26 & floods

Yesterday was my 26th birthday and it came and went just like any other day of the week. That's because I, myself, didn't feel like celebrating on a weekday. So the celebration will have to be postponed to this weekend. I'm not expecting any presents from Shah because off late he has been showering me with lots of new things almost every week since after raya, ( a new handphone, a new handbag, the notebook and lots more) and I am so very grateful to him for all of them. I'm just waiting for him to give me a birthday lunch or dinner treat this weekend and that will just top it all off. Thanks you Abang for everything!

On a different note, earlier this week Shah's home in Kangar, Perlis was hit by the terrible floods occurring up north and on the east coast. Kesian.. it all happened very quickly while they were asleep Sunday night. His mum, dad and youngest brother had to try and save their precious items in the house and move them (which ever they could carry) to the upper level. But unfortunately, the damage done by the knee-level floodwater was quite substantial because most of the furniture and large items like the fridge and washing machine are ruined. And come of my mum in-law's collection of porcelain vases got smashed. Now the water has subsided but they are left with all the damage and the cleaning process starts. We wish we could go home to help them but with all the work we just can't. I hope they can cope. This is all the work of Allah and insyaAllah we'll be able to replace whatever that has been damaged. But those are all just material goods. What is important is that Shah's mum, dad and brother and all his other family members in Perlis are all safe and well.

So just a reminder to all of us and to myself, be thankful for what we have every day...you never know what can happen next (even within a blink of the eye).

I'm on leave today but as I type these words I am currently sitting in my office. Friday's is a free day for me as I don't have any classes at all but I had to come in today for a meeting with the dean and some other colleagues. It's regarding the Key Performance Index (KPI) which all staff have to fill in every year for the year end evaluation. So, it looks like in order for me to get some extra dosh at the end of next yeat I have to bring in lots of dosh (a total of RM6,500) for the company by way of research grants or consultancy work. Humphh! Serves you right Anisa for wanting to become an academician. Now how am I get all those money to come my way? I guess I'll have to start thinking on new research ventures and fill those grants applications ASAP. So it looks like my vow to take this year off from doing any major research has to be postponed or more like cancelled all together. I mean give me a break guys, I've just done 4 years of research. Can't I just take 12 months of rest? Just lazing around and only doing the mundane job of teaching.

Oh crap! It looks like every time I put in an entry these days it just about work work work. I'm starting to become such a bore. I think I'd better start to write about something much more interesting.

OK..here goes.. (thinking to myself: new interesting topics)

I'm so in the mood to watch 'Memoirs of a Geisha'!!!! Last week, while on our way back from Low Yat, Shah got me a copy of the book and I'm really starting ot enjoy it. Even though I've only read like 20 pages. I know I'm so back dated and that every one else have already read the book ages a go. But I never got round to it until I saw a review of the movie version on TV about 3 weeks ago. The movie is not due for release in Malaysia until January next year and I really can't wait!

Actually I'm craving to go to the movies but I just can't find the time. When 'Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire' was released in Malaysia, Shah and I were supposed to watch it with my mum, sis, bro and cousins. The tickets were all booked but Shah and I had to cancel because I feel sick that day. My stomach was bloated the whole morning and I had a terrible headache plus I vomitted three times (and no I'm not pregnant I'm afraid). So that night I was just not in the mood for a movie, even though I so really wanted to watch it. Anyhow, Shah and I are going to Low Yat and Sungei Wang again tomorrow so I just might buy it on DVD.

We're going to Low Yat tomorrow because we need to get some softwares for our new notebook which we bought at the PC Fair held at the KL convention Centre on Sunday the week before last. At the moment that is our new toy and we're loving it! We got a great deal at the PC Fair and I have to say if you want to get a new PC or it's peripherals then scout around for what you want but only buy it at the PC Fair which seem to be held many times every year in Malaysia. The notebook we bought came with a free laptop case, a webcam, a headphone with attached mic, a mini vacumm, an optical mouse, a notebook lock (to deter the thriving thieves) and even a free 'King Kong' movie (Oh, by the way that movie looks really interesting too!) T-shirt.

Ok...I've got to go play with my new toy now. Bye!

Has it been 2 weeks already?

It's been almost 2 weeks of lectures. So far it's all going quite well. But at the end of the day I feel so very tired. My throat becomes very dry and I feel very thirsty. I guess that's what you get from talking for at least an hour. Today I have three hours of lecture and tutorials back-to-back. So I will have to bring some water supply to keep me from dying (excuse the exxageration..hehe) of thirst.

During classes, while I'm explaining things, I swear the students eyes seem to glaze over as though they're dreaming of some far away land or as though I am talking some crazy languange they don't understand. But their hands keep moving as my notes require them to fill in lots of blanks that I purposely put in (to make them come to class or else they'll miss out chunks of the notes). I just hope that when they get back home and look through the notes they'll understand it all. My doubts regarding students attendance so far has been proven to be wrong. The class is almost 80% full which I am so happy about. I just hope it keeps up.

On the personal side of life, I have applied to become a resident fellow at the halls of residence here. The interview is next week and I hope I'll be able to impress and get the position. If I do get it, insyaAllah, then both Shah and I will be able to stay within campus and we can save on rent. Apart from that we'll be able to use the sports facilities. I am in dire need of some sort of exercise to help me shed the kilos of weight my body seems to accumulate.

Well, guess that's it for now. I've still got tonnes of lecture notes to prepare and I swear since I started teaching the day seems to fly by ever so quickly. I feel like I'm always rushing here and there. So if I find the time, I'll write summore.