Life through my eyes 3: from teaching to leading Book Launch - 22 June 2019

Life through my eyes 3: from teaching to leading was successfully launched at MPH Mid Valley yesterday, 22 June 2019. It was a very special event and date for me.

I want to take this opportunity to thank all my family members, friends and colleagues who came to celebrate at the book launch with me. I am so happy to feel your support and love throughout the journey of the three books. You guys are so thoughtful to give up your time to be with me for that special moment 🥰 Thanks to those people who drove or flew all the way from Johor, Perak, Terengganu, Kedah...too amazing. It was so special to have people from UK, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa supporting LTME too there.

Thanks to En. Izanee Ilias for officiating the launch and to Dr Kit Thomas for his wonderful and incredible speech about LTME1-3!

Thanks to everyone who sent good luck and congrats wishes! I wish you guys had attended the event so that I could hug you all 😆 I’m not sure when the next book launch will be as it’s not a yearly celebration 😆

Special thanks to MPH for the full support and commitment throughout the editing, designing and publishing process.

Thanks again everyone and I hope you will enjoy Life through my eyes 1: a teacher’s little steps towards perfection; Life through my eyes 2: from Kampung Kenang to Kasoa and the latest, Life through my eyes 3: from teaching to leading! Love you all 😘

The field work in Sarawak

Kuala Lumpur - Kuching - Sibu - Miri - Mulu - Miri - Kuala Lumpur

That was the sum up of all the places I visited for field work in just a week. It was an amazing and interesting experience for me to get this opportunity. Being back in Sarawak after the 3 months training in 2017, was something that I never expected to happened this soon. 

This time around the visit was not only in Kuching but also we travelled to Miri, Sibu and Mulu! Anyway, here are some updated of what learnt during the week:

1. Managing and organising events in three different places 

We were lucky to get the help from Jabatan Pendidikan Negeri Sarawak to help us organise the events. The events were promoted through the websites and were open to the service providers to come and listen to the speech. We organise with JPN Sarawak through phone calls and emails, for example the booking of the venue, the materials to use and so on. We worked collaboratively and the events were held properly through delegating the work effectively with good communication 

2. Monitoring and observing the ground work of services in school

I think being able to monitor and observe the services in the schools was really interesting and exciting. Especially when my job nowadays is mainly focused on preparing the framework, paperwork and so on. Being able to go and check what happens on the ground wad such an opportunity. Here in Sarawak, we were able to witness and understand for ourselves the situation in the remote schools.

3. Reminds me of my time in SK Kampung Kenang

Being in a remote area school brought back memories of SK Kampung Kenang. Teachers eating together in the canteen, students staying in the hostel, the clear river, the quietness and everything - such a wonderful moment.

Extra: 

Visiting and experiencing local attractions in Mulu

• Lang Cave and Deer Cave

The entrance of the National Park just 10 minutes from SK Batu Bungan. We went to the cave to see it for ourselves - the amazing and stunning geography that is world famous. The visit was quite short but both caves have their own identity. I would like to go back some day to explore further. We were lucky to view the bats flying out from the cave before the darkness of night came.

• Clear water cave system

The headmistress - Puan Molly and her team brought us to the Clear Water cave system also located nearby the school by boat. The journey took us 30 to 40 minutes and because it was dry season, the river was a bit shallow. The teachers managed to impress us with their skills handling the boat in a shallow river. When we arrived, I was amazed with the place because of the stunning and beautiful view; the water was cold and we fed the fish there and we could see them clearly.

• Penan cultural/village market

On the way back from the Clear Water Cave, we stopped by Penan village to visit the market and also to view the surroundings of the village. I loved it!

Hopefully, in the future, I will be able to do this again.

PS: Thank you to En. Aedy, En. Val and Aina for sharing the experience with me!

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2019!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2019! I hope it's not too late for me to wish a happy new year. I think as long as it is January, it is acceptable right? As per usual, when it's new year, the time seems to fly so fast in the blink of an eye even just last week was still 2018.

