The Thursday Relief

Hi,

Is it just me, or did someone hit the fast-forward button on this week?

I woke up today, realized it was Thursday, and let out the biggest sigh of relief. Why? Because a major milestone has officially been conquered: Test 2 is done and dusted! To say this week has been a back-to-back marathon would be an understatement. We’re talking a high-stakes viva-voce, a major test, project meetings, documents preparation and, just to make sure my calendar was completely colorful, Academic Advisory Week.

Here is a quick look at how I survived the madness:

I started the week as an internal examiner for a PhD viva voce. Now, if you know anything about vivas, you know they can sometimes stretch into the horizon, testing the endurance of everyone in the room. I always secretly dread the marathon sessions.

But Monday? Monday was a miracle. We wrapped up everything in less than three hours! It was the perfect alignment of the stars, the right candidate, the right panel, and impeccable timing. A speedy, smooth viva is rare, so you bet I cherished every single minute of it.

Behind every tough panel is the same intention: to elevate the work

The middle of my week was taken over by my advisory students popping in to figure out their class schedules for next semester. Academic advising is a lot like being a GPS for a student's life. The standard route is exactly 8 semesters. But every now and then, you get someone who manages to cross the finish line in 7 semesters or the other one who needs a comfortable 9 semesters to get everything done.

Some of students who have met me

Every student's journey is different, which means I have to pay hyper-attention to the details. One wrong course recommendation and boom, delayed graduation! No pressure, right?

Which brings us to today. Test 2 is officially over.

Now, a normal person might say, "But Mam, don't you have a mountain of test scripts waiting to be graded over the weekend?" Shhh. Let’s not think about that right now. Future Me can handle the red ink. Present Me is just incredibly happy that the logistics are done, the papers are collected, and another milestone is in the bag.

Final meeting with the class: done.

And that, my friends, was my hectic week in a nutshell. Time to grab a sweet treat, put my feet up for a quick second, and prepare for the weekend.

How has your week been? Hopefully less chaotic than mine! Now, all I want to do is fully enjoy a beautifully calm Friday and coast straight into a peaceful weekend. No rush, no hectic meetings, just some well-deserved breathing room.

See you next time! 💕

Surviving the Whirlwind

Hi, 

Hello from the other side of a wild week! I finally have a quiet moment to sit down, type, and breathe. If you’ve been wondering where I disappeared to, the short answer is: life happened. All of it. At the exact same time. Looking back at the last seven days, I realized that life has a funny way of balancing itself out, or at least trying to.😅

Let’s start with the home front, where I was fully braced for impact. I expected tears. I expected negotiations. I expected full-blown, award-winning theatrical drama.

Instead? Smooth sailing. My kids apparently held a secret meeting and decided to be absolute angels this week. Watching them navigate the days so beautifully didn't just save my sanity, it genuinely touched my heart. Time is flying by so fast, and seeing them grow into these independent, kind little humans is a beautiful reminder of why we do this. Motherhood is a wild roller coaster of highs and lows, but honestly? I wouldn’t trade this chaotic ticket for anything else in the world.

So, if the kids weren't the source of the madness, where did the hectic energy come from?

Cue the dramatic work music.😂I don’t know what kind of atmospheric pressure hit my desk this week, but my workload shifted into a state of severe, highly turbulent flow. There was absolutely zero laminar, calm stream insight. Every single task was labelled URGENT, and they didn't wait in a neat little line either. They showed up in groups of three, demanding my attention all at once.

I’ve been tackling my tasks religiously, but I swear my to-do list is a living organism. The moment I cross one item off, three more spawn in its place. It’s breeding like there’s no tomorrow!

But enough rambling about the work, because the best part of my week happened in the classroom. I have officially wrapped up my lectures for the semester! It’s true what they say, time flies when you’re doing what you love.

This batch of students has been an absolute joy, though to be fair, the subject matter itself is pretty fantastic. My favourite part of the job is taking a concept that looks like terrifying gibberish at first, breaking it down, and watching the exact moment the lightbulb goes off over their heads. That Aha! look on a student's face is pure magic.

MSG328: Introduction to Modelling (aka my favourite course)

I’ve never been a fan of the traditional, snooze-fest lecture style, so my classroom is always a get up and move zone. We blend standard lectures with hands-on, individual, and group activities. The students actually look forward to what exercise I’m going to throw at them next, which makes all the prep work entirely worth it.

What a 2-hour lecture always looks like. Kudos to the students for filling the board! Time to wipe it clean

Naturally, my brain is already scheming for the future. One of these days, I’m going to move the entire classroom outdoors to see how they connect our theories with the real world.

In fact, next semester I’m taking on a brand-new challenge: MAT323. It’s the continuation of the Differential Equations 1 course that I’ve been teaching for over a decade. Since MAT323 dives deep into epidemiological and ecological models, I think an outdoor setting is going to be the perfect laboratory. Imagine modelling population dynamics and real-world outbreaks while actually sitting in nature! Stay tuned for how that experiment goes.

For now, the whiteboard is erased, the laptop is closed (mostly), and the weekend is finally here. I hope you all have a wonderful, restful weekend ahead.

Bye for now!💕

The Will to Recover

Hi,

Welcome back to my little corner of the world. Sunday is winding down, and my weekend was the exact definition of low-key. I spent most of it at my parents’ house doing a whole lot of absolutely nothing. Just chilling. And honestly? It was exactly what I needed, because my brain had decided to go on strike.

For the past few days, I’ve been battling a headache that felt like a tiny construction crew was drilling inside my skull. I tried treating it with a healthy dose of PCM, but apparently, my body has developed a tolerance, and the PCM just refused to do its magic anymore. Plan B was to sleep it off. I had high hopes. I thought a solid, uninterrupted session of counting sheep would dissolve the pain. Spoiler alert: it didn’t. 💆

When modern medicine and sleep fail you, you call in the heavy enforcement. For me, that’s my favourite massage therapist. I booked an appointment, walked into her room, and gave her the ultimate brief, "I just want to rest. Do whatever you think is necessary."

