Hi there, I'm back. :)

I've been struggling to adjust to a sudden change recently. :( A very tough one. To cope, I've found that maintaining a very structured and busy schedule helps me. It helps, even if only slightly. And I hope to be better each day.

My days are now incredibly full. I squeeze in as many things as possible, especially meetings with my students. I'm closely monitoring their research and hoping for their timely graduation. I am currently supervising nine PhD students in diverse areas as their primary supervisor, along with five undergraduate projects. Reading their work has taken a considerable toll on my daily schedule. It's no wonder my life has become quite hectic. But I am embracing it.

Among all of my academic responsibilities, supervision remains my most fulfilling role. Having studied abroad independently, I deeply understand the unique challenges and anxieties students face. I consistently strive to empathize with their perspectives and motivations, always treating them with respect to foster a mutually respectful and productive working relationship.

But at the same time, I also encourage them to take ownership of their research and make independent decisions. For their growth, I will push them to step outside their comfort zones and tackle challenging research questions.

I would like to introduce some of my current students whom I meet regularly. Many others are based in their home countries, so our interactions primarily occur through virtual platforms like Webex.

Tariq Azzam from Jordan. Young and energetic chap. Finishing soon. Hoping for GOT.

Li and Zhou from China. Hubby and wifey doing PhD together. So cute! This journey is going to be a memorable one for both of them.

Azhar and Hanis. Also husband and wife. Finished. Considering them as my co-researchers in upcoming projects.

And not forgetting my undergraduate students Aiman, Elya and Hafiz. Selalu kena berletiaq. Sorry kids, I promise you it's for your best.

Hmm, I'm now feeling the need for some new experiences and a change of pace. After years of complacency, it's time to identify and improve my aptitudes. Wish me luck!

Music and Mathematics

Hello,

Happy December! It's the last month of the year, and for most people, it's holiday time! And whenever December comes, I always imagine myself to be somewhere in the Northern Hemisphere for winter solstice. Perfect for a romantic getaway, isn't it? :)

But sadly no, I'm currently living in the realm of being a dedicated mother and a passionate educator. Juggling the demands of motherhood with my academic responsibilities, I need to be that multi-tasking marvel. 🦸‍♀️ High five fellow mothers who's reading this. We're all in this together, and we're going to rock it! 💪

Anyway, just a short sharing today. Some people find that listening to music while doing math can be helpful, I am included. During my high school years, a small red radio was my constant companion. When I started boarding school, my father generously gifted me a Walkman player. And throughout my university years, I always curated various playlists on my YouTube account to accompany me through different phases of my studies. That's how much I rely on good music while studying.

Until now, I’ve always found it helpful to listen to music while doing math and to seek out calming background noise that blocks out distractions. The first time I encountered the idea that music could enhance my mathematical solving abilities, I was intrigued.

Music and mathematics are two seemingly disparate worlds. How do they intersect?  Curious me would wonder, imagining music as a secret elixir that could transform my math skills from average to outstanding. 😁

And from there, I am now interested to look for the answer of the following questions:

• Does music truly have the power to improve math performance? 
• If so, what specific brain regions are responsible for this connection? 
• And how does music stimulate the brain to foster mathematical thinking?

Okay that's it for now. I might come back to share more about the answers to the above questions later. When? One day when all my questions are answered. Anyway, here's a newly found magic potion that has been on repeat for days. Thought of keeping it here for memories. Enjoy! 😊

Blessed at 39

Hi!

Today marks the final day of November and my birthday month will officially be over. 

At 39 years old, I discover so many things about myself that I never thought I would in the past. Life has taught me so well I begin to realize certain things are destined to happen not the way we planned. No matter how careful we have planned our steps, sometimes life has a different plan. Right?

Anyway, November 2024 has been great. I love and cherish every single bit of it. I need to make sure that I am all ready to manage my emotions well, make sensible decisions, resolve conflicts and stress and adapt to change, which helps me grow and learn.

I will continue to enjoy my thirties before the big 4-0 says hello next year. 

Happy birth month dear self! 😊

Bye! 

Manifesting What You Really Want in Your Life

Assalamualaikum,

It feels nice to be here again :)

Looks like the momentum is still going strong, hence, another post after the long pause. I am so proud of myself. :)

So hari ni, my main intention is to share an inspirational story based on my own experience. Many of us would think that to share your personal tale, you need to live extraordinary lifestyle, or at least you need to be famous. But to me, if your story can make a difference to at least one person who's reading it, that could be an important inspiration someone might need at his/her inauspicious time. They could be your friends, your own family members or if you are lucky, many others.

