The Best Kind of Power-Up

Hi,

Today was one of those crazy, non-stop work days where my to-do list was a mile long, but then I got a text from my little sister saying that she and my parents would like to take me out for lunch. My brain immediately went from "work mode" to "family time!", I basically dropped everything and said yes to lunch.

Family fuel. 😊

It was the perfect reset button, a total power-up from the best support system a girl could ask for. It had been way too long since they visited me at work, and it's funny how no matter how old I get or how much I've grown up, being with them brings out that little girl in me every single time. It's an instant feeling of home. 

It's truly amazing how a simple visit from our parents can do that. That sense of home and unconditional love is incredible. It's a reminder of where we came from and gives us the strength to face anything, knowing we have that solid foundation to fall back on. It's that feeling of being completely accepted and supported, no questions asked. It's the kind of power-up you can't get anywhere else.

So, here's to those unexpected family drop-ins! They're the perfect, instant pick-me-up and a great excuse to remember that no matter what's on your schedule, the best things in life aren't things at all, they're moments with the people you love. 💕

More Than a Degree

Hi,

Here I am again, burning the midnight oil. But tonight, it's not just the deadline keeping me up, it's a trip down memory lane to the land Down Under. My buddy, Abang Din, went back to Wollongong today and decided to mercilessly spam our group chat with photos of him revisiting all our old hangouts. The weather and views look amazing since it's spring there, and I know he did it for one reason only, to make us all green with envy!😑

I’m usually the silent lurker in group chats. I read everything (just in case someone's planning a surprise party so I wouldn't miss it 😂), then I delete it all without a second thought. But tonight, the nostalgia hit me hard. I found myself scrolling back through years of old posts and pictures, and suddenly, I was a part of the conversation again. In silent of course. 😉

Reading all those stories and seeing all those photos was like a warm hug from the past. It put a big, goofy smile on my face. I didn't realize until now just how much my time in Wollongong changed me. If anyone asks what I did for four years there, my first answer is always the same. "I did my PhD". That's the simple, straightforward answer. It's the official story.

But the real story isn't on that degree.

The real story is written in the late-night coffee runs, the spontaneous road trips, and the friends who became family. It’s in the salty air of the Wollongong harbour beach and the echo of laughter from our favourite chill spots around uni. It's in the quiet conversations on the bench near the duck pond that taught me more about life than any textbook ever could.

That degree says I earned a title, but those years gave me a life. They gave me a community, a collection of shared experiences, and a new perspective on the world. The challenges I faced weren't just about my studies, they were about learning how to be resilient, how to connect with people from all walks of life, and how to build a home far away from home.

So, while I'm proud of completing the degree, I'm even more grateful for everything that isn't on it. My time in Wollongong was more than an academic pursuit, it was a journey of a lifetime. And that's a story worth telling.

This photo, taken exactly 10 years ago, still gives me chills every time I look at it. The emotion isn't about the degree itself, but everything that went into the process of earning it. 

It’s easy to get caught up in the daily grind and forget about the moments that shaped us. So, here's a little reminder, those good old days weren't just a moment in time, they were the foundation for who we are today. Keep chasing new memories, but don't forget to look back and appreciate the ones that made you who you are. And remember, the best stories are still ahead! 💕

Finally Home

Hi,

So, I've finally made it to the finish line! I just survived an insane trip that started early in the morning. My trip from Melaka to Penang, which should've been a quick 4.5 to 5 hours, turned into a 7-hour marathon. I thought the traffic would be light after the long holiday, but boy, was I wrong! It felt like every single car in the country decided to hit the road at the same time. 😑

Even we only had two days in Melaka, but they were special. I made sure to take the kids to see their Atok and Nenek at their home in Jasin. It's so important for me that the kids feel excited about seeing them there, not just anywhere else. Seeing their little faces light up when they're with their grandparents makes all the long hours in the car disappear.