As if she totally understood the unspoken memo, she went to work in complete, beautiful silence. No awkward small talk, no chatting about the weather, just pure, professional healing. For three whole hours, she worked her magic, knowing exactly where the tension was hiding. By the time I stood up, I felt completely recharged. The headache isn't 100% gone, but it is finally bearable.

While my weekend was quiet, today marked an incredibly emotional and important milestone for my Dad. If you’ve been reading for a while, you might remember me mentioning that Dad had to stop his absolute favourite job as a barber due to health issues. Exactly five months ago, our world was turned upside down. He was in the Penang General Hospital, literally fighting for his life due to severe complications in his brain. Back then, facing a bed full of tubes and monitors, we knew life would never be the exact same.

But humans are resilient, and my Dad is a fighter. We did everything we could as a family to support his recovery. Fast forward to today, and he finally did something he has loved doing for over 50 years: styling hair. Of course, a barber needs a canvas, and the honor of being the first experiment went to my own boy. He has been waiting so patiently for his Tokwan to gain enough confidence to hold the clippers again. Today was the day.

From newborn to now, this monthly routine is when they talk about everything.

Watching my Dad manoeuvre his hands, especially his left hand and smoothly glide through the hair was a moment I will never forget. To go from a critical hospital bed to controlling his balance well enough to do something that requires such precise, fine motor skills? I am such a proud daughter. He had the fierce will to recover, and we are just so blessed to be here to hold his hand through it.

So, that’s a little glimpse into my calm weekend.

Tomorrow, the school bells ring again, the kids go back, and the beautiful chaos of my daily routine resumes. I have a feeling my headache won't even dare to pop up tomorrow. Why? Because my schedule is going to be so packed that I’ll need to use every single segment of my brain just to survive the daily cycle! There simply won't be any room left for pain.

Thank you for stopping by to read. Take care of yourselves, appreciate the quiet moments with your loved ones, and I’ll see you in the next post.

Bye for now! 💕

The Last Day of Peace

Hi,

It is the final moments before the workday rush, and I am enjoying the contrast of the heavy rain outside with the absolute calm inside. Tomorrow, the long pause ends, and reality resumes. Waiting for me is the classic, merry weekly calendar filled with lectures, work discussions, student supervision, and a mountain of other things screaming for my attention. I’ve taken a sneak peek at the schedule, and let’s just say… my calendar is looking very popular right now.😸

But how did I spend the absolute final days of freedom? Pretty much the same thing every single day. Playing full-time entertainment manager to my kids and their never-ending requests for, well, everything.

Outing days are their absolute favourite. Me? I am aggressively not a fan of crowded shopping malls. My solution? We storm the mall at precisely 10:00 AM. There is a beautiful, serene window of time when the malls are empty, the air conditioning is fresh, and the crowd hasn't arrived yet. By the time the masses descend, we are already heading to the exit.

I also had a "bring the parents out" day made possible because my youngest sister was in town. At this age, I absolutely refuse to queue just to put food in my mouth. I will happily skip a trending restaurant to avoid a line. But my sister possesses the legendary patience required to stand in line.

She volunteered for the hard labor. I told her, "Excellent. You go jump in the line, and when the table is ready, call us." Meanwhile, I waited in comfort and then rolled up with the entire squad just in time to sit down. Perfect execution. 😆

Eldest and youngest daughters on duty with the parents today.

As for keeping the kids on their best behaviour? The formula is simple: new books, new toys, and good food. Do that, and they suddenly become the most angelic, happiest kids on earth. Right now, they are obsessed with Pop Mart. I personally don't understand the hype of buying a mystery box where you don’t even know what’s inside, but hey, whatever floats their ship.

I applied a very strict Mom Policy:

• You have a budget limit.

• You can pick what you want, but you must present it to the Judge (me) for approval first.

• No approval, no payment counter.

They wanted to wheel their cute little trolleys around with their tiny paper bags in tow.

Whatever keeps the peace while Mom gets her things! 🛒

Seeing their massive grins while holding their new toys makes it worth it. Plus, it activates the ultimate Mom Hack: once they have their loot, they will happily follow me anywhere without a single complaint. We wrapped up the outing with full stomachs, full hearts, and not forgetting, a bag full of mystery toys.😂

Weatherproof Souls

Hi,

When I looked back at what I wrote last June about the changing seasons, I had to laugh. It was all very poetic, elegant descriptions of meteorological shifts, the chills of winter down south, and the warmth of summer up north. It sounds like the kind of serene reflection written by someone sitting in their favourite corner of the beach, getting lost in a good book.

Living out my imaginary life where June 1st brings winter, but the sunshine makes it perfect. 
Just crisp air, warm sun, and absolute bliss.

In reality? Navigating life's shifting seasons usually involves a lot more practical physics and daily geometry.

For instance, nobody tells you that a shift in the season on a bustling university campus mostly translates to trying to keep your favourite square scarf perfectly pinned and immaculate while rushing against the afternoon heat, all while maintaining the posture of someone who definitely knows where they are going. Or the fact that tracking your daily steps to hit that glorious 10,000 mark means strategically calculating your routes across campus to avoid the absolute peak of the midday sun. 😅

Life shifts, routines get heavy, and sometimes our personal weather forecast predicts a 100% chance of a hectic schedule. Between coordinating major projects, managing family logistics with the kids, and trying to keep a hundred different spinning plates from shattering, the scenery changes so fast it can make your head spin. When the mid-year madness rolls around and the climate of the heart gets a little overwhelmed, I’ve learned that survival boils down to a very simple, two-step strategy.

