Miss.

It's painful . To miss somebody whom is away from us.

And at this moment, I do, really-really do miss some people...that I really feel soooo down... oh,God...

Update..

Oh yes, I have moved to Kampung Baru, now nearer to my workplace which takes about 30 minutes to arrive my office from the time I leave my home every morning. 10 minutes walks to the LRT station, 3 minutes journey by LRT, and another 15 minutes to walk from the KLCC LRT station to my office. Happy.... =)

My daily schedule has also changed... but the obvious thing is, I am willing to stay back at the office everyday. It's not about work, but it's about exercising in the evening. Hehe.

ExxonMobil has free gym (which I really like it, that I don't have to find paid gym outside) and is just next to the KLCC Park where people can do exercising there. My exercise starts from 6pm till 7pm, then I'll have shower in the showeroom available in the office gym, then praying, having light dinner in the office and then only I'll go back home after praying Isyak. I reach home around 9pm most of the days during the weekdays...

Well, it's not bad to come back home at night, since Kampung Baru is always crowded with people coming to many famous restaurants here. That makes Kampung Baru happening every night, and safe to me too to walk home. I always make do'a (prayer) so that He protects me on my way to and back from work everyday,and, InshaAllah, may Allah always protect me from any harm..

Ok, time to sleep now. Work tomorrow from 8am-5pm.

Until we meet again, inshaAllah.. =)

Eid and Flu

Happy Eid everyone.... ^_^ Today is the 7th day of Eid, yet, the Eid songs are still played on the radio. I like…~ =))

I’m having flu at the moment, and hopefully it is not swine flu. Huhu. This is the first illness for this year. I am very difficult to get sick, and very hard too to recover. InshaAllah (With Allah’s will) this gonna be very short time illness only (I hope!). To make my heart strong and not become weak with this pain, I always tell myself, "This is only very little pain, sweety... " InshaAllah....

Sorry for those who are always dropping by with the hope of reading some new posts… Indeed, it has been very long time ago since my last entry …. seriously occupied (working) life lately.. not to mention the work load, but the life schedule I have since I started working. Just to share, here you go:

In Ramadhan ( 1 Sept 09- 18 Sept 09)

4.50am : Wake up & shower

5.10am: Sahur

5.50am: Fajr prayer & prepare to work

6.25am: Started off to work

7.45am: Arrive at office

Flexible working hours: 7.30am-4.30am or 8am-5pm

5.00pm: Leave office

6:30pm: Arrive home

7.15pm: Iftar

7.45pm-9.00pm: Maghrib, Isyak, Tarawih

10pm: Sleeping time.

After Ramadhan

5.50am: Wake up & shower

6.00am: Fajr prayer & preparing to go to work

6.45am: Started off to work

8.00am: Arrive at office

5.00pm: Leave office

6.15pm: Arrive home

One friend of mine was shocked that I spent 1 hour and 15 minutes on my journey to work. Well, that’s gonna be temporary only since now I’m living with my sister at Bandar Sunway. Next weekend, I’m moving to a nearer place to my office… at Kampung Baru.. =))..

“How is work?”

Hmm.. so far so good.. only that, I am a bit unsatisfied that I don’t really apply what I learnt in the university. Totally not related at all. Hmm… will see how long I can stay.. if only they knew, I wanna be a technician. Huh.

What is about 31st August?

Happy 52nd Independence Day to Malaysia..!

I once thought of what this independence means:

- The independence of having our own way of life without having to follow the Occupier's way.

- The independence of having our own way of economic growth leaded by our own choices of leaders.

- The independence of having our own way of thinking and freedom of speech.

- The independence from wars.

- The high majesty of our government to be heard as one of the world's voices.

- Many more as you can think as an independent folk.

All in all, I like this term which is related to the meaning of Independence : FREEDOM.

Alhamdulillah, all praise to Allah for this independence that we got 52 years back. May Allah always nourish the integrity amongst all races in Malaysia, put away from any transgression, protect us all from any bad influences be it in morality, economic, social, etc; as well as bless all of us and guide us to the right path to be a truly Islamic country.

Ameen!

Internet... Internet...

My laptop crashed several times yesterday afternoon without me knowing the true reason behind that. The blue screen suddenly appeared and the system rebooted by itself without any prior notice.

After trying several attempts to open Control Panel in my effort to delete suspected sources of the problem but I failed, I decided to just re-format my laptop on my own. That's my first time doing this by myself. Gamble.

It isn't difficult to re-format laptop actually, just follow the instructions you see from the screen. I still remember my friends said, re-format PC is kind of you enter a house from the back door.

As everyone already knew, re-format will cause all the data in first partition (C:) to be erased. Consequently, I need to install all important software back now such as anti-virus and anti-spyware, the latest web browsers, iTunes, etc. The main problem that made me sooo fade up with this task was that, the extremely slow Internet speed in Malaysia.

Gosh, it's only 400Kbps for the one I'm using now and to download iTunes from the Apple website, for example, it takes 6 hours to complete! It was super duper fast back in the UK with 10Mbps broadband speed; downloading, uploading, streaming, buffering, and everything went soooo smooth. But now, it is 24 times slower compared to the UK. Can you imagine that? Even the most expensive package has downloading speed of only 2.4Mbps, still 4 times slower than the broadband speed in Britain. No wonder everyone in Malaysia is complaining. Arrggh! I want to go back to Manchester!

Lucky =)

Oh, oh... What a lucky day for me today... =)

Guess what?

I got a discount voucher of RM 999 today from a random pick! Even the salesboys didn't believe when I opened it and said to him, "Ohhh... wow. I got thousand off".

One of the guys said, "No. It cannot be. The highest voucher is only RM 300." while he smiled.

"Oh, really? So what is this?" and I gave the voucher that I just tore off in front of them.

"Haaaa??" both of them were really puzzled and then looked to each other.

"Our boss never told us about this RM 999 voucher maaa. Hold on. Let me call my boss." the guy said while dialing his phone.

The Chinese guy then talked to his boss (also Chinese) in Malay language. He then passed the phone to me, "My boss wanna talk to you."

" Ok girl, so you just won a voucher. What is the value on the card?" the lady over the phone asked me to confirm.

"It's RM 999." I answered her.

"Do you have anybody in your family or friends who works with our company?", the lady asked me again.

"No, I don't. In fact, this is my first time hearing about your product." I explained.

"Ok. So could you please read the VIP number overleft of the card so that I can check it's validity?" she requested further.

I then read the number as she asked for. Then she said, "Yep. The voucher is valid for you to use on the spot. It doesn't have long validity as another voucher has which is 3 months, so it is only valid now. We don't tell our workers about this voucher because we are afraid that they will take it and give it to their family or friends. You are lucky enough today to get this very limited voucher."

Wow...I was overjoyed to hear that. =))

The voucher that I won.

"Alhamdulillah" the Chinese salesboy said to me while smiling, which means all praise be to Allah, although he is not a Muslim. Sweet. =)

"Did you recite something before opening it?" he joked.

"Hehe. No, I didn't. " replied me while grinning.

"You are so lucky. So which product you wanna buy today?" he continued.

After getting consultation from my sister through the phone and also from the salesboys, so I made up my mind to buy a multi-functional convection, grill & microwave oven which worths of RM 2,999. My sister actually didn't agree for me to buy that product hearing of the price. But, why I chose to buy this (expensive) microwave oven which you can get another brand of similar product for less than RM 500?

Here are the reasons why:

Arezzon Convection Microwave Oven with large turntable and space saving design for total convenience! 10 types of cooking are provided in microwave cooking function, the highest is 100% and the lowest is 10%.

- Heater function.
- Less radiation.
- Multi-stage Cooking.
- Automatic Cooking Sequences.
- Lock Function Key.

(Copied from Arezzo's brochure)

Although I know it is (indeed) expensive, but for long-term life investment, I think it's worth it. The guy showed me enough how this 6-in-1 system microwave oven is different from a conventional (and cheap) microwave oven which uses high frequency microwave radiation for heating which is bad to our health. With an innovation integrated in the internal side of the oven, it's not only safe-because it focuses on the heat from a heating coil on top of it's heating space, not from the dangerous wave with high frequency; but also is efficient in doing its job very well.

To add more, you can't deny this fact, that you can't put your metal pot or plate and some certain types of plastic wares in a conventional microwave oven because it is inefficient to heat the food, right? This is due to the fact that the radiation will be reflected back from the metal or will melt the plastic layer. But with this innovative Arezzo product, that is not a problem anymore. What is more interesting is that, the food is well heated, yet the metal pot doesn't heat itself, making it safe to touch it with your bare hands while taking it out from your oven once the heating process is finished. Nice, isn't it? =)



What I had in mind is that, with a busy working life in the next couple of months ahead, I will probably have no time to cook properly as I used to do. (I got this scary pictures of my future life- go to work at 6.50am, come back home at 9 or 10pm everyday. Wuwu~) So, with this oven, it will save my time and my food can be ready in a minute; just put the fish in a plate, put the plate in this oven, set the time, press "Start" button, then leave it. In 3 minutes, my dinner is ready! Hehe.