I am going to start by sharing a very simple life story today and show you how manifesting something that you really really want will turn thoughts into reality.  Before that, let me introduce myself just in case if you don't know me yet. Maklumlah kan, dah 7 tahun hilang dari radar.😄 I am Amirah, a mathematics lecturer at a public university in Penang, Malaysia, the well renowned Universiti Sains Malaysia. Perkataan lecturer and Universiti Sains Malaysia I sengaja bold kan ada sebab dia. Wait for it. hehe.

Part 1: Lecturer

When I was in primary school, I always wanted to become a lecturer WALAUPUN I didn't have the slightest idea yang kerja jadi pensyarah tu sebenarnya dia buat apa. The only thing that I knew, it sounds so cool sebab boleh kerja dalam universiti dekat tempat orang yang dah besar. So, tiap-tiap kali tulis buku biodata masa kecik-kecik dulu, mesti dengan yakinnya I akan letak cita-cita sebagai lecturer/pensyarah. I letak bukti dekat sini walaupun terpaksa cover parts lain sebab rasa nak lempang diri sendiri. hahahaha.

Once upon a time in 1997 (27 years ago), when I was in standard 6.

Bukti cita-cita dari kecik memang nak jadi pensyarah.

Wajib isi dalam semua buku biodata kawan-kawan sebelum habis sekolah.

Cute/colourful handwriting. Signature siap ada star 🌟. 

Omg, I cringed looking at this. What was I thinking that time? 😂

But, it's okay. This is a treasure I would want to keep forever. 😊

So, that time, everyone close to me knew very well about me wanting to be a Pensyarah. My parents, siblings, teachers, friends, semua lah. Cuma masa tu, I couldn't really tell more details like where would my work place be, when I am going to start becoming a lecturer, and what subjects I am going to be interested in. Everything was still very vague that time. Come on, you were only 12 years old, Amirah. Give yourself time. 

Then moving on to the next chapter of my life, I went to a lower secondary school near my house, somewhere in Butterworth, with the same ambition, still to become a pensyarah. There, I became one of the top students in Maths subject, competing over a bunch of highly intelligent Chinese guys and managed to put myself as part of the Maths enthusiasts team. It was there and then that I realized on my passion over numbers and solving Maths problems was really my thing. 

Part 2: Universiti Sains Malaysia

Subsequently, in Year 2000 when I was 15 years old, I attended a motivation camp by Dr. Shukri Abdullah (anyway, he is my parents' good friend 😁) dekat Dewan Tuanku Syed Putra (DTSP), Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) as a preparation for Peperiksaan Menengah Rendah (PMR). I even had pictures of me and my best friends taken at the beautiful and shady area nearby the hall and also the iconic red stairs beside DTSP.

Who would have thought at that particular time yang my current workplace is situated far at the back of this photo? Not me.

One of our favourite photos together taken at the iconic red stairs. 

Still exists until today. :)

Taken in December 2022 when one of my best friends in the above pictures visited me at work.

We re-created the red stairs photo minus two members.

My girlfriends over 30 years. They knew almost everything about me. In and out. From the innocent 12-year old little girl, to the 15-year old highly energetic teen, and to the 39 years old full grown lady. They witness everything.

In the old pictures I shared above, it was actually not my first time visiting USM. Walaupun dah pernah masuk beberapa kali dah sebelum-sebelum tu, tapi tak pernah rasa apa-apa pun, apatah lagi terfikir untuk kerja dekat USM. But my visit in Year 2000 was the beginning of everything. I instantly fell in love with USM and started to manifest it as my future work place without knowing anything what this place has to offer.  Yes, at 15yo, I knew exactly where I am going to spend almost half of my life already. Isn't that ironic?😊

From then on, I visualized it very clearly in my mind that one day I will become a mathematics lecturer at Universiti Sains Malaysia. And I worked really hard to achieve the thing I wanted so much. I can tell very confidently now that, manifesting for a thing that you really longed for is not as easy as wishing that thing to happen smooth sailing. It's more about setting your goals very clearly and align with your actions towards achieving it. Not easy, but the journey is going to be beautiful. Trust me. 😊

So, if you have a certain thing that you really want it to happen in your life, put it in your highest dream, manifest it, and work towards it. Who knows, by strongly believing it, one day you can achieve your desired dream. All the best! 

Back after a long hiatus

Hi,

And hi again. :)

It has been a while right? A really really long while since I last wrote something here. No doubt, I missed writing.

