Sunday, October 19, 2025

The Great Campus Discovery

Hi,

It’s the dark side of a long weekend and here I am, doing what I do best: catching up on all the life updates I’ve stuffed into a mental drawer during the work week. Weekdays are a whirlwind! I have so many thoughts that beg to be written down, but by the time I crash at night, the only thing I can manage is silence. Midnight on a weekend? That’s my payback time. 😎

I knew my work schedule involved sitting still long enough to fuse to my chair, so I decided to combat the Zombie state by getting outside. I’ve found my sanity hack, and it involves trading four wheels for two feet. Now, my official work day starts with my very own, very determined outdoor morning walk at 7:30 AM, solely dedicated to sending my boy off to school on foot.

We’re a happy little duo, hands clasped, joining the swarm of other students who are buzzing down the campus roads, rushing to make their 8 AM classes. The best part? The distance to his school is a pathetic 850 meters. Yes, seriously, it is THAT close! It’s practically a hop, a skip, and a jump. 😂 

However, that 850 meters is a journey of epic proportions. It typically takes us 12 minutes, which includes the mandatory stops for inspecting centipedes, giving a respectful nod to any unfortunate baby snakes that didn't make it, and, of course, chasing a few birds. We call it The Wildlife Commute.

After a cheerful (and slightly sweaty) goodbye, the real adventure begins. I continue my walk around campus for another 30 minutes, usually until 8:30 AM. My rule is simple, no plans, no maps. I use a different, unplanned route every single time. I just follow where my feet bring me, and I don’t stop until my watch proudly announces I’ve hit the 4 or 5 kilometer mark.

This little ritual has become pure joy. I get to wave and say hello to random people, but my favourite part is the quick chats with the uncles and aunties who are diligently sweeping up the fallen leaves. They make my day! Especially when they assume I’m one of the undergraduate students frantically rushing to an early lecture. Naturally, I say, "Yes, rushing right now!" It’s like a tiny, fun act of youthful identity theft every morning. 😅

Before this, I’ve been using my car to move around USM, totally missing everything. I lived right beside the beauty without ever appreciating it. It’s a bit embarrassing, really! But now that I’m exploring places on foot, I’ve stumbled upon so many beautiful, hidden spots that I’d love to revisit. Our campus has such a gorgeous landscape, and I was just zooming past it, focused on finding the nearest parking spot.

Before I started my morning walk routine, I've been living comfortably in the G31 bubble for more than a decade. Now I’m finally giving myself the chance to explore every nook and corner. It feels good to appreciate the beauty of our campus and everything it offers.

That morning glow! ✨ 
This stunning Penang Bridge view is just a glimpse of the beauty we have right here on the USM campus.

I’ve been hitting my daily challenge of 10,000 to 15,000 steps for months now, and the energy is still going strong! It’s not just about feeling physically healthier (though that's a huge bonus), but the mental clarity is phenomenal. I definitely recommend ditching the car and letting your feet lead the way.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to post this before my long weekend finally collapses into sleep! Keep that energy strong, lovelies! Bye! 💕

Saturday, October 18, 2025

Celebrating Achievement

Hi,

It's the weekend! And while that usually means mentally checking out and starting the countdown to sleep in, it also means we've got a few crucial hours to tackle those last course details. Yep, the goal for this week is still pending. It’s like the finish line moved, but we’re close enough to make a final sprint! 

The good news? The lecture material is officially on track! I can breathe a sigh of relief there. That's a huge win, so let's mark that down as mission accomplished... for now.

The hurdle? The infamous tutorial tangle.

Seriously, trying to schedule tutorial sessions that accommodate students from the School of Maths and a few other schools is like playing a round of high-stakes Tetris where none of the pieces fit. Their calendars are all over the place! It's an impossible mission. I'm pretty sure achieving that perfect slot would require bending the laws of space and time.

Tutorials aren't just an optional extra, they're the main event for engagement! Lectures give them the map. Tutorials teach them how to drive. It's the dedicated space for students to drill down on the tricky concepts.

I'm making a pact with myself to use these sessions for close interaction. It's not just about me explaining things, it's about seeing who's genuinely grinding. You can tell a lot about effort just by watching how they tackle a problem face-to-face.

Speaking of effort... our school just wrapped up the Dean's List Certificate Ceremony, and man, was that a sight!

The Dean's List recipient at the iconic DK G31 stairs.

