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.