First, never underestimate the power of a micro-pause. When the world is loud, the most therapeutic thing you can do is to be in absolute silence. For me, that means the pure bliss of dining completely alone at a quiet restaurant table, no conversation required, no mental multitasking, just me, my thoughts, and a peaceful meal.

And if that quiet hour isn't available? There is always the emergency fallback, a hidden stash of almond chocolates. Some people meditate while some of us just need a solid dose of sweetness to recalibrate our internal compass. Self-care doesn't always have to be a grand gesture. Sometimes it's just a ten-minute boundary lines drawn around your own peace of mind.

But the real value of watching another year turn isn't just about learning how to manage our own stress or checking off boxes on a professional bucket list. The real magic is looking around and realizing who your weatherproof people are.

We all have people who are great to hang out with when the sun is shining and everything is smooth sailing. But the true gems are the original squad who has known you for decades, the family who anchors you, the colleagues who share a knowing look across a chaotic meeting room. They are the ones who don't care if you're a bit frazzled, who celebrate your small victories, and who remind you of who you are when you're too busy to notice.

And speaking of the people who make the journey worthwhile, the arrival of June means it’s time to shout out the ultimate VIPs of the month. The ones who lead the charge and set the tone for the rest of us. Last year, I mentioned how they bring a unique light into the world. While the rest of us are running around trying to adjust to the mid-year rush, they stand right at the starting line of the month, bringing their effortless warmth, creativity, and steady leadership to the table. They are the kind of people who don't just weather the shifting seasons. They make the climate around them better just by being in it. To anyone celebrating right as the calendar flips, thank you for being the bright spot in our schedules.

As we stand on the threshold of June once again, I'm content to let the month do whatever it wants. Let the deadlines loom, let the weather be unpredictable, and let the schedule be packed. As long as we have a bit of sweetness to sustain us and those rock-solid, brilliant people who kick off this journey with us, we're doing just fine. After all, some people carry the warmth of summer with them, no matter the weather. Cheers to them, and to the beautiful month ahead. 💕

Lost in the Long Weekend

Hi,

It’s another day of pure, unadulterated leisure over here. The dynamic duo is currently having the absolute best time with their favorite people, which means Mom gets some much-needed, golden quiet time.

And can we talk about Kuala Lumpur right now? The city is gloriously empty! Moving from one hotspot to another is such a breeze. No traffic jams and no honking, just smooth sailing. To top it off, the KL skyline is looking absolutely gorgeous tonight, flaunting itself like it knows it’s pretty.

Under the same sky, but this specific view hits different.

I’ll be soaking up the peace here for one more day before heading back to my own cozy nest. Don't get me wrong, traveling and exploring is incredibly fun, but there really is no place like home.

...Hold on, because I just realized something. The school holidays don't actually end until after the first week of June! How did I miss this?! If my calendar math had been functioning properly, I would have booked us a ticket to somewhere exciting weeks ago.

Ever since primary school routine officially locked us into its strict scheduling grips, our travel adventures have been strictly limited to the official school calendar. I'm just too much of a guilty mom to let the kids skip classes during the term, so like it or not, we wait for the break.

And now that the break is finally here? I completely dropped the ball on planning! 😅 The last time we actually left the country was our epic, sub-zero winter wonderland trip to Harbin back in January. My internal travel clock is clearly still frozen in the ice.

You know what? It’s completely okay. Lesson learned. The next school holiday won't know what hit it, but I will be planning our next getaway with military precision.

For right now, I’m going to consider this a win. The kids are currently making core memories and living their absolute best lives with their cousins, running around until their batteries hit 0%.

Wishing you all a wonderful, traffic-free, and deeply relaxing long weekend!💕

The Butterfly Effect

Hi,

We often think of advanced mathematics as something hidden away in quiet university rooms, buried under long, scary equations. But the big ideas behind our research rarely start on a chalkboard. More often than not, they begin with the simple, beautiful patterns we see every day in nature.

In our latest research paper, we looked at a powerful mathematical formula through a very unique lens, the simple, perfect design of a butterfly's wing.

When you look at a butterfly resting on a flower, your eyes are naturally drawn to its symmetry. If you draw an imaginary line right down the center of its body, the left side is a perfect mirror image of the right. This is called bilateral symmetry.

But if you look closer, microscopically closer, the symmetry becomes mind-blowing.

The mesmerizing patterns on a butterfly’s wing aren't just painted on. They are made of thousands of tiny, microscopic scales overlapping like shingles on a roof. For the butterfly to look the way it does, its DNA has to execute a flawless mathematical command while it is developing inside the chrysalis. It has to count, map, and place millions of colorful pigments in exact, mirrored coordinates on opposite sides of its body. If one tiny cluster of cells shifts out of place, the symmetry breaks.

Nature uses this geometric precision for survival. The symmetrical eyespots on a butterfly's wings are designed to perfectly mimic the face of a larger predator, tricking birds into staying away. In short, the butterfly uses a strict, underlying geometric blueprint to create order out of millions of random, developing cells.

The White Admiral.

Deciphering the mathematical blueprint behind her beauty.

In mathematics, we look for this exact same kind of structural balance, but instead of mapping colorful wings, we look for balance inside complex differential equations that describe nature's wildest movements.

In our paper, we focused on a mathematical model known as the extended Estévez–Mansfield–Clarkson (eEMC) equation. This high-order partial differential equation is a master tool for describing how nonlinear waves and optical solitons (stable wave packets) travel through complex, messy mediums without breaking apart.

Left on its own, this equation is incredibly difficult to handle. Because it deals with space, time, and changing wave amplitudes simultaneously, trying to calculate a solution directly is like trying to catch smoke with your bare hands.

That is where the logic of the butterfly wing comes to the rescue.

To crack this monster equation open, we used a specific mathematical technique called Lie Symmetry Analysis.

Think of it as the ultimate algebraic x-ray vision. Just like recognizing the center line of a butterfly allows you to instantly understand its entire layout by looking at just one wing, finding a hidden 'mirror line' (or invariant transformation) inside a chaotic equation allows its complexity to collapse.