All in all, it's half price saving for a really smart and intelligent digital microwave oven. Can't believe it, yet, that's the truth. A bless in Ramadhan.. =)

So peeps, if you go to supermarket Giant in Kelana Jaya (or anywhere else I believe there must be this promotion too), do not hesitate to give your time to the Arezzo promoters. Who knows, you'll get what I get too.. or else, better deal.. =)

Click here to visit its homepage: http://www.arezzo.com.my/index.html

Am so happy~ Alhamdulillah.. (",)

A Catch

This is a story.. a very nice story that happened to me yesterday.. that I was caught , suspected of stealing in a supermarket.

“What?? Stealing?? Are you that bad to steal…? ” you might think of me.

Hold on guys. If I did do that, I will not write this entry to expose my wrong doing, will I?

Indeed, it was such an unforgettable experience. I have never thought in my life that I would be caught like that, being suspected a thief.

Haish.

To begin the story..

I was in a mall yesterday, just to spend my free time there alone. After about 2 hours went in and out of shops, I entered a supermarket with the intention of shopping groceries, of course. I was not familiar with the market which I couldn't find where the trolleys’ collection point was, so I took a basket to put in the stuff.

I walked around slowly to find what I wanted while bringing the basket on my left hand, getting the stuff and put them into the basket. When the basket became heavy, I left it by the side of the pathway and went to get another more stuff, then came back to the basket. I then lifted the basket and move slowly, trying to balance myself, and then put it at another place…and I left it again and went...walking around.. looking around..

I glanced my wrist-watch on my left hand several times.. thinking of asking help from my brother-in-law to come over here on his way back from his office to pick me up with those heavy loads. But I was not sure myself because it was still early and I have a lot of time to spend in the market if I were to wait for him.

While I was still in that uncertainty, I continued walking and walking around..window shopping..and again I left the basket at a corner. There were some stuff which I was really unsure whether to buy them or not; thinking that my basket would be extremely heavy… and if it was not possible to get my brother-in-law to come over to help me, it meant that I have to walk home alone, carrying all the loads with my two hands alone, go up and down two crossovers, and the journey would take almost half an hour to arrive my sister’s home. It’s not the UK to enjoy such a long walk though~

I stood still before different shelves while considering: "Is this item really necessary for me to buy it now or… should I just postpone it to another time, maybe this weekend? Hmmm.."

I looked at my watch again, “ Still early..it’s only 3.30pm". I was thinking of going to the washroom first and then came back to continue my shopping. So I got my basket and left it at a hidden place and then stepped out.

DISRESPECTFUL

When I was 5 steps away after passing the entrance/exit, out of nowhere a lady called me from behind. I looked back; a middle-age lady was stepping slowly towards me, folding her arms to her body.

She asked me, "Where are you going? What happened to your basket?"

Basket? A feeling of strange came into my heart. "Who is this lady asking me about the basket?Did she see me shopping just now? Hmm ... ". She didn't seem like a staff at the first sight, plus she neither wore uniform, nor a name tag.

I answered her, " I left it at a corner, just for a while. I wanna go to the toilet first then come back. Why?"

But she further asked instead of answering my question,

"Where did you leave your basket? Show me."

Again, I felt strange. Much strange now. Who is she??

She walked back, while looking at her back, a sign of “Follow me.” She was not friendly by looking at the way she talked to me and with no smiles on her face. That made me feeling uncomfortable with this lady. I showed her where I put my basket, and afterwards she questioned me again,

"Why did u leave the basket here?"

I explained again that I wanna leave it JUST for a while for the toilet.

But she said, "Come. Bring the basket to the counter and pay. Then you can go to the toilet."

I said with disagreement, "No. I haven’t finished shopping yet".

But this lady just did not understand it. When she saw that I was reluctant to do what she just ordered, she then said, "Ok then. You follow me to the Control Room."

“Control Room? Why? Where is it?” I asked hesitantly.

She replied, " Just come with me. I wanna check what is in your plastic bag."

”Allahuakbar”, I sighed with a bit mad. Gosh, what this lady thought about me? That I am a thief??

Forget to mention you, there was a plastic bag which I kept bringing it with me all the time when I was in the market, leaving the basket behind. I bought something from another shop before that so I didn't want to leave it in the basket too, afraid of it being taken by anybody else. That’s simple and well understood, that she suspected me of stealing in her market and place the items in the bag.

I was feeling hot inside my heart at that time, but when remembering that this is Ramadhan the Holy month, I tried to calm down and told myself that I have to face this with patience.

She leaded me to a small room, full with greyscaled-posters of people’s faces on the walls. I did not really pay attention on what all those pictures were showing me at first. She took the plastic bag from me and looked inside it.

There were only two items in the bag and she took out the smallest item. She asked me,

“Where did you get this from?”

I answered her, while folding my arms to my body (now my turn to act arrogantly to this disgraceful lady), “at Watson.” as shown on the bag please.

She questioned me further, “Really? Are you sure?”

“You can see the receipt.” I answered, feeling distrusted while looking at the receipt stapled at the opening of the bag.

“Where the receipt is?”

“There.” I replied shortly. Didn’t she see the obvious white small paper being attached on the plastic while she opened the bag just now?? Ufff..

She took a couple of minutes just to check the list of only two items on the receipt and to make sure it was truly bought at Watson, not picked up from her market. While she was doing that, I looked again at the walls and studied all those pictures.

They were showing different persons, holding several items in his/her hands at chest-level, with a signboard on the wall on top of his/her head read as,

“ I STOLE ITEMS IN (the market’s name)”.

Haha. Funny. Like a photograph taken when somebody was jailed, with the prisoner holding up his jail registration number.

After she was contented with the receipt, she then said, “Give me your handbag.”

Haish.

I was totally humiliated but I just kept silent while watching this lady doing her investigation. I tried to control myself and gave my full co-operation in making myself understand why she was doing that to me based on those pictures I saw. Only God knows how I felt inside my heart to be suspected for something I have never thought of doing that in my whole life. She acted and treated me as if I was truly a thief. Please!

After seeing through my handbag, she put it on her desk, and came closer to me. Guess what? Now, she was checking all over my body. This was really like a security check at the airport dude. Oh, I like~ [ read this with cynical expression please. ]

After she finished checking EVERYTHING on me, she then opened the door and went out, letting me to follow her from behind. She kept asking me while she walked slowly,

"Why did u leave your basket there?"

She continued, "You can't leave it there. If the manager saw it, he would be angry."

I was, again, feeling like to burst into anger that she kept asking me that question. I responsed with uncomfortable feeling,

"It's customer's choice laaaah".

She looked back at me once but I quickly said, "I wanna go to the toilet." Without waiting for her response/permission, I turned to my left, heading to the toilets outside the market.

I just didn’t care. I couldn't bear be with her anymore, kept following her steps and answering her (stupid) questions. I have explained and neither she has found that I was guilty, so what else?? Such disrespectful manner she treated me. It's not like this in the UK where people are so respectful to each other.

When I finished at the washroom, I came back in to the market.

Opps, the basket was not there anymore…~

"Where my basket is? Did she take it??"

I looked around, looking for basket (and the lady). Suddenly I saw it being placed not far from where I was standing. I kept looking around for the lady to "thank" her and to say,

“Hey, I’m going to pay now lah. Don’t you want to escort me again?? ”

Eleh.

I browsed the contents of my basket quickly, just to make sure everything was there, then I picked the basket and walked towards the counter to pay. Two or three cashiers were looking weirdly at me.

What?

Oh, because they saw me being caught several minutes ago. What a shame! Even the guard gave me a strange look too. They thought I was truly a thief…. :(

I left after paying. Feeling that I could manage to carry all the loads myself so I just walked home straightaway. No more shopping or window shopping please. My head was already pounding and I felt sick already, as usual.

When I reached home and unpacked the stuff, I noticed something….. There were 4 items missing. That lady really took the items and returned them to the shelves!

Crazy! She still didn't trust me even after she checked me and proved that I was innocent!

At least she should just leave the basket and saw whether I indeed came back from the toilet or not.

Maybe she was afraid of her manager. Haha. Somehow, I found something good behind all these. I got a coupon book from the market for purchasing. When I went through it to find any best deals, I found that I can save a lot on those 4 missing items with the presence of the coupons. Thanks to the lady. I am going back to your market today to get my missing items back and I am looking forward to seeing you again to say,

“Hi. I am here again today. So watch over me, otherwise, your manager will get angry with you if I do steal. ”

Haha.

So, moral of the story, don’t ever leave your basket when you are shopping although it becomes heavy to carry, don't place it at different places, don't go and come back to the basket to put more other items, and also don't stand still at different shelves for long time; otherwise you will be caught of stealing.

Nonsense, isn’t it?