I don't recall getting a certificate for good results back in my day. Maybe just a pat on the back and a "don't mess up next semester" note. 😂But you could see the pure pride on the students' faces. Their hustle was seen, recognized, and celebrated. That's a powerful thing.

It's a fantastic way to appreciate their hard work. I'm hopeful this moment inspires them to keep that momentum going strong, and that their success becomes the spark that lights a fire under their friends. Let's aim to have an even longer line for that list next semester!

Okay, time to buckle down, finalize these tutorial schedules, and then enjoy that well-earned weekend victory lap. Let's get it done!

Sunday, October 12, 2025

A Calculus Guide to Life

Hi,

Phew! I'm officially back from the judging marathon! I've been focusing on all the brilliant submissions for the Photo Challenge, and seriously, they all brought their A-game. Choosing one winner is like trying to pick my favourite slice of pizza. Impossible, but a crucial task! 🍕

First off, huge congrats to everyone! Their effort was genuinely outstanding, and because of that, every single student is getting an extra percentage added to their Coursework grade. Consider it a thank-up for being awesome.

But, you know how it is. One group's submission was just so mind-blowingly creative that they deserve a special prize from me. The decision is still giving me a headache (the good kind!), but stay tuned for the big reveal!

Amidst all the fantastic photos, one group's image struck a nerve with its deep, philosophical, and yes... mathematical motto:

"Differentiate your effort today, integrate your success tomorrow."


Forget inspirational posters. This is real wisdom wrapped up in calculus! Let’s break down this beautiful piece of math-poetry, shall we?

1. Differentiate Your Effort

In plain math-speak, differentiation is all about finding the rate of change.

  • If we talk about your Effort (E), finding dE/dt is not just about how much you work, but how that work is changing over time (t).

  • The Big Idea: This means you shouldn't just run on the 'effort treadmill' mindlessly. Instead, you need to be a detective of your own work!

    • Ask: Is my rate of effort increasing? Am I hitting a plateau? Am I wasting energy on pointless tasks?

    • In other words: Don’t just work hard, work smart and adaptively! Analyze the marginal increase. That little bit extra? That makes a real difference. 

2. Integrate Your Success

Now for the fun part! In math, integration means finding the total accumulation of something.

  • If we look at your instantaneous success rate (s) over time, Total Success is the integral s(t)dt.

  • The Big Idea: Success isn't one giant victory moment, it's the sum of a million little victories!

    • Think of it like building a Lego castle: each tiny brick (each successful study session, each tricky problem solved) accumulates into the magnificent final structure.

    • In other words: Don't discount the small wins! Notice every bit of progress, celebrate that tiny area under the curve of your growth, and let those successes accumulate into a massive achievement.

3. The Power Combo: Differentiate Effort, Integrate Success

Putting it all together gives us a powerful life strategy:

  • Be a Smart Worker (Differentiation): Constantly analyze and adjust your effort to be more efficient and impactful. Be mindful.

  • Be an Optimistic Builder (Integration): Recognize, gather, and build upon every little success you achieve. Growth is cumulative!

Thanks to the creative minds behind this submission for giving us a calculus-based roadmap to crush our goals! Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a winner to decide! Stay tuned!

Saturday, October 11, 2025

Differential Equations 101

Hi,

Wow, talk about a time warp! Seriously, where did the first week of the new semester go? It feels like I blinked and missed it, but hey, the good news is all those deadline-hungry tasks are finally done. Phew! That's the sound of stress leaving the building! 🎉

My first three hours of MAT223 - Differential Equations 1 lecture are officially in the books, and let me tell you, this class is a beast! I'm talking a record-breaking 267 students. I think I need a megaphone just to say 'Good morning!'😅

The distribution of my students. My personal mission? To make the non-math students love my class so much, they secretly wish I taught all their subjects! (Sorry, home school lecturer!😉)

Every semester, my number one mission is to become the students' favourite math cheerleader. Why? Because I'm convinced that if they love the lecturer, they're far more likely to love the course. I don't want them to look at Differential Equations like it's a villain in a movie, just because they didn't like my opening act.

The subject itself? Sure, it can be a bit like trying to solve a Rubik's Cube blindfolded. But if they're willing to dive in, passing the course is totally achievable, and acing it is even easier! My main goal is to be a part of the solution, not the problem, especially since math anxiety seems to be hitting new highs these days.

Their initial impressions were a little... worrying. Looks like I have some serious work to do!

