November's Final Day

Hi,

It's hard to believe we've reached the final day of November, which sadly means my favourite month of the year is drawing to a close. Overall, this month was kind to me, though I certainly had my fair share of bumps and challenges. While everything might have looked perfectly calm and manageable from the outside, that’s largely because I pride myself on handling chaos smoothly. In reality, I was often putting up a significant fight. It felt like wrestling a crocodile, and the biggest opponent was usually myself! 😂 

My past weekend was particularly eventful and fulfilling. On Saturday, I made a quick, spontaneous drive to Perlis to visit my cousin, whose family had been severely affected by the major flood that hit the area last week. I'm so happy I decided to go, because often, those who need help the most are the very people who will never ask for it, worried that they might burden others with their problems. 

As a family member and just a caring human being, I felt strongly that even if my efforts were small, they could truly help lighten their load. At the very least, just showing up and offering my support and presence would bring some happiness and comfort to them. I spent the entire day there assisting with the clean-up, and when I was finally ready to leave, seeing their house fully cleaned out and ready to be a proper home again brought me a deep and powerful feeling of satisfaction. 

Then, Sunday was a completely different kind of celebration, dedicated entirely to Adam. It was his kindergarten graduation, marking the official end of his preschool years and his preparation for the 'big kid life' ahead. In just a few short weeks, my youngest will be walking through the doors of primary school, and my greatest hope is that he embraces this next exciting chapter and gains every good thing it has to offer him.

He totally rocked the speech thanks to his bubbly personality.

So, that’s a quick summary of my past few days and the end of this month. Goodbye, November. Thank you for all the precious memories, the lessons learned, and the beautiful moments you brought. 💕

The Awkward Transition

Hello, reality! 

I'm officially back, typing this from the familiar surrounding of my workplace. After a glorious few days living completely outside my normal routine, I can confidently say the 'recharge' button worked... mostly. Now, I just need to find the on switch for my focus engine. Everything is waiting, demanding attention, and I'm staring at my to-do list wondering, "Where do I even begin?".

Speaking of being back on campus, it’s USM Convocation Season! Outside, the energy is electric, a massive, celebratory crowd, all dressed up and ready to graduate. Yet, inside my building? It’s a ghost town. It was so quiet, I actually heard a door slam at the very end of the hall. Either my hearing improved on holiday, or I'm in a horror movie where the office supplies are the next victims. 

After meeting with some students (who I'm sure are secretly counting down to their own ceremony), I went out for a quick look at the Convocation Expo. Sadly, nothing sparked joy (or was cheap enough to justify). Came back empty-handed and wallet intact!

Now for the real challenge: Operation to neutralize my body! My time feasting in Surabaya was pure. When I’m on foreign land, my appetite has a simple motto: "If it looks good, eat it." Sugary, salty, packed with MSG, deep-fried, you just name it. I was an equal-opportunity eater! Control went straight out the window. 

These are the absolute must-have foods. The ones I'd run back for!

But the moment the plane lands, the strict dietary sheriff is back in town. Time to reintroduce vegetables and avoid anything that requires a napkin after one bite. Seriously, I plan to pretend my weighing scale doesn't exist for at least two solid weeks. Wish me luck! 😅

That’s all the catching up I can manage for now. I’m currently locked in a wrestling match with my work mood, and frankly, the mood is winning. It’s a hard beast to tame, but I’ll keep trying!

Have a spectacular, well-rested weekend, everyone!

P.S. Hopefully, by Monday, my brain and my focus engine will have signed a peace treaty. 

Travel Goals Achieved

Hi,

Well hello there, night owls! It's past midnight here in Surabaya, and I just finished the highly important task of tidying up my suitcase. My soundtrack? Classic Indonesian rock legends! The hotel TV is currently blasting a concert by Ahmad Dhani and Pasha Ungu on MTV. Talk about hitting me right in the nostalgia bone!🎸 Hearing those jams instantly flashed me back to my undergraduate days at UTM, where these songs were the absolute must-haves on everyone's Winamp playlist. Ah, the good old days!

So, what exactly did I cram into my day in this amazing city? Honestly, there's too much awesome to unpack here. If I told you every single thing, you'd be reading this until sunrise! So, I'm skipping the serious stuff and only sharing the highlights, the fun, must-try experiences you might want to bookmark if you ever find yourself in Surabaya.

First order of business for any true traveller? Find the best local traditional massage! After all that academic matchmaking yesterday, my body was demanding some serious TLC. I had been heavily stalking Google Reviews for a well-loved spot, and today was the day!