HIJACKED

I was checking my bank account in the UK via online banking this afternoon and suddenly I noticed that my money was decreasing. I was doubt, was there any purchase I made before I left the UK that the payment was only done now? If that is true, then it is completely strange because it has been more than two weeks since I left though and such payment shouldn’t be so late.

I studied the transactions made and to my surprise, there were two payments that have been direct debited from my account without my knowledge. I never set up such direct debits and never knew about the home insurance as stated there as the references.

Haish.

Waiting for the working hour time in the UK, I then made a direct call from Malaysia to the bank at 2.30am local time (7.30pm UK time) to report about the strange thing to the Helpdesk which is open from 8am till 10pm. Although the total money taken from my account was not as much as my friend’s case (she lost almost £900 from her account!) I am now relief that the guy on the telephone said to me not to worry so much since I have deleted the direct debits set up in my account and with assurance that the bank will refund my money back very soon.

I said to the guy before hanging up the phone, I wish this will not happen again in the future. Hopefully!

A NEW LIFE CAME…

I was so happy and excited on last Saturday that my best friend and her husband came to visit me at home, after one year of not seeing each other. What made me so eager to see her was that, I wanna see her with her big tummy of 36-week-pregnancy. Hehe.

She was so cute being a pregnant lady. (Smile ^_^) . The next day she told me via SMS that she was forced by her doctor to give birth on the next day to avoid complication on the baby due to some problems detected in her womb. I wished I could be at her side in the hospital the day she was warded, but I just couldn’t. But alhamdulillah, all praise be to Allah that both of them are now safe (and hopefully are in good health too). She has safely delivered her first son on Monday, 17th August 09, after about 4 hours bearing the pain due to an injection made on her.

And the baby was born exactly 3 months after my rose petal's (my cute nephew's) birthday. I am really looking forward to seeing her and her new-born baby very soon… =)

… AND ANOTHER LIFE'S GONE

Yesterday my family and I went to visit my uncle (my mom’s brother) at my another uncle’s house after she received a call from one of her sisters telling her the worse condition of my uncle. He was really ill and was facing the death that all his 7 siblings were already there to give him the last honor and respect before he leave. We all have an overnight there and came back home at 6 in the next morning.

Tonight, my mom received a call again from my aunt around 8.20pm to come to the house as quickly as possible. Sound like something even worst was happening, we then rushed there after performing Isya’ prayer.

There were quite some people in the house at the time we arrived, coming to see my uncle for the last time of his life, who was lying down weakly on a thin mattress on the floor, breathing fast and slow alternately, in a room.

I moved silently through the people, entering the room, and sat myself besides him. I joined some people reciting the Quran and kept praying to Allah SWT so that HE will make it easy for my uncle on his death and to put the syaitaan away from him that could bring my uncle going astray from Islam at the very last moment of his life. Meanwhile, my other two uncles were sitting at both sides of his head, teaching him the shahaadah (tauhid recitation to bear witness that there is no God besides Allah and Muhammad PBUH was His Messenger) at his ears so that he could recite it during his sakaratul maut and died as a Muslim.

I kept my eyes on him all the time, and finally I could see his breath became very-very slow that he was about ready to leave. His chest was no longer going up and down showing that he was breathing, but I could see his throat was still moving, the sign that he was coming to the end of his life. Eventually, every part of his body came to still. He died at 10.15pm at the age of 66. I didn’t cry though, yet I was satisfied enough to see him leaving peacefully.

My uncle was a bachelor until he died and used to live with my family when I was kid, taking care of us like a father (we were orphans at that time). He woke us up in the early morning to prepare us for school, made breakfast for us, sometimes brought us sightseeing around the village with his old bicycle, etc. He then stayed with one of his married brother when I was 17. He was not only kind to my siblings, but also to his other nephews and nieces.

We came back home at 2am after my mom had a discussion amongst her siblings on what to buy and what to do next for tomorrow morning. We shall go back there at 8am later for his burial ceremony.

May Allah SWT, The Most Gracious and The Most Just, will bestow him with His Mercy for what he had done good in this world.

Al-Fatihah.

5.49am, 19th August 09

Home Sweet Home

Alhamdulillah... finally back in my hometown, Kelantan, after spending 9 days in Kuala Lumpur.. not really in KL per se actually, but I was also in Batu Pahat and Segamat last weekend.

I boarded a FireFly plane last night from Subang to Kota Bharu. Not only the departing airport is near compared to KLIA but the flight was also very nice, very new with scented in-flight air. Three years ago I boarded AirAsia from LCCT Sepang to Kota Bharu and I was really comparing it with FireFly now. The luggage limit for AisAsia is lower which is only 15kg and I needed, of course, to pay when check-in that time because my luggage was 20kg (I took connecting flight from London-Kuala Lumpur-Kota Bharu). FireFly has better luggage limit with 20kg.

I still remember how bad the AirAsia in-flight air was during my flight... so disgusting. AirAsia also didn't serve light meal as FireFly. With comparable flight fares, these two airlines should be at the same par in terms of customer services. I don't know how far AirAsia has improved after three years, let's see on 26th August where I shall be departing for Kuala Lumpur again and this time, using AisAsia service.

This is gonna be my two-week time in Kelantan.. only. That's very short time isn't it? But at least, I hope I could get days-off for Eid in September. My Eid with family after 4 years!!

How I hope~

Malaysia

Alhamdulillah.. now I am back in Malaysia safely.. it is truly hot, but that is Malaysia.

I don't have any mood actually to jot down much about these past days. Just wanna say that, whoever wish to contact me, please do so via SMS since it is quite infrequent to get internet connection once back in Malaysia. It's not because I'm living in an isolated place with no internet connection but time has changed... no more like a student as before which most of the time if not at Uni then you will be spending much of your time in front of your laptop. True?

To those who haven't got my mobile number in Malaysiaand wish to have one, you can send me a personal message whether via Facebook, Friendster, email or YM. k? =)

Until we meet again, inshaAllah..

S.I.C.K.N.E.S.S

I was mad today.

Being mad because I HAVE to do something that I don't like.

I am sick of it.

Sick!

.. and I am NOT joking.

Everytime during and after doing it, I will really feel sick.

With the head starts to pound, the stomach starts to discomfort, the legs start to feel exhausted, the throat feels of vomitting... and everything... everything...

.... and wanna know what is that thing that always makes me SICK?

Shopping.

aaaarghh!!

Danish Haziq

so people, here is my first ever nephew, 2 months old.. isn't it sooo adorable? =))

Towards the last days....

Some people might be puzzled, where have I been, disappeared for quite a long time. Indeed, it is almost 1 month without any entry.. well, there you go :

20th June until 1st July 09 (11 days)

Manchester - Nottingham - Birmingham - Cardiff - Bath - Oxford - London - Manchester

6th July till 8th July 09

Manchester - Stafford - Birmingham (buying Queen Anne, hehe) - Bicester Village Outlet Shopping, Oxfordshire - Stoke-On-Trent - Manchester

^^

That had been really tiring but exciting journey with a lot of experience, lessons, and also blessings from what I would rather call it, "My hope on, hope off journey." Well, now I prefer to just be at home, enjoying my free (last) days in Manchester.. gyming with close friends... feeling great when sweating much. =)

BUSY-ness

I used to think that I would be so much free without anything to be bothered with when it comes to July. But I am totally wrong. Having thought to spend much of my free time to read and cook various of dishes, I noticed that I hardly found time to those two things, even to just be in the kitchen to cook for more than 5 minutes! Haish. What a poor me.

A lot of things actually need to be done before I leave the UK by the end of this month (inshaAllah). Sometimes I think that I should choose to go home in August instead of July. So one month truly holiday in the UK.

SUMMER?

Yet, I don't know whether to call this Summer or Autumn or... rather rainy season? Last week, there were some days with very hot weather, reaching the temperature of 34.4 degree Celcius..but this week, it has been cold again.. back to the temperature of 13 to 15 degree Celcius..with rains in the morning and evening..

-sigh-

Although, I will miss UK temperature once I'm back in Malaysia.. nice..not too hot... and to tell the truth, I haven't been in Manchester (or in the UK) in July or August since 2006. So I did not really know actually what Summer is like, rather I heard from my Malaysian friends around me that used to stay in the UK during Summer holiday that it was hot like in Malaysia. . even hotter. Hurmm... I think it's not applicable anymore this year.

GRADUATION

The graduation day is approaching... and it is actually scheduled to be tomorrow. Aah, I almost forget about that actually, with my mind packed with anything else to settle with. The other reason why is that, is.. because I am not attending the ceremony, so it is like in the very last row of "What to do in July" list. However, I am still going to the hall (inshaAllah) but will be just waiting outside... waiting for my friends to come out of the hall to take pictures together as the last memories.

Why I am not attending the graduation ceremony?

- Smile-

It's just.. because.. I don't want to.

That's all.

