Chapters, Not Books

Hi,

It feels a little heavy to start writing tonight, but I’m going to put these words down anyway.

Remember when I mentioned how September would unfold new chapters in my life? Today is one of those pivotal days. After a few years of building a strong, reliable circle of support, I had a quiet realization today, one I want to hold onto for a long time. Some people are given to us to be a profound comfort, without needing to become our entire world.

There are rare souls who walk into your life for a temporary season. They shape your mind, steady your spirit, offer wise guidance, and gently correct your missteps. Not to gain anything for themselves, but simply because they genuinely want to watch you grow. In a fast-moving world where everyone is looking for credit, it is a rare gift to meet someone who serves as a quiet mentor without ever asking for a spotlight.

Looking back, I realize just how deeply lucky I’ve been to cross paths with a person like that.

Without that chapter, I would still be the Amirah of 2024, floating along with a vague sense of direction, especially when it came to expanding my career as an academic. I would have happily stayed nestled inside my comfort zone, doing what I’ve always done for the past ten years, without ever pausing to ask if I could become something more, or do something truly remarkable.

This chapter showed me that stepping out of my comfort zone wasn't about changing who I was, but about uncovering what I was capable of achieving.

Even though this chapter was temporary, it stands out as one of the best parts of my journey. It fundamentally shifted my horizon. If you asked me whether I’d relive those moments all over again, I’d welcome them with open arms. But even as that season gently closes, the value, wisdom, and confidence left behind are imprinted so deeply in my heart that I will treasure them forever.

We often measure the importance of a relationship by how long it lasts, believing that only the permanent things truly matter. But perhaps the most beautiful connections are the seasonal ones, the temporary anchors who show up precisely when we need to grow, teach us how to stand taller, and then peacefully let us fly on our own.

Wordless Wednesday : Sweet Comfort

Something to Ponder 💭

Hi,

It’s that time of the week again. Time for a little workplace rant!

Right now, I’m sitting in a computer lab doing invigilation duty. Today’s event? The special semester-break exam. It’s actually a fantastic opportunity for students to boost their final grades, especially if they already scored well in their coursework. I always cheer my students on to take it. Raise that GPA, absolute win, right?

So, if it’s such a great initiative, why am I ranting?

Well, because the execution is pure comedy.

When the university assigned me this invigilation slot, I checked my schedule. No conflicting meetings, no family emergencies, calendar clear, so I happily accepted. Duty calls!

My temporary workstation for 3 long hours

Fast forward to this morning. I walk into our computer lab, step through the door, and spot three familiar faces. Now, these are my colleagues, so I knew they weren't here to re-sit a paper. Then, tucked away in the back row, I saw her, one poor, anxious-looking girl staring into the abyss of her upcoming paper.

After swapping "good mornings" with everyone, the hilarious math finally hit me:

There were FOUR invigilators... for TWO candidates. 😂

And to make it even better? The second student went completely M.I.A.

So picture this scene. One terrified student, taking a high-stakes exam, completely surrounded by four full-grown adults who clearly had a hundred other things on their to-do lists. Talk about maximum security! If she so much as sneezed, four pairs of eyes would instantly track her movement.

Now, I get it. Rules are rules. The handbook strictly states that every exam venue must at least have one Head Invigilator, one Academic Rep, one School Rep, and one Exam Unit Rep. On paper, that makes total sense for a hall of 100 students. But when the total candidate count is one? Having a whole committee hovering over a single student feels less like an exam and more like an interrogation scene from a movie.

Thankfully, I brought my computer along so I could quietly get some actual work done. And to give the poor girl some breathing room, I planted myself as far away as possible so she wouldn't feel like she was being watched by a tribunal.

It’s just hilarious how institutional rules are sometimes created in a cozy meeting room without anyone asking, "Wait, what if only one student registers?" Surely there’s a more practical way to handle this without summoning a small army!

For some reason, this got me thinking about how often do we rigidly stick to "the rulebook" in our daily lives, work, or routines, just because that's how it's always been done. Even when common sense is practically screaming at us to adapt? Sometimes, the most efficient thing we can do isn't following a protocol to the letter, but having the courage and flexibility to simplify it.

After all, structure is meant to help us function better, not make us look four-against-one absurd. Letting it sink in. 

Wordless Wednesday : Treasured🩷

Stepping Into September

Hi,

It’s the final day of August 2026, and here I am, quietly counting down the days for so many different chapters unfolding in my life. Time really does fly when you’re busy living it, doesn’t it?