This place is hitting all my happy buttons!

I tracked down EVE Reflexology (located easily at Tunjungan Plaza 2, Level UG). My verdict? I LOVE IT. I went for the 90-minute full-body traditional massage. And here's the best part, they didn't use that super-greasy oil that makes you slide off the bed and stain your clothes. Nope! They used this non-greasy green tea lotion that smelled so good, I honestly contemplated trying to eat my arm afterwards. (I resisted, don't worry.)

But wait, there's more! The price? Insanely cheap! Talk about IDR170000 (~RM40) for a 90-minute session? Seriously, I couldn't get this kind of luxurious goodness for this price back in Malaysia if I tried. Can someone please arrange a future trip for me that's just for a 90-minute massage session here? Asking for a friend (who is me). 😆

The absolute next highlight of the day was an unforgettable dining experience at JAVAROMA, the first-ever airplane café right in the heart of Surabaya!

I only paid for a massive almond croissant that cost a ridiculously low IDR42,000! My antioxidant iced tea was on the house.

I stumbled upon this gem thanks to a complimentary voucher from my hotel for a free drink. Initially, I thought, "Okay, cool, a hipster café with some airplane-themed décor." Little did I know, I was about to board a real, actual airplane that's been converted into a sophisticated, first-class setting!

It was such a cool, unexpected experience. It proves that sometimes, the absolute best memories happen when you're just expecting something totally normal. My time in Surabaya has been effortlessly awesome, literally and figuratively. Who knew claiming a free hotel drink would lead to a trip down a jetway?

The whole place was so chic and elegant. Every detail screamed luxury.

And that's the end of tonight's transmission. I still can't quite believe my time here is wrapping up in less than 24 hours. My wallet is lighter, my muscles are relaxed, and my heart is full. I officially know one thing: I absolutely have to fly back here soon! Knowing my tendency to book a flight before I even finish my first cup of coffee, don't be shocked if I show up here again next month!. 😂

That's all the adventure I have for you tonight! Here's a final, restful good night wish from amazing Surabaya! Good night!💕

A Day at Universitas Brawijaya

Hi,

It's another day, another pin dropped on the map!📍But before I tell you what kind of trouble I'm getting into in this new place, let's rewind and unpack the super-long, super-productive I had earlier. My mission was basically playing matchmaker: getting two institutions to hold hands and play nice. Think of it as academic speed-dating! 😉

We kicked off bright and early with a colloquium session, and yours truly was wearing the "International Guest Speaker" hat. Remember I was trying to ditch the old, boring, "death-by-PowerPoint" research presentation style? Well, I went for it today! I decided to bring the magic of waves to the hall, and guess what? It actually worked! I think I managed to 'soliton' everyone in the room. That's my new word for shocking them with fascinating physics and keeping them totally engaged. (If you don't know what a soliton is, just Google it! It's super cool, like a wave that holds its shape perfectly.) And yes, I gave the esteemed academics homework. They all have to go observe wave interactions at the nearest swimming pool or at leas a fish pond! Talk about an unusual assignment!

They nailed the whole setup! The hybrid format was so smooth that our participants joining us digitally from USM felt like they were right in the room.

The sharing session wrapped up at noon, and then came the moment of truth, lunch! Our hosts proved that you don't need a fancy, extravagant buffet in a soulless hotel ballroom to show warmth. Nope. We got the most delightful, simple lunch boxes! They were delicious and just so real. It truly felt like being welcomed into their home. We got to explore their awesome building, proving that genuine, down-to-earth hospitality is the absolute best. No black-tie event needed!

Whoever packed this box is clearly a mind-reader, because it's nothing but my favourites!

The afternoon shifted gears to a benchmarking session. Basically, we were comparing notes on our undergraduate programmes (yes, turns out we're practically twins!). It was a fruitful-yet-serious discussion. I'll spare you the nitty-gritty details, because let's be honest, talking about course syllabi isn't exactly prime social media content. 🤫

UB is such a soulful campus. They have a beautiful cage with a cheerful rooster standing guard right in front of every single department! Talk about a truly positive, wake-up-call symbol.

Meanwhile, I heard the students had their own parallel session and were having an absolute blast! They were probably swapping stories about the weird homework their international speaker just gave them. 😂 I really hope this trip becomes one of those core memories they'll talk about for years!

After all that mental gymnastics, the hosts spoiled us again with a dinner box filled with all my favourite things! Seriously, it was like they had access to my secret cravings list. Again, a simple, humble box made me feel so incredibly happy and appreciated.

