The Support System

Hi,

Happy Friday! It’s 7:05 AM, and while the rest of the world is probably hitting snooze for the third time, I’m reporting live from Penang General Hospital. My mission started at 6:30 AM sharp. By 7:00 AM, the queue finally moved, and I reached the finish line at 7:02 AM to drop the appointment card into the box. Yes, a physical box!

Spot a box at the middle of the counter

In a world of AI and flying drones, we are still playing the drop the card in the slot game. It’s very vintage, very 1990s chic. Even with my early morning sprinting, I only secured Number 12 in the run. For government hospitals, being Number 12 is basically winning a bronze medal. I’ll take it!

I’m here this early because a doctor friend gave me the golden rule, get there early, or prepare to move in and pay rent in the waiting room. I’d do anything to make sure my parents don't have to endure a five-hour wait, so the early morning cardio is a small price to pay for their comfort. Hopefully, we can settle everything quickly today. (Update: Yes, they did. All done by noon)

The best part of this madness is that Dad is absolutely crushing his recovery. He has gone from being unable to sit up to taking baby steps with support. Between three Physio sessions, two Occupational Therapy sessions, and Rehab every two weeks, he is basically in athlete training mode. They say the first three months after a stroke are the golden period, and I can officially confirm that’s a fact. He’s gaining his life back, one shaky step at a time.

If there is one thing I’ve learned, it’s that the real secret to recovery is the support system. In the beginning, they feel completely helpless, and the truth is, they are. They need us to be their legs, their memory, and their loudest cheerleaders. If we don’t give up on them, they won't give up on themselves. We have to be the strength they don't have yet.

I've made it back to the unit by 9.00 AM, safely tucked away from the hospital hustle. I am going up to the rooftop to check on what's there at the place I'm staying. Then, I'm going to do a bit of quick packing and organizing before I head off to work to start my official day. 

The perfect home base for a quick Penang adventure.

Penang skyline from the roof top.

It’s been a whirlwind morning, but seeing that progress makes every early sprint worth it. Time to shift gears and get to the office! See you again next time. Bye!

My Much-Needed Break

Hi,

Another greetings from Jasin! 🌙

We’ve officially survived Day 1 of Ramadhan, and honestly, everyone is holding up surprisingly well.

The biggest plot twist? Adam. This is his first time fasting, and if you know Adam, you know he’s basically a high-speed food processor. On normal days, he wakes up super early and immediately demands a full menu. I was bracing myself for a very long, very hungry day.

But little did I know, the boss had mentally prepared himself! As a mom, I kept giving him the option, telling him it’s okay to eat if it gets too tough, but he powered through like a pro. Watching him complete his first day with such ease was such a huge relief. One down, twenty-nine to go!

On a personal note, I haven't had a decent rest in months, but being back here has been the ultimate reset button. I’ve successfully ditched work to focus on me. I’m sleeping well, I’m eating well, the kids are happy, and for once, my brain isn’t running a marathon of to-do lists. I know reality is waiting for me back home, but for now, I’m soaking up every bit of this kampung peace.

Oh, and the best part? The unlimited baby snuggling. My two are great, but they’ve lost that new baby smell years ago. Luckily, the family here is still actively producing new ones, so my cravings are fully satisfied. I love handling them, but let’s be real, I’m too old to be starting that engine again for myself. So, I’ll just happily borrow someone else's.

Serious question. Are they for sale? No? Okay, fine. 😂

That’s the update from the kampung for now. I’ve got one more day of bliss before we head back to Penang early Saturday morning.

Happy fasting, everyone! Bye!

Grace and Grit

Hi,

Hello from Jasin, Melaka! I’m here celebrating CNY with my mother-in-law’s side of the family this year. As she is half-Chinese, I’m learning so much about everything from the food to the local traditions each time during CNY celebration.

During my confinement, when my own mother was still working, my mother-in-law was the one who took care of me. She cared for me and my new-borns for weeks, until I was strong enough to manage on my own. She prepared the most delicious, nourishing Chinese dishes for my recovery, treating me and my babies with the same love and tenderness as if we were her own.

One for the memories. Mak and two of her chinesey daughters-in-law. 😄

And let me tell you, she's also the woman who's never afraid to tell you your outfit looks like a fashion crime scene. Seriously, she's brutally honest. Like, 'Umm, those prints? On those prints? You look like a walking optical illusion.' She's a firm believer in women being confident by being presentable, which, in her world, means no prints on prints. Ever. 'You'll look messy,' she'll declare, with the conviction of a seasoned fashion judge. And we, her daughters and daughters-in-law, just nod and go, 'Okay, Mak.' Haha. 😂

But you know what? We love her for it. Because behind the 'fashion police' persona is a heart of gold. She's taught us to take pride in ourselves, to stand tall, and to maybe, just maybe, avoid wearing that floral-zebra combo we thought was 'edgy.' And for that, and for everything else, she'll always be someone I deeply admire.

She's shown me what it means to be strong, kind, and patient, and those are lessons I'll carry with me always.  Life is unpredictable, but one thing I'm certain of is my unwavering respect for her. She's taught me so much about life, and no matter what happens, she'll always be someone I look up to. 💕

Academic Outtakes

Hi,

I know, I’ve been a total ghost on the blog lately, but I haven't disappeared. I’ve just been buried! If you’re looking for me, you’ll find me living inside a fortress of exam scripts. It’s my new home for now, where the rent is free but the decor is a bit stressful.💆I’ve had to prioritize the big stuff first, and right now, my life is all about the final exam marking. 