Well.. to me, it's nothing. When people say, "It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity you know. You should go. Otherwise you will regret it. After many years of hard work, now it's over. Why not going and get your reward for it??"

and my answer is: "No regret. It's my choice. The certificate can be obtained from the Student Service Centre what, not necessarily from the graduation ceremony..and.. I did not study at the University for this reward."

Allah has brought me here for something more important than that.

- Smiling -

I'll see you again on some other day (inshaAllah).

Until then, do take care.. (",)

The bless..

Alhamdulillah.. today was full with bless.. good news.. happiness.. and gratefulness.. (",)

So here, I would like to express my utter gratitude and also to congratulate these lucky people :

-smile-

Somebody #1

:: Thank you so much for the BBQ Wings set from the Chicken Cottage. That was really unexpected, yet it was such a nice treat from you. I'll surely treat you back one day, before I leave the UK for good soon.. inshaAllah.. (",) ::

Somebody #2

:: Hey, thank you for your kind intention to buy me the BBQ Wings from the Chicken Cottage too. Second person ... hehe. Anyway.. although you were late and had a very limited time to visit me, but you still came to my house and gave me a warm hug before you leave. May Allah bless you sister.. We will see each other again.. inshaAllah.. (",) ::

Somebody #3 and somebody #4

:: Alhamdulillah, I am so happy for you two that the spouse finally got the job. The truth is, it's not easy to get that job due to high competition every year, but you just made it. Your sweet smiles that always appear on your face has been really attractive to the interviewers. I'm completely sure! hehe. (",) ::

Somebody #5

:: Congratulation on your wedding, and also on your success in your final exam! Alhamdulillah.. there you go, Dr. R... *wink* I'm so happy for you.. Can't wait to see you soon... less in one month.. (",) ::

Ok.. that's all for now. Need to continue packing up all my stuff before leaving for Nottingham tomorrow... I'll be there till Thursday, 25th June for the Tricampus Games ( Malaysia-UK-China)... it's time for volleyball again! ^_^

... and on 26th June the shipping people will come to my house to collect the boxes. So, everything must be completed by 12pm tomorrow.

Will see you all again.. inshaAllah.. until then, do take care.. (",)

It's NOT the end .. yet...

She just officially finished with MEng!!!

She really wants to talk about the final demonstration that took place yesterday. But.. maybe in later time..... a lot of things are lingering in her mind now..that she really needs time to arrange her next life accordingly. Yes school has ended, but it's not the end for everything.

Indeed, relief not yet reaches her heart.

............................. life goes on ..............................

After so long..

Silent

I have been silent for so long right..? Seriously the journey towards the end of Uni life keeps me busy all way long... and the time I am writing this, it is another 6 days to go! Uhh, am so looking forward to it..

My group (and also other groups) has submitted the Final Report that was due last Thursday, 28th May. The five guys in my group stayed back late that night before in the computer cluster at our department to finish the final touch-up with the report, editting and so on, in fact they did not go home that night. Not a nuctural person I am, I got the excuse from the group manager to go back earlier that night with my other girl friend after being asleep for a couple of minutes on the PC desk.

Finally... it's over...

The Final Report cover

Birthday Wishes

First and foremost, I would like to thank to those who have sent me the thoughts and wishes for my birthday last Sunday, 31st May.. my apology for being late to say my utter gratitude for those sweet wishes/prayers... I really do appreciate that..

.. and also, I would like to wish a Happy Birthday to one of my close friends today, 5th June.. May Allah bless your life, grant you happiness, make everything easy for you in this life and in the Hereafter... (",)

Final Year Project

Today, another Friday has just passed...and this is the second last Friday before the end of the school term.. I went to Wigan today, which is 1 hour journey by car to do the track test for my group electric go-kart Final Year Project. It was supposedly done last Wednesday but due to some technical problems, it has been postponed to a later date that happened to be today.

Last touch-up before leaving to the track

The weather was nice the time we started off from the Uni to the Three Sister track. Getting lost somewhere but finally found the way to the place, we arrived at the track at around 1.30pm, half an hour late from our booking schedule.

Steve was the first person driving the kart. It was such an excitement to me to see this small "baby" of ours finally moving smoothly around the track after so long... yeah, after about 9 months of just working on a stationary kart in the lab. What a joy that really made me so eager to drive it despite of my unconfidence to give it a try at first. (Scared... hehe)

Finally, our "baby" is on the track

Not to miss the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, I took the challenge, getting the helmet from my groupmate and sat myself on the seat. Chris took picture of me on the kart before I started off.

Ready to go.

Press the pedal...

and... go!

Accelerating.. hehe

Wow...

.
.
.

I couldn't believe this...

that I was driving an electric go-kart! So smooth and fast....it was a reality..!

I just managed to make 1 lap drive because everyone in my group was also waiting to have a try. Then I gave another go after everyone has done with their turn at which I made another 2 laps... Haven't driven for a long time.. and really, it was such a great satisfaction to drive that kart and to be able to accelerate it until its maximum speed of about 38mph.. not that bad right? =)

It started to rain lightly at around 2.30pm but our excitement was much over that. Having another half an hour to go before the booking ended, we continued driving the kart one by one, taking pictures and videos for the demonstration purposes that scheduled to be next Thurdsay, 11th June. What a great group-day-out. Sorry rain, you were failed to stop us.

Our joy.. (",)

After taking some pictures with the go-kart as the whole group together with the supervisor, Dr Nigel Schofield, we then departed back to the Uni. At last... this awaiting has over.. and the thing I started to notice within myself is, I like to drive and race the go-kart! So smashing! ^^

Memory, 5th June 09

Ok peeps ... will be continued later.... inshaAllah..please pray for my success yea... (",)

What I wish...

She has come back... bringing the joice... and smiles again...(",) Alhamdulillah...

Indeed Allah tests whomever He wants.. He blesses whomever He wishes... He indeed The All Knowing, The All Mighty...

"Be kind to people but do not hope of appreciation and rewards from them... return to Allah... there you can find the contentment for your heart.. "

That's what I always hold firmly in my heart.. open-up the heart and be sincere... look something good or bad from positive side... just do your best without much thinking of the results because Allah knows everything... and what He has in His Hands are much more invaluable and rich of bountiness...

Allah has promised, for those who do good deeds even little, He will surely reward them in whatever ways He wishes... the happiness and heart-contentment are much more meaningful than material rewards.. right?

Indeed... only Allah knows ... and enough is Allah as The Giver and The Protector... =)

Welcome to the World my Baby (",)

Alhamdulillah... now I am officially being an auntie..hehe.. my eldest and only sister has given birth to her son today at 8.11am Malaysia time.. busy SMSing her today asking how is she now, how was the delivery process, how is the baby, when she would be released from the hospital, bla, bla... uh, I wish I can be by her side right now~ ><

I believe that to have a son is really dreamt by any couple.. I can imagine how happy and rejoice are my sister and her husband for their new-born baby... the first son... also the first grandson ... and the pride of both families... =)

My sister told me how painful it was to give birth.. that you can't describe with words... that she has to wear the oxygen mask to help her breathing while pushing for the baby.. I can imagine how nervous her husband was at that time... to see his beloved wife was struggling with life only to deliver their long awaited baby... my sister said, as soon the baby has been completely out and put on her chest, her husband called the azan as loudest as he could.. feeling amazed and praising Allah, The Greatest for all His help... Allahuakbar!

Indeed, the presence of the husband during delivery is really wanted by every wife I believe... to give support and encouragement for the wife to try her very best for the baby to come out... (and also to see how miserable is the wife to give birth. Now, dear husband, do appreciate your wife more and please lend your hands to your wife at home doing housechores, don't only look and stand still!).

Now my sister realized how much our mom has endured to deliver four of us to this world.. no wonder every good or bad daughter when she gives birth, she will return to the mother because she knows only the mother can assist her dealing with the new-born baby that she, as a young and first time mom, has no experience at all to manage the baby. But, the great thing is that.. to realise that... "Mom, I owe you as much as this world's content for the pain you have born for me ..."

That's the reason... why Allah put the mother on top of the father.... and that be kind to mother is greater rewarded than to the father... indeed, Allah is the Most Fair, the Most Kind to human beings...

Again, alhamdulillah ya Allah..for saving both of them.... alhamdulillah.. =)

p/s: Another nephew/niece is coming again by the end of this year... ^^

Happy Mother's Day

I love this wonderful image..full of roses... a significant sign of love which indeed resembles the bulk of love to our mother... (",)

Also in this special entry, I would like to deliver my deep condolence to my close friend (you know who you are) on your mother's demise. May you find comfort and peace after her unexpected leave.. She had truly left this world, but her love and memory will surely last forever...

May Allah bless your mom and also your family...

Al-Fatihah..

Towards the final....

Alhamdulillah... aku telahpun selesai menduduki peperiksaan terakhir pengajian ku di University of Manchester ni... kini aku terasa baru lah aku betul-betul menjadi orang.. bukan pelajar yang terikat dengan peperiksaan setiap semester lagi... lega....