While I was enjoying my 2018 with some small changes in life, 2019 will come with more exciting things. Some of the highlights of 2018: I did Umrah with my mom, dad and younger sister (amazing spiritual experience and hope to go there again); I moved work from Perlis to Putrajaya (learning so much more about procurement now) and I ended 2018 with a visit to Siem Reap, Cambodia with Dr. Kit and family (learning about Angkor Wat, the buildings and its history). 

I learnt a lot about life, about friendship, about hardship and about struggle. I learnt that sometimes when we just focus on what matters around us, we might forget that people around us have their own matters to sort out as well. I learnt that it is really important to be sensitive to that matter and always be careful on what we say, act and do. Some people struggle with some unimaginable problems. 

2019 - A year that I hope will bring everyone a great start for a great journey. I hope that everyone can focus on their happiness, achievement and positivity. 

Remember, happiness is not just for you, but for people around you as well.

PS: 2019 - Let's get started!

3 days 2 nights of Team Building

I have just returned from a refreshing 3 days and 2 nights team building activity. It was an amazing experience and I was so lucky to be able to attend the pogramme. I was not sure I could attend the programme at first, because there were another programme at the same time. Then when it was cancelled, I had the opportunity!

 

The programme was organised by the department I am working at now - Procurement and Asset Management Department of the Ministry of Education. There were about 28 participants which was quite small, I think. But small is good sometimes, small means personal and I enjoy personal. The programme was held in Hulu Langat - Pusat Kokurikulum Jabatan Pendidikan Negeri Selangor.

 

Just a review some of the activities:

 

1. wall climbing - this was my first experience to try this activity. I always look forward to trying new things like this. I think less about nervous but more about excited. Climbing the wall needs precision and body strength. It looks easy from standing on the ground but difficult when you start to climb. I really enjoyed it when I started to be able to move up step by step, up and up I go. The feeling of accomplishment started from the start of the climb! Love it!

 

2. kayaking - never say never to kayaking! just to know there will be a kayaking activity makes me happy to join the programme. Even though the pond that we used to paddle the kayak was quite small due to the fact that the centre is mainly for school students. But I had my time! Just enjoying the moment!

 

3. jungle trekking - the night before we went for jungle trekking, it rained heavily. So you can already expect the structure of the hills. The journey started at about 9 am after an intense aerobic activity. I think this activity is the most tiring of all but the most achieving to teach people to be patient. We walked and climbed one by one patiently supporting one another. I think it was also the activity that got people screaming a lot because of the leeches.

 

4. survival (cooking) - right after we came down from jungle trekking, we stated to divide into groups and were instructed to cook chicken and fish in bamboo for survival. The recipe is quite simple where you just cook chicken and fish with some herbs and salt. 

 

5. archery game - this was the most memorable and enjoying experience for everyone I think. In the late afternoon, we were thought about bow and arrow. We were given a chance to practise using the bow and arrow beacuse we will play a game the next day.

 

Come the next day, in a group of three, the game was played in a league. The game was really interesting because you need to score points by shooting the board and also shooting the other players from the different groups in 2 minutes. As per usual, I am not so good at shooting but I enjoyed the game very much. I think it was also enjoyable because everyone was playing for fun and less for competition.

 

Overall, the programme was successful to get people to know and learn about one another in the department. I also think that this kind of programme needs to be done to get people together outside of the office environment! Less work, less stress, more focus, more output.

 

PS: feeling like Hunger Games while playing the archery game!
 

Life in a New Place

It has been more than 2 months now since I started to work in Putrajaya and stay in my own apartment. The working environment is totally different in Putrajaya. I am a junior officer here, in charge in a smaller role from a leadership perspective. When in Perlis, I led the unit; this time I am more of a supporter to my immediate boss. Anyway, it is a new experience to explore and understand. Actually, there are opportunities for me to apply what I have learned and experienced in Perlis as well.


Since starting to work in Putrajaya, the opportunity to learn and experience is quite amusing - slow - but a pace that I am enjoying. Las week I had an experience of going to a school in Taiping. The main objective was to revisit the work scope on a maintenance being carried out in a heritage school building. I was quite nervous to go alone to the meeting a I felt like my knowledge and experience in this new job scope is too little. However, a part of me was also excited to check out what out there to be seen and observed as well as it will be interesting to visit a school.

