Group Photo

Just received this picture from Gary early this morning. Our group photo during the Integrative Series Workshop last week. (Just imagine it already been a week. It shows how times fly). Some of the PhD students who attended the workshop. It a multi-nationality groups. Really interesting. The members of the group were active and proactive. Keep on the good work guys.

Daylight Saving

Still can remember my first experience daylight saving. I don't even know what is daylight saving (please forgive me, :) , I never stay abroad especially country with 4 seasons for longer period like where I am now). Anyway was a great experience. Went to the campus just to find out I was an hour late. Hahaha......I asked around and did my homework searching through Internet. Then I realise what is Daylight Saving which is convention of advancing clocks so that afternoons have more daylight and mornings have less. Typically clocks are adjusted forward one hour near the start of spring and are adjusted backward in autumn

New Routine

Sunday Morning


Today (Morning)

For the past one week, I have been experimenting my new time table routine. So far I have been complying with this new routine. Woke up at 5 am, had my morning prayer then do some reading/writing in the campus until 8 am. After that, I will go for jogging or cycling and add with swimming if it is on Saturday and Sunday. It was so refreshing studying in the Morning and then gone for any physical activity. Later at 11 am will go again to my working station in Campus (weekdays only). But weekend I will definitely won't feel guilty if I want to enjoy myself. :) .

Now I need to add another routine, go to the office after dinner (weekdays only). Since day light saving just started yesterday, the day is much longer and much easier for me to go the campus after dinner.

Charmed Bracelet

Went to Victoria Market yesterday. Just out of the blue, I want to buy bracelet for myself. :) . That me, If i want something, will try to get it as soon as possible. Even though it will cost me a lot. :) .

I reached VIctoria Market at 10 minutes past noon. It took me less than 5 minutes to choose which bracelet I like most. The bracelet then ready with my name engraved on it. :) . I spent for another half an hour looking around and planning what i wanna buy next time.

Like my bracelet very much. My Charmed Bracelet. :) . I wish. LOL.

Coffee Bean

Was warm today. But was not as hot as last Sunday. The maximum temperature was 33C last Sunday. Today the temperature was 29C still, it was among the highest temperature during spring. Went to High Point Shopping Center. We went to Coffee Bean and I ordered Ice Blended Caramel.

YOu never know who you'll meet

Noted this advertisement in our Campus. It about meeting new friends and relationships. There is something interesting about this advertisement. So guess what is the interesting item in this advertisement.

Day 3 , Integrative Series

Yesterday was day 3 of Integrative Series, Research Methodology. The first 2 days was held exactly a month ago. As I told previously, I really enjoyed this session. Yesterday was something I am looking forward to go to. Really excited. I was among the earliest who reached the place. I arrived 15 minutes before 9am and just 3 of us at that time. Had the chance to talk with Del seeking some advised. I had sent her my writings for comments and will receive it before Sunday.

The session was really really good. We have two ways communication and discussion. The class was really active. Really Enjoyed it. So motivating. My name had been mentioned few times as examples, so embarrassed but feel great about it. She really can pronounced my name very well and clearly. :) .

AT the end of the session she knows everybody plan and action after completion of this workshop. She will remind everybody as what she usually did before this, to achieve everybody plan and action. After the session, I had a discussion with her and told her my actually plan until end of the year. She was really happy with it and have confidence in me. She offer to assist me in anyway she could and definitely will remind me. She always been the motivator since the first time I attended the workshop. I am still motivated and will maintain motivated until I finished my PhD.

'Kuih Ketayap'

I bought 'Kuih Ketayap' at Laguna Supermarket yesterday. It cost me AUD 2.00 (RM 6.00) for 3 pieces. :)

Safi

I was stunned when I saw this signage. It is exactly the same style of writing with on of Malaysian Cosmetic product. Haha I wonder who copying who. This is a copyright issue. Mmmmm. Here the same sign meant for bar bistro. LOL.

A Trip to Brighton

I had 2 appointment yesterday afternoon. First with Steve (my principal supervisor) at his house and second with David Dunstan ( my co Supervisor) at International Diabetes Institute. I have told Steve last week that I am having an appointment with David on Tuesday, he suggested the appointment with him at his place on tuesday since Steve house and International Diabetes Institute were really near by just 5 minutes drive.

I reached at Gardenvale Train Station at 1.30pm as usual I purposely came early try to avoid any delay since this is my first time to this place. I called Steve and he pick me up. He has a nice big house with an excellent view of his backyard. Really like the place. Steve actually made me a cappuccino. Really really nice. His wife told me that Steve made good cappuccino. We have only one hour to discuss. In the end there was not enough time, because a lot need to be done. He organised another appointment this coming Friday morning at 10.00am. We urgently went to International Diabetes Institute and reached there on time.

Had another great session with David too. He really helps and advised me. I am really grateful to have good Supervisor and Co-Supervisor. They will help you at anytime as long as you show them your hard work and your interest.

Victoria University Footscray Campus - Early Morning

View from my faculty, still early. Not a single person in the campus.