Perkara terakhir untuk disudahkan menjelang hari terakhir persekolahan iaitu pada 12 Jun nanti ialah...Final Year (MEng) Group Project... Aku telah pun membuat jadual seperti di sebelah kanan ni..membahagikan kepada 3 fasa... dan perkara-perkara penting selepas 12 Jun yang akan menyusul... Aah, tak sabarnya nak balik Malaysia... (",)

UK bercuti selama 3 hari di hujung minggu ini... Isnin ini cuti, hari cuti umum yang dipanggil Bank Holiday... aku pun tidak jelas bagaimana Bank Holiday ni boleh wujud sebagai cuti umum... mungkin sebagai pelepasan bagi orang-orang yang bekerja di bank untuk lari sekejap dari masalah-masalah kewangan dengan manusia ni ... hehe...

Dan hujung minggu ini terasa seperti hari yang kosong... maksud aku, kosong tanpa perancangan aktiviti yang padat... tidak seperti sebelum ini (secara jelasnya sebelum peperiksaan akhir) , hujung minggu aku sentiasa penuh dan tersusun dengan aktiviti... jika tidak mengulangkaji, pasti ada aktiviti sampingan lain yang ingin dibuat..

Biasanya pada Juma'at malam aku akan duduk di meja tulis dan merancang aktiviti di hujung minggu... tapi semalam, bila aku mengambil sehelai kertas kosong lalu membahagikan kepada 3 bahagian mewakili hari Sabtu, Ahad dan Isnin, aku dapati aku gagal mengisi ruang-ruang kosong untuk hari Ahad dan Isnin... Aktiviti untuk hari Sabtu ku hanya penuh di waktu pagi sahaja... sekarang pun baru jam 9.20am... dan aku telah hampir melaksanakan separuh aktiviti yang aku senaraikan untuk hari ini...

Ini baru selesai peperiksaan akhir... Final project masih ada untuk diselesaikan.. aku tak dapat bayangkan apabila tiba hari 12 Jun...selepas itu, hidup ini pasti lagi rasa tidak tahu nak buat apa.. dah selesai.... habis.... moga terpimpin untuk membuat sesuatu yang bermanfa'at antara 12 Jun hingga 30 July...

Wani, jangan malas!

Hari untuk senyum...(",)...

" Maintain composure ... dah dapat the offer tuh, tinggal nak maintain performance jer .. sikit lagi jer...orait..."

Itu kata-kata perangsang dari seorang senior yang telah menjadi "tutor tidak rasmi" aku (hehe) setelah aku khabarkan satu berita padanya... yang aku telah berjaya dalam interview Petronas tempoh hari... alhamdulillah... (",)... syukur setinggi-tinggi pujian ke hadrat Illahi....

Allah is Great...

Aku baru je sampai di London pada 28 Mac lalu ketika jam menghampiri ke angka 11.30 pagi... interview aku telah dijadualkan semula, sepatutnya pada jam 2.45pm tetapi kemudiannya diawalkan kepada jam 12.30 tengahari...bergegas aku mencari alamat tempat interview yang diberikan. Aku tiba di tempat interview 15 minit ke pukul 12.30 tengahari... fuh, selamat~

Kemudian aku diberikan sehelai kertas tertulis case study yang bertajuk "Online Job" untuk aku cakna... hey, case study ni takde soalan...apa aku nak jawab nih sebenarnya...? aiyak...

Aku pun tulis je la apa-apa yang terlintas di fikiran aku berkenaan case ni di atas sehelai kertas putih yang diberikan.... Dia kata 10 minit untuk buat case study ... pukul 2.00pm baru aku dipanggil masuk untuk ditemuduga. Cuba tolak jap... pukul 2.00pm dengan 12.30pm... bukan ker 1 jam 30 minit ker tu ... ? Haih... sabar je lah...

Aku melangkah menuju ke bilik yang ditetapkan... mengetuk pintu dan memberi salam... dan senyum... dan mendudukkan diri di depan seorang panel lelaki dalam bilik sempit itu...

So interview bermula... terus kepada pembentangan case study.. bla, bla, bla...

Setelah itu, dia tanya satu soalan berkaitan... then aku jawab... kemudiannya, dia tanya pula beberapa soalan mudah... seperti, kalau dapat kerja dengan Petronas, ada nak particular state ker? Aku jawab, tak kisah... kemudian, ada satu soalan KBKK... "Describe a situation that you tried to solve something but you were not successful."

Aku meminta masa untuk berfikir.. hurm.. nak bagi contoh apa ni... fikir, fikir...

Then aku pun buka mulut... aku ceritakan tentang misi aku dulu ketika menjadi Sport Secretary Malaysia Students Society of Manchester (MSSM) untuk mengadakan volleyball game berasingan lelaki dan perempuan ketika Manchester Games 08 dulu.. bukan mixed volleyball seperti sebelumnya... tetapi kerana kekangan masa, tempat dan juga kos maka misi itu tidak dapat direalisasikan...

Kemudian, panel tu berkata, "Ok, that's it for today."

Terkedu. Aku tengok jam, pukul 2.15pm. Eh, dah ker??

Aku interview dengan ExxonMobil hari sebelumnya pun 15 minit nak cukup sejam.. ini 15 minit aje pulak.. Satu je tu pulak soalan KBKK, tak macam ExxonMobil nyer interview, sampai tak larat aku nak jawab... huhu... aku pun bertanya, " Are we finished? Why is it so short?" Huhu... sambil sengih...

Panel tu kata, "Well, it doesn't mean if the interview is long then you will get the job."

Hurm.. apa-apa aje la encik... baiklah, saya akur... ~ (dalam hati je nih... )

Aku melangkah keluar dari bilik tu... dengan perasaan "tak tahu nak kata apa".. kejap nyer interview~ +_+ Sedih juga bila mengenangkan...macam panel tu tak berminat je dengan aku ni... so buat kejap-kejap je sudah la dengan budak ni.. gitu la gamaknya.... sedih kan..?

Semua orang yang aku ceritakan tentang interview yang sekejap tu terkejut.. ape benda interview kejap sangat ni..~ dah nak wat camne... that's true lah... ~ i'm not joking lah... ~ wuwu......~

Lepas peristiwa tu, aku memang tak mengharapkan apa-apa daripada Petronas.. ye lah.. orang lain interview 15 minit hampir sejam atau 15 minit lebih daripada sejam, aku ni pulak terbalik... tak dapat kot.... tak pe lah... aku dah buat yang terbaik..... dah dia tak nak kat aku... (macam gaya frust bercinta lak ye... ehe )

Tapi dengan tidak disangka-sangka, 2 hari yang lepas aku mendapat email daripada Petronas... memberitahu yang aku berjaya interview tu... eh, eh.. ? Terkedu lagi aku... Petronas ni kan.... memang selalu buat lawak la.. huhu..

Ape-ape pun... Alhamdulillah.. (",) ...kejap je pulak resultnya... baru 3 minggu... Langsung aku khabarkan kepada semua ahli keluarga ku... mereka semua gembira.. semua orang terutama Abang Long sangat nak aku dapat Petronas tu... aku banyak bertasbih, bertahmid dan bertakbir sepanjang hari tu... dan sujud syukur tanda terima kasih padanya, dengan linangan air mata yang bercucuran... lama aku duduk di sejadah usai solat Asar hari tu... terus mengalirkan air mata terharu... sambil memuji-muji Dia.... Allah.... aku tidak tahu ungkapan apa yang terbaik lebih daripada ini untuk aku ucapkan sebagai tanda syukur yang tidak terhingga kepada-Mu.... sesuatu yang tidak diduga telah Engkau beri....

Benar... "Allah akan tambah rezeki bagi orang-orang yang bersyukur... " moga ada kegembiraan lagi nanti.. bila aku berjaya mendapat keputusan yang baik di akhir pengajian, bulan 7 kelak... inshaAllah..ameen!

Ok peeps, that's the update for today.. doakan moga aku berjaya sehingga ke garisan penamat ye... exam ada satu paper aje lagi...iaitu Selasa depan.. dan sebulan lebih lagi berbaki untuk berhempas pulas dengan Final Year Project (FYP) yang akan menentukan keputusan terakhir pengajian aku... 60 kredit untuk FYP daripada keseluruhan 120 kredit maaa... wuhu, hebat Manchester... ~

"Ya Allah, berikanlah kecemerlangan kepada Aswani... dalam pelajarannya, dalam urusan kehidupannya di dunia dan di akhirat... ameen."

Terima kasih Allah... terima kasih... juga terima kasih semua atas doa...(",)... hari untuk senyum... dan terus tersenyum syukur... alhamdulillah...indeed, Allah is Great... He gave me something I totally expect I wouldn't get... how sweet my God is... (",) ... Allahuakbar...!

SPA...

