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!👋