My plan for that first lecture was simple, make them love me, then make them love the subject. My perfectly-prepared lecture notes? I waved goodbye to them! Instead, I decided to lean into what this generation does best, their phones!📱

So, we launched the DE Wefie Challenge! I figured, if they're going to have their devices out anyway, we might as well make it a math party. 🎉

And seriously, they crushed it! Within just a few hours, our shared sheet started filling up with hilarious and creative submissions. I was so impressed by their effort that I had to reward them! I promised them some sweet, sweet extra percentage points for their Coursework mark later, and they went absolutely bananas (in a good way, of course!).

Check out some of the early submissions! Seriously, they've already won my heart (and maybe some extra points)!💖

Mission accomplished! My main objective for the first lecture, to get them excited and comfortable is A-C-H-I-E-V-E-D!

Now that the fun foundation is set, I'm genuinely pumped for the rest of the semester. What crazy, fun ideas should I try next to keep the energy up? 🤔

Sunday, October 5, 2025

Melody and Memories

Hi,

I’m finally back after a long, long day, and I had to share a quick update before I crash. The wedding was an absolute blast!


They're more than just friends. They're my chosen sisters.

30 years of friendship, and every moment was worth it!

My 'official' job at the registration table was surprisingly smooth sailing. We were using an app called thebigdays where guests confirmed their attendance using pre-issued QR codes. It was easy peasy: scan the code, confirm the headcount, check the table number, and voila! they were ushered into the hall. Truly the simplest task ever!

Once most of the RSVP'd guests had checked in, the event manager gave us the green light to go inside and enjoy the main event. Everything was classic and efficient: the beautiful walk down the aisle, the romantic music, the prayers, and the lovely salam restu moment with the groom's parents. Dinner was then served quickly and straightforwardly. The atmosphere was just pure happiness.

Now for the best part.

Just as we settled in to eat, the live band started prepping to entertain us. My first thought was, "Great, here come the universal wedding staples." You know the drill: songs like 'Can't Help Falling in Love,' 'A Thousand Years,' 'Sedetik Lebih,' and 'Sempurna.' Beautiful, yes, but predictable.

But the moment that band kicked off the music, I instantly thought, "OMG, my song!" Of all the beautiful love songs in the world, they chose this exact one to open the night? A song that lives permanently on repeat on my YouTube playlist? I've told you before how much I adore a live band, and now they were performing my absolute favorite song as I once mentioned HERE? That moment alone made the whole event unforgettable. 💕

Jerat.

The song is completely stuck in my head now, a perfect little earworm to sleep on. Thank you, fantastic live band! I got a few clips! Was so busy singing along, I almost forgot to hit record.

I think that's all for tonight. I’m heading back to Penang early tomorrow morning, and work will resume with a new semester on Monday. Wish me luck getting back into reality! Until my next update, bye! 😘

Saturday, October 4, 2025

Brain on Overdrive

Hi,

It’s official: My brain thinks it's an all-night think tank, and it refuses to clock out. I'm supposed to be tucked away in Slumberland already, but apparently, my mind is more interested in running a marathon of 'What Ifs' and 'To-Do Lists.' Since shutting down isn't happening, I figured I’d do the next best thing: dump a little life update here.

So, I’m currently chilling in Kuala Lumpur for a wedding dinner. But this isn't a simple 'show up and eat' situation. I’ve been roped into the very important registration crew! The groom? My childhood best friend's little brother. The four of us, the legendary EIJEY's, are officially on duty for our 'little brother's' big day. 

The amazing crew. Est: 1995.

Seriously, I used to chase the groom, Ajib around the house when he was still rocking a diaper. Now he's getting married. Please remind me how old I am again, because I'm starting to feel like a vintage item! I’m fine, I’m totally fine. Just quietly calculating my age in a corner. 😭

The main event is going down at the Sime Darby Convention Centre (my go-to spot for buka puasa feasts, no less), and I'll just be 'Grab-ing it' there, easy peasy. Before the wedding chaos, I'm squeezing in a much-needed visit to my uncle at Hospital Ampang. He’s been through a rough patch, and I'm so happy he's doing better after a few days in the ICU. Sending some love his way before I start my registry duties!

I'll be honest, keeping myself this busy is a fantastic distraction from the less-than-fun things going on right now. A little chaos is good for the soul, right? It's going to be a seriously long day tomorrow, but I'm going to soak up every minute of it.

Anyway, that’s all for now. My brain might finally be slowing down, or maybe it’s just running out of updates. Time to give Slumberland one last attempt before the wedding madness begins. Talk soon, bye! 😊