In the meeting, the Deepartment of Works started to explain the detail of the project and what are their plans for maintaining the heritage building in the primary school. In terms of standard operting procedure in applying for budget, I tried to help as much but as for the technical part, I mainly listened and every now and then asked questions when it was hard to grasp.

Then, we went to visit the school. The building looks classic and beautiful but needs a lot of work to maintain. The roof, the floor on the first floor, the cracks in the wall were some of the work that needs to be done soon. This is not just about maintaining the building but mainly to ensure the safety of the children in the school. Again, at this point, I was very intrigued by the view that I am seeing nowadays. If I were still a teacher, I think this would not be so much of my concern - the maintenance of a building.

I guess that is what you need sometimes - a change in the regular things that you do or think. Sometimes, if you stay in one place, you only see what is in front of you. But when you start to make a move, then you realise that there is so much more than what you have experienced before.

PS: Keep on experiencing!

Bye Perlis, Hello Putrajaya!

Yesterday was my last day in Perlis. It was a sad day saying goodbye. Time felt frozen and the day felt longer than usual. My staff planned a goodbye ceremony. It was hard for me to say good bye to be honest.

 Even though I was there for only a year, it felt like forever. The connection that we built was so strong that I felt like a family. We shared not only work related information but every now and then shared about our personal lives.

I do not know what will be coming up into my life; but I definitely know that the hole they left will be hard for me to fill. Thank you so much for being awesome, understanding and working together.

I think my first year as a PTD was a very significant learning experience. I learnt a lot about leadership and management but most importantly I learnt a lot about myself; about what makes me happy and what makes me stressed; what makes me laugh and what makes me cry; what makes me dance and what makes me scream!

Yesterday was also the last day I am able to travle back home to Alor Setar in one hour. After a few years working in  Perak and KL before, I was posted one hour away from my hometown. It was a great time for me to be able to go home more than I could before. Now, once again, I will be far from home. Definitely something sad but I believe sometimes sacrifice is needed.

Nevertheless, tomorrow will come and a new day will start again - new and fresh. Hopefully my steps are bright and shining.

PS: searching for a new tie as a new start 😀

Almost a year in Perlis

Oh no! I thought I would be able to update regularly my blog but it seems that it is quite hard to keep up.

Sometimes it is not really about time I think. Giving an excuse that I do not have time to update is quite questionable. I think I always have some free time but I think most of the time I prefer to do other things that can take away my mind from thinking too much. Something like watching TV series on the internet, doing jigsaw puzzles or going out with friends for fun; at least for that time.

Now it is almost a year since I started to work in Perlis Education Department. I think my skills and knowledge of procurement and asset management are getting better. I feel confident in making decisions and managing the work load. Even to represent the state of Perlis for a meeting in Putrajaya seems to be easier and less nerve racking.

Every now and then I feel the pressure and stress of being in the unit, the work load is quite challenging. Especially when there are only 8 of us managing the procurement and asset management for all the schools in Perlis. I try to be as strong as I can in motivating myuself. I am very lucky to be surrounded with energetic and motivated staff. I am not sure how I would work here if they were difficult. Thank you so much!
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Anyway, the difference to be back working in the government sector is still there. I feel lucky that I am able to have had the experience of working both in private sector and public sector. Maybe at some other time I will talk deeply about this but to be honest, I am glad to be back in this sector and to serve the country as best as I can (haha...sounds quite cliched).

PS: jom makan!

Malacca for a week

I do not really have time to think about writing at the minute as there is so much work to be done in the office now - end of year. However, because I am travelling at the moment, I can only do work on the phone and through emails when necessary.

Last week I went to a big event in Malacca. My task was to observe the liaison officer and the event itself as Perlis will be the host for the same event next year. I was in Malacca for almost a week and managed to observe from the day before the participants of the event registered.

It was quite amazing to be able to learn afar throughout this complicated event which involved many small activities such as sports event, youth event, talks and seminars and gala dinner. We asked some of the officers in charge for information and knowledge about how they do it but we tries to avoid disturbing their time too much. We took their contact details instead for future reference.

It was well organised as we can learn a lot from them especially on the registration day. They organised the registration smoothly like the welcoming, transportation, accommodation and others. I was able to witness how the liaison officers did their job from the beginning to the end. I managed to interview some of them to gain better understanding.