Here is how the method works in three steps:

1. Finding the Infinitesimals: We first calculate the continuous transformations such as scaling, translations in time, or shifts in space that leave the form of the eEMC equation completely unchanged.

2. Reducing the Dimensions: Once these mathematical symmetries are locked in, we use them as structural shortcuts. This allows us to perform a similarity reduction, transforming a terrifying partial differential equation (PDE) down into a much simpler ordinary differential equation (ODE).

3. Unlocking Exact Solutions: With the equation streamlined, we can solve it analytically to uncover beautiful, exact wave solutions such as kink-type waves and solitary wave packets.

The next time you see a butterfly flutter past, remember that its beauty isn't random. It is walking proof that nature loves order, balance, and geometry. Underneath all the messy, unpredictable chaos of the universe, nature is keeping a secret. It hides a beautiful, balanced blueprint of symmetry and by using Lie symmetries, we can decode that blueprint to better understand the world we live in.

Want to dive into the mathematical heavy lifting, formulas, and exact steps behind the magic? Check out our full paper HERE.

The Decision Dilemma

Hi,

We’ve all seen those beautifully aesthetic, highlighted quotes on Instagram or Pinterest. Usually, I scroll past them while snacking, but this one by Jim Rohn hit me right in the face:

Simple, right? Brilliant. Ground-breaking

Except, if you are anything like me, your brain’s immediate response to this is: "Okay, but what kind of tree would I be? If I move, what if the new soil is bad? What if I get hit by a rogue lawnmower? Maybe I should just stay put and sprout some leaves."

I have a confession to make: I am chronically, painfully bad at making decisions.

I am the person who takes ten minutes to pick a flavour of chips at the grocery store, only to panic at the checkout line and ended with buying plain salted. Over and over again. Now multiply that anxiety by a hundred when it comes to important life decisions like career paths, moving cities, or setting personal boundaries.

When a big choice comes up, my brain essentially turns into a Windows 95 computer trying to run a modern video game. It just freezes, makes a loud whirring noise, and hopes the problem goes away. Because making decisions is scary, I often fall into a very comfortable, very dangerous trap, sacrificing my own happiness for the sake of literally anything or anyone else. It's just easier to let other things dictate my life! 

For example: The "Sure, I'll do it" Work Trap: Agreeing to take on extra projects that I have zero time for, completely wrecking my weekend, just because I didn't want the other person to feel stressed. (Spoiler alert: Now I'm the stressed one, crying over an Excel sheet at 12 midnight).

We do this because we want to be helpful, nice, and accommodating. But here’s the truth I’m realizing today in which constantly setting yourself on fire to keep other people warm just leaves you covered in ash. Jim Rohn is right. We aren’t rooted to the ground. If a situation, a job, or a habit is draining your happiness and taking you for granted, you are allowed to lift up your roots and walk away.

Making decisions is terrifying because there is always a chance we might make the wrong one. But staying stuck in a place that makes you miserable just because you're afraid to move? That's a guaranteed way to wilt.

If you're currently standing in a spot that doesn't feel right, consider this your gentle, humorous sign to take one step forward. Worse case scenario? You walk into a wall, laugh at yourself, and turn a different way. At least you're moving! 😅

Fueling the Dream

Hi,

And just like that, I am popping in with another quick update before I inevitably slide out of radar again. (Hey, at least I’m consistent, right? 😉)

If you know me, you know that weekends mean one thing, family time to the absolute max. This past weekend was a whirlwind of household chores, which included the dreaded task of restocking the house. Now, let’s be real, I do not do grocery shopping often. The mere thought of fighting crowds for a carton of milk makes me want to stay in bed. But when I do finally go? It is a massive, military-style operation. I buy in bulk like the apocalypse is coming. The good news? I am officially set and don’t need to step foot in a grocery store for the next eight to ten weeks. Success! 🥳

When we aren't traveling out of town, my kids have a weekend routine. They essentially demand to be taken to Maktok and Tokwan’s house. It is their absolute favourite place on earth, run by their favourite people (who, let’s face it, completely spoil them).

While hanging out there, I got a wonderful surprise. I had the chance to catch up with my aunt, whom I hadn't seen since 2017! I honestly didn't realize it had been nine years since her last trip back to Malaysia. Time flies when you're busy growing up and managing life.

Pictures like this only happen once every few years.

She is currently on a one-month break and decided to come back to Penang to stay at my mom’s place for a few days. Sitting down and talking with her did something dangerous to my mind. It kicked my wanderlust into overdrive. Hearing about life on the other side of the world made my desire to move abroad shoot through the roof.

In fact, I am already plotting our next big family adventure. I’m dreaming of taking the kids to visit their Tokngah Ainnah and Grandpa Mike all the way in Wisconsin for a magical winter holiday! Fun fact: My aunt is 68 years old and still thriving in her career as a software engineer. Why? Simply because she absolutely loves what she does.

[Mental Note]
Current Status: Plotting a trip to Wisconsin. 
Timeline: In a few years when the kids are a bit bigger and can actually survive an 
ultra-long-haul flight without a total meltdown.

Looking at my aunt and hearing her stories just gave me more reason to chase that dream. There is a whole wide world out there waiting to be explored. I don't know exactly when or how, but mark my words: one day, I will realize that dream of living abroad.

Until then, I’ll be right here, surviving the daily grind and enjoying my eight weeks of freedom from the grocery store. 😆

When Life Demands a Reset

Hi,

It’s past midnight, and the rain is absolutely pouring outside my window. There is something about a heavy midnight rain that makes you want to sit back and reflect. And honestly? I owe you an update. I’ve been completely off the radar for the last two weeks. Where did I disappear to? Nowhere, really. Life just happened all at once. Between a mountain of extra activities and the official start of my classes, I have been on my toes from morning till night.

