My PhD Journey (after 40 months)

Assalamualaikum, 

Hi semua...dalam sibuk sibuk dgn urusan dunia reality, I wanna squeeze this morning to jot down few things about my PhD journey. I started the study in July 2018, with full-time mode. Dengan izin Allah, I got the study leave that I applied, along with sponsorship to further this PhD. Syukur! Ada yang sudi sponsor my study since Foundation to PhD. Alhamdulillah #doaandsacrifices comes along. 

Literally, the first semester was spent to acquire the data from the data owner. I started requesting the data in May 2018, two months earlier than my enrollment date, worrying the process would take longer. Alhamdulillah, data request process was smoother than I thought. So, when I started the PhD, the first few months were focused on arranging the data, checking their quality, sorting and writing the literature review part. I have also loaded the data into specific software to view and play around with them. 

In November 2018, both husband and I along with our parents and sister went to Saudi to perform our umrah. It was the first time for me and the best experienced I had so far. Rindunya Madinah & Mekah. I have written one of the unbelievable experiences I had while in Madinah in this entry about Raudhah. 

Right away after returning from Saudi, I boarded another flight to Paris for an international workshop with research members of the International Geoscience Correlation Program (IGCP) for our 667 Project related to The World Map of Orogens. I just realized that I have not written anything about my Paris trip in this dear blog of mine. I spend merely two weeks in Paris and took the opportunity to finish my proposal write for the PhD. I also spent most of my time in Ecole Normale Superior (ENS) where my supervisor is leading a geological lab. 

Participants of the IGCP 667 first workshop in Paris

Following my return to Malaysia, I had submitted the full proposal and defended my research ideas in February 2019. I had shared some tips for defending PhD proposal in this entry. In the same semester, I have to present the progress of the PhD since I was already in the second semester of the study. During this time, most time was spent working in the university, with my workstation (which my husband helped to carry and set up in my office, Thank you You!). It involved lots of frustration because I have to re-do the work many times. 

Before I forget, by July 2019, a year into this PhDJourney, I had to change supervisors twice due to unavoidable matters internally within the university. The first supervisor was Prof Ghani and Prof Michael. Both of them left the institution around the same time (end 2018), and Dr Chow took over as the main Sv with Dr Benjamin. By June 2019, Dr Chow left UTP and Dr Benjamin had become my supervisor along with Dr Mirza. So, most of my works were assisted by Dr Benjamin. By December 2019, where the world had started to worry about newly form virus in Wuhan, China, I begins to prepare a manuscript for publication. This was elaborated from my second progress report presented to the department in Nov 2019. I continue writing and working with the seismic and well data, preparing for the next semester etc etc until one day before I delivered my youngest on 13th March 2020. 

Then, the world pandemic begins and things had turned virtually and online all over the world. So as my PhD study was mostly done at home after the arrival of Imaad Hafiy. Pandemic and lockdown is another story that affected us in many ways. I am lucky that I have completed most of the major workstation research by that time which I no longer need to use sophisticated software to analyze the data. With newborn baby and three elder children at home during the lockdown, I took it slowly with my PhD until June 2020 where I realized I need to start submitting the manuscript that I have written earlier. So, while the baby and the elder three were sleeping, their ummi was working with her first publication. I feel like a zombie for several months. In between writing, I will run away to bed to feed Imaad who is a milk junkie even until now.

After presenting in Virtual Conference (July 21)

Long story cut short, the first paper was published in early 2021 after a series of traumatized reviewing processses. I almost gave up. During the submission process, I have started analyzing and writing the other sets of data to meet the second objective of my PhD work. The second manuscript was ready for submission by April 2021. I am more confident with the second manuscript and as expected, reviewers liked what we wrote. In one month plus, the manuscript was published. The experience with the second manuscript was a pleasant one as compared to the first one. But both of these papers are dear to my heart because I have sacrificed and put my tears into the analysis and writing processes.  Call me over reacting, but I'm emotional like that. If your want to take a look into these papers, just search my name in Google Scholar or Research Gate. 

My study table at home. I decided to buy one for myself after lockdown started and I know most of my PhD years will be spent working from home. 

After the publication of the second manuscript, I begin to focus on the last part of the work, focusing more on the quantitative analysis. I am lucky to get help from a researcher in South Korea. We developed a relationship as a friend and share the same interest in geological subsidence. Over a few communications and video calls, I have finally been able to produce results from the data. I am indeed thankful for the technology that helps to connect ppl for this good purpose. I quickly get in touch and tried my luck to discuss the results I had in the last part with one of the expert matter we have in Malaysia. Alhamdulillah, had gotten such supportive feedback. Again, thanks to technology for connecting us. It took several weeks to finally come to the correct result and presentation and get approval to proceed with writing. 

Well, some may wonder why do I have to connect and find bits of help from the external parties while I already have my own supervisors in the university. To be honest, along the way, I changed supervisor again. 

Dr Benjamin had to left from France because he needs to be near to his family during the pandemic. So, Dr Mirza had become the main SV for a short while, before his contract with the university was not continued. I get too used to the change of supervisors and I feel numb to the process. I am lucky because all supervisors accepted the work that I am doing and do not interfere much with my research ideas and styles. By January 2021, I discussed the situation with the Head of the Department and expressed my intention to appoint him as the main SV because he is the only one I feel had a secure position in the department at that time. He was a bit reluctant because the work that I am doing is not within his expertise, but I convinced him that I will not make much trouble. So, he agreed. and Dr Ahmed who knew a bit more about what I am doing as the co-SV. To my surprise, Dr Ahmed had to leave the institution by Nov 2021 before able to see me complete my study. I am still lucky because the main SV had helped with the thesis corrections. 

And I am luckiest because I still have Prof Manuel from day 1 until today. Prof Manuel, who is fully based in ENS, Paris had been my field supervisor. He was my main SV during my MSc study (although he had to be back to Paris earlier in 2014, but we maintained the relationship until present). Of course it is not easy to maintain a long distance communication with time and cultural differences. I always end up waiting in front of the laptop when Prof Manuel could not make it to our online meeting. I even feel traumatized to set up a meeting with him at one stage of this journey because I know I will feel frustrated at the end since he will not show up or I don't meet his expectation. 

Prof Manuel when he visited my workstation in Sep 2018

in Manu's office (ENS) when I visited Paris in Dec 2018

The only one who will keep on pushing me not to let myself goes deeper into the frustration or anxiety is my husband! Sorry abang for all the throw-ups. Thanks for lending me your ears and shoulders. Also for always being so pushy, I can't even tahan, so I will just do it so you will stop pushing me. Because at the end of the day, I will come back to you smiling and happy when Prof likes what I have been working for. 