Before I dive into today’s thoughts, I need to pause and say a proper hello to all of you. Honestly, I’m still not entirely sure how some of you stumbled upon this quiet little corner of the internet, but over the last few months, I’ve noticed the reader counter steadily ticking upward. You’re visiting from all around the globe, and that blows my mind! Hello, beautiful souls! 💕

A snapshot of my weekly readers from all around the world

Welcome! I’m so glad you’re here.

If you’re new around here and wondering what this blog is actually about… well, join the club! I don’t have a specific theme or a fancy content strategy. I just write whatever is on my mind. Some days, it’s about my day job as an academic at a public university here in Malaysia (which involves a lot research papers, staring at mathematical equations, and not forgetting, coffee). Other days, it’s about my chaotic, heart-warming life as a mom of two.

And because I’m human, I also write about the emotional rollercoasters that shape our daily lives. If you find something here that brightens your day or gives you comfort, take it with you. If I’m just rambling on a bad day, feel free to leave that behind!

The most surreal realization lately? Learning that people of all ages are reading this. From fellow adults all the way down to primary school kids! Knowing that makes me pause before I hit "publish." This "aunty" right here suddenly feels a very big responsibility to set a good example and keep things uplifting!

So, to my younger readers out there: life is a wonderful, messy, beautiful adventure. Don't rush through it. Live happily, stay curious, and trust me when I say that the best chapters of your life are still waiting to be written. 😘

Thank you all for being part of this journey with me. Here's to stepping into September with a hopeful heart!

Late Night Thoughts

Hi,

It’s late, the house is quiet, and the mood to sit down and actually write has finally hit me.

Right now, I’m just staring out at the moon through the glass wall. It’s a full moon tonight. It’s not quite as bright as the picture-perfect moons that usually flood my social media feed, but there’s still something so mesmerizing and calm about its presence. Just sitting here and watching it feels like a soft mental reset.

And honestly, I needed it, because today was actually a really good day!

I survived a postgraduate viva defense and we wrapped the whole thing up in under three hours! If you know academic defenses, you know that completing one in less than three hours is an absolute achievement.

It’s been a non-stop, back-to-back viva season for me lately, and I’ve got four more coming up soon in my role as an internal examiner. Even after doing this so many times, that pre-session knot in my stomach never completely goes away. But the moment the defense ends, seeing that massive wave of relief and pure happiness wash over the candidate’s face? That feeling makes every bit of the tension worth it.

On a completely unrelated (and slightly heartbreaking) note... I just found out that my absolute favorite drink from Zus Coffee is getting discontinued soon.

Why must good things end?! 😭

I have been loyal with their Matcha Lemonade forever, with the Tahitian Lime as my go-to backup whenever I need a refreshing pick-me-up. Now I find out both are being pulled from the menu after September 30th! That gives me officially one month to enjoy my Matcha Lemonade before it vanishes into the coffee graveyard.

It really makes you wonder, doesn't it? Why is it that the things we genuinely, deeply love always seem to leave the fastest?

Whether it's a favorite drink, a peaceful moment, or a good phase of life, maybe the trick is just to savor every single drop while it’s still here. 💕

A Week in Reflection

Hi,

It’s been a week, and to be completely honest, writer’s block has been knocking on my door. Some days, my head feels full of thoughts, stories, and moments I want to capture, but the moment I sit down, the words just freeze. They hover right there, unwritten, and pass by before I can put them into words.

I’ve always believed that writing things down is the best way to tuck away precious memories. You know, the tiny, fleeting details that are so easy to forget if we don't mark them. But when your brain is occupied with bigger responsibilities and a tight schedule, creativity needs a little room to breathe. That’s usually when you find yourself staring at an empty canvas.

And that’s okay. Sometimes, your mind just needs a change of scenery.

After a few quiet days of staying just indoors, I finally stepped outside to see the world, breathe in some fresh air, and let new inspiration trickle in. It’s amazing how a simple walk and a shift in perspective can clear the mental dust.

Running through a route as messy as my mind! 😄

I’m stepping into the days ahead with a hopeful heart, ready to find fresh inspiration in small places. Here’s to lighter days and clearer words. See you again very soon! 🤍

Blinked and It’s Monday

Hi,

I honestly have no idea where my weekend vanished to, but ready or not, it is now Monday and the daily grind resumes.