I think that the opportunity to learn was very interesting but also quite challenging physically as I think I was standing up and walking here and there the whole time and trying to be ahead of them to witness the event from the beginning. The experience was positive for my own learning and hopefully will be useful in the future.

PS: I am tired!

Dealing with the contracts

One scope of my job now is o monitor the contracts in the schools such as the cleaning services, safety services and food services. The contracts involve all the schools in Perlis and monitoring the service from the perspective of JPN is different from the view of a school.

When I was a teacher before, I found that these matters were not really my concern and my focus were mainly on the teaching and learning. Now, I have started to learn deeper and betterr how things work in school and the department as a whole.

Today, I went for a visit to a school, focusing my visit on the cleaning service provide by a company that has won a tender. It is different for me to view the school as a whole and looking at the other side of it as I mentioned before. I did not go into the classrooms to view the teaching and learning but this time I went to every corner of the school to see the level of cleanliness and the work done by the service provider accordingly to the contract that they have agreed.

I learnt that in order for a school to move forward and develop, we need to consider all the aspects. Yes, the teaching and learning is important, but so is the physical environment of the school. The part people can sometimes ignore but actually its impact can be big, and detrimental if we decide to put it aside.

Can you imagine if your school is not well kept and the weeds wild grass grow up like a jungle and no one cares. How is that suitable for students to learn and absorb knowledge?

Having the experience of monitoring the contract, I think it taught me some new skills of dealing with the contractors, dealing with the leaders of the school as well as dealing with the workers of the service provider. I am not yet well equipped with all of the skills and knowledge, but U have started to learn a lot.

PS: Sometimes easy sometimes hard - keep going!

no expectation

When I first started to learn about the job scope of a PTD, I already put some boundaries to some of the scope for example managing procument, infrastructure or finance. I wanted to avoid doing the work in these areas as I learnt about the complication and busyness of the nature of the work during my study time at INTAN. For the first posting of course you hope to learn slowly and getting ample time to grow.

However, as per usual, things get out of control. You have no power to determine and choose; and I ended up at a place that was out of my expectations. Anyway, I am used to this experience alre

ady but I guess sometimes it feels new. Last time I checked I ended up running in the orang asli school and sweating in Africa! So, I guess this is just another challenge that will grow me physically - I mean my stomach and meantally - I mean my stress level (haha).

After about 5 months working in Perlis, I think I have experienced quite a challenging journey as a new PTD. Working in the state somehow you need to be the main person to manage the procument unit. This means that I need to lead and make sure I carry out what have been planned through out the year as well as organise and plan new activities coming up.

I have been so busy (hard to explain), not just in the office trying to learn new skills and knowledge. I have also been busy going here and there for meetings, workshops and visits. I have experienced busy before but never in this way. Sometimes it gets me excited because I can feel the adrenaline running through my veins but sometimes I am just a tired human being. Sitting there at the corner, I just want to be lazy and chill when I got time for myself.

Anyway, it is always better to be busy than to be lousy. Are you up for a new challenge in life?

write and write

I still write about my experience, but at the moment, I cannot update here due to internet connection and other matters. Anyway, here are some photos for an update:

PS: Ready for the army training!

OBS: A meaningful experience

It was an amazing experience! That is what I can say about my Outward Bound School experience. It was already about 2 weeks I arrived from Lumut now. It took me quite a while before I can finish this writing. We were in Lumut for 7 days and 6 nights and we did a lot of activities in group that required individuals to work together to achieve the same goal. I will describe the activities that we did there but not necessarily according to the sequence.

There are 64 of us from Group 6 and we were divided into 5 groups. I was in team Rabong. The other 4 groups are Jerai, Trusmadi, Korbu and Liang.

The activities were:

1 - Sailing on the whaler

I rank this as the most difficult and hard activity of all. It required you to work together with your teammates and you learn a lot about each other. First, we were given the whaling lesson for almost a day. We learnt how to up the sails - the main sail, jeep sail and mizzen sail. Then we learnt how to row together synchronously. 