This picture was taken on the first day I registered as PhD study

11th July 2018 with the pushing factor. 

Love you suami!

Well, November 2021 is my 40th month as a PhD student. I had just finished two dry-runs (rehearsal) sessions with Prof Ghani and Prof Manuel (along with my Chee Meng, my PhD buddy) in separate sessions. I would say I am feeling a bit relieved after listening to their feedback on the work. InshaALLAH,  with a little bit more improvement, I am ready to go. 

Thats my phdbaby, Imaad Hafiy!

He always "teman"ummi work late at night. 

Next week, I will be presenting the research works for this 3.5 years for Research Completion Seminar to panel of examiners within my university and I am hopeful that I am able to make them understand the work that I had done. I hope the thesis will do justice and I can get a green light to proceed for viva nomination. 

Those reading, thank you. 

Please make your doa for me to be able to deliver the work dengan lancar dan mudah untuk the examiners to understand what I wanted to deliver. 

Modern world pandemic and lockdown

Hello blog, 

It has been more than a year ago since I last posted anything in here. Things have really changed. 

Indeed, the world has changed! The arrival of my youngest son, Imaad in March 2020 marks the beginning of the modern world pandemic. All of us are generally figthing with the deadly virus of Coranavirus-19, which was originated from Wuhan, China at the end of Year 2019. It quickly spread out all over the world until the WHO had to declare pandemic situation every where. 

The world has gone into series of lockdowns. Everywhere, everyone was and still struggling. Life was hard, in many aspects. Many lost their loved ones to this deadly virus. Many had been infected, recovered but suffer long effects of covid. Many had lost their jobs too because when lockdown took place, many businesses had to close down. Many struggles with depression, financial issues, and a lot more difficulties. 

Despite this bad situation, there are blessings, too. 

Most of all are now vaccinated with the vaccine for covid-19. Although the vaccine itself is not a cure for this deadly virus, we do have some internal protection within our bodies. At least. Well, I am not going to list out more about what had happened to the world in my blog. All of us can google and check it out in the news for what had happened during the covid-19 pandemic. 

As for my family and me, we are lucky enough. We are still safe and sound from this deadly virus. My brother-in-law and his family were infected recently, but they had their vaccination already, so the impact was mild. Alhamdulillah. My niece was also infected a few months back but she did not have any symptoms at all. Allah blesses her. So many things for us to be grateful for. 

All my kids are staying at home, having their schooling online or we call it as Pembelajaran daripada rumah (PDPR) while both my husband and I had to work from home. For the year 2021, the kids only went to school for about 2 months only. The rest of the year, we embrace ourselves with online learning. It was not easy. But we are grateful that we are fully equipped with a decent internet connection, enough laptops and handphones for each of the kids to use, as well as enough resources for online learning. And most of all, for having kids that are cooperative for the online learning and this tiresome routine. 

my elder two in their school canteen went we have chance to visit the school to collect some of their books. this was in 2020

the empty school 

We had spent the longest time in this house for the past two years. And it has been sometimes since we last visited our parents and siblings. Since Malaysia, in general, is still under-going nationwide lockdown. Soon, InshaAllah we will be able to do inter-state travel to visit our parents in Penang and Terengganu as well as visiting our siblings. 

To be honest, we are sort of getting used to this pandemic, which will soon become endemic. We have to accept the fact that we must live with it! Like or not, just embrace it. Follow as much as hygenic standard operating procedures that have been listed by the WHO and our government. 

Will continue more in the next post. InshaAllah. 

The arrival of Imaad Hafiy

Assalamualaikum wbt, 

Imaad Hafiy is my fourth baby. He arrived to this world 8.5 months ago, at the peak of modern world pandemic, the CORONA VIRUS or COVID-19. So, his arrival was not yet announced in this personal blog of mine. Let me share a story that Imaad will remember when he is bigger and taller and able to read on his own later. 

Imaad was born on Friday, 13th March 2020 in Hospital Pantai Ipoh. Delivered by Mdm. Dr. Anjalai through an elective cesarian operation at 38 weeks 1 day in Ummi's womb. The delivery was scheduled at 11am since it was Friday. However, the OT was quite busy. Although Ummi has been wheeled to the OT a an hour earlier, the doctor cannot perform the operation since the suits were occupied for a longer period than expected. Ummi was left alone with blurry view (coz I can't bring along my spectacles into the OT). I tried to sleep but definitely cannot because OT was busy and noisy. 

So, at 11am, the aneas came and talk to me, also my friend Suraya a senior nurse working in the OT visited few times. She will be assisting Dr Anjalai for the operation later. I can't remember exactly when and how, I was wheeled to the OT suit and then they injected the bius at my back. Suddenly everything was so heavy. I can feel my legs, but I can't move it. they started to inserted all the necessary tubes in me and then Dr Anjalai came in and they started the operation. At the same time, your dad came in, sit next to me, on my right side while the aneas sit on my left. Ayah was telling me what happened because he can see every single thing the Dr are doing. I think, at that time, he was so excited to see how the operation was performed. Few moments later, you were out! you cried and I cried too automatically. I keep saying Alhamdulillah Alhamdulillah. Ayah wiped out my tears. The nurses bring you nearby me, we have skin to skin contact for a short while just at my cheek, you look a bit blueish and I think its not too common because you brother Iyaadh was very pink when he came out. 

I had a feeling that something is not right. But I prayed silently that its not too bad. Dr Anjalai continue for the next procedure which was the BTL. She asked ayah for final confirmation to cut and tie my follopian tubes for both sides. After the surgery, I asked for you. But the Dr can't allow it yet coz I need to rest. Little that I know you were under Dr Lee's supervision for lacking of oxygen. That explains why you were quite blueish when I first lay my eyes on you. 

I was wheeled to the room and Ayah went out for Friday prayer. I tried to sleep but it feels so dizzy and empty. Dr Lee your paed came and explained that you are now under observation for oxygen level and few other things because you sort of drink too much amniotic fluid in the process of bringing you out to the world just now. So, it will take 24 hours before we can meet each other. Luckily, I was at calm and tak nangis listening to Dr. I trust in Dr's decision and I really know that I should use the time given to properly rest. 

Umi was not able to eat anything that day. not until night. After Maghrib, Umi tried to expressed some colustrum for you and managed to get a few titik. Passed it to the nurses to feed you and tried to sleep that night. 