When the university semester break officially started, I foolishly thought my days would finally calm down. Spoiler alert: That is absolutely not how life works! 😅

Juggling work life and family is a constant balancing act where both sides demand 100%. But as my kids grow up so fast, I try my absolute best to be present for their big (and little) milestones. Even the small moments matter. So, the entire weekend was dedicated to them for their KAFA Sports Day!

With the event held right on the USM campus and they had another program scheduled for the next morning, we turned it into a mini-staycation by staying at a residency nearby.

Sunrise over the Penang Bridge and horizon. What a view.

By the time we got back home on Sunday, reality hit. As anyone with kids knows, returning from even a short sleepover means facing a mountain of unpacked bags and endless chores. Facing a laundry mountain of epic proportions, I told Mom I wouldn't be able to bring the kids over for our usual Sunday visit.

Well... my family had other plans!

Instead of us going to them, the whole squad showed up at my house! And to make things ten times better, they brought an entire dinner spread so we could all eat together. Honestly, besides being close to family, what more could I ask for?

Just the omelet was made in my kitchen. Everything else came from Mom's home with love, including my all-time favorite crispy little ikan goreng! 😋

And just when I thought Sunday couldn't get any better, my sisters volunteered to hunt down the latest Inside Scoop ice cream collab which is their exciting new drop with local Malaysian brands. It’s such a brilliant, creative twist on local flavors, and I honestly loved every single scoop! 🍨

We grabbed the party pack with all 9 flavors!

My absolute favorites? The Kaya Butter Toast from Oriental Kopi and the Peanut Butter Jelly from Thumbs (Kacang Nganyin). They take me right back to my childhood instant nostalgia, sneakily eating spoonful of Lady’s Choice peanut butter blueberry jam straight from the fridge. 😂 It was such a fun night. A simple dinner with loved ones and delicious desserts to finish. My laundry pile might still be waiting, but my heart (and stomach) are completely full. Ready to take on Monday! See you next time! 💕

A Proud Farewell

Hi,

It’s another day, another goodbye to one of my PhD students!

This year has felt like a continuous farewell tour. At my peak, I was supervising 13 PhD students at once, which, looking back, wasn’t just a research group; it was practically a whole soccer team with substitutes! Managing my own time while making sure everyone had the right direction was a wild balancing act. So, I’ve decided to put a temporary cap on new intakes and focus purely on giving my current students my full attention.

Most of my students came with sponsorships from their home countries, meaning their drive to finish on time was sky-high. My role was to steer the ship and offer a safe harbor when things got rough; they did the heavy lifting themselves. Watching them transform from nervous fresh arrivals stepping off the plane in Malaysia into confident researchers waving goodbye on their last day? There’s no feeling quite like it. I feel like a proud big sister every single time.

Today, I want to give a special shoutout to Li, my only PhD student from China. Back home, he’s a college math teacher. For his research, he decided to take on exact analytical solutions for partial differential equations.

In plain English? He chose to tackle the kind of monster math problems that make most researchers run in the opposite direction because most of the time, you hit a complete dead end.

“Where others saw a brick wall, Li saw a puzzle waiting to be solved.”

Did he hit roadblocks, failures, and moments of utter confusion? Absolutely! That’s just scientific research for you! But he stuck with it, proposed his own brilliant method to solve some of the toughest equations, and unlocked answers that future researchers will be using for years to come.

To make his story even sweeter: Li wasn't fighting the PhD battle alone. His lovely wife, Zhou, was also completing her PhD at our school under a different supervisor!

Seeing the two of them walking hand-in-hand around campus, working on completely different areas of mathematics, yet cheering each other on through every single deadline was just the cutest thing.

And as if finishing two PhDs together wasn't enough of a plot twist... they are expecting their first baby! 👶

Happy to be in between two PhDs and a Calculus baby in the womb. 

Talk about perfect timing! After three long years of hard work, their baby boy is arriving right as they are about to cross the academic finish line. I can already tell you this little guy is going to be a genius. You know why? He’s been listening to advanced calculus and mathematical proofs straight from the womb!

And the cherry on top? He’s expected to arrive right around my birthday! Hello, little Scorpio buddy! 🦂

Mentoring students from all corners of the world has been one of the greatest privileges of my career. My new official bucket list item? Traveling the world to visit all my former students in their home countries and seeing them thrive in their element.