A couple of days ago, things hit a breaking point. It was one of those deeply challenging days where I had to juggle a packed schedule while carrying a very heavy heart. Do you know what the hardest part about days like that is? It’s the performance.

In front of your students and peers, you have to appear completely professional, positive, and full of "I can do this!" energy. But in reality? All you actually want to do is sit alone in a pitch-black room, do absolutely nothing, think absolutely nothing, and just let all the hidden emotions out. But life doesn’t always give you a timeout when you want one. Of course I didn’t get that alone time. I had to keep moving.

After surviving that incredibly tough day, I knew I needed a reset the next morning. So, I settled the morning errands early and headed to my absolute favourite food spot for some comfort food. I got there at 7:00 AM sharp, right as they were flipping over the "Open" sign. I sat down, ate, and by 7:20 AM, I was done. It was a short 20 minutes, but it was exactly what I needed. Heavy heart or not, life must go on. I realized I had to quickly pick a direction and force myself back onto the right track.

Ghee thosai with extra chutney. Always my ultimate comfort food.

Later that afternoon, as the stress started creeping back, I reached for an energy bar to keep myself going. Honestly, I wanted to eat more than the three of them. When we are stressed, it is so easy to turn to emotional eating and overindulge. But I stopped myself. I ate exactly what I needed and no more.

Nothing beats my all-time favourite, Whittaker's Almond Gold. 

And as for Ferrero Rocher? Who would ever turn those down? 😋

Self-control is everything in moments like this. If I had followed my emotional cravings, I would have tripled the amount in one go. But I chose not to betray my body just because my mind was having a hard time. Keeping that small promise to myself felt like a victory.

Did a quick breakfast and a snack solve all the problems worrying my heart? Not even close.

But it did make me feel good about my choices. At the end of the day, we can't always control the bad things that happen to us, or the sudden waves of stress that come with a busy life. We can only control how we handle them.

It is completely okay to feel overwhelmed. Cry it out if you need to. But once the tears are dry, get back up, grab your comfort food, and keep moving forward. 💕

The Place My Heart Keeps Visiting

Hi,

Have you ever looked at a suitcase and seriously considered packing a one-way ticket inside? No return flight, no "see you soon," just a venture into the unknown?

I’ll admit it, I have. I have a very specific place in mind, a land so dear to me that it feels like a second home. I’ve visited many times, and every single time I’m there, I find myself manifesting a permanent life in one of its quiet, leafy suburbs.

There’s a certain magic to the lifestyle there. I can perfectly picture my life in a weatherboard house with a small garden, waking up to that crisp, cool morning air that makes you want to wrap your hands around a hot mug. I miss the routine of walking down to a local cafe, the kind tucked away in a hidden lane or on a charming corner, where the coffee is world-class and the brunch culture is basically a local must-do.

But it’s not just the quiet corners I love. I often think about the contrast of the city itself. Standing back and watching the modern skyline illuminating the cold night, a glowing forest of glass and steel reflecting against the dark water. There is something so grounding about that view. It feels both electric and peaceful all at once.

A place that manages to be both vibrant and incredibly calm at the same time

The pace of life there is just right. It’s a place where you can spend a morning browsing through a bookstore or wandering a weekend market, then take a short drive to see the rugged coastline or find yourself under the shade of massive, ancient trees in a public park. I have so many beautiful memories into those streets, from the sound of the trams humming in the distance to the way the afternoon light hits the Victorian-style architecture.

Every time I’m back in the daily grind, that one-way ticket starts calling my name. I truly believe that by constantly manifesting it and keeping that vision alive, one day it won't just be a place I visit, but the place where I truly belong. Maybe, just maybe, the universe is listening, and I’ll finally get to call those glowing lights and leafy streets my permanent home. 💖

A Mathable Story

Hi,

Hello May! You’re a bit impatient, aren’t you? Just when I’m about to enjoy my final days of April, you came in with a BAMM! and we’re already into the second day. Since the first was Labour Day, I spent the whole public holiday at home. You know how it is when you have a schedule that is tight on a daily basis, the second the weekend hits, you just want to be lazy. Well, at least for me!

I made sure to hit my goals, eight hours of uninterrupted sleep, cooking good food for the kids, and prepping my weekly cooking supplies. I even tackled the hard laundry, like beddings and towels. That’s also the time I do spot checks on the kids' school bags. where I always find the most hilarious treasures. Parents, you know the vibe right? Honestly, kids can make your heart stop in so many ways. 😂

Anyway, we are currently obsessed with a board game my daughter introduced me to called Mathable. I’ve played Scrabble my whole life and still love it, but a few months ago when she brought this out, wow, I'm hooked. It’s basically Scrabble’s brainy cousin. It’s just as fun as playing with words, but this time you’re building with numbers. Instead of trying to fit the letter "Z" into a word, you’re using basic math tiles to build equations on the board. 

Our latest family favorite. ➕➖✖️➗

It’s a fantastic family activity, and you don’t need any sophisticated mathematical formulas to win. As long as you know the basics like addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, you’re good to go. It turns out that playing with numbers is just as addictive as playing with letters. Don't be surprised, though, sometimes the kids are actually better at the quick mental math! We adults tend to focus on the complicated stuff, looking for the most complex equations, while the kids swoop in with a simple 5+2=7 and steal the victory right from under our noses.

The new favorite head-cracking session

Speaking of which, I’ve definitely missed a few winning opportunities to my seven-year-old son. It can get very intense, but when it does, we slow down and just enjoy the bonding time instead. Trust me, after a head-cracking session like that, the kids will have the longest uninterrupted sleep at night. Sadly, I’m not included in that deal! 

So, that’s a little look at my long weekend. I hope yours was great too! See you again next time. Bye! 💕

Pause and Celebrate

Hi,

I looked at my calendar and realized something horrifying: it’s almost the end of the month, and I’ve only managed to squeeze out four posts. Four! "Girl, what happened to you?" I asked myself. Are you that busy?