On the day you were born, Acu took care of Abang2 and your Kakak. They were so excited to meet you but all of us need to wait for one more day. Ayah took photos of you and send to us since Ayah je yg boleh pay you a visit. Maktok and Wan also came to visit and all of them overnight in Ipoh that day, so they come early morning to meet you tmrw. 

The next day, everyone came and we managed to see you. You were healthy and no longer need the oxygen support. Alhamdulillah

The next day, both of us boleh balik rumah. 

Day 2 of life

Well, we started our Movement Control Order right away. 

We pantang our way. Ayah took care for both of us, also for the other abangs and kakak too. Mak tok went back to Penang earlier than expected just because the pandemic had risen so drastically that time. 

The confinement lady also can't come to help us. They were just six of us. 

Alhamdulillah. we made it. 

Walaupun I have not properly done my routine for pantang, but kita semua sihat dan terjaga. 

Ayah cukur your jambul at one month old. He did it all by himself for the first time. 

I guest, for you, many things are first time for Ayah. 

Jaga baby since day 1 dlm pantang, 

Urus A-Z by himself without help. 

Also first time ayah boleh masuk OT and see his baby came out real!

Well, that's wrap up for your birth story. 

We love you so much. I will write more bout you. Stay tune! hahaha

InshaAllah

My last baby bump

Assalamualaikum. 

It's 20/02/2020 today. What a nice date. 

And it marks the day my fourth pregnancy turns to 35 weeks. 

Which means, another 22 days before you come to the world. 

Ummi and Ayah have chosen 13th March 2020, Friday for the elective cesarian. 

Hopefully, you will stay calm and happy inside Ummi until that day which is supposed to be your 38 weeks and 1 day throughout this pregnancy. 

You have been a charm since the day I first felt your movement inside me. 

Every time you make any kind of move, I felt thankful to Allah. 

InsyaAllah anak ummi sihat membesar di dalam rahim ummi. 

IH4 and Ummi at 32+ weeks of pregnancy. 

This time around, ramai orang tegur, perut tak nampak sangat walaupun dah masuk third trimester. 

Most of the pregnancy, Ummi receives the same acknowledgment. Perhaps, sebab ummi tinggi. So, perut not so ke depan. 

But, I gained a lot of weight. Like now, at 35 weeks, dah 12-15 kg from pre-pregnancy weight. 

Well, this time pregnant pun Ummi dah berat than my comfort weight. :D

Abang Iyaadh yg super clingy, super manja, and cheeky nowadays. Tak boleh berenggang langsung dengan Ummi. Every day he will ask, bila baby nak keluar. 

When Ummi said, March nnt baby keluar. He will replied, kenapa lambat sangat. 

Throughout this pregnancy, I am totally sihat. Alhamdulillah. 

Except for one thing that I suffered since week 20ish of pregnancy. 

I felt a strong pain in my upper part of the body, in between my big tummy and ribs. 

In the first place, I thought it was reflux. Which I have been experiencing too. But it is controllable through Gaviscon and taking care of what I eat. 

However, there is another kind of pain that did not go away even though I have taken the Gaviscon and control my food intake. Doctor had told me it is due to muscle inflammation into the rib cage which is known as Costochondritis.

Source: Google

Most of the time, the pain grows stronger underneath my left rib. The position is exactly as in the photo except it was highlighting the right side of the body. 

It is very painful even when you touch the skin on top of your tummy in between the ribs, you will feel the pain. It is due to prolonged inflammation. 

If I walked a little bit more for that day, or stand slightly longer (ie during cooking), or do some extra house chores, the pain grows stronger and feels so bad that I need to lie on my back at that sudden. The doctor can only give mild pain killer which is equivalent to panadol. Well, the only solution is to embrace the pain and try to increase zikir when the pain struck. 

For the preparation of your arrival.. most of the things are ready.

Mainly ummi beli baru, sebab barang from abang2 and kakak dah so soggy. 

 Ummi is going crazy about muslin swaddle this time around. I bought quite a number of muslin swaddles for you. and they are cute! 

Once you arrive later in the world, Ayah and Ummi will decide which car seat we should use for you coz most of the infant carrier car seat looks like a little uncomfortable with too much bending. 

Ummi has been aiming at Joie Gemm until I found out about Joie i-Gemm, which is the improved version of the earlier one. Joie is within our range of budget, but if we can get Maxi Cosi or Nuna, that would be better. The most important thing is you must be buckle-up every time in the car! Hopefully ummi tak cheat!

My Dear ārba'a Baby

Dearest sayang,

You are now 23 weeks inside ummi. Umi dah mula rasa your movement inside me.
I can only feel your profound movement about three weeks ago. I was worried back then since your brothers' and sister's movement were felt so much earlier than 20 weeks.

We went for a check-up with Dr. Anjalai when you were about 16-17 weeks and we can really see you are active inside me. Alhamdulillah. We saw your face. You look alike with Abang Iyaadh. So cute! We also knew your gender at that time! Alhamdulillah. Umi and Ayah were happy and bersyukur.


The beginning of your pregnancy was easy in terms of I don't have any sickness at all. Almost none.
But I easily got tired. By 8pm, I felt like I need to sleep till morning. Of course, I can't do that. Your brothers and sister need to eat etc. There are some times that Umi has to handle the house and the kids alone with you inside me. I feel so tired that I cried before I go to bed. During the first trimester jugak lah Umi always had leg cramp while sleeping. It's very painful and usually, Ayah will help to reduce the pain and give comfort. Ayah finally bought me a bottle of 600mg Calcium and I have been consuming it every other day. Luckily the cramp went away.

My Arba'a Baby,

Umi really loves you. I really wanted you. To accompany me in this world. You may have know this, Umi is actually furthering my study in PhD level. And to that reason, Umi feels bad that for it actually. Because Umi sekarang banyak fokus dgn my own study, and also with your brothers' and sister's need apart from focusing on you. Umi eats a lot of sweet food like cakes and chocolate. And I am bloated now. Without releasing how much the sugar will give a negative impact on you. I promise to eat more healthy food after this for your sake. And I will not skip taking the supplements to ensure you grow well. Oh, this week and next week, Umi kena repeat check up dekat KKIA. because I gained too much weight in a month. The nurses are worried I might have diabetes of high bp.

Umi never forget to pray for your well being inside me, setiap kali solat Umi selitkan doa untuk my dearest arba'a baby as well for your sister and brothers. semoga anak2 umi semua sihat termasuk yang berada di dalam kandungan umi.
Sekarang ni Umi busy dengan abang-abang dan kakak ...nanti dah selesai dorang masuk sekolah semua.. Umi mula prepare for your arrival ya. It is so exciting thinking of it. InsyaAllah we'll try to prepare the best for you.