Our Faculty Entrance

Our Room

Our Postgraduate office

My working station. :)

I woke up early at 5 am. I did my early morning prayer and had shower after that. I wanted to get to the office early. I reached my working station at 6.45 am. Purposely wanted to come early and can do my own reading. I need to have myself alone in the room and be more focus. Once everybody in the room, mmmm I can't really focus and concentrate with my reading.

I will change my study time from now on, early morning and at night. During day time just doing my writings and other things that don't really need concentration much. I can't really focus, this guy from Israel, nice guy actually but he really talk so loud when answering phone and had phone call almost 10 minutes which other guys need to answer for him despite the phone just besides him. Mmmm really really annoying though but that life. He already completed his first draft thesis he showed to me last week. Mmm....He already submitted to the supervisors for proof reading. He always will tell everybody what he had achieved, example 'Hey my articles had been accepted for publication', ' My third articles had been accepted too (with loud voice)', and bla bla bla....'. DAMN !!! . In away it motivated me but it too much when you keep on repeating it agian and again don't show off. I almost said the 'F' letter word.

He just came back from conference last week and presented 2 papers, and now preparing for another conference. I admit that he is very very efficient and very aggressive, this is something good and I should learn from the good side of him and he is really helpful guy too but I can't stand when he like announcing to everybody what he had achieved. May be this is his way how he shows his excitement unconsciously without realising his annoying others. Everybody in the rooms really don't like him. And the worst part is, we have the same supervisor (me and this guy). I am really stressful and depressed at times. I told my supervisor about this. I just don't want him to compare me with this guy.

Now I am trying to adjust my time. That the only way I could do and be focus and less stressful. I have tried this last time but I lost my drive and motivation. Now I will start again. I want to do better without announcing to everybody about my achievement.

Malaysian Monash Medical Student

21st October

Sunday

8.30 pm

Naguib, Syahril, Hafiz and Khairul are medical student at Monash University. I knew them since last year at Aznan House during Eid Open House Celebration. Two of them, Syahril and Naguib, always been communicating with me asking for my advice and my clinical experienced.

They told me last week they wanted to come to my house and have some chat about medical work since Syahril is graduating, he would like to seek advice from me before start working as House Officer. Really grateful they came to meet me at my house. Prepared dinner for them, Kwee Tiaw Bandung Muar and Mee Goreng Mamak. We really had a long chat. They went back at 11.00 pm.

'The Hottest Fest In Dendenong'

Sunday
21st October 2007
Day 9 Syawal/Eid Mubarak

Asking someone els to take picture of me, suppose to be candid. LOL

Some of the guests, just started. By noon the number of guess increasing. You won't see empty space like this.

Aznan (the guy in blue), the main host organising the BBQ. Really nice guy and very helpful. This year will be his last Eid at Dendenong. So no more celebration at Dendenong. :(

Lamb BBQ, I ate 5 pieces. hehe...

Chicken and Sausages


Today was the hottest day in spring. 33C with humidity less than 14%. Oh my god. I was really dehydrated. Had to drink a lot today. The weather was really mad. When I woke up at 6 am, it already 24C. Wow. No wonder I felt so warm early morning.

I reached Dendenong Station at 10.00 am, had to wait under the shade because the weather was so hot , hot and hot. This is just a beginning. I wonder what will happen during summer.

Most of the time at Aznan House, I just make sure I am always under a shade and drink a lot of plain water. By the way today all family in Dendenong ( 6 families ) all of them organised an Open House - Eid Celebration and only invited all Post Graduate students in Melbourne. I am one of them. So many new faces I met. Really great function and socialise activity, knowing other Malaysian. I just found out that everybody had already been talking about me and keep wonder who I am. Once they met me, so they said 'So you are Doctor Nahar'. All this time Aznan always keep on promoting my name, they just know my name without knowing the person. It shows how seldom I kept in touch with most of them. Anyway thanks to Aznan for make me so important among the rest. :) . Had a long chat with some of them. Bla bla bla bla.........

They prepared so much today just for this function, here are the lists;

1. BBQ chicken, lamb and sausage

2. Beryani rice

3. Fried Mee

4. Fried Kwee Tiaw

5. Roti Jala

6. Pengat Durian.

7. Beef Curry

8. Wajik

9. Cakes and Cookies

10.Lemang

11. Beef Rendang

The function finished by 1 pm, and it was 31C and humidity 14%. Went back at 1.20pm from Dendenong Station. I was sleeping in the train through out the journey. I was really tired and dehydrated because of the weather condition.

Open House Celebration

Main Menu; Penang Laksa and Nasi Kerabu

Cake and Cookies

Some of the guests

Saturday

20 October 2007

2.00 pm

It took me less than 10 minutes cycling to reach Tafir's house. Usually he will fetched me from my house to his place but not this time, since I have my own transport ( My bicycle, :) ). For the second consecutive year he invited me for his open house celebration. He cook all his main menu, 'Laksa Penang', and 'Nasi Kerabu' while his wife prepared for cakes and cookies. I thought I am the first to come but there was a family came half an hour earlier than me. I knew and met them last year. :) . It shows how long not been contacting with other Malaysians, other than my usual circle of friends. Anyway nice to meet them. Later, few more came and then it becoming so noisy. The ladies talking about shopping and gossiping, the husband talking about sports while the kids playing and made some noise.