Until the next graduation, see you around! Bye!💫

Wordless Wednesday : It’s Never Too Late

Notes from Wollongong

Hi,

Lately, Australia has been calling my name again. There’s just this gentle pull making me check for flights and dream about heading back, even if it’s just for a quick visit! ✈️

Looking back at my time there, I can’t help but chuckle at how much of a culture shock the language was at first. Australian English is an entirely different species! During my first few meetings with my supervisor, I actually had to ask for permission to record our conversations. I was sitting there nodding along, but my brain was desperately trying to process the heavy accent and high-speed technical terms. 

Outside the university, things weren't any easier! Wollongong is a lovely, quiet town with a lot of friendly retirees who speak in the thickest, most glorious Aussie accents imaginable. At first, listening to them felt like trying to decode a secret language. But once my ears adjusted, it became so much fun to learn the local lingo.

If you ever head Down Under, here are 5 iconic Aussie slang words that will instantly tell you you’re talking to a local (plus how to use them):

1. Arvo (Afternoon)

A: "Are we still meeting up later today?" 

B: "Yeah! Let's catch up this arvo around 3 PM."

2. Brekkie (Breakfast)

A: "I'm starving. What do you want to do for brekkie?" 

B: "Let's grab some pancakes and coffee down the street!"

3. Sunnies (Sunglasses)

A: "It is so bright outside today!" 

B: "Hold on, let me grab my sunnies from the car before we leave."

4. Servo (Service Station / Petrol Station)

A: "We're almost out of fuel!" 

B: "No worries, there’s a servo just around the next corner."

5. Macca's (McDonald's)

A: "Need a late-night snack run?" 

B: "Yeah, let's do Macca's run and grab some fries!"

Bonus Phrase: "No worries!" 

Warning: This phrase will completely hijack your everyday vocabulary.

"Thank you!" >> No worries.

"Sorry!" >>No worries. 

Minor existential crisis? >> Still, no worries! 😆

My secret to learning these slangs wasn't just textbooks or cafes, it was Susan.

One day, I'll go back to Wollongong and pay her a visit.

For almost two years, I worked for Susan, a lovely lady originally from Tasmania who decided to spend her retirement days in Wollongong. Every week, I’d pop over to her house for about three hours to help with basic cleaning. But truth be told, Susan didn’t really need a helper, she just wanted a companion.

As I moved around cleaning, Susan would follow me from room to room, happily chatting away about her week. I listened very carefully to every story, and that’s where I naturally picked up so much of the local Aussie slang. She lived alone, and spending those weekly sessions with such a kind, gentle lady was an absolute joy. I went there to clean, but I left with a warm heart and a whole new vocabulary.

The funny thing is, no matter how hard we try to use the slang, the locals always know the second we open our mouths that we aren't from around there. But that was the best part! Everyone was always so warm, polite, and genuinely kind. Even as someone who obviously looked different and sounded like a visitor, I only ever experienced warmth and hospitality.

That genuine kindness and memories with wonderful people like Susan is what made Wollongong feel like a home away from home. And it’s the exact reason why I keep wanting to go back today. 💕

My New 24/7 Companion

Hi,

Welcome back to the weekend series!

It’s just another calm, quiet weekend at home today, or at least, it looks calm on the outside! My boy wasn't feeling so well last night, which meant he couldn't sleep peacefully at all. He woke up almost every single hour, demanding cuddles each time. It’s been his classic pattern since he was a little baby. Whenever his body feels a bit uneasy or sick, he becomes a full-time velcro child.

So, guess who was the official overnight mattress and cuddle-dispenser? Yours truly! 😌

By morning, he was back to his usual energetic self, which brought such a huge wave of relief. Even though I’m running on minimal sleep (and now it’s my turn to feel a little dizzy from exhaustion!), seeing him okay makes it all worth it. We went to a dentist appointment earlier today, so far he's still in the high spirits.

On a brighter note, remember my poor watch that went sick and stopped working a few days ago? Well, I’ve officially got a replacement on my wrist! 😍

And guess what? It’s in my all-time favourite colour: apple green! 🍏Just imagine this super fresh, vibrant pop of bright green sitting on my wrist, it instantly perks up my mood just looking at it. I absolutely love it! 