With that, Umi has to stop writing and start my work. You will arrive somewhere in March 2020. We will start fasting in April and celebrating our first raya in May , InsyaAllah. During that time, Umi will need to submit and present my research progress too. So, Umi has to prepare from now.

Love you sayang, my Arba'a baby.

You were 17 weeks few days when Umi took this picture. 

Selepas setahun sebagai PhD student....

Rasanya ialah LONELY!
Tak tau la orang lain yg dalam journey yang sama mcm I ni rasa ke tak perasaan lonely ni..
Lonely bukan sebab tak ada kawan, bukan sebab tak ada keluarga.
Lebih kepada Lonely sebab rasa mcm diri ni seorang je ke yg tgh buat benda ni.
Research ni nak rujuk dekat siapa?
Siapa boleh tolong jawabkan apa yg kusut dalam kepala ni?
Ini penyebab utama rasa Lonely ni.

Kadang-kadang bersembang dengan husband pasal research..
Iyalah, dia pun cuba sedaya upaya nak memahami..
Secara am nya dia fahamlah apa yg I plan to do, sedang buat ..
Cuma in details kita nak terangkan pun nanti dia tak faham jugak,
sebab kita sendiri pun tak berapa nak faham. hahahaha

Bila baca kisah pelajar PhD, kebanyakkan menulis cabaran masing-masing.
I pun sama, tak lari dari cabaran-cabarannya. But bukanlah cabaran yg besar, bukanlah terlalu berat.
Setiap yg berlaku pasti ada hikmahnya, dan kena sentiasa think positive, look at the problem on the brighter side.
Setelah setahun bergelar pelajar PhD, dugaan utama actually nak memahami konsep dan nak siapkan kerja dgn cepat supaya dapat habis cepat. This is my biggest challenge, which actually comes from myself sendiri.

I dapat cuti belajar 3 tahun, which means, sekarang tinggal lagi 2 tahun je lagi.
I juga tertakluk pada syarat graduation iaitu kena publish 2 papers dalam scopus index journals.
Publish ye, bukan sekadar submit.
Ini semua dah jadi kebiasaan universiti di Malaysia, untuk mengejar KPI uni masing-masing.
Pelajar agak tertekan actually. But do we have a choice?  rather than just to embrace it.

Supervisor
I dah 3 kali tukar main supervisor.
Bukan sebab tukar topic. Alhamdulillah topic masih maintain yg sama sejak dari register sehingga sekarang.
SV pertama cuma bertahan selama 4-5 bulan je, lepas tu dia pencen (kontrak x disambung).
SV kedua bertahan untuk 7 bulan. Tetapi his existence is more like pemberi markah dan signature apabila perlu.
SV ketiga, merangkap my co-sv initially just begins his part as main sv about a month ago.
But so far so good , relationship dgn dia ok, scientific discussion going on well.
Cuma , biasa lah, setiap yg results yg kita share, pasti akan di komen untuk penambah baikkan.
Bersyukur jugak lah, walaupun in the beginning part supervision ni mcam menampakkan jalan buntu.

My field sv is still the same. Which was my sv masa buat MSc dulu. Just that he is far in Paris. jarang2 we all contact but I send him email once in a while to keep him updated.


I have submitted two abstracts for conferences. Satu kena reject, satu accepted.
InsyaAllah tak ada aral, akan present dan publish paper dekat conference ni.

Also, I'm pregnant with my no 4 now!
Tak tau nak gelak happy or gelak sedih.
Both actually.
Happy lah sebab nak bertambah ahli keluarga.
Cuma cuak berdebar memikirkan mampu ke nak siapkan PhD ni dlam tempoh cuti yg berbaki lagi 2 tahun je lagi.
Bila fikir jadi stress rasa nak kena push study study.
Balik rumah je cita-cita tinggi nak kena stay up or bangun awal untuk ulang kaji.
But, end up, I tidor dgn nyeyak sebab penat sgt badan.

I'm still in my first trimester and Iyaadh is still bottle feeding and on diaper Itu jugk mungkin punca penat yg extra sbb malam-malam still bangun bancuhkan susu dia.

well, till then.

gtg.

Museum Hopping: Terowong Sg Lembing

Hi guys,

Lepas visit Muzium Sg Lembing, kitaorg ke Terowong Sg Lembing. 

Dari muzium nak ke kawasan terowong ni kena mendaki sikit. Ke atas bukit. 

Kalau drive, jalan tu tak lebar sgt, so perlu be extra careful. 

Ada good space for parking dekat depan kawasan terowong sg lembing. so don't worry about parking. 

Disediakan jugak satu cafe kecik dan kedai jual souvenir dekat kawasan jual tiket. 

Oh ya, harga tiket untuk masuk sedikit mahal compare dgn harga tiket untuk muzium sg lembing. 

Satu faktornya disebabkan nak maintenance penjagaan lombong ni must be quite costly kan. 

Malaysian citizen dapat extra discount. 

Kepanjangan terowong sebenar actually 322km. Ada beberapa level ke dalam tanah. Tapi sekarang semua level dah dibanjiri air, tinggal level paling atas je yg masih preserved dan digunakan untuk tujuan touristic. 

Museum Hopping: Muzium Sg. Lembing, Pahang, Malaysia

Welcome to Sg Lembing, a small town in Pahang. It took us about 30-40 minutes by car from Kuantan to reach this small town of Sg Lembing. And we were welcome by this large pintu gerbang. 

Entering Sg Lembing brings back the memory of old kampung style. Everything here is still preserved like the olden days. 

Their first taekwondo competition

Assalamualaikum. 

It has been ages since I last wrote in my blog. Apology! 

Since mid year 2018, my elder two dah join taekwondo class secara official dengan TKD Academy based in Seri Iskandar. Imani was 5 yrs old and Ilyaas was 7 yrs old. 

On November 2018, both of them join the grading untuk naik ke belt kuning from belt putih. Masa tu both myself and my husband were not around since we were in Saudi performing our umrah. So, my parents help to arrange their logistic to attend the grading. 

Early February 2019, both Ilyaas and Imani selected untuk join inter-house taekwondo competition with other participants from Perak (under the same taekwondo Academy). 

Ilyaas join for his category and fight twice. 

This was Ilyaas getting some tips from his coach right before the competition

Pengalaman Memasuki Raudhah seorang diri (buat wanita)

Assalamualaikum semua, 

Maaf sangat2 lambat betul nak update blog about my first umrah trip. It has been 6 months since the trip. InsyaAllah selagi ingatan masih kuat, dpt saya coretkan di blog ini. 

