Thursday, November 27, 2008

Rain... feel it on your finger tips

So, my family was here and had gone back to Malaysia. One week was too short... too short. I wish they could have stayed longer.

Anyway, we had such a good time together. I really wanted them to come, and I really wanted it to happen.... not just wishing like last time. They didn't have the chance to do so when I was studying in the US; what with my mother's health condition at that time and the dreaded September eleven {roles eyes}. So, this time, I made sure they "menjejakkan kaki" here in Australia, especially my mother. We had such fun time in Gold Coast and here in Brissie. I also had some other guests as well, also important people in my life: my aunt and her family.

So, it was entertaining 6 guests that I did (my parents, my brother, my aunt, uncle and cousin). I can just say that their arrival was just perfect. The weather was nice and the timing couldn't be better. We rented an apartment, townhouse type hotel (budget punya lagi tau huhu) with a pool of its own in GC. Very nice! Went on Aquaduck, went to Sea World and Movie World. Movie World was ok, but Sea World was great! Really worth the money. We were lucky too because we had the chance to go to the cultural/night market on Surfers Paradise. Then, we went back to Brissie. What's the point of visiting Australia without encounter with its exotic animals? So, that was what we did next. Off to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary we went, followed by a trip to Mount Coot-tha.

It was after we had done all the jalan-jalan that the thunderstorm melanda Brisbane. Luckily the weather was nice again on their departure days (my aunt and her family left two days earlier).

My house had never had that many overnight visitors and oh, how good it was to taste my mother's cooking again. I'm glad that they had an uneventful flight back. Now, I'm feeling a bit lonely, so sunyi now that my housemate has also gone back for her data collection.

Oh yes, my presentation went well, alhamdulillah. I think my supervisors were happy too, heheh. Pheww, that's a relief ... but I think I really need to brush up on expressing myself verbally (and in public!) ish ish...

Now back to work and more work. The rain this week is somehow contributing to the gloomy feeling that I've been having since they left (sigh). Let's hope for more sunshine next week.

Saturday, September 13, 2008

Life in auto-pilot mode

My research journey has not been a smooth sailing one. But then I guess, I've never heard of anyone who could claim theirs as one, by the way. I think one of the scariest moments since I started all these was when the place that I wanted to do my research decided to re-evaluate my application. What? Re-evaluation? After I'd been given the letter of approval and was then back in Malaysia thinking that I was ready and going to start data collection?

And that was also not to count the many other challenges prior to getting to that point in my study. What with the finding out that someone else had already started their research work at that place, so I had to make sure that mine would be different. Then, making sure I pass the confirmation process. And then came the painstaking ethical approval process that followed. Of course, not much support back home from the workplace at the valley. It seemed the only thing they were concerned about was compliance.

I felt as if the world had collapsed at that time. What have I put myself into? So many thoughts came across my mind. What if this...what if that... What backup plan (or plans) to use? Then, came the news that my main supervisor was suddenly diagnosed with an illness, despite the fact that he was one of the healthiest and fittest staff in the school.

It was that one fine string of hope and trust in God that I hold on to, that kept me going (and still is). Many, many times I've stopped and tried to steal a moment... to think about what in the world have I committed myself into? But I don't want to stop and think too long, for it could be painful at times.

Sometimes, it feels like I'm living life in an auto-pilot mode. But then again, I keep remembering the words of my associate supervisor at that point earlier this year when I was at wits end, "There's no other way to go, but forward". With those words, here I go again. Hopefully this time, back on track.

So, bismillahi tawakkaltu ala Allah. Please make this path easy for me ya Allah the Most Merciful, and forgive my sins.


Friday, August 22, 2008

2 years oledi!!!

It has been two years exactly yesterday..... and I thought it would actually be two years next week! Sheesh, time flies when you are having fun? So, am I not a confused newbie in Aussie anymore? Perhaps I'm not a newbie anymore (although there's much of this Aussie land that I really ought to explore) but I definitely haven't left the circle of the confused...

Since, SueYoung has put this blog of mine as a link in her blog, I guess I need to update more frequently. Bersawang dah, achoom!!!