The next day, we started the expedition to the first camping site. It was about 22km of sailing to go to the place. It was raining the first time we sailed, and the waves were a bit rough. I was glad to be in a group of 13 people who are ready work together to make sure that the boat moves as fast as it can. We were so focused to reach the destination as well as supporting each other in need.

In the middle of the journey, there was a storm and the whaler was so shaky. Some of my friends started to get seasick. I was feeling dizzy too but I tried my best to distract myself from letting the feeling take control. We stopped rowing after the mother boat came and told us that we cannot continue the journey. It was a bit disappointing for us because we were looking forward to finishing up the rowing and sailing to the destination. Anyway, safety is much more important.

I think that this activity was really tough and tested the group members the most. We learnt about each other better. In that period of time, we were supporting each other, helping and caring for one another. With the tiredness of the body and stressful mind, anything can happen. We were glad we arrived safely at the destination.

2. The camping episode 1: Pantai Syawal

When we arrived at Pantai Syawal, I think it was almost 5 p.m. We were wet and it had been raining before - so the place was wet. Luckily for us, last night, before we departed, we had already collected firewood to bring with us. Quickly, we set up the camp and started to cook as the night was approaching.

Pantai Syawal is very simple and remote. There were no proper toilet, no running water and no electricity - reminds me of living in orang asli school and in Kasoa somehow. Everything is back to basics. We managed to set up to set up the camp and cook before it was dark. That night, we did a sharing session with the trainer; talking about the experience that we had on the whaler. Almost everyone shared how meaningful the experience to them. The experience, I believe, affected us all differently. 

That night, my shift to guard the camp was from 3 to 4 a.m. I woke up and stayed up with a few more friends - looking after the camping compound and the whaler that we tied nearby. It was raining for a bit before the storm hit the camping site. The wind was so strong that it almost blew away the tents but because there were people inside the tents, it was okay. I ran here and there to make sure everyone was okay inside. Deep in my heart, I was just praying that the storm would go away as soon as possible. 

The morning came. We packed up the camp and started the whaler journey back to the mainland. The journey back was much better because everyone was fresh again. Yesterday, we learnt so much from one another and we arrived with much more knowledge about each other. We know deeper.

3. Kayaking in the ocean

I love kayaking! That's what I can say about kayaking...haha... We had a kayaking lesson in the afternoon after we arrived from the whaler expedition. We learnt about entering the kayak, going off, rowing the kayak and also the most important and scary lesson - how to survive capsizing the kayak.

We started our second expedition the next morning. The night before we travel, we prepared all the materials needed for another night's camping. I was enjoying my time doing the kayaking. Even though the waves were quite harsh and we kept being dragged to the right side, I still found the moment great and exhilarating. Especially to find an understanding kayaking partner, Fatini. She was good and easy to work with. We did not even need to count loudly to synchronize our paddling. We just found the same terms and understanding! The kayaking expedition for us, felt so ast and easy!

4. The camping episode 2: Teluk Sekadas

The second camping site was a bit better in term of the facilities. There were proper toilets, shower and lights at night. I think this camping site was similar to many of my experience of camping before. Unlike our first camping site, this one was not difficult to adapt. Because we arrived faster than we expected from the kayaking expedition, we had more time to chill and relax. We had ample time to cook, walk along the beach and practice our dikir barat performance for the last night.

5. The 'baby' jungle trekking

In the afternoon after we arrived from the kayaking expedition in Teluk Sekadas, we went for jungle trekking. I like this activity. I think sometimes I do underestimate myself. I thought I would not able to cope with outdoor activities. I guess maybe because of my personality that is gentle and soft.

Anyway, we were told that the jungle would be short and easy - only baby level of jungle trekking. It was not! I have been on a few jungle treks before that the participants were school students. That was the baby level of jungle trekking. This was definitely not! The hills were very slippery as it had been raining for a few days and the hike was steep.

We managed to arrive at the hilltop, look at the view and enjoy the time. Then we went down and had a good swim in the sea. What a nice time - to have a laugh and enjoy the moment with the team.

6. Rafting and the group flexibility

The last day, we were given a task to create our own raft using PVC poles, plastic barrels and rope. We were taught how to tie the materials together with the ropes and then we were given some time to prepare the raft. The competition begins. Our group was doing so well that we left everyone else behind. I have never felt so much pain in my arms doing the rowing. This was the most painful result of rowing.