Harini sy nak share bagaimana jemaah wanita ingin memasuki Raudhah secara sendirian berhad. 

Tanpa peneman iaitu adik, kakak atau ibu. Semua sedia maklumkan keadaan di dalam Raudhah terutamanya di tempat wanita sangatlah terhad. Karpet hijau di bahagian wanita sedikit sahaja, selebihnya karpet merah. Jadi ianya sgt sinonim dengan terlalu sesak dan risiko ditindis oleh jemaah lain yg kadang2 agak fanatik. 

Saya kongsikan pengalaman pertama kali saya memasuki Raudhah secara sendiri. 

1.Yg utama minta izin dari suami/mahram untuk memasuki Raudhah secara sendirian. 

Pengalaman saya, suami agak keberatan untuk benarkan. Bukan dia tak nak bagi, tapi dia risaukan keselamatan saya. Ini first time sy ke Madinah dan Masjid Nabawi yg sangat besar itu. 

Dan daripada cerita saya tentang keadaan di dalam Raudhah pertama kali saya memasuki dengan group travel agent, suami rasa berat hati utk biarkan saya sendirian. 

Saya nekad untuk terus memujuk suami di samping kat dlm hati berdoa supaya Allah yakinkan suami sy yg saya boleh pergi sendiri tanpa peneman. 

Strategi utk pujuk suami pon mainkan peranan jugak lah. 

Sy ni jenis nak sesuatu tu (yg baik) sy pasti akan do my best. hehe. 

sebelum tidor, saya dah mintak izin, ckp elok2. suami x bg. 

then tidurlah saya sambil doa supaya Allah permudahkan. 

bangun pagi, first thing celik mata terus sy tanya, boleh kan abang izinkan sy pergi ke Raudhah selepas Subuh harini? 

Dia tak jawab. 

Selesai bersiap untuk ke Masjid Nabawi, saya mula pakai jubah hitam, tudung hitam, dan NIQAB. 

Suami nampak kesungguhan sy .. 

Saya tambah pakai CELAK supaya mata saya kelihatan seperti orang Arab. 

Hari Pertama di Kota Madinah-Nov 2018

Bismillahirahmanirrahim. 

Assalamualaikum wbt. Harini, saya nak menulis tentang pengalaman saya menjejakkan kaki ke Kota Mandinah Al Munawwarah, di Arab Saudi, dalam kunjungan ziarah ke Kota Rasulullah SAW sepanjang tempoh kembara rohaniah di Arab Saudi. 

Perjalanan bermula pada Jumaat, 16 November 2018. 

Ini umrah pertama buat saya. Perasaan bercampur baur. Gembira, Takut. Sedih. 

Semuanya ada. 

Saya pergi dengan suami, mak dan ayah mertua, serta seorang adik ipar, Awa. 

Itinerary kami ke Madinah dulu, dan pulang dari Jeddah. 

Sewaktu mendarat di Kota Madinah, jam sudah lebih kurang pukul 10malam (waktu Saudi). 

Proses imigresen sangat sangat lah mudah. Syukur Allah mudahkan.

Saya jadi antara orang pertama dalam rombongan kami yg dapat keluar.

Sementara menunggu bagasi keluar, kami solat dulu. Ruang surau bersih dan selesa. 

Surau juga sama floor dengan ruang menunggu bagasi. 

Habis solat, bagasi dah siap di keluarkan dan kami menunggu ahli rombongan yang lain untuk menaiki bus. Bus yg disediakan oleh pihak Andalusia memang dah sedia menunggu. Airport pon tak terlalu sibuk sangat, jadi proses berjalan lancar untuk kesemua ahli rombongan. 

Dalam bus nak ke hotel, Ustaz Hafiz menceritakan serba sedikit tentang sejarah Kota Madinah. 

Dari kejauhan, dah boleh nampak terang benderang Kota Madinah Al Munawwarah ni. 

Bercahaya sgt. dengan langit malam yg indah. 

Kami melalui tepi Perkuburan Baqi', perkuburan ahli syurga sebelum sampai ke hotel. 

Selepas check in, semua ahli rombongan diberikan Nasi Arab dan air mineral sebelum masuk ke bilik masing2. Walaupun dah almost tengah malam, kitaorg makan jugak nasi arab yg sgt sedap tu. Lebih kurang jam 1pg, semua tidur dan kami bangun semula jam 3pg untuk bersiap2 ke Masjid Nabawi. 

Tak sabarnya rasa hati untuk berada sgt dekat dengan Baginda Rasulullah. 

Walaupun badan penat, tapi keseronokkan berada di Kota Madinah lain rasanya. 

Hilang penat bila dapat memasuki perkarangan Masjid Nabawi. 

Subuh pertama di Masjid Nabawi

Solat Subuh di sini tanpa bacaan doa Qunut. Jadi, tak perlu rasa hairan buat yg pertama kali mcm saya ni. Dewan solat mmg sgtlah penuh. tp Alhamdulillah kami dpt jugak berada di antara saf depan. Kebiasaannya, kami solat di dewan solat melalui pintu 16. 

Tips for research proposal defense

Assalamualaikum,

After about 7 months registered as a PhD student, I managed to present my research proposal for the proposal defense on 15th February 2019. It was Friday morning and was attended by three panels.

Started at around 10.10am and end up at 11.30.
Almost 1 hr 30 minutes jugaklah.

Of course, I was sweating throughout the presentation and can't wait for the final slide to appear on the screen.

I had actually submitted my research proposal to the panels of examiners on 30th Jan, allowing them at least two weeks to go through the proposal in written format.

Overall, I passed the proposal and the examiners agreed with what has been proposed.

They also suggested some improvement in the methodology, to be more quantitative in terms of extracting the porosity values using QI and velocity data.
I am yet to explore on that part.

It was a relief somehow that I passed the RPD without much alteration on the proposal but also explains that I only have 2.5 yrs to go.  Alhamdulillah and Allahuakbar.

No picture was taken on this day, haha.

If you asked me for tips to do RPD, a little I can share are listed below:

1. Wake up early that morning. If possible, make it a routine to wake up early.
If you are a Muslim, perform Tahajud Prayer and make lots of doa.
Recite Al-Quran. This will help you to feel calm.

2. Had a glance through at your presentation slides around 1-2 hrs before the real presentation.

3. Upload your slides and proposal in any drive on the internet. I used OneDrive.
You can also opt for GoogleDrive, Dropbox etc. This will be your back-up.

4. Download the slides from the drive, into the computer at the presentation room. Avoid using USB in public used computer. To reduce the chances of virus/malware transfer. Go through the slides once more in the presentation room. If the room is not available a few hrs before the presentation, try to familiarize the room a few days before the presentation.