If you know me, you know I wear my watch almost 24/7. The only time it leaves my wrist is when I take a shower. The second I dry off, it goes right back on until the next shower! Because of that, it tracks pretty much every single detail of my life, my sleep hours (or lack thereof, thanks to last night!), my workout records, my daily steps, my heart rate, and even my stress levels.

At this point, it’s basically the most loyal, trusted gadget attached to my body. And the fact that it was a gift makes it even more special, I’ll be wearing it with so much pride. Imagine how much love is in every bit of it. Now, I’m truly enjoying every single detail of my new companion. It’s so much more than just a watch, it’s practically my essential! 

Quick update! Took him out for an outdoor run, and my new watch performed amazingly well recording the whole session. I'm finding more and more reasons to love this new companion

Till then, wishing you all a cozy, restful weekend! 💕

Wordless Wednesday : Gone, but forever loved

 

The August Kickoff

Hi,

It’s only the second day of the month, but August has already decided to show off two completely opposite personalities. If these first 48 hours are any preview of what’s to come, I’m holding onto my seat! 😄

Day 1: Saturday Controlled Chaos

Yesterday, I was out from morning until late afternoon playing driver, referee, and chief event planner. My kids had been bugging me endlessly for a playdate with their friends. Luckily, my dynamic duo happens to be besties with another sibling pair, which made planning between us moms a breeze.

The girls are sweet, but this pre-teen era is nerve-wracking! 😑

By the end of the day, their names were known to all. 😂

Managing my own two is already a full-time cardio workout. Now double that? Pure, unfiltered chaos. But honestly, it was the best kind of chaos! They had a absolute blast, and even with the high-energy madness, I’d totally do it again. (After a brief recovery period, of course.)

Day 2: Channeling My Inner Domestic Goddess 

After a full day out, today was dedicated entirely to the house. specifically tackling The Closet of Forgotten Clothes. You know, those piles that sit untouched for so long they practically start demanding their own rent? 

I finally rolled up my sleeves and sorted through everything for donation. My kids have outgrown so many of their things! Naturally, I kept a few special pieces for nostalgia's sake, but the rest went straight into the donation pile. I also confronted my own closet and parted with so many items I haven't worn in years.

I made sure everything was washed, smelling fresh, neatly folded, and properly labelled. They’re all still in fantastic condition, and my heart feels full knowing someone else will get good use out of them.

All packed and ready for their next chapter

So, that’s my August wrap-up... two days in! Something tells me this month might bring a bit of a rollercoaster ride, but hey, we’re ready for the turbulence.

See you all again soon! 💕

Wordless Wednesday : My Day to Night

Time Capsule : Auni & Adam’s Chapter

Hi,

It’s a full Saturday over here. Normally, after five days of hectic schedules and trying to keep up with school routines, weekends mean one glorious thing, sleeping in. But not today! The kids had morning school activities, so duty called, and this mom traded extra sleep for chauffeur duty. Happily, of course! 😇

Every now and then, I like reading back through my old posts. They always bring a silly grin to my face and remind me of the little, joyful moments that are so easy to forget in the daily rush. So, consider this a quick time capsule post dedicated to my two favorite people: Auni and Adam.

A little sushi lunch date.

Fine line between besties and enemies.

This year, Auni is 10 and Adam is 7. While I naturally hope they do well in their studies, I’m even more passionate about making sure they actually get to enjoy being kids. Right now, that joy comes in the form of pure, unlimited energy on the track and the martial arts mat.

Auni has been absolutely loving running and taekwondo. She works so hard, gives every event her all, and bless her competitive spirit, she has managed to bring home quite a few gold medals to add to her growing collection. As long as her schoolwork stays on track, I’ll happily remain her biggest cheerleader from the sidelines.

The 200m & 4x100m are her main events

Another two events, and two gold medals! She crushed both pattern and free sparring.

Then there’s Adam. Having a big sister to look up to means his determination is through the roof! He wants to achieve just as much as Auni does, so he’s jumped right into running and taekwondo too. Watching him push himself and win a few championships of his own has been such a treat.

Making his track debut in the 100m.

Champion in both pattern and free sparring. He truly stole the show and shone so brightly.

At the end of the day, I know academics will take center stage as they grow up. But letting them shine in things they genuinely love right now feels just as important. It builds their confidence, sure, but more than that, I hope it teaches them a simple life lesson, when you put heart and real effort into what you do, good things usually follow.