Hari ni aku mengambil keputusan untuk tidak pergi ke temuduga Suruhanjaya Perkhidmatan Awam (SPA) yang dijadualkan berlangsung pada jam 9 pagi hari ni.. Biar lah.. aku rasa aku dah tetap pendirian untuk tidak masuk menyertai kerajaan awal-awal begini selesai pengajian aku di sini.. aku mahukan cabaran bekerja dengan syarikat swasta... biarkan potensi diri aku diuji dan digilap agar lebih tabah dan kuat... bagi aku, selagi umur masih muda, gunakanlah tenaga dan potensi diri seoptimum mungkin...

"Moga Allah permudahkan urusan Aswani.. dan keluarganya... ameen.." (",)

Interview Tips ?

Alhamdulillah... 2 hari lepas aku dapat offer dari UniKL untuk sambung belajar... huhu.. ingatkan tak dapat dah sebab aku cakap tempoh hari masa interview, aku tak bersedia pun lagi nak sambung buat PhD... aku nak sambung MSc dulu... baru lah buat PhD... tapi dapat la pulak... rezeki... alhamdulillah~ =)

Yang bestnya kalau students MARA dapat sambung belajar buat MSc or PhD dibawah tajaan UniKL ni ialah, if kena bayar balik pinjaman say 5%, bila keje dengan UniKL nanti tak perlu bayar balik 5% tu.. sebab UniKL adalah universiti bawah MARA so kiranya kita berkhidmat balik untuk MARA... gaji juga tidak akan dipotong untuk bayaran balik 5% tu... confirm... =)

Anyway... entry ni just nak share sedikit sebanyak apa yang aku dah lalui masa interview dengan ExxonMobil tempoh hari..

Orang selalu kata, apa yang interviewer nak tengok masa sesi temuduga tu ialah tahap keyakinan kita, pengetahuan kita, kemahiran bertutur... betul la semua tu... confidence especially is really important... even though what you are saying is not right at all, but at least you are showing your firm stand..give reasons to support your stand... and that's what I gave them... (",)

Daripada entry yang lepas...

Q : Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?

A : I see myself as a professional engineer.

Q : What about in 10 years time?

A : I want to be a lecturer after 10 years.

Q : Then why do you choose to be an engineer in ExxonMobil??

A : (In whisper) [ I did not choose ExxonMobil but ExxonMobil chose me for this interview.]

Huhu... ~

Well actually benda ni betul2 berlaku... aku memang cakap aku nak jadi lecturer in 10 years time...walaupun benda ni tak teli dengan application dan interview untuk jadi engineer kat ExxonMobil ni tapi aku bagi je reasons.. reasons yang aku bagi untuk support statement aku tu ialah sebab aku nak experience dulu jadi engineer, keje dulu...kemudian aku nak share knowledge ngan orang lain dengan menjadi lecturer.. aku nak inspire other people untuk jadi engineer jugak dan ajak dorang, "Come and join us in engineering!". Bagi aku, students mesti la suka dan memang nak tahu tentang real engineering life... aku memang tak nak mengajar setakat mengajar, tapi aku nak share the life experience juga...

Tahu apa yang company tu mahu pun penting juga... kalau company tu ialah company yang perlukan employee yang suka aktiviti lasak dan aktif, banyak melibatkan benda-benda hands-on (praktikal), perlukan orang-orang yang berfikiran ke hadapan dan jenis yang "I plan my work and I work my plan", jadi tunjukkan la kat dorang kita adalah orang yang begitu... macam mana nak tunjuk? ia adalah dengan memberi contoh.. mention kat dorang apa yang dapat membuktikan statement kita yang kita ni jenis yang tahan lasak... pernah daki gunung Kinabalu ker... selalu masuk lumba basikal ker... apa-apa sahaja yang berkaitan...

Kalau transcript exam kita ada menunjukkan result yang teruk.. well, let them see it... and if they want to comment, let them comment... give reasons why the result was like that... then bagi la judgement, kalau modul tu kita wajib ambil untuk 2 semester, jika result yang semester ke-2 adalah lebih baik daripada yang semester 1 punya, katakan lah kita ni dah improved.. sebab kita belajar dari kesalahan dan kita telah berusaha keras untuk dapatkan markah yang lebih baik... well, that's showing you have been working hard for improvement, right? (",)

Ape-ape pun, kepetahan bercakap itu memang penting.. especially in English... bagi pelajar-pelajar di universiti tempatan Malaysia yang sering berhadapan dengan masalah berkomunikasi dalam bahasa Inggeris, berkawan lah dengan orang-orang yang positif yang sama-sama ingin memperbaiki diri... jangan manjakan diri, tapi gilap potensi diri... k... berkawan lah dengan orang Cina ker... India ker... atau bangsa lain.. yang belajar di universiti yang mempunyai pelajar-pelajar antarabangsa seperti di UIA, UM, USM; lagi best kalau dapat berkawan dengan international students ni kan? =)

Kemahiran "menggoreng" pun penting juga... hehehe... well, it's actually kemahiran berfikir secara kreatif dan kritis (KBKK), digabungkan dengan kemahiran bertutur dengan lancar.. pastu "menggoreng" la dengan penuh bergaya... hehe... tapi serius... siapkan lah minda dan fikiran untuk sama-sama berhempas pulas semasa sesi interview tu nanti... ada nye soalan KBKK ni... contoh: " What do you do in your area of work, how you do that and what are the results?" . Haa.. fikir jangan tak fikir....~ huhu...

All in all, persediaan dan kesediaan tu penting... persediaan ialah preparation yang kita buat sebelum menghadapi temuduga tu... buat sikit research pasal company tu... sediakan sijil-sijil dan transcripts yang berkaitan untuk dibawa ke sesi temuduga... pakaian yang kemas dan sesuai... manakala kesediaan pula ialah rasa bersedia untuk di temuduga ketika kaki melangkah ke tempat temuduga tu... bersiap sedia lah.. sama ada anda di "goreng" atau anda yang "menggoreng"...

Hehe... ok, selamat maju jaya... =)

Happy news from London...

It's 6.39pm here... at Edgware Road, London...

I just came back from University College London.. there are interview sessions today and tomorrow there, a continuation from yesterday Career Fair organised by UK and Eire Executive Council (UKEC)...

I was supposed to have interviews with Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL), Universiti Perguruan Sultan Idris (UPSI) and Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) today. But I only went to UniKL and UPSI interviews, UMP slot will be tomorrow.. I don't think I did it well during the interview with UniKL, and I unlikely got the scholarship from them... the truth I told them was, I am not ready yet to pursue PhD even though I am eligible to do so with MEng (Master in Engineering) qualification that I will obtain for my degree.. uuh....Wani is just tooo honest to people.... ~

.... and the lesson I got from that interview is that, sometimes you don't need to be soooo frank.... (I did the same thing during ExxonMobil interview though... Wani~ you need to learn how to be a liar in certain occassions laa..~ haisey....~)

But.. whatever... ~

I don't mind at all that I'm not getting UniKL scholarship in nearer time... I have my own plan for my future... if the 1st plan doesn't work out, let's go back to UniKL and speak confidently like this..." Ok, now, I am ready to do PhD under UniKL...can UniKL sponsor me then...? " heheh..~

For UPSI on the other hand, I think I did perform..."menggoreng"... hehe... I think I have learnt from the lesson with UniKL... yep...to be a bit dishonest... wuwu~

AN UNEXPECTED NEWS

Another thing to mention is... I have been offered conditional permanent job with ExxonMobil... Alhamdulillah... 3x.... =)

Seriously it was not THAT easy for me to be interviewed by ExxonMobil... I was really unconfident that I would get this after what I have undergone with the panels...with the bombardment of such KBKK (Kemahiran Berfikir secara Kreatif dan Kritis) questions... I will share in the other time what tips that are useful for such interview... you know, sometimes "merapu" is good, as long as it can show your talent and relates to the question asked...heheh...

Before I stop here, I would like to thank all my dear friends and family for your do'a and support.. may Allah reward and make your jobs easy too... (",)

Alhamdulillah... thank you Allah.. for giving this opportunity to me...

"Ya Allah, please make it easy to Aswani and all of us to fulfil our dreams... all the way up to achieve the success in our studies and our lives... in the Dunia and Aakhirat...ameen.."

I'm leaving... don't miss me...

She's just got back from Sheffield, earlier than expected. She now knew how to face the interview session after experiencing the first ever job interview this morning with ExxonMobil.

Now she has to prepare herself for the second interview in London tomorrow.

She will be out of Manchester from 6.25am, 28th March till 11pm, 2nd April.

Please pray for her safety and success... success in performing herself...aite...

Q : Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?

A : I see myself as a professional engineer.

Q : What about in 10 years time?

A : I want to be a lecturer after 10 years.

Q : Then why do you choose to be an engineer in ExxonMobil??

A : (In whisper) [ I did not choose ExxonMobil but ExxonMobil chose me for this interview.]

Huhu... ~

Kidding... ~ =P

Kalau dah rezeki tak kan ke mana...