5. Make sure your research proposal in written format is ready prior to the presentation, even if the examiners did not read it, it shows that you are ready
It also made you look more confident.

6. It would be great if you have preliminary results, or testing analysis and present it during the proposal defense. With this, the examiners can really see how far you are in your research and to give more confidence in your proposed methods.

7. It is very OK if your preliminary results are not what you expected. If it is showing the unexpected way from what you actually want, report it. Make sure not to repeat the same mistake, procedures, investigate it. This is what we call as research.

8.  Literature review: Be critical. Do not just cite and rephrase. Example: There are several proposed models by different authors. Mentioned all (or if too much, the most significant to your area), then state which model do you prefer, and why. Also mention that throughout your research, you will be based on this model etc. Same goes to several opinions in some matters.

9. Do not argue with the examiners. Keep calm if they did not agree with what you presented. Say politely your opinions and thanked them for giving the feedbacks(even if it is lame feedback).

10. Smile. Hide your nervousness and dress well to keep yourself confident. after all, you are the subject matter of expert for the research you plan to conduct.


Till then,

Love,
Athi

How did I end up being a PhD student?

Assalamualaikum semua.

It has been very looooong time since I last wrote anything related to academic in this blog. In fact, blog ni pon sendu semacam dah. No one reads blog nowadays. We prefers social media like Insta and Facebook. Well, since blogspot still wujud, I would just write something la for the record.

I am now a PhD student. It's one of the biggest decision in my life! Hahah, sounds so difficult kan nak buat decision utk embark to this stage of life. Takut wei nak buat PhD. Because I'm afraid of failure and at this stage of life, at 31 years old, with three kids who had actually started schooling, comfortable job (eh?), I think deciding to further my study to higher level is a bit crazy! Even though ramai je orang lain buat , even some of them pjj from their husband or family while furthering their higher degree.

How did I end up at this stage of life huh?

Kisah Pengasuh - Part 1

Assalamualaikum semua,

3 Julai 2018-4 Julai 2018
2 hari di mana hati semua rakyat Malaysia dirobek sedih dan pilu dengan berita pemergian adik Adam Rayqal (Al Fatihah buatmu sayang) yang dijumpai mati dalam keadaan disumbat di dalam beg bewarna hijau di dalam peti ais bahagian sejuk beku, di rumah PENGASUH!

Berat mata memandang, berat lagi bahu memikul. Buat mama dan papa Adam, Puan Farah Madihah dan En Mohd. Sufi, takziah diucapkan. Sesungguhnya mmg kalian yg terpilih dan pasti hikmahnya sangat besar. Doa dan solat hajat saya titipkan buat kalian, walaupun kita tidak pernah kenal, tapi kita punya hati dan perasaan yg sama kasihnya pada seorang anak. Doa saya, semoga Allah sentiasa kuatkan hati kalian agar dpt menjalani hari2 selepas ini dgn penuh ketabahan, semoga Allah mudahkan urusan2 kalian dan keadilan yang setimpal diterima oleh si pembunuh anak kalian.

No one wants to be in your situation, indeed. And no human being is able to think of this situation. Hanya Allah Swt yang Maha Mengetahui.

______________________________________________________________________

Seumur hidup saya, perkataan pengasuh & penjaga itu sangat lah sinonim. Terlalu dekat dengan diri saya dan keluarga saya.

Saya dilahirkan dalam keluarga yg sederhana pendapatannya, dan emak saya seorang yg bekerjaya. Habis cuti bersalin, saya telah dihantar ke rumah jiran, utk diasuh dan dijaga sementara emak bekerja. Waktu itu, emak tak mampu pun nak beli pump susu, jadi emak tanggung sakitnya bengkak susu sementara di pejabat, sehinggalah petang menjelma, baru lah emak dapat susukan saya. Ingatan saya terhadap pengasuh pertama dalam hidup saya kurang jelas, sebab saya masih bayi lagi. I remember, she is seorang yg agak berusia, rumahnya rumah kayu jenis rumah kampung. Baik orang. Mungkin nama dia Tok Bi. wallahualam.

Kemudian, kami berpindah dan saya dapat adik baru, Imran. Emak hantar saya dan Imran ke rumah jiran, tak jauh dari rumah kami. Allahuakbar! ini antara pengalaman buruk dalam kehidupan kanak2 saya dan Imran. Adik mungkin tak berapa ingat sebab dia masih baby. Kami tak dijaga dengan baik. Imran mengalami masalah kesihatan yg agak serius bila telinga dia bernanah, bila setiap hari adik dibiarkan minum susu secara sendirian sedangkan dia baru berusia 2-3 bulan waktu tu. Mak cik pengasuh hanya letakkan kain napkin sebagai alas di bawah botol susu, supaya botol susu berada dlm keadaan sedikit senget dan adik akan sedut sendiri. Susu akan mengalir keluar dari tepi bibir ke pipi dan masuk ke dalam telinga Imran demam dan di sahkan ada nanah di dalam telinga. Saya pula, berusia 4 tahun waktu itu. Ingat lagi anak sulung mak cik pengasuh tu seorang lelaki. Dia dah besar. Rasanya dah habis spm kot. Dia selalu ajak saya main2, bawa ke bilik. Tak sanggup saya nak tulis panjang di sini, ingatan saya pun tak berapa nak jelas waktu ni. Yg saya paling ingat, saya mengadu sesuatu pada mak dan ayah, kemudian sepantas kilat kami semua dah berada di Klinik Arfah (klinik wanita). Dan saya ingt doktor buat pemeriksaan ke atas badan saya, kemudian cakap2 dengan mak dan ayah. Lepas tu, besoknya, saya dan Imran dah tak ke rumah mak cik tu lagi. Bila dah besar, terkenang kan memori ni, saya fahamlah apa yg terjadi. Syukur, tiada yg tak diingini berlaku pada saya sebagai seorang budak perempuan. I was a victim! And syukur adik tak tersedak susu sampai sesak nafas dan sebagainya. This mak cik, is still living in our neigborhood and I still can't look at her in the face or even talk to her. After all, she is a very frightening , fat women.


Kemudian, saya dan adik di hantar ke pengasuh lain, yg duduk di kampung berdekatan taman kami. Pesara. Pasangan atok dan nenek. Baik orang nya, saya ingt nama suami pengasuh ni Pak Long Majid. Kami duduk di situ kejap je, sampai saya darjah satu.