What have I learnt the most?

The most important lesson that I learnt in this whole programme is to be tolerant and considerate. When we are working in a group, somehow we need to always be tolerant and open to others. We cannot be selfish and only want to fulfill our needs in whatever situation we are facing. Most importantly, when we are in the middle of a stressful environment, tired and exhausted, that is when this feeling needs to play its role - consider everyone in the team. If you are too good, you might want to give others a bit of way in for them to feel as part of the team; if you are weak, you need to try hard to reach the level as everyone else. 

I believe that the programme has changed a lot of my views and other people's views of our life and surroundings. It was definitely amazing!

PS: Finally, I finished writing this one... Such a long entry ever!

on the bus to Lumut

I'm on the bus heading to Lumut now. It's time for Outward Bound School (OBS) - one of the most challenging activity that we need to finish in this course. We will be in Lumut for 7 days without phone and internet connection. So, I'm writing this to make sure that this blog is updated beforehand.

Yesterday, I had a good fun with my friends. Even though I have been forced by them to go out for an early breakfast - which I want to skip because I want to rilex and sleep and enjoy my weekend, they kept calling me to join and even knocked on my door.

Then after the breakfast, we went for shopping for outdoor activities equipment like buying bag, gloves, towel and so on. We also went to Mid Valley to had some lunch and buy more stuff. It was nice to spend some time with friends on a busy weekend.

Only later around 11pm I started to pack my bag. If took me a while to sort everything because my experience of camping before was mainly on 3 to 4 days. Ghis 7 days of camping kinda new experience. I really don't want to miss anything to bring. My concept when I pack my bag is "better extra then not enough" hahahaha

OK, I should get a rest before I arrive to Lumut. Yesterday was nice. Thanks to Najib, Saiful, Ahrif, Masziah and Wawa!

PS: Hope everything will be good in Lumut! See u in a week!

the dancing practice

It will be another hectic week for me. I have decided to joined the dancing performance group. We only have 2 to 3 days before the event and I have never performed dancing before. The problem for me is that we can only practice at night time. During the day time, we have class to attend and physical activity to do as scheduled.

As this is the week before the Outward Bound School (OBS), the academic week is focusing on the Orientation of Office Administration. Another thing to worry about as there will be a group assignment and individual assignment to submit. Oh no! I have no idea how to manage the time and energy as well as preparing physically for the OBS. I just really hope that the intensity of the dancing training will help me to prepare.

By the way, I thought that learning Malay traditional dance will be easy. I was wrong. Learning Zapin is quite hard and difficult for me as a beginner. I kept frgetting the steps and I believe that I looked awkward during the dance...haha... Anyway, it is a good new experience and challenge to accept.

Actually, while writing this at about 1:15 a.m in the morning, I have only been to the training twice. We have at least 1 or 2 more training sessions to do. I need to pick up the steps as fast as I can or else I'm not going to be good at it. Thanks for the supportive friends around. I'm glad that at least Najib, Ahrif and Wawa decided to join as well. Please do not get annoyed by me if I kept doing mistakes...haha...

PS: oh, crazily, I also entered a making "Kolam" competition in the same week. Wish me luck to finish everything before the week end.

a week holiday

Yay! Finally I'm in the middle of a week of holidays. I'm in Kedah now. It's really good to be back here and to see my mom and dad, my siblings and the house in Alor Setar. It is about two months now since the registration day.

Last week, I took the final exam for Leadership and Strategic Management Module. The examination was fairly tough I think. The questions were open ended questions that need you to think carefully, strategically and creatively. I have tried my best to combat the questions. Now, it is time to pray that I have answered what is expected!

A week after the semester starts, my group and I will go for a week of outdoor activities. The day before I left INTAN for my holidays, we were given the details of all the activities that we will need to do. As much as we need to prepare the materials to go there, the most important is to make sure that we will be physically fit. That means that my holiday for a week is not a week of relaxing and chilling only. I need to force myself to do some training and preparation...aha... (seems like nothing happens so far :D)

We have been doing some training in the evening time. But according to the trainer, it is still not enough and it needs to be regularly done. Activities like kayaking, rowing, jungle trekking are waiting for us there. If we are not fit enough, trouble will come!