And that’s a little snapshot of the two gems keeping my life wonderfully chaotic right now. I know one day, when the house is quiet and they're all grown up, I'll read this back with a super full heart, so grateful for these crazy, beautiful days. 💕

Some things never change

Hi, I’m back.

It’s pretty rare for me to write here on a school night, but today was just one of those heavy days. You know when you wake up on the wrong side of the bed, and from that moment on, the whole day just feels completely off? That was definitely me today. To cope, I put my favorite MLTR playlist on repeat and just let the music carry me through.

All I wanted was to be alone, stay quiet, and not talk to a single soul. But of course, life had other plans! My schedule happened to be completely packed from morning to evening. So, even though I was exhausted, I had no choice but to force a smile, step up, and interact with people all day long. By the time I finally finished work, my social battery was at absolute zero.

I desperately needed a moment to reset and fix my mood. And my remedy wasn't anything complicated. It was just a simple piece of chocolate Cornetto ice cream.

From my teenage years until now

This little treat has been my ultimate comfort food since I was 15 years old. Back in high school, I used to carefully save my pocket money all week just so I could buy one RM1.90 Cornetto every Friday after class. It was the best feeling in the world back then.

Fast forward to today, and even though life is much busier now, some things never change. I don’t need fancy, expensive ice cream to feel better. Just a classic chocolate Cornetto, and suddenly the day doesn't feel so bad anymore.

Here’s to surviving the hard days, accepting when our battery is empty, and letting the simplest things bring us back to life. 💕

A Beautiful Tradition

Hi, 

I’m back! While the writing inspiration is hitting me, I figured I’d better strike while the iron is hot and commemorate one of those genuinely beautiful days that makes the chaotic academic life totally worth it.

This week, I had the absolute joy of treating my students. You remember my final-year project girls who are about to officially escape, err.. sorry, graduate from campus life? To celebrate the completion of their undergraduate studies and all their hard work, I asked them out for a lunch date. To double the fun, the student I had just finished examining also joined the crew. So, there were six of us in total.

Now, being the 'cool lecturer' that I think I am, I handed over the steering wheel and asked them to pick the restaurant. The response? Absolute, polite silence. They were so shy! Nobody wanted to make the first move. I totally get it! Been there, done that, wore the awkward student t-shirt.

To break the ice, I stepped in with a curated list of options ranging across various cuisines. You know, trying to cater to everyone’s tastebuds like a proper tour guide. Finally, they collectively voted for sushi, and internally, I was doing a victory dance. Beef Tori Paitan Soup is my ultimate comfort food, and it had been way too long. The moment they said Sushi Ya, I think I agreed faster than the speed of light. 😋

My ultimate comfort food: Beef Ramen in a rich Tori Paitan soup. 

One day, I will taste the authentic masterpiece right in Japan. Manifesting that trip now. 😇

Once we sat down, I gave them the ultimate golden rule: "Go crazy. Take whatever you want off the belt. Do not count the plates. Today, we eat like royalty." ♕

Before the table was completely covered in sushi plates.

Naturally, because they are polite, well-mannered girls, they started off taking one modest plate at a time, looking at me for approval. But give it fifteen minutes, and the initial awkwardness evaporated. Plates started stacking up, laughter started flowing, and they were enjoying the food exactly the way I hoped they would. Seeing them genuinely happy and relaxed made my heart incredibly full.

When they started to feel comfortable, the table quickly began filling up with sushi plates.

Happy faces, full tummies, and a very happy teacher. 😊

But honestly? Sitting there watching them eat also gave me a massive wave of nostalgia.

Back when I was an undergraduate student at UTM Skudai, my own Final Year Project supervisor, Prof Shah, had a beautiful tradition. At the end of every semester, he would treat us to a spectacular meal. He took us to places we could never have afforded on a student budget; like the Pulai Springs Resort and a luxury hotel in JB. To us, it felt like stepping into another dimension.

Back then, sitting at those fancy tables as a broke student, I made a silent promise to myself: “One day, if I ever manage to become a lecturer like Prof Shah, I’m going to do exact same thing for my students.”

Fast forward to today, and that dream has officially become my own little tradition.

It’s a humbling reminder of how life comes full circle. I used to be the shy student counting the expensive plates, and now I get to be the one telling the next generation to forget the price tag and just enjoy the moment. Seeing their happy faces, relieved from the stress of final presentations and completely powered by sushi made me so incredibly proud.