A few days ago, I came back to check on my older posts, and I was like, mann, I don't even remember some of the things I shared here especially all my experiences during UOW days. I laughed hard upon reading something very ridiculous or embarassing, and I did shed some tears when I read anything that triggered my emotions. 😢Then I realize that even though the moments may have ended, the memories commemorated here still remain and are not bound by time. They certainly become a precious treasure.

At that point in time, I feel like there's this sudden urge of 'let's do something' and improving my life through what I'm genuinely passionate about. I have so many things in mind already. I am planning to write more on anything that will inspire people based on my own experiences and perhaps talents. 

As a start, let me tell you something. I am now writing while waiting for my KTM ride. Long story short, I'm having a time-off from a set of hectic schedule, and I decided to wind myself down by doing something that I've been wanting to do for a very long time. Ha, apa tu? Train ride to nowhere. Yes, nowhere. 😂 Bunyi tak berapa menarik kan?  Kalau shopping best la jugak. Haha. Yang tu lain kali pun boleh. But in train ride, you can take on the scenery, listen to your favourite music and paling best, observing people. I finally get the chance to do it today. So, so happy! 😁

To do this (especially if you are a female and alone), first, you need to be confident. Yes, ni yang paling penting sebab you need to handle many ad-hoc situations with grace and maturity. Then, you need to know where to go and what to do. Therefore, planning ahead would really help. If you have company tak apa, random outing without proper planning is usually the best one. But I am telling you about going out alone now, so please plan properly like checking on the train schedule, identifying the line that you are heading to, confirming correct platforms, ticketings and macam-macam lagi lah. Jangan la nampak macam taktau apa sangat, tu bahaya. 

After 1-hour of observing people, I reached here :)

Then finally, the most important one is don't talk to strangers. Tak payah ramah sangat nak sembang dengan orang sebelah pun tak apa. You can do that next time when you are not alone. Kali ni, just focus on yourself, minimize interactions, and just enjoy the things that you really want to do, alone. There are many more sebenarnya. Tapi yang kat atas ni yang paling penting. If you can at least do all the above, you are likely ready to travel and conquer the world. 🦸‍♀️

Okay, I think that's too much already for a quick hi and ice breaking after a long long hiatus. I really want to write longer, but let's keep that for next time. Bye! 

Goodbye 2017. Assalamualaikum 2018.

Assalamualaikum,

Hi semua! Finally dapat jugak I curi masa nak jenguk blog sekejap. I rasa macam tak lengkap hidup kalau tak menulis apa-apa sebelum tahun 2017 comes to the end. Macam tak percaya je dalam 3 hari lagi kita akan masuk ke tahun 2018. Cepatnyaaaaa masa berlalu.

I don't usually have any specific goals at every start of a new year, tapi I rasa tahun ni macam banyak benda jugak yang tercapai walaupun tak ada pun plan sangat pada awal-awal tu. For me, selagi I buat kerja dengan ikhlas dan amanah, jalankan tanggungjawab sebagai isteri, anak dan ibu dengan baik, InsyaAllah semua urusan dunia dan akhirat Allah akan permudahkan.

I foresee my 2018 will be very hectic with so many activities yang akan datang satu per satu. Harapnya I akan dapat juggle every responsibilities accordingly. Kalau ada tangan octopus syiok jugak ni. Mesti banyak benda boleh settle serentak. hihi. Best oo dapat makan cucoq, sambil mark exam scripts, sambil isi borang FCR sambil tu sambil ni.. Dah macam apa dah rupa tangan banyak. hahaha. 

Tu nak habaq kata banyak kerja sangat la tu kan. huhu. Tapi memang pun. Rasa macam tak cukup kaki tangan semua nak kena buat serentak. I need to re-organize my work at the office. Masuk ja bilik mesti rasa serabut tengok banyak benda macam dok panggil suruh tengok depa dulu. Ehh seram pulak kalau panggil sungguh. hahaha. :p

Okay lah, I hope everyone will have a very good ending for your 2017. And start your 2018 with bright smile on your face okay. I am looking forward for our Umrah trip with family in January. Rasa macam Kaabah dok melambai-lambai dah ni. Semoga Allah swt izinkan dan permudahkan urusan kami sekeluarga untuk jejak kaki sekali lagi ke Tanah Suci Makkah dan Madinah. Aminnn Ya Allah.

Ustajah Auni. Dalam usaha untuk train dia pakai tudung untuk pi umrah nanti.
Tu muka penuh akaii dalam kepala. Samaaaa macam iklan dalam TV tu.