The Jasin family. Distance shouldn't break their bond.

Even though we live way up north, I want the kids to feel a true connection to their hometown in the south. Their Atok and Nenek are people I deeply respect, and I want the kids to grow up feeling the same way about them, no matter what happens. This trip, although tiring, is all about making sure they feel that love and respect. The drive home might be a real drag, but it's totally worth it.💕

Anyway, getting home was just the first part of the challenge. The real test came next, a huge pile of laundry and a mountain of luggage to unpack. Honestly, it gave me a massive headache! But now, all the chores are done. The laundry is put away, the bags are empty, and I can finally just sit and relax. Thank goodness it's still school holiday, so I don't have to wake up very early for work tomorrow. I'm just going to be lazy and enjoy the peace and quiet. Now, if you'll excuse me, my couch and I have a date with a very long nap. Bye!😉

A Family Affair

Hi,

Well, hello there! It's been a minute. I know, I know, I've been a ghost. My writing mojo went on vacation, leaving me in a creative desert. I could say I was super busy, but let's be real, I was mostly just chilling. For four glorious days, I completely ditched my work machine, and my phone? That thing probably thought I broke up with it. The battery lasted two whole days, which for a modern phone, is basically an eternity.

So what's my excuse for this digital disappearing act? A big family reunion! You might remember me mentioning my awesome family, the Dollah Clan, or as we like to call ourselves, the DC. We just wrapped up DC 4.0, and it was epic.

The family is growing, both in numbers and in size. 😆

Our whole family gathering tradition started back in 2017. We rented a villa in Port Dickson for DC 1.0 just to make our grandmother happy. She was so thrilled to see everyone together and she told us to keep our family bond strong forever. Sadly, she passed away not long after, but her wish became our mission.

We kept the tradition alive with DC 2.0 in 2019, moving to a bigger villa in Rawang because, well, the family was getting bigger! We thought we'd do this every two years, but then COVID-19 showed up and decided to crash the party. For four loooong years, our grand gatherings were put on hold. We saw each other for big holidays and weddings, but it just wasn't the same. We were all missing that special family day vibe.

Once the world started getting back to normal, we kicked things back into gear with DC 3.0. Our family had grown even more, thanks to new marriages and babies, so a regular villa just wouldn't cut it. We needed a mansion! We found the perfect spot in Melaka and had an amazing time.

And that brings us to this past weekend and DC 4.0. Sticking to our biennial plan, 2025 was our year. This time, we needed a place big enough for 50 adults and 15 kids for three days of non-stop fun. After a massive search (shoutout to the amazing committee!😘), we found our home for the weekend: Santika in Hulu Langat. It's this beautiful place with a rustic, kampung feel and all the amenities we needed.

So there you have it, my four-day digital detox. I decided to trade in screens for sunshine, and honestly, it was the best decision. Now that I'm back in the real world, I feel refreshed and ready to tackle whatever comes my way. I'll catch you on the flip side! Bye! 💕

My Dad, My First Bookstore Date

Hi,

Today is a special day! Happy 65th birthday to my wonderful dad! We had an early celebration this past weekend, and it was so much fun looking back on all the wild and wonderful memories we've made.

My dad is probably the most chill person on the planet. I’m pretty sure his secret superpower is being a human 'easy mode' button for life. My childhood was an absolute blast, all thanks to him. I remember being this tiny, four-year-old shadow, following him everywhere, even to his job. I'd sit in a corner, mesmerized, while he’d fix things. But it wasn't just that, he'd turn it into a game, teaching me to count. I think I learned to read so young because he probably got tired of me just pointing at things and asking, 'What's that?' so he taught me the alphabet instead! 😂

As I got older, our adventures evolved. Our monthly bookshop dates were a legendary event. We'd go out early, just the two of us, have breakfast and wait for the bookstore to open. Since I was a kid, I'd religiously save my pocket money, thinking I was a total financial whiz. Hahaha. During my primary school, I’d save RM1 a week, hoping my RM4 a month would magically turn into a RM5 comic book. Of course, it never did, but my dad, my personal book-buying fairy godfather, would always wave his magic wallet and make up the difference.