Well, the answer is a resounding yes. Life lately has been one giant juggling act. I’ve been seriously considering cloning myself. Just three or four versions of Amirah would do. And maybe ordering a few pairs of extra hands on Shopee just to keep up with the pace. If anyone knows how to manifest an extra 24 hours in a day, please, do share your secret.

But today, I’m pausing the chaos. Why? Because it’s Mom’s birthday!🎈

They made me who I am today, and nothing could ever replace them.

My wonderful mother just turned 66 today. Honestly, she’s still as sharp and strong as she was 20 years ago. Okay, maybe not exactly as she was 20 years ago. Well, we’re all aging, it’s the human condition, but she remains the smartest lady I’ve known since I was small. If I can even be half as sharp and witty as she is when I hit 66, I’ll consider my life a massive success. 💪

I really miss pouring my thoughts out here. It’s my therapeutic brain dump, and I’ve felt the absence of it. But life has been a lot, and sometimes you just have to give yourself grace. One step at a time, right? I’m hoping to sneak in a few more words before the month wraps up. But if I don't see you here again before May, consider this my I’m still here, just busy being a super-human update. 🦸‍♀️

Happy Birthday again, Mom. Thank you for being the original smartest woman I know. I love you! 💕

Catching Up with Yesterday

Hi,

It’s finally the weekend! A glorious, lazy, "I have absolutely no plans" kind of weekend. The best kind.

I just got back from a work trip to Putrajaya, where I visited the Ministry of Higher Education (KPT) for the first time in my 10 years of service. It’s funny because I remember visiting the old office back in 2009 while dealing with my PhD scholarship. Talk about a blast from the past!

I spent yesterday wandering around another building there. Why? For work, obviously. I had to present something, but I’m going to spare you the boring details because that's not the best part of the story.

The best part? I accidentally ran into two long-lost friends!

First, there was Aida, my friend from our MRSM Beseri days (who’s now holding it down at UTP). 

From our teenage years to being moms of actual teenagers now. We’ve aged gracefully. Mostly! Haha

Then there was Azira, my buddy from my University of Wollongong era (now working at USIM).

From being high-energy single ladies living abroad to women in our 40s, we’ve certainly aged gracefully. Or, at the very least, we’ve aged! Haha

We all ended up there for the same work-related mission, but the reunion was the real highlight. Naturally, we’ve all evolved a bit over the years. The second they saw me, it was immediate: "Eii, Mira dah lain!".

Yeah, yeah, I know. And no, don’t tell me how, because I truly don't want to know! Also, I even tell a friendly PSA to my dear friends, if they mention our old embarrassing school stories one more time, I might just walk away and pretend not knowing them.😂

Despite the teasing, it was so much fun catching up. Even though we’re all in completely different academic fields, the struggle of our work life is strangely universal.

So, that’s why I’ve been a bit quiet lately. Sometimes life gets so full of things to say that I end up saying absolutely nothing at all. But I'm back, it’s the weekend, and I’m ready to embrace the art of doing nothing. 

Unplanned Peace

Hi everyone!

Wow, it’s been a while. I’m finally back to use this space for what it’s best for: a total brain drain. Tonight is just a random ramble. I haven't done one of these in forever, right? Sometimes the thoughts just pile up until you have to pour them out somewhere.

It’s past midnight. The kids are finally tucked in and asleep, but I am wide awake. Why? Because I accidentally recharged a bit too hard. I napped from the moment I stepped through the door after work until 8:00 PM. My brain basically pulled the emergency brake and said, "I’m done thinking for today, see you later!" It wasn't exactly planned, but I think my mind just needed to go offline for a while.

I woke up still feeling a bit meh, but duty called. Mom gotta do what a mom gotta do! I got back into the groove, prepared some dinner, and spent some time catching up with the kids. Then, out of nowhere, my sister calls. She’s bringing my parents over because my dad decided he wanted to see us. It’s funny how they always seem to have a built-in sensor for when I’m feeling gloomy and need a mood boost.

Fun fact of the day: It’s my parents' 43rd anniversary! My sister’s office actually has a very cool policy. They give employees a Wedding Anniversary Holiday. Since she’s not married, she’s still allowed to use it to celebrate our parents. I think that’s so thoughtful. She spent the whole day taking them around to celebrate, and they ended their date by stopping by my place.

We didn't do anything fancy, just sat around with coffee and biscuits since everyone was already full. It was a short visit, but those hugs? They were like magic. They lifted all the heavy, personal stuff I’d been carrying around all day. I feel so much lighter now, partly from the long nap, but mostly from the love.

It makes me wonder about that Parent Superpower. No matter how old we get, they just know when we need them most. They might not be perfect to the rest of the world, but they are exactly what we need. I really hope I can be that for my kids one day. They are still so small right now, and the future feels a bit blurry, but I know I want to be the best version of myself for them. To give them the best, I have to live my best, right?

The kids are my top priority, no matter what.

My boy is a handful, but I wouldn't change him for the world.

Anyway, that’s my midnight brain-dump. I feel much more relieved now. Now, I just have to figure out how to actually fall asleep! I’ve got a big day tomorrow, an important school briefing for my girl, so it's off to the island we go.

See you soon! Bye!

April State of Mind

Hello, April! 

Wait, it’s the 2nd already? How did that happen? 😱

Work kicked off on a surprisingly calm note. Since I’m tag-teaming a course with a colleague this semester, my lecture hall is currently replaced by my office desk. No class for me just yet in the next couple of weeks, which means more quality time for my research students!

Right now, it’s crucial mode for two of my PhD students. We are neck-deep in drafts and requirements as they prep for submission. Let’s just say my to-read pile is currently taller than me. 