Lepas darjah satu, kebiasaannya saya akan tinggal sendirian di rumah selepas waktu persekolahan. Kadang2 saya akan join Imran di rumah pengasuh. Waktu darjah 1, pengasuh dah bertukar ke salah seorang mak cik di taman perumahan kami. Mak cik Salmah namanya. Suami dia Pak cik Abdullah. Tinggal di flat depan rumah teres kami.
Mak cik Salmah ni ada seorang anak lelaki, dalam 2-3 tahun tua dari saya. Sekolah yg sama dengan saya. Imran memang full time di rumah mak cik Salmah, saya pulak on off. Bila saya dah masuk darjah 3 (9 tahun) and Imran 5 thun, saya selalu akan amik Imran dari rumah mak cik Salmah selepas saya balik sekolah, dan akan bawa Imran pulang ke rumah kami. Kami akan tinggal berdua di rumah sampailah mak dan ayah balik kerja. Saya tak suka Imran duduk di rumah mak cik Salmah tu sbb dia suka marah2. Garang orangnya. Kalau kami nak makan, kena duduk dekat dapur je,tak boleh dekat depan TV. Dapur rumah flat,faham2 lah sempit sangat. Anak dia boleh pulak duduk depan tv, tidur kat ruang tamu etc. Kami mmg akan duduk dalam satu bilik je. Kesian Imran sbb dia paling lama duduk dengan mak cik Salmah ni. Masa saya darjah 3 ni, mak dah sarat nak lahirkan adik seorang lagi, Amir.
Ada satu hari tu, saya bergaduh besar dgn anak pengasuh ni. Nama dia Hafiz. saya tak ingat puncanya apa, tp Hafiz ni cakap Imran lembap, bodoh dan macam2 perkataan yg tak elok. Saya tak tau mana datang keberanian, tangan saya laju je menampar muka si Hafiz ni! Memang geram dan marah sangat masa tu, sbb dia kutuk dan treat Imran mcm tu. I just pick up Imran from that house and terus bawa balik ke rumah kami, sambil menangis2 sedih orang buat adik macam tu. Bila mak dan ayah balik dari kerja, saya ceritakan semuanya, dan mak dan ayah pergi jumpa mak cik Salmah minta maaf dan sebagainya. And that's the last time I go to mak cik Salmah house. I have been seeing her few times nowadays, she will smile, and I will smile. But, sorry mak cik Salmah, you are too arrogant and terlalu sayangkan anak tunggal u sampai everything else is wrong and your son is the only person in this world yang betul. Look, what happened to him now? I don;t want to share its none of my business.

Selepas kejadian tu, I know my parents was in very big problem, as new baby is coming out any time , and they don't have some one to take care of the new baby, and Imran (who is still not schooling). I am the one yg ruin their plan. But, Allah is greater. Mak and ayah bertemu dgn Pak Cik Man and Mak Cik Zah, who took care of Amir from 2months old and Imran until he is in primary school. I rarely stay at Mak Cik Zah's house. I will just drop by on my way back from school to see my two brothers and eat lunch at her house. Then, I will continue cycling to our house. Everyday, I will cycle, about 1km one way to school from my house, for 6 years! Since then, Mak cik Zah has been the best pengasuh untuk Imran dan Amir, and also Izzat, my youngest brother, until he is 5 yrs old and my mom transferred him to taska. Amir and Izzat sometime even sleep at her house, and followed her to their family events etc. We still keep in touch with this family until now. Imran stayed there until he is almost standard 4 or 5, before he followed my style to be independent after school.


This is our story about our pengasuh- My Siblings and I.

Raya 2018

Assalamualaikum you all sekalian, 

Hari ni dah masuk 14 Syawal. I hope it's not too late for me to wish Selamat Hari Raya Maaf Zahir dan Batin untuk semua. 

2018 raya falls on Friday, so continue with weekend and both of us amik extra another 5 days break to be with our families from Penang, Kedah and Terengganu. Puas beraya kali ni, cuma makan raya je kurang puas coz berjaga-jaga takut berat badan naik banyak and susah nak turun. hahah, itu pon try portion control and limit kan my sugary water intake je. 

2018, giliran raya in my parents' house on the first raya. 

My mini family tema warna yellow mustard. 

My dad and mum brown-pink while adik2 only Imran cannot join us on the first day of raya coz he had to be on standby dekat estate. 

Izzat was wearing full set green baju melayu while Amir was wearing only top baju melayu in khakis colour. 

8 years!

Alhamdulillah, today is our 8th years anniversary!

Masha Allah.
Alhamdulillah
Allahuakbar.

All the praises to Him, for lending this guy to by my husband for the last 8 years, and Insya Allah till the end of my life, and shall be meeting him again in Jannah.

To be honest, it's end of Ramadhan and both of us are very occupied with our daily agenda, reciting Quran, go to work, doing our responsibilities at home and in the office.

I squeeze some time to prepare this video so that at least we can do a little throwback to see how far we had go together as husband and wife.

We went to Pakeeza for buffet ramadhan two days earlier to treat ourselves with indian food and the kids also enjoyed it.

No more fancy gifts, fancy wishes. We are trying to save for our 10th year anniversary! insya Allah one major travel trip for us and the kids. semoga all of us panjang umur, sihat dan dirahmati Allah selalu.

Impetigo

Assalamualaikum semua, 

Saya nak bercerita tentang pengalaman saya menguruskan anak yg diserang Impetigo, sejenis penyakit kulit. Kejadian ini berlaku lebih kurang setahun yang lalu. Dah lama gambar-gambar ni berada dalam draft, cuma sekarang saya tergerak hati untuk share pada public. Harapnya dapat memberi sedikit bantuan untuk parents yang mencari maklumat berkaitan penyakit kulit ni. 

First of all, apa tu Impetigo? 

Sebenarnya, impetigo ni mcm kudis. tapi jenis kudis yg timbul seperti ruam, kemudian, nampak seperti ada air dekat dlm ruam tu. Bila ruam tu pecah, air tersebut (or air bisa) akan merebak. menyebabkan bahagian kulit yg terkena air bisa tersebut akan jadi mcm berkuping, warna seakan2 rose gold. kuping tersebut, sekiranya di tarik utk dibuang/bersihkan, akan menyebabkan kulit kelihatan menjadi lebih nipis. Kuping2 tersebut boleh membesar sehingga lebih besar dari duit syiling 50 sen (yang design lama). 

Ini rupanya bahagian kulit yg terkena jangkitan impetigo. Asal nya luka yg kelihatan ni sebesar ruam/jerawat sahaja ye. 

Once merebak, dia akan membesar dan membersar. 

Pada mulanya, sebelum berjumpa pakar kanak2, saya balut luka ni, utk elakkan dia terkena baju yg anak pakai. Rupanya, itu satu kesalahan besar! 