Just enjoying myself, watching everybody. Have a chance to talk with some of them. I stayed for 2 hours and excused to go back home at 4.00 pm. Nice meeting them at least to make myself presence among other Malaysian in Melbourne.

Saturday Adventurer

Woke up at 6.10 am. Mmmmmm I thought I want to wake up at 5.15 am I did but I switched off the alarm. Anyway, clean up myself get dress and take my bicycle. Today is cycling time. Yeahhhh. On my way out Yuhanis just finished watching World Rugby match, Argentina vs France which Argentina won. Hehe I don't like rugby, but I want to know the results.

I start cycling at 7.20 am and went to a new place where I have never been before. Oh my god, it was so steep and it was really hard. Finally I managed to reached the top of the hill. It was a nice view, even I could see Melbourne CBD from far. I reached the hill top at 8.00 am. It's already too warm. Next week I must wake up much earlier if I want to cycle up to the hill and go much further. I cycle for more than 20 km. Really enjoyed it. By the time I reached back home It took me about 1hour and 30 minutes.

Jogging

Yesterday was really nice weather. Warm and windy with temperature of maximum 27C. For the first time I started back my jogging session after a month break during Ramadan. I really enjoy it very much. Spending about 1 hour for the session. I will make it more regular from now onward.

Malaysian Sate

This was the first time and my first attempt for my own Malaysian made Satay with Peanut Sauce/'Kuah Kacang'. May be not as good as Malaysian famous Sate Kajang, but I was so excited about it because I made it myself. Well it always been the first time. I have tried it, and now how to make it much better next time. Practice and more practice and I will become better and much much better next time. Never afraid to explore new things. :) . I will look for a proper BBQ grill for my next attempt. Good on you. :) .

The Gifts

Flower bouquet from Post Graduate Office

Orchids from Mrs Anna, Professor from Adapted Sports Unit.

The roses from International Office Staffs.

These are among the gifts that we received as an appreciation for inviting them to our Open House. We recieved 4 bouquet of flowers (our red roses was 'kidnapped' by our Malaysian friends) and a box of chinese tea.

Celebration - the guests.

Day 5 Syawal/Eid Mubarak
17 October 2007
12.05 pm

The first group of people came; 5 of my PhD colleagues, 6 staffs from post graduate office, the Dean and the dean's office staffs. I was really busy because from 12.00 noon until 2 pm I was alone , Yuhanis need to teach. I am running in the house entertaining everybody even I need to prepare food before the foods on the table finishing. All sorts of questions were ask. I have wanted to snap few pictures of all our guests but not with the first group. Anyway it doesn't matter at all, the important thing was, they enjoy it, impressed and felt happy for inviting them to me and Yuhanis open house function. Most of them said this were their first experience, international students inviting them for the Open House function.

Most of the guests came batch by batch and it was non stop until 7.30 pm. I was really honoured the Dean came to our place.

Everybody enjoyed the foods very much. Me and Yuhanis were so happy to hear about it and enjoying wathcing them trying the foods. The top three foods; 1. 'Cucur Udang', 2. Chicken Rendang, 3. Beef Curry Malaysian Style with Roti Canai. These foods finished before the function ended.

At the end of the day we counted how many guests came to our function, and it about 40 people who came and we finished at about 9.30pm. Not bad at all. Even though we were so tired, but we were really satisfied and worth while to organise this activity.Now the worst past was yet to come,cleaning all the mess.

Take 5 while waiting for the guests to come . I was really exhausted

The Function

Day 5 Syawal/Eid Al-Mubarak

17 October 2007
6.15 am

I woke up immediately at 6.15am. I am stunned and worried. I am late, I am late. I slept too long, there are lot of things need to be done ( Even though I know that I slept at 2.00 am ). I rushed to the kitchen and continue cooking. Before I slept at 2.00am, I managed to cook 'Mee Rebus' source ,'Laksa Johor' sauce and 'Kuah Kacang' while Yuhanis managed to do Rendang. I was really tired then went to bed hoping to wake up at 5am.

Managed to decorate the drinks table before going to bed.

6.15 am Malaysian time, it will be dark out side but not in Melbourne. Sun rise at 5.30 am. I am worried if everything is still not ready in time. I continue cooking and stop for a while at.8.15 am had my bath and then rushed to footscray market to get some more items for cooking. At 10.00 am Yuhanis received a call, the first group will come at 12.00 noon. I am so so tense up. Oh my God, we were still not ready at all.

But finally 5 minutes before 12 noon. I managed to get everything in place, even though i am still frying the Roti Canai , cucur udang and Sate.

The main table menu lists; Gado-gado with Kuah Kacang, Lemang, Roti Canai, Chicken Rendang, Beef curry and Bergedel



Roti Canai

Gado-gado and Kuah Kacang

The noodle segment; Mee Rebus Johor , 'Laksa Johor' and 'Cucur Udang'



The Drinks Table with Popia and fruits