Who didn't love Doraemon? If you weren't reading it, you were definitely missing out on all the fun. 😄

Then came my teenage years, and my reading tastes got a little more expensive. I started saving RM2 a week, which gave me a grand total of RM8 a month. At that time, I was obsessed with the Francine Pascal book series, and each book cost a whopping RM11-12. Once again, my dad would swoop in, like a superhero, and top up the rest so I could go home with my precious new novel.

Exactly how my teenage years collection is. (Source)

Looking back, it's pretty clear he’s one of the many reasons I’m who I am today. He didn't just buy me books, he instilled a love for reading that's stuck with me my entire life. So, here's to the best dad in the world and to many more book chapters to come. 💕

A "Square" Day to Remember

Hi,

Get ready for some number magic! Do you know that we have a special date this month? It's called a Perfect Square Day!

Look at the date: 4/9/25.

• The day is 2² =4.

• The month is 3² =9.

• The year is 5²=25.

Wait, there's more! The year itself, 2025, is also a perfect square: 45². This makes 2025 a truly special year, as it's the only perfect square year in most of our lifetimes. (The last one was in 1936, and the next isn't until 2116!)

And for the final piece of numerical perfection: Did you know that the number 2025 is also the sum of the cubes of the first nine counting numbers?

 2025 = 1³ + 2³ + 3³ + 4³ + 5³ + 6³ + 7³ + 8³ + 9³

It's a rare day when the date and the year align so perfectly, and even rarer when the year has such a beautiful mathematical property. How's that for a cosmic coincidence? ✨

Happy belated Perfect Square Day, everyone! 

A Pause Button on Life

Hi,

Guess what? It’s another long weekend, and this is the second one in a row! We even have a longer one coming up next week. I'm absolutely loving all this time to relax and rest. These extra days feel like a gift, letting us hit the pause button on a busy week and just breathe.

Even though it’s way past midnight, my eyes are still wide awake, glued to a movie that has me totally captivated. 

A pretty Rosebud. 

As I was watching, I noticed the rain starting to fall. We've been getting a lot of rainy days lately, but it’s so peaceful to just sit and watch it from the glass wall. The cozy, content feeling it brings might just make me brew a cup of tea to enjoy the moment. 🍵

Just a quick check-in for tonight. It's amazing how a short post like this can make me feel better and more centered. I should probably head to bed after this. Have a lovely weekend, everyone! Bye!😊

A Different Kind of Beauty

Hi,

It's a rainy Wednesday, and the rain has been coming down hard all morning, even before I left for work. The day felt a little chaotic at first, a hectic race against the morning to make sure the kids didn't get drenched on their way to school. But now that I'm calmer, with a warm coffee, I can finally stop and just look out the window.

Watching the world is a completely different feeling from inside. I can see the rain hitting everything outside, the road, the trees, the cars, and the people passing by. Each raindrop seems to wash away the dust and dullness, making everything look so incredibly fresh and clear, like a beautiful painting. This is why I've always secretly loved the rain. It has a certain magic that turns a regular day into something special. 💫

And to make it even better, it forces me to slow down and appreciate a different kind of beauty, a quiet moment in an otherwise busy day. It reminds me that even when the world feels messy and chaotic, there's always a chance to find a little peace. It’s a good reminder to be grateful for the small things, even if they're just drops of water.

I'll continue appreciating the rain while it's here, knowing that when the sun finally peaks through the clouds, a beautiful rainbow might just appear. It's a sweet lesson that even after the most challenging moments, a new kind of beauty is always waiting to brighten our world. 💕

This view somehow reminds me of a place I've lived before. 

It brings back a quiet, comforting feeling, just like those days.