Semalam tertunggu-tunggu juga panggilan daripada Petronas untuk temuduga... seorang kawan telah pun dipanggil ke sesi temuduga 2 hari lepas oleh Petronas pada 27 Mac nanti...best nya dia.. nak jugak...~ huk..

Tapi hingga petang semalam, tiada sebarang panggilan diterima.. aku hampa.. Pulang ke rumah, aku luahkan pada kakak senior aku ketika sedang menyiapkan makan malam kami di dapur..

"Wani tak dapat kot Petronas, kak...takde pun diorang call..." dengan nada sedih.......

Kakak senior menjawab, "Ada la tu esok-esok ker..." sambil tersenyum cuba memujuk...

Aku masuk ke bilik, bersiap-siap untuk solat Maghrib... dalam sujudku, aku berdoa meminta rezeki yang baik dan diberkati dari sisi-Nya... moga ada berita gembira kelak...

Selepas makan malam bersama kakak senior sambil berborak-borak di dapur, aku kembali ke bilik dan duduk di depan laptop.. aku membuka email Yahoo!.. mana tahu ada email dari mana-mana syarikat lain untuk temuduga..

Sekali lagi hampa.. tiada sebarang email berkaitan...

Aku klik pula kotak SPAM dengan sambil lewa ketika cuba memujuk hati..

Ada satu mail... bertajuk "Fw:Pls call me"...

Eh... nama penghantar macam Melayu... cuba klik...

"Dear Nurulaswani Mohd Noor,

Congratulations as you has been selected for an interivew with PETRONAS. However, the phone no. given by our staff from KL is your Malaysian number. Do you have any UK number so that i can ring you to discuss your interview schedule or you may call my office as below...."

Haa?..... dari Petronas.........? Ya Allah...alhamdulillah.... gembiranya......~~~

Tapi... takde nombor handphone UK aku dalam CV? biar betul aku ni....

Aku pun check balik email beserta CV yang pernah dihantar dulu... isk, ye la..takde nombor UK.. padan la orang Exxon Mobil pun kena call rumah kat kampung dulu untuk dapatkan nombor UK aku dari mama... adui la...ape la Wani.... +_+

Aku terus membalas email tersebut dengan meminta maaf atas sebarang kesulitan di pihak mereka dan menyertakan bersama nombor UK aku bersama auto signature di hujung email...

HIKMAH DISEBALIK KEGAGALAN

Alhamdulillah... gembira sangat... terima kasih ya Allah kerana memberi peluang ini... aku akan buat yang terbaik...kejadian 5 tahun dulu dimana aku gagal dalam sesi temuduga Petronas untuk mendapatkan tajaan pelajaran tidak akan berulang ...

Mengimbau kembali detik 5 tahun dulu.. aku tidak berjaya mendapat tajaan Petronas untuk belajar di Universiti Teknologi Petronas (UTP) kerana kelemahan berkomunikasi dalam bahasa Inggeris.. dan aku sedih kerana kelemahan aku tu..

Tetapi kemudiannya aku mendapat tawaran daripada MARA untuk melanjutkan pelajaran di luar negara... Merasakan ia adalah peluang yang tidak patut dilepaskan, aku menerima tawaran itu walaupun mama kelihatan berat melepaskan aku pergi jauh ke perantauan di usia 19 tahun.

Di tahun pertama aku di sini, aku berkenalan dan berkawan dengan seorang gadis dari Sri Lanka dalam jurusan yang sama.. dia fasih berbahasa Inggeris...kami sering bersama di Universiti dan aku juga kerap berkungjung ke bilik tempat dia menginap...dia menjadi teman berbual aku walaupun bahasa Inggeris aku cincai-cincai... aku pernah nak ambil kursus bahasa Inggeris ketika itu, tetapi dia membantah. Katanya,"Don't worry Wani. We will be together for 4 years. You will be improved by then...no need to take that course ". Dia tersenyum yakin..

Kini dia berada di London melanjutkan pelajaran dalam bidang Master in Communication Engineering (kalau tak silap aku) di University College London (UCL). Kata-katanya dulu kini semakin nampak benarnya, aku merasakan sedikit demi sedikit penguasaan bahasa Inggeris aku semakin baik berbanding mula-mula aku datang ke bumi UK ni... bergaul dengan international dan juga local students di sini, especially keterlibatan aku dalam real engineering group project di tahun akhir ni banyak membantu aku... aku lebih yakin berkomunikasi ... pulak tu dapat supervisor yang baik macam Dr. Nigel... alhamdulillah...

Sesungguhnya, pada sesuatu kejadian, ada hikmah tersembunyi di sebaliknya... kadang-kadang Allah tak bagi sesuatu yang kita suka dan nak sangat benda tu..kita pun sedih... tapi rupanya Allah nak bagi benda lain yang lagi best...=)

Apa yang aku harapkan untuk interview ni hanyalah semoga aku dapat perform dengan baik dan cemerlang masa interview nanti.. aku tidak terlalu memikirkan kejayaan kerana semuanya Allah dah tentukan... kalau sudah rezeki aku di situ seperti yang ditetapkan oleh Allah, ia pasti terjadi... yang terserah pada manusia ialah usaha... kan?

"Just do it, the best that you can do .." =)

Petronas, here I come to you again.

"Ya Allah, permudahkanlah bagi Aswani... permudahkanlah segala urusannya... dan berilah dia rezeki yang baik lagi diberkati serta jadikan lah dia dari golongan orang yang sentiasa bersyukur dengan nikmat-Mu...ameen... "

Exxon Mobil Invitation

It has been 4 times an oil and gas company, Exxon Mobil trying to call me since last week but I failed to pick the phone up... Can you see, final year students are in silent mode now that they do not really bother about their phones and just do not notice when somebody is calling or sending a message... ~ (-.-)

Yesterday morning when I was studying at Undergraduate Common Room at Sackville Street Building preparing for the lecture at 10am, I received another call again from them. It was a telephone interview on the spot between me and an Exxon Mobil staff... +_+

At the end of the conversation that took about 10 minutes, that lady told me that she will be calling again if I were successfully shortlisted. After cutting off the call, I was like..."cam hampeh je aku nyer interview ni... adui laa...".

*

*

*

But this morning..to my notice, my phone vibrated silently, showing a Malaysian number ...

Exxon Mobil was calling again!


Alhamdulillah... I was shortlisted for one-to-one interview with Exxon Mobil staff next Friday, 27th March...

Nervous actually... but let's read this:

"Oo Allah, please give Aswani good fluency to talk with them, make herself calm and comfortable to present herself smartly and confidently before them.."

Thank you for the do'a... (",)

Countdown

Life is getting super duper packed and busy lately.. chasing every second before 5pm on 27th March which is next Friday to make all works done before having a 3 week-Easter break starting 28th March until 19th April. What a time to look forward...!

EXAM

I've got my FINAL exam timetable today from the University Office... as shown on the right side.

To my surprise, this exam is JUST after the Easter break!

... MADOM mode during Spring season... uuh... +_+ ....

Hambar..

Hari ni 9 to 9...masa digunakan semaksimumnya untuk tugasan di Universiti.. makan minum pun dah tak tentu..berhenti rehat hanya untuk solat dan kemudian terus menyambung kerja.. Allahu.. ini kah kehidupan bekerjaya nanti?

Sejak akhir-akhir ni aku sering terasa.. seperti kehilangan sesuatu dari hati..

Aku takut...jika dijauhkan daripada hidayah Allah.. tatkala tahu ada majlis ilmu, bukan kerana kekangan masa yang menghalang diri daripada hadir bersama ke majlis yang diberkati itu...tetapi... kerana hati yang tawar..

Hambar....

Merasakan diri telah cukup..

Astaghfirullahal 'azhim...!

Aku bimbang... jika keadaan ini berterusan, maka di mana sinarnya ... dek pautan yang makin lemah.. masa yang dikejar-kejar untuk keperluan dunia..kerana mengejar "garis mati" yang ditentukan manusia, yang diketahui bila waktu dan tarikhnya..

...sedangkan "garis mati" yang ditentukan Allah tiada siapa yang tahu melainkan Dia.. mungkin esok? mungkin lusa? atau mungkin beberapa minit ataupun beberapa saat dari sekarang?

...terkejar-kejar jugakah aku untuk sampai ke "garis mati" yang telah tertulis sejak aku belum lahir ke dunia ini.. ?

Wahai Allah.. bantu lah hamba-Mu ini.. agar dia tidak leka untuk sentiasa mensyukuri nikmat-Mu.. sentiasa memuji-Mu..

...berikanlah kesabaran kepadanya dalam menghadapi kesusahan yang ditimpakan ke atasnya.. ataupun ketika kesenangan datang menyapa.. agar dia tidak lupa.. bahawa segalanya dari-Mu Tuhan.. Yang Memiliki segala perbendaharaan langit dan bumi..

..kuatkan hatinya, ya Tuhan... kuatkan hatinya yang lemah ini...