The minute the event was over, I did the classic dash, back to the hotel, packed my suitcase in 3.5 seconds flat, and then it was time to move on to my next big adventure: exploring Surabaya! 🎉 Huge shoutout to the hosts. They even arranged a smooth ride with a university driver to whisk me off to the next location. Everything went off without a hitch!

It was a super long, brain-power-intensive, but totally awesome day. Now? I'm signing off for some serious, undisturbed beauty sleep. No alarm clock is being set for tomorrow morning. That, my friends, is what I call a vacation win! Wish me sweet dreams (maybe I'll dream of perfectly propagating waves).

Okay, that's all for now, bye! 👋

Bromo-bound and blown away

Hi,

I've officially crash-landed in Indonesia, and let me tell you, this place is already stealing my heart (and maybe a few hours of sleep, but totally worth it!). This is just Day Two, and I've already traded city lights for volcanic sights. I’m talking about a whirlwind pre-program adventure to the legendary Mount Bromo before my official bussiness with Brawijaya University!

How was Bromo? Let's just say "majestic" is what you call your neighbour's fancy lawn. This... this was a scene straight out of an actual other planet!

The journey started, as all good (and slightly insane) stories do, at midnight in a trusty jeep. This wasn't a gentle Sunday drive. This was an off-road, gravity-defying marathon! Seriously, if you're prone to motion sickness, pack an entire pharmacy, because this trip was an extreme sport. Luckily for me, my stomach has the resilience of a wrestler, and I absolutely loved the wild ride.

Okay, fine, I might have lied a tiny bit. Amidst the chaos of the bumpiest road on Earth, I actually managed to snag a quarterly power nap. Yes, you heard right. I was rocking asleep while being launched 3 feet in the air every 5 seconds. I don't know if I should be proud or concerned, but hey, it was a surprisingly refreshing snooze!

We finally arrived at the sunrise spot, and man, was it a chilly reception! The air was so crisp, it felt like Mother Nature was giving us a full-on, deep-freeze hug. I saw people wisely rocking huge, puffy jackets, looking like adorable, ready-for-the-arctic marshmallows.

Me? I only had my favourite jumper on. Why? Because I'm a temperature rebel! I wanted to fully appreciate this magnificent, mountain-top cold. The kind of chill that makes you feel alive. And to keep my internal raging while we waited for the sun's grand entrance, I engaged in a true Indonesian ritual. A a cup of boiling hot tea paired with instant noodles! Nothing, and I mean nothing, on this earth beats slurping on super-hot Indomie when the weather is trying to turn you into an ice sculpture. Pure, unadulterated bliss!

A little cup of heaven known as Instant Soto Ayam!

Around 5 AM, the guide signaled the main event. The weather was still playing hard-to-get. Super cold, and now a light drizzle decided to join the party! Thank goodness I had a raincoat (I'm basically a prepared adult... sometimes). I joined the pilgrimage, marching up the final peak with the eager crowd, ready for the spectacle.

The rain initially kept the sun's spotlight soft, but as the minutes ticked by and the day brightened, the clouds did a magnificent disappearing act. And then... BAM! The view unfolded.

Just a gallery sneak peek! This is the appetizer view. 

The main course is stuck on my memory card (and in my soul).

It was more than majestic. It was a sprawling, epic canvas of volcanic peaks, sandy plains, and a vibrant sky. Gazing down at the Bromo crater, I honestly felt like I could sprout wings and fly right into the scene. It was that unbelievably, spectacularly beautiful!

View so good, I felt like flying! (Must resist the urge to jump.) 😉

Phew! That was just the start, folks, and I'm practically vibrating with energy! There is so much more to spill, but my clock is ticking and my official work duties are calling (gotta earn that next travel ticket, right?). Next up: shifting focus to Brawijaya University, and then a quick exploration of the rest of Surabaya before I jet off.

Bromo adventure? Conquered it! Next challenge, please!

Back in the Game

Hi,

Well hello there, beautiful internet people! Can you believe it's been a whole week since I last scribbled down my thoughts? I've been busy, you know, fighting gravity and trying to convince my body to look less like a pillow and more like a warrior.