I also realized I haven’t introduced you to my latest batch of Final Year Project (FYP) students! It’s another all-girls squad this year. They’ve been quietly grinding since last year, but today was our first official back-to-the-grind physical meeting. It was fun seeing them each time because I can always feel their nerves the moment they walk in, but there’s nothing more rewarding than seeing that tension melt into a visible sigh of relief by the time they leave my office.

This picture was taken on our last meeting before the break. A little souvenir theory for my FYP squad. These gifts are small, but the sentiment behind them is a constant. They’re always in my thoughts, even when I’m off-campus.

Caught this moment earlier today during our first post-break meeting. Look at those smiles. They just scored the limited edition Raya packets. They know these are exclusive releases, so they’re wearing those grins with pride!😁

Watching these young, smart minds tackle three different mathematical puzzles is honestly the best part of the job. Even when the learning curves look like a messy graph, seeing them help each other out is pure satisfaction. I’m just here rooting for them to shine by graduation!🎓

On a personal note, I’m packing my bags! I’ll be traveling tomorrow, and I’m really hoping a change of scenery will help reset the equations circling in my head lately.

Have a fantastic weekend, everyone! Bye for now!👋

The Friend Who Never Left

Hi,

It’s Raya Day 6, and I’m back in Penang, though I’m starting to think I accidentally landed on the surface of the sun. 🥵I honestly thought Melaka was roasting, but Penang is on a whole different level! The heat is so intense that staying indoors is my only survival plan.

Despite the weather, my heart felt a lot cooler last night because I had a very special visitor, my old friend Anne. We all have that one friend from our university days who feels like a character written by a novelist who was being far too generous. Anne is exactly that person. Brilliant, beautiful, and from a wealthy family, yet somehow remains the most humble and down-to-earth soul you’ll ever meet. We were classmates and next-door neighbors in the hostel throughout our Foundation, Undergraduate, and Master’s studies.

Since '03: More than two decades of friendship

We were the ultimate package deal of the department until our PhDs finally sent us to opposite corners of the globe. I went to Australia, and she went to the UK. Believe it or not, the last time we actually stood in the same room was way back in 2012, when we attended a conference together in Loughborough and I stayed over at her house. Since then, we’ve mostly kept in touch through yearly birthday wishes (we are both end-of-year babies) and occasional professional chats about our research.

Once upon a younger version of ourselves

After 14 years of being digital friends, Anne mentioned she was in Penang and wanted to stop by. I welcomed her into my home with wide open arms. Even though it was a short meetup, it felt like no time had passed at all. You know those friends you don’t have to talk to every day, but the second you see them, you slide right back into your old rhythm without skipping a beat? Anne is one of them. We laughed and caught up on a decade of life as if we hadn't missed a single day.

It really goes to show that true friendship isn't about how often you talk, but how little things change when you finally do. It took fourteen years and a record-breaking heatwave to bring us back together, but it was worth every second of the wait. Now, if only our research collaborations could move as fast as our talking! 😆

A Syawal Success Story: Sibling Edition

Hi,

They say getting all of us together is as rare as a solar eclipse. With six siblings in total, four sisters and two brothers, aligning our schedules is a mission in itself! But this year, the stars aligned, and the full crew reunited at our eldest brother’s house in Bangi. We didn't just show up for the selfies, we showed up with a plan to make this the most legendary Raya ever for our parents.

Never a dull moment with my favorite people!

Forget a simple home-cooked meal, we turned our brother's kitchen into a full-blown food festival! Our head chef sister was a woman possessed. The star of the show was a massive spread of Kuey Teow Th’ng. We’re talking 20kg of silky noodles served with a broth that tasted like a warm hug.

But it was the toppings that really stole the show, tender shredded chicken, juicy shrimp, and perfectly prepared squid. And the secret weapon? The garlic oil. My sister actually cooked up fresh batches of that fragrant, golden garlic oil four separate times throughout the day to make sure every single bowl was perfect. Of course, we still had the Raya classics like ketupat and rendang on the side, because you can’t have Syawal without the essentials!

Then there was my station. I was the official beverage manager, and I wasn't playing around. I had a giant 10-liter pot bubbling on the stove, brewing that perfect, creamy teh tarik. It was served piping hot, and let me tell you, it disappeared faster than I could brew it! I ended up preparing that massive 10-liter pot twice, making it a grand total of 20 liters of tea! There’s nothing like a hot, sweet cup of tea to keep the Raya energy going.

While the tea was flowing and the noodles were steaming, our organizing queen was the glue holding us together, making sure the condiments were topped up and the tables were cleared. Our youngest sister was the designated paparazzi, documenting every laugh, every bite and every heartfelt hug for the family archives.

The line-up: Chef, Barista, Organizer, and Content Creator. 

We came, we cooked, we conquered! 💪✨

And we can’t forget the brothers! Our eldest brother and his wife was the ultimate host, opening his home in Bangi to the whole chaotic crew, while our other brother was right there in the mix, helping us keep the momentum going by being on standby for last-minute shopping trips every time we realized we were running low on something. Seeing all six of us working together like a well-oiled machine (with plenty of teasing in between) was the real highlight.

The best part of the day wasn't the 20kg of noodles or the 20 liters of tea, it was the look on our parents' faces. Seeing their six children all under one roof, laughing and cooperating to make them happy, was the best Raya gift we could give. Our brother’s house was buzzing with the kind of noisy, happy energy that only a big family can create.

We might not get to do this every day, but this first day of Syawal reminded me that no matter how much time passes, we’ll always have each other's backs, and we definitely know how to feed a small army. 😎

The Pre-Raya Record

Hi,

Look at me, two posts in two nights! I’ve been pretty quiet for the last few weeks because, let’s be real, life has been a whirlwind of work and mom duties. But tonight, I finally found a quiet moment to breathe and write down a few things worth remembering.

The kids are officially in dreamland, and I’m just sitting here in the silence, watching them sleep and waiting for my late-night moreh snacks to finally digest. It’s that peaceful mom-mode where the house is finally still.