Sayangi Otak Anda

Penggunaan telefon bimbit semakin meluas dan dominen di abad ini, tidak seperti 10 tahun dahulu yang mana ia hanya dimiliki oleh golongan-golongan tertentu sahaja. Fungsi telefon bimbit kini tidak lagi untuk membuat dan menerima panggilan semata-mata, tetapi lebih daripada itu sehingga membuatkan langkah di luar rumah tidak sempurna tanpa telefon bimbit menemani.

Bermula daripada teknologi 1G (First generation) di mana telefon bimbit hanya berfungsi untuk membuat dan menerima panggilan dalam bentuk analog, teknologi seterusnya berkembang kepada 2G iaitu kebolehannya untuk membuat/menerima panggilan dan juga menghantar/menerima SMS menggunakan sistem digital. Beberapa tahun kemudiannya, teknologi 2G dipertingkat lagi dan hasilnya, 3G diperkenalkan dengan beberapa servis tambahan berbanding teknologi sebelumnya seperti membuat panggilan video, melayari Internet tanpa wayar dan juga sistem GPS (Global Positioning System).

Beberapa kajian juga telah dijalankan untuk mengenalpasti kesan penggunaan telefon bimbit kepada otak manusia. Aku percaya ramai yang pernah mendengar desas-desus bahawa telefon bimbit boleh menyebabkan barah otak dalam jangka waktu yang panjang, tetapi kebanyakan daripada mereka tidak mahu menerimanya kerana masih belum ada bukti yang sahih mengenainya.

Namun hakikat yang patut diterima ialah telefon bimbit menggunakan gelombang frekuensi yang sangat tinggi untuk beroperasi di mana gelombang ini membebaskan pancaran elektromagnetik yang merangsang seterusnya mengganggu sel-sel hidup. Seperti mana alat pemanas microwave berfungsi untuk memanaskan makanan dengan menggunakan gelombang elektromagnetik berfrekuensi tinggi dan menyebabkan sel-sel atom bergetar lalu membebaskan haba yang memanaskan makanan, begitu juga lah kesan yang terlibat dalam penggunaan telefon bimbit dalam julat frekuensi yang sama iaitu antara 800 hingga 2200 MHz.

Anda boleh bayangkan molekul-molekul air dalam otak anda bergetar dan menjadi panas ketika menggunakan telefon bimbit anda?

Langkah-langkah keselamatan

Berikut adalah beberapa langkah yang disarankan oleh Center for Environmental Oncology (CEO), sebahagian daripada University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute bertempat di Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania untuk mengurangkan kadar radiasi elektromagetik daripada telefon bimbit kepada otak yang telah aku ringkaskan:

1. Elakkan memberikan telefon bimbit kepada kanak-kanak untuk berbual dengan pemanggil. Organ-organ penting mereka yang sedang membesar adalah sensitif kepada gelombang elektromagnetik.

2. Jarakkan telefon bimbit daripada tubuh anda ketika menunggu panggilan anda dijawab. Tunggu sehingga orang yang dipanggil menjawab panggilan tersebut baru lah didekatkan telefon bimbit ke telinga.

3. Gunakan Bluetooth headset atau speaker ketika bercakap di telefon kerana ia dapat mengurangkan kadar radiasi elektromagnetik dari telefon bimbit terus kepada otak.

4. Letak atau bawa telefon bimbit jauh dari tubuh, misalnya di dalam beg. Jangan letakkan ia berdekatan tubuh pada waktu malam ketika sedang tidur (seperti di bawah bantal), terutamanya bagi wanita mengandung.

Setkan kepada "Flight" mode ketika tidur untuk memberhentikan pancaran gelombang elektromagnetik daripada telefon bimbit. Beberapa fungsi lain seperti jam loceng masih boleh digunakan ketika mode ini.

5. Jika ingin membawanya di dalam poket baju, arahkan keypad ke arah tubuh anda dan belakang telefon bimbit ke arah menjauhi anda. Dengan ini gelombang elektromagnetik yang dipancarkan oleh telefon itu akan terarah keluar dan bukannya ke arah tubuh anda.

6. Guna telefon berkabel (landline) untuk membuat panggilan yang lama, bukan dengan telefon bimbit atau telefon tidak berwayar (cordless) kerana kedua-duanya menggunakan pancaran teknologi elektromagnetik yang sama.

7. Selang-selikan menggunakan telinga kanan dan kiri ketika menggunakan telefon bimbit untuk berbual.

8. Elakkan menggunakan telefon bimbit ketika berada dalam kenderaan bergerak yang laju seperti bas dan kereta api, atau ketika signal lemah. Telefon bimbit pada ketika ini sentiasa cuba menyambung kepada rangkaian antenna baru yang lain di sekitarnya untuk memastikan kesinambungan gelombang yang diterima dan menggunakan kuasa yang tinggi untuk berbuat demikian pada ketika itu.

9. Gunakan khidmat SMS untuk berhubung berbanding membuat panggilan telefon kerana ini dapat mengurangkan kadar pendedahan telefon bimbit secara terus kepada otak.

10. Pilih telefon mudah alih yang mempunyai Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) yang paling rendah. SAR ialah ukuran kekuatan penyerapan medan magnet yang diserap oleh tubuh manusia dan limit ukuran yang normal ialah maksimum 2W/kg.

(Artikel penuh di sini)

Semoga bermanfa'at untuk semua..

Bersaing

Baru-baru ini aku membuat online test Petronas setelah menerima email daripada Petronas untuk berbuat demikian bagi melayakkan aku tersenarai sebagai calon temuduga di London hujung bulan ini. Aku bangun seawal 3 pagi untuk menjawab 2 jenis tests dan siap menjawab kesemuanya pada jam 8 pagi. Pengsan sekejap aku usai melepasi tahap ke-dua, menjawab 108 questionaires ...

Hehe.. bukan pengsan betul pun..saje merebahkan badan ke atas katil setelah 5 jam mengadap laptop. Beberapa saat berlalu, aku bangkit kembali untuk bersiap-siap ke Universiti. Hari yang padat, aku pulang lewat jam 7 malam hari itu.

Sebenarnya aku mahu berbicara tentang persaingan. Aku kira ramai yang tahu, tidak mudah untuk terpilih menjadi staff Petronas. Strategi pemilihannya sukar ditembusi, ujian personaliti yang teliti, semata-mata ingin memastikan calon yang terpilih menyertai syarikat mereka adalah "cream of the cream".

Aku teringat kata-kata seorang ahli kumpulan projek aku, seorang warganegara Cyprus. Katanya, dia tidak sukakan persaingan. Dia sukakan sesuatu yang sudah pasti untuk dia mendapatnya. Dia beruntung mendapat tajaan Siemens, dan telah pun mendapat tawaran bekerja di syarikat itu apabila tamat pengajian kelak. Gaji minimumnya dianggarkan £24,000 setahun. Best kan.. ?

Ada pula yang sukakan persaingan kerana bagi mereka persaingan membuatkan mereka dapat menguji kemampuan diri dan memenangi persaingan itu adalah kepuasan dan satu pencapaian peribadi. Zaman ekonomi gawat begini bukan mudah untuk mendapat kerja. Hanya orang-orang yang betul outstanding yang akan dilihat potensi dirinya dan terpilih. Ada yang mudah mengalah apabila telah banyak kali mencuba untuk mendapatkan sesuatu dalam persaingannya dengan orang lain. Ada pula yang masih kuat semangat, dan terus cekal mencuba kerana baginya itulah cabaran. Dalam proses ini, kesabaran dan ketahanan diri teruji.


Hakikatnya, kita berada di dunia ini pun adalah hasil kemenangan kita dalam persaingan. Persaingan berjuta-juta sperma untuk terpilih menembusi ovum, dan akhirnya hanya satu yang berjaya menawannya. Ovum disenyawakan dan terabadi, membesar peringkat demi peringkat, dan setelah cukup masanya, kita dilahirkan.

Ada orang mengatakan bahawa mereka yang terpilih untuk datang belajar ke luar negara adalah orang-orang yang telah pun menang dalam persaingan di kalangan beribu-ribu lagi pelajar yang memohon peluang yang sama ketika itu.

Aku tidak pernah menganggap aku menang dan merasakan aku bersaing untuk semua ini. Bagi aku, ini semua rezeki dan ketetapan dari Allah yang telah ditetapkan untuk aku, aku sekadar membuat apa yang terbaik sekadar kemampuan aku. Tapi selepas membuat online test Petronas tempoh hari, aku selalu terfikir-fikirkan persaingan yang bakal aku hadapi kelak... kehidupan sebenar yang penuh persaingan... kadang-kadang cuak memikirkan interview yang bakal dihadapi.

p/s: Ada orang yang tidak perlu susah-susah mencari kerja, isi borang itu dan ini, tidak perlu menghadiri temuduga yang mendebarkan; tetapi employer yang cari dia. Untung kan orang macam ni.. ?