Speaking of that war... I just wrapped up my daily sweat session! I recently decided to spice things up in my cardio routine by strapping on some weights. At first, my heart rate was chilling, literally acting like it was just having a nice warm-up stroll. It was basically saying, "Nah, we're not running, we're just window shopping for calories." Rude! So I thought, "Fine, you want a challenge?" I added a dash more weight, and guess what? It worked! 🎉

I’ve started dating some heavy metal friends... they’re called dumbbells. 😉

In just one glorious week, I've torched more calories than I have in an entire month! My heart rate finally got the memo and has been living its best life in the fat-burning zone. The downside? My arms feel like they've been adopted by a gorilla.😂But seeing that tidal wave of sweat at the end of every session? Pure satisfaction! Those droplets are just my fats crying. Bawling their little eyes out. Damn you, fats! Get out of my body! 

I gotta do this, because let's be real, at this age, my relationship with food is firmly in the "It's Complicated... But Mostly Delicious" category. I eat what I want! And yes, once in a blue moon (or maybe last week), I indulge in my favourite midnight snack ritual, desserts at 10 PM, just a few hours before I hit the bed.

Like last week, I had a two-night stand with the most amazing pecan tart slices. They were almost as good as the legendary Woolworths AUD2 slices (a true staple of my life). Of course, when I find a dessert doppelgänger, I have to celebrate! I know, I know, sugar police would throw me in jail. But my philosophy is simple, love your desserts, love your workouts. So I balance it out with green things and daily exercise.

This isn't just a tart, it's a reason to cross oceans. 

Ugh, I might have to book an emergency flight to Australia just to get my fix

Anyway, can you believe we're already halfway through November? The end-of-year sprint is on! Next week, I'm off to Indonesia! 

This brings up a very important, slightly traumatic memory. Last year, I caught the dreaded Flu B on my trip to Bukit Tinggi. I'm contemplating getting the flu shot this time around. I think I need to level up my travel prep from pack clothes and passport to pack clothes, passport, and a vaccine. Wish me luck!

Okay, that's all the rambling I have for today. Time to rehydrate and try to convince my sore muscles they still love me.

Have a super lovely and completely cry-free weekend! Bye! 👋

Surviving Saturday

Hi,

Can you believe the first week of November is already in the rearview mirror? Poof! Gone! This month is secretly my favorite because it's when I get my annual dose of human connection. It always starts with a sweet birthday wish, and before you know it, we're catching up on everything. From major life updates to whether we've finally organized that junk drawer. I seriously appreciate everyone who shows me their kind side. You guys are the best! But let's be honest, if you bring the sassy energy, I'm definitely going to match it. 😉

So, since sleep decided to ghost me tonight, I figured I'd update you all on the chaos that is tomorrow's schedule. Mission mode activated! Will drive across the island and all over Penang today. Brace yourselves!

My daughter has a school event and is officially entering her too cool for mom pre-teen phase. She was all, "Just drop me off and pick me up later,". Hard pass, sweetie. You can go have your fun, but my eagle eyes will still be operating from a tactical distance. Don't worry, I brought snacks for surveillance.🍭

We fight. We match outfits. It's a complicated, chaotic, and beautiful mom-daughter mess!

And then there's my youngest. At the exact same time, he has a pre-selection test for KAFA next year. He's actually heading into his primary school life! Seriously, can someone please remind me how old I am again? Why are my children acting like they can file their own taxes already? This mom is not ready for them to be so grown up. Excuse me while I go have a dramatic cry in the corner. 😭

My favourite little bosses! They are the reason for all the beautiful chaos.

Right after my dual-mission-parenting is complete, I have another bigger mission that I have been delaying for ages. We need to get serious about preparing for their winter holiday. Think proper sub-zero temperature gear because no one wants a grumpy, chilly kid! My brain is already turning into a to-do list, so I really need to sit down and write everything out before I forget the essentials (like, you know, pants).

Okay, that's my transmission for now! I'm off to play the intense, multi-tasking role of Mom-on-Duty tomorrow. Have a fantastically amazing weekend with your loved ones! Bye for now! 💕

Our AI Training Recap

Hi, 

Hang on!✋Is it just me, or did the week hit the gas pedal? I'm currently running on Surabaya countdown mode with a mountain of to-dos! Less than three weeks till I hop on a plane to Indonesia, and my brain is a flurry of planning! Airplane? Check! ✈️ Hotel? Check! 🏨 Presentation materials? Err... maybe on the to-do list. Formal agenda? Nailed it! Informal exploring/snack-hunting? Definitely going with the flow! 

But before I lose my mind in airport transfers and meeting schedules, I have to spill the beans about the training we had last weekend: the Training on AI Enhancement for Semiconductors and Visual Computing. Phew, that's a mouthful, but trust me, it was awesome! I was there, rocking the roles of workshop instructor and chief enthusiasm officer (a.k.a. facilitator). 😉

Day 1 was all about dipping our toes into the wild world of AI and Semiconductors. Even I learned a few new tricks! My main gig? Throwing open the curtains and yelling, "Surprise! Math is the superhero behind absolutely everything in the semiconductor industry. From design blueprints to the factory floor!" Seriously, if you love math, you're basically an industry VIP.