This Ramadhan, I’ve actually been surprisingly disciplined. My Sahur? Two single dates and enough water to fill a small bathtub. That’s it! No heavy rice or oily dishes before the sun comes up.

And hey, it actually worked! I’ve managed to drop 5kg of what I like to call unnecessary storage (okay, it’s just extra body fat). I’m feeling much lighter, more energetic, and honestly, pretty proud of myself for sticking to such a simple routine.

Now, the real challenge starts. I really want to keep this progress going after Raya, but there’s one big problem, my massive crush on Raya cookies. I have zero self-control when I’m sitting in front of a jar of Semperit or Tart Nanas. I’m trying to tell myself to be strict this year because I don’t want all that hard work to go down the drain, but let’s be honest, me versus a jar of cookies is a very unfair fight!

In other news, I’ve officially finished my Raya glow-up routine. Hair is done, nails are fresh, and I'm feeling human again! This year was extra special because I brought my daughter, Auni, along for the ride. In the past, she was a bit too small for the whole salon and spa experience, but now that she’s 10, she’s the perfect girly-time buddy. We sat there getting pampered together, and I really hope these little mother-daughter dates are something she’ll look back on and treasure forever. It's the start of a new tradition!

The kids are currently tuckered out after having the absolute best night of their lives. They spent hours playing with bunga api and mercun with their cousins, aunts, and uncles.

Watching these two cousins together is everything. They are truly living their best lives this Raya.

There’s just something about playing in the kampung that hits differently than the city. In a residential area, you have to be so careful, but here, they can just run around and be kids. Seeing them so happy, covered in a little bit of smoke and a lot of joy, really made my heart feel full.

I think that’s all for now. I’m not sure when I’ll get another quiet moment like this once the Raya chaos truly begins. So, if I don’t get a chance to post again, Selamat Hari Raya! Enjoy the food, cherish the family time, and try (unlike me) not to eat every single cookie in the jar! Bye everyone! 💕

My Little Knight in Training

Hi,

How’s everyone holding up? Raya is looming over us, and honestly, I’m checking the calendar like a student checking the clock during a Differential Equation final. Where did the time go?! 😅

I’m currently back in Jasin, soaking up family time before the main event. But here’s the plot twist, this year, Raya is going to look a little different. We’re trading our usual routine for a change of scenery at my brother’s place in Bangi. No drama, we just wanted to tukar angin and see what Raya in the city feels like. Wish us luck!

Amidst the Raya prep, my Little Boss turns 7 today!

L: Now vs. R: Then. 7 years later, the cuddle-to-space ratio has changed, but the love hasn't! 💕

In our house, we don’t do the whole big birthday party tradition. The kids know the drill, we will have intimate celebrations with just the family (and the favorite aunts/uncles who bring the best gifts, obviously).

Even though he’s officially a big boy, Adam is still 100% a Mommy’s Boy. This kid is a space-optimization expert. It doesn't matter how big the sofa is, he will find a way to sit on me. Every. Single. Time.

I’m soaking up every cuddle and every share space moment now, because I know the teenage lockdown is coming one day where he’ll be way too cool to be seen hugging Mom in public. For now? I’m enjoying being his favorite person.

Most people know him as Adam, but many ask why his name is Fahdi.

Years ago, while performing Tawaf alone, I prayed so hard for a baby boy. Why was I so determined to have a boy? Call it strategic planning! I wanted my own little guardian to look after me when I’m old and grey. Every Queen needs her knight, right? So, every time I passed the King Fahd gate in Masjidil Haram, the name just stuck. I wanted my own version of King Fahd. A protector.

I’ve explained this origin story to him multiple times, but he usually just looks at me with total confusion. To him, I’m still the one who protects him from the monsters under the bed. He has no idea that one day, he’ll be the one looking out for me. I hope one day he will get it.🛡️

So, happy 7th Birthday to my little King. I’ll keep doing the Mom thing to the best of my ability, and leave the rest to fate (and maybe a little bit of math). I know I can be a bit 'math-heavy' sometimes, but that’s just the teacher in me coming out. I promise you can decide math isn't your thing when you grow up, but while you’re under my roof, I’m going to be your favorite teacher. Just doing my best for you! ❤️

New Traditions, Same Love

Hi 

Another night, another round of being the Chief Safety Officer while the kids went wild with mercun and bunga api at Tokwan's. Even though we’re tucked away in a residential area and can’t exactly play the extreme ones, the kids didn’t care. Seeing their faces light up is worth the smoky hair and the mini heart attacks every time a sparkler gets too close to a car passing by! 😅

Flower pots to the rescue! Anything to get that pelita glow for Raya.

We’re down to the final two-weekend countdown to Eid, and this year, the script has been totally flipped. For the first time ever, my parents won't be celebrating Raya in Penang. Wait, what? No Penang?

Usually, my Dad is the busiest man in the state during Raya. As a barber, his phone basically becomes a 24/7 hotline. It’s on standby mode 100% of the time, and appointments fly in faster than we can eat ketupat. For him, Raya usually means No Rest for the Wicked (or the Talented).

This year, things are looking a little different. Dad’s currently in a season of recovery, and while his loyal customers are already calling to get that Raya look, he’s just not able to get back to the barber chair yet.

To keep his mind off the shop and focused on resting, we proposed a family intervention (the fun kind!). We convinced him to spend the final week of Ramadhan and Eid away from the usual hustle of Penang. And he likes it🎉

Changing plans at the eleventh hour has definitely kept us on our toes. We had to bid a sad farewell to our Early Bird ETS tickets that we snagged months ago. It’s okay, though the car is packed, we are ready to embrace the chaos.

Well, sometimes the unplanned plans are the ones that end up being the legendary ones. Wishing everyone a beautiful and peaceful remaining Ramadhan! 🌙✨