I always remind myself that our job isn't just about passing down equations and knowledge; it’s about passing down the same kindness that helped us survive when we were in their shoes. Honestly, seeing that cycle continue is the most satisfying part of this entire journey

Anyway, that’s the little highlight that made my week. I hope you all have a fantastic weekend ahead. Take care, and bye for now!💕

Equations for a Safer, Greener World

Hi,

I wrapped up this week with my final-year students' project presentations, and I couldn't be prouder. This semester, I am supervising three brilliant young women, each tackling completely different real-world challenges using the power of mathematics. It is always so rewarding to see abstract equations come to life to solve actual, human problems.

Here is a glimpse into the work they've been doing:

Sarah Batrisyia

Sarah kicked off our session on Tuesday with her project, A Mathematical Model of Bullying Dynamic Based on Student Interactions. Her work takes the exact same math model scientists use to track how a flu virus spreads through a city and applies it to stopping school bullying instead! By adapting a clever framework by researcher Nuno Crokidakis, Sarah's model takes everyday school dynamics like peer pressure and social exclusion and turns them into predictable patterns. To make sense of it all, the model groups students into four buckets: those completely out of the drama (susceptible), active bullies, targeted victims (exposed), and the victims who eventually snap and lash out due to intense stress.

Through computer simulations, the model reveals a major "tipping point" for schools. It shows that if anti-bullying programs are strong and peer pressure is kept low, the bully group naturally shrinks to zero over time, creating a safe environment. But if the pressure to fit in is too high or school interventions are weak, bullying gets permanently trapped in the ecosystem. The coolest part about Sarah's project is that it acts like a virtual crystal ball. Instead of just guessing which school rules might work, principals and counselors can use these equations to test out different ideas like empathy programs or family support, to see what actually stops the behavior before trying it in real life.

Nur Aleya Maisara

Next up was Aleya, who presented her project on Predicting Future Crime Trends by Analyzing Crime Dynamics Using a Social Epidemic Approach. Much like Sarah, Aleya looked at a social crisis through a medical lens, treating criminal behavior like a "social epidemic" that catches on through peer pressure and neighborhood networks. Her math breaks a community down into three categories: everyday law-abiding citizens (susceptible), free criminals active on the streets, and offenders locked away in prison. By plugging real-world prison data from Spain and the United States into her computer simulations, she successfully mapped out how crime rises, peaks, and declines over a timeline. 

Her model delivered a fascinating result: criminal activity is currently on a slow downward trend in both countries, meaning current systems are slowly working. However, her project also delivered an indispensable warning for law enforcement and policymakers: the model proves you need at least a decade of historical data to accurately forecast these cycles. Short-term data leads to massive mathematical blind spots, making a decade of history mandatory if we want to accurately predict shifts and design truly effective, long-term community intervention strategies.

Nur Hidayati Batrisyia

Finally, Hidayati wrapped up the presentations by taking us into the heart of the jungle with her project, Investigating Reforestation-Delay Models' Limitations in Capturing Tropical Forest Biomass Trends. Her work took a critical, diagnostic look at existing environmental math, specifically tweaking a model by researcher A.K. Misra. Hidayati modeled the delicate balancing act between rising CO2 levels, human population growth, forest biomass, and the crucial time delay it takes for replanted trees to actually mature and trap carbon. Testing this against real-world data from 2000 to 2024, she uncovered a major limitation in global climate frameworks: while the generic math fits beautifully for Brazil's large-scale forest dynamics, it struggles significantly with Malaysia’s highly structured, stable forest management laws.

Even more alarming, her equations proved that if Malaysia delays its replanting efforts by more than 5.32 years, the entire local ecosystem mathematically breaks out into chaotic, uncontrollable feedback loops. Her work delivers an essential wake-up call to environmental groups: one-size-fits-all climate math is dangerously flawed. To design real, carbon-neutral policies, we must use localized, country-specific mathematical models that respect actual local logging and land laws.

Seeing these three open up new ways of looking at bullying, crime, and climate change completely made my week. It just goes to show that math isn't just numbers you write on the board. It is a powerful tool for building a safer, happier, and greener world! 🌍

Three weeks ago, they presented their posters, showcasing their work and answering questions from the public

And today, these young women are graduating and ready to take on the world.

And that's a little wrap-up of my week! It was so much fun working with the students, and I’m already looking forward to welcoming a new batch of final-year students next season. 

Till next time, bye!💕