JANGAN BALUT LUKA IMPETIGO! 

Bila kita balut, luka lambat kering, dah air bisa akan melekat pada kain yg digunakan utk balut, hence, melajukan lagi proses utk impetigo berjangkit dekat bahagian badan yg lain.

Sebenarnya, sebelum anak saya terkena impetigo ni, dua-tiga hari sebelum tu, saya sudah pun berjumpa pakar kanak2 yg sama, untuk kes anak cirit birit. Masa tu, saya dah perasan ada ruam2 kecil baru mula tumbuh di bawah ketiak anak saya. Saya ada tunjukkan pada doktor, dah doktor cakap cuma ruam biasa, heat rash. sebab belum nampak air bisanya. 

But, lepas balik tu, sebabkan anak kuat berpeluh, dia akn garu2 bahagian badan dia, makan ruam tersebut tercalar, dah cepatlah merebak ke bahagian dada/perut. 

Saya bawa ke klinik panel berhampiran rumah, doctor bagi ubat ruam. 

Bila saya tengok keadaan luka yg makin merebak dan jenis yg berkuping lain dari kebiasaannya, saya terus bawa jumpa pakar semula. Sah, Impetigo!

Ini masa menunggu nak jumpa pakar, Alhamdulillah walaupun kena Impetigo, si anak tak ada demam. Dia pon x merengek sebab sakit etc di bahagian yg mengelupas tu. Menurut doktor, luka tersebut tak sakit dan tak akan meninggalkan parut. 

Memang betul, lepas treatment dengan antibiotics ( I can't remember the type of medicine the doctor had prescribed since it has been a year past), tak ada scar langsung pada badan anak saya. kembali gebu seperti biasa, alhamdulillah. 

Punca terjadi nya impetigo ni dari persekitaran. 

Saya suspect, Iyaadh terkena impetigo semasa dalam perjalanan kami pulang dari terengganu ke perak. 

Kami memang letak kan Iyaadh di dalam car seat almost sepanjang perjalanan. 

Mungkin car seat tersebut kurang bersih dan bila di dlam perjalanan, dia berpeluh, dan naik ruam panas dan digaru2, maka ruam tersebut dijangkita kuman yg ada dekat car seat tu. 

Dari ruam biasa bertukar jadi Impetigo. Wallahualam. 

Apepun, saya harap perkongsian ini dapat membantu serba sedikit orang yg mencari maklumat ini. 

Sekian you all. 

Budget/Bajet Percutian 3H 2M ke Pulau Langkawi

Assalamualaikum semua,

Saya nak kongsikan serba sedikit bajet percutian kami ke Pulau Langkawi masa cuti sekolah March 2018 ye. Kos ni mungkin akan jadi lebih kurang/sedikit if pergi bukan time school break.
Untuk yang nak jadikan rujukan, silakan.
Harap tak ada yang berfikiran negatif bila saya share bajet ni ye.

Pinggan Mangkuk shoppig tu saya tak ingt berapa details , hahahahah. nak kata membeli banyak sangat tu tak jugak, tapi ada la jugak. sebab husband memang xkisah I prepare barang2 rumah utk rumah kitaorg since mmg perlu in the future especially bila tetamu bnyk datang kan.

Ok, untuk details2 lain, boleh jenguk entry2 berkaitan Langkawi ye.

Langkawi 2018: Day 2- Dataran Lang & Pantai Rhu

Assalamualaikum you all, 

Jom, sambung entry Langkawi ye. Kalau dah ke Langkawi tu, tak sah la trip if tak bergambar dengan burung helang yg jadi mercu tanda kebangaan Langkawi. 

Lokasi Dataran Lang ni dekat Jetty Kuah. Memang betul2 berhadapan laut di jetty tu. One problem dekat sini ialah parking space! Walaupun banyak parking space yg disediakan di sini, still susah nak mencari tempat parking yg kosong. Sebab kebanyakkan parking lots di sini telah di occupied oleh kereta2 sewa yg menunggu pelancong tiba, or orang Langkawi yg parking kereta kat situ utk membeli belah di mall di jetty Kuah ni.

Selain masalah parking space yg susah nak dapat, masalah cramp/jem pun one of the problem. Disebabkan kawasan ni sgt busy because main jetty to Langkawi and now dorang dah bina complex mall dekat sini yg lengkap dengan fast food restaurants, kedai kopi berjenama, shopping lots etc, maka sangatlah ramai pengunjung yg datang. Kenderaan yg nak drop off passengers untuk ke jetty pon jadi packed, sampai tak boleh nak gerak. 

Mulanya, kitaorg dah malas nak ke Dataran Lang because of these problems la. Tapi memikirkan entah bila lagi nak datang ke Langkawi ni, maka pusing2 jugak lah sampai jumpa parking space yg available. One more thing, parking kat sini, kena pakai kupon parking yer. Tapi we all tak sempat nak cari kupon tu kat any kedai, so we all just gamble parking je la without the coupon. 

Dah pukul 6 ptg ni, tapi matahari still terik. Haruslah pakai shades besar ni. 

Actully this is not a real shades utk bergaya sangat pon, it is more to protection from UV light, memang we all beli dekat optometrist and khas utk orang yg specky like us. That's why it looks extra big to accommodate our original spec inside that, hahah. 

Orang sgt lah ramai kat sini! mujur kawasan dia lapang and luas. so kids can still stroll around berlari sana sini. Pergi musim school holiday, what to expect kan. 

Ni dah jauh sikit from the front view. kat belakang tu penuh umat manusia. 

kat area blkg yg bukit2 sikit tu kawasan hotel kitaorg. so De Baron Resort sgt dekat dengan jetty kuah you all. view dataran lang pon nampak sayup2 from our hotel. 

From Dataran Lang, we all drive northward to Pantai Rhu. Pantai Rhu ni bukan pilihan ramai, sebab x banyak kemudahan water sports and other facilities disediakan. Lebih kepada orang yg nak cari privacy. Kat area kampung2 jugak.

Perjalanan from Dataran Lang to Pantai Rhu took us about 30 minutes through the scenic view of the limestone and greeneries.

Cuma dekat sini, sangat tenang and damai. Sebab x ramai pelancong, yg ada pun 2-3 orang minah saleh tengah sun bathing and few local kids and their mothers relaxing on the beach. Few food stalls are opened

Since dah almost Maghrib, we did not allow the kids to swim. Just main pasir je. 

Ilyaas, Iyaadh and Imani 

Beautiful sunset at Pantai Rhu, Langkawi.