Day 2? That's when the real party started! We kicked off with an incredible speaker from the industry. She didn't just share cool chip secrets, she gave our math grads the ultimate blueprint for how they can step up and become the in-demand math wizards the sector is looking for. 🤩

She revealed how math grads can be the unseen architects powering those incredible microchips.

Even us academics were totally blown away, realizing the huge role we can play in shaping the AI-semiconductor future!

Then came the grand finale! We split the brilliant students into four epic AI-powered clusters: Alexa, Bixby, Gemini, and Copilot! (Talk about a tech dream team!) Their mission, should they choose to accept it? Five hours to create a jaw-dropping, world-problem-solving proposal using a super combo of math and AI.

My mission during the group work? To be the chief energizer bunny 😆

After all that brainpower, we had the tough (but fun!) job of scoring every awesome proposal they pitched.

The energy in that massive ballroom was absolutely electric! Think fast-paced music pumping, students brainstorming like mad scientists, and the buzz of pure, focused creativity. They pitched their hearts out within their clusters, and the winning group from each one got to present their ideas to the whole crowd! It was so much fun, it should probably be illegal.

By the time we wrapped up, yes, we were all officially running on fumes (and maybe a little caffeine), but the feeling of accomplishment? Extraordinary! Watching those students bring their A-game and light up with ideas was truly inspiring. This isn't just a training; it needs to be an annual, must-attend event!

The enormous ballroom was packed. Hitting 10,000 steps in just a few hours was effortless.

We nailed it thanks to our strong collaboration and effective teamwork.

Well, that's everything about it! The event went off without a hitch. Even the organizing crew was totally hyped. That feeling of success? Worth every minute. Here's hoping we can keep this momentum going and do even more beneficial things for our students. Catch you later! Bye.

The Big 4-0

Hi,

It's the third day of November, and guess what? I've officially crossed the threshold by one day! I'm now writing to you as a forty-year-old woman. Yes, forty. The age my teenage self thought was ancient. You know, the one where you start wearing sensible shoes and talking about the good old days. And now, look at me! I've joined the club! Someone please send a membership card and maybe a coupon for a good chiropractor. 😂

So, how does it feel to be forty? To be honest? Absolutely, hilariously nothing has changed. I woke up, still the same person, still a mother of two trying to figure out which sock matches the other, and still living a life that's aggressively normal. It's almost disappointing! I was expecting a sudden surge of ancient wisdom or maybe the ability to understand tax forms, but nope. Nothing's changed.

Oh, wait, there is one thing. Apparently, this is the age you start performing an obsessive, daily gray hair check. I'm committed in searching for that first silver streak. People say it signifies wisdom, but so far, my head is still full of black hair and the knowledge of where the kids hide their party candy. No gray, no wisdom, I guess. I'm taking applications for wisdom-bestowing gray hairs, I should apply within!

So, what did I do for my monumental fortieth birthday? I worked the whole day! Gone are the days of elaborate, week-long celebrations (which you can totally look up in my historical archives, aka old posts). Now that I'm aging like a fine wine (that occasionally forgets where I left my keys), I'm all about the private, low-key celebration with only my absolute favorite humans.

Behold: The cutest, tiniest, simplest birthday cake I've ever received. It was absolutely perfect. 

Exactly what this forty-year-old needed. 

A few years back, I did the adult thing and turned off all my birthday notifications on every platform. It's wonderful! Now, when a wish comes in, I know it's genuine, and not just Facebook reminding someone I exist. I truly appreciate the love from my family and close friends, the ones who matter the most. 💕

And here's the absolute highlight that made turning forty feel like winning, I got a personal birthday text message from my dad! My dad, the man whose birthday wishes are as rare as a quiet Saturday morning. He usually either forgets (which we've all made peace with) or delegates the wishing to my mom. But this year? A solo text! I'm pretty sure a comet passed and a unicorn was born, it was truly a momentous and cherished occasion.💫

That rare, personal birthday wish from Bapak? A true collector's item!

So, that's my humble, slightly fuzzy-around-the-edges beginning as an "old person" (per my former, judgmental teenage self). I'll be over here, vigorously checking my scalp for that very first wisdom-streak. Wish me luck! 

See you soon. Bye!