I’ve been living among these piles for so many consecutive days that I’m starting to forget what a clean desk looks like. This entire weekend is dedicated to finalizing the EW and grades for my MAT223 students, all need to finish before I officially run away for the Chinese New Year break. 

In between the marking madness, I’ve also been squeezing in viva voce sessions for my PhD students. Life has felt extra complicated lately because I currently have three students scheduled for their vivas and another two who are about to submit their final drafts. It’s a lot of plates to spin at once, but I’m not complaining. These are the responsibilities I signed up for, and seeing them reach the finish line is a huge part of why I do what I do. 

After months of hard work, the result is finally in. Congratulations to Tariq Azzam for a successful viva-voce defense!

Still, I’ll admit that the academic life can feel pretty lonely sometimes. You have a mountain of tasks, but you don't actually communicate much with the outside world. You just stay in your nest, doing your thing, only popping out for meetings before scurrying back into the shadows to continue the never-ending to-do list. I’ve actually had to start forcing myself to go for 15-minute walks around the building just to prove to my body that sunlight still exists.

However, I had a major breakthrough today! I actually broke out of the office to join my colleagues for a quick lunch break. Getting a group of busy academics together is harder than solving a complex differential equation, but we finally made it happen. It was a massive all-in-one celebration. A farewell for Kak Shidah who is retiring soon, an early Chinese New Year luncheon, a warm welcome for the upcoming Ramadhan, and a 'we made it' party for the end of the semester. 💃

My multiracial colleagues and I all agreed on Arabic food for lunch today. Isn't that the perfect picture of harmony? 😊

Celebrating our soon-to-be retiree, Kak Shidah (the one in the middle). We’re going to miss her so much. 💐

Quick lunch, big occasion. It takes something special to get us all away from our desks at once.

Even though it was short, it was such a refreshing catch-up. For once, we didn't talk about work. Usually, seeing colleagues means discussing syllabus changes or meetings, but today we just talked freely as friends.

It was a great reminder that I need to pay a bit more attention to my own well-being. I need to get back into a routine that keeps my sanity intact, but for now, I’m feeling much more human. That’s my life in a nutshell lately. Looking forward to better days ahead! Happy weekend, everyone! 💕

Post-Winter Blues

Hi,

It’s the weekend again, and I’ve found my way back to my parents' house. The place suddenly feels so alive having the kids around. It’s chaotic, but seeing my dad so happy makes it all worth it. It’s hard to believe that exactly one month has passed since my winter wonderland trip to Northeast China. Time flew by so fast that I only just realized I still haven't finished unpacking my winter wear! I really need to get organized, store them properly in vacuum bags, and toss in some silica gel to keep the fabric in top condition.

I’m actually still wearing the same winter jacket from my days living in Australia, which is a minor miracle. First of all, thank God I haven't expanded sideways so much that I can’t fit into a seventeen-year-old coat anymore. Secondly, because I’ve taken such good care of it, it still looks brand new. Quality winter gear is an investment, so I’m determined to make sure the money I spent back then was worth it. If I’m lucky, I’ll still be zipping this same jacket up ten or twenty years from now!

Zhongyang Street after dark. They say some things and some people only get better with age. Looking at my winter gear, I’d have to agree.😉

Tomorrow is going to be a busy day of mom duties. We’re starting early with a paediatrician appointment at Pantai Hospital Sungai Petani, followed by a trip to the bookstore to restock the kids' reading materials. We’ll finally wrap things up with a grocery run, which is always an adventure with the little ones in tow.

It feels so good to finally sit down and find the time to write again. After a long week, it’s nice to just be still and reminisce about all the good things happening in my life. That’s it for tonight; I’m heading to bed to prepare for the marathon tomorrow. See you again next time. Goodnight! 💕 

Moments That Matter

Hi,

After nearly ten days of playing grown-up at my parents' place, I am finally going back to my own house. My younger sister came back to take over the shift, which was my golden ticket to run back to my own bed. Let me tell you, nothing compares the feeling of lying on your own mattress after a series of hard times. Your own nest isn't just a place to sleep. It’s the only place where you can truly exist in peace. It feels absolutely glorious.

The highlight of the week though, was a reunion with my sisters. We hit the streets just like the old days, back before we were all weighed down by the serious business of adulting. We spent the day hunting down new food spots, wandering through the mall until our legs gave out, and finishing it all off with a sugar rush from our favorite desserts. These moments are rare gems these days, and we made sure to squeeze every bit of fun out of it.

Trying to stay 'hip' in my 40s. Turns out, I'm more of an auntie than I thought. 😂

Our 'little' sister isn't so little anymore. Look at her treating us

The funniest part is that despite being the big sister, the one who is supposed to know everything, I have zero knowledge of what foods are trending, what’s aesthetic, or which shops are actually cool. My sisters treat me like a tech-support project, making sure I’m properly updated on the modern world so I don’t get too outdated. They even have a very generous payment system, if the bill is under RM50, they’ve got it. The second it hits RM51? Suddenly, it’s a big sister expense. Clever little geniuses, aren't they? 😂

But honestly, I don’t mind being the designated sponsor when the company is this good. We spent the whole time talking absolute nonsense, roasting each other's life choices, and laughing until our stomachs hurt. Those are the moments that keep the sisterly bond strong. It’s good to be back in my nest, but it’s even better to know that some things like my sisters’ ability to trick me into paying for dinner never change. 

I’m going to miss these moments so much, the times when I can just be myself with them. But for now, it’s back to reality and the beautiful chaos of being a mom of two. 😇