Okay, time to go to sleep now. Tomorrow is another day. Let's hope for the best and all the negative feelings and thinking will fade away...

PS: Estansix!

...keep going...

It's almost the end of our first academic module - Public Economic Management. I found tht some parts of the class are quite hard to absorb. Especially when introduced to economic terms. Anyway, you just need to learn what you need to learn.

Last week, we were invited to attend international events in Putrajaya. The first was the International Conference on Blue Ocean Strategy (ICBOS) and the second was Commonwealth Association for Public Administration and Management.

I felt lucky to be there and happy to be able to learn some new things. During the ICBOS, I was able to listen to some insights on the Blue Ocean Strategy in Malaysia given by the PM himself. I also listened to some explanations from world leaders from Nauru, Swaziland and Thailand. We were there for 2 days, so there were many more lectures and workshops. The discussion were organised around the theme of "Transforming the nation through creativity and innovation".

For the CAPAM event, we were there during the opening ceremony, the closing ceremony and the President's dinner. I was amazed by Patricia Scotland - the Secretary General of the Commonwealth speech. She talked on the matter of innovation in public sector as well as workinv together among the countries in the commonwealth.

The most important tjing is to absorb as much information as you can and also to enjoy the event with colleagues and meeting new people.

Okay. Now back to worrying about the final group presentation for the economy subject and exam coming in 2 days time! Wish me luck!

PS: Sometimes you just lef it be...time heals...

...fun run...

I always try my hardest take care of people's feeling. People around me. If I could, I wish I could make everyone happy. However, I know I cannot do that and sometimes I will break people's hearts. I will make them sad. I will get people upset because of my behaviour and attitude.

Sometimes I hope that I can take care of what I feel so that even if people do something that hurts me, I will be able to see the reasons to not make it personal. I will always try to find a way to understand the situation and then get back to the place where I was before with that person.

I forget that the way I think will not be the same as other people's thinking. It is not a bad things but sometimes I just need to remember that I need to do what I need to do and not to hope for anything.

Enough on that matter. Last Sunday on 14th August 2015, my friends and I at INTAN were invited to join a fun run for 5 km at Putrajaya - National Blue Ocean Strategy (NBOS) Run and Ride. We started the journey from INTAN to Putrajaya at about 4:30 a.m in the morning as there are 384 of us. We were trying to avoid the traffic jam and make sure that we will be there on time.

There were more than 2000 participants. The run was not that bad for me. I kind of enjoyed myself running with friends and making sure that I arrived at the finish line. Plus, we do a lot of physical training these days. INTAN is located a bit on the hills and that makes us walk a lot to the class, hostel and cafe!

 I think we will get more invitations to join activities with the government sector. Let's enjoy it!

PS: Drink more water!

and then it's all started...

It has been 2 weeks since the day I registered to become a student in INTAN under the programme of post-graduate diploma for Public Administration (DPA). I decided to travel on my own this time as I had just arrived from the UK 3 days before the registration day. I felt that it will exhaust my mom and dad to travel from Alor Setar to Kuala Lumpur, plus I made an arrangement with Rohaizat, my best friend who lives nearby the Institute - Seri Kembangan.

The first week went very fast. We were busy. Busy with activities. Busy knowing new people. Busy working with one another. A lot happened during that week. I have a new roommate now. Staying with Hisham in a fancy hostel room with air-conditioner, fridge and water heater. (aha..I mean a hostel with this kind of facilities - who wouldn't be happy, right?)

On the second day, we went for a camp called Group Integration in Sepang. We were divided into smaller group of around 32 students. I realy enjoyed the camp. It was exhausting but what would you expect from going for a camp right? The activities provided were based on getting us to work together in a group of 32 people. We did activities like explore race, obstacles challenge and creative activities. The activities brought us together to work together as a team by motivating each other, thinking strategically and discussing and evaluating ideas. I am glad that the students in this camp (we) are positive and energetic as everyone will give their maximum effort to fulfill the requirements. (plus i had a good laugh :D)

During the second week, the activities focused on the whole group of 384 students. The first two days, there was an election to choose students representatives. I was trying to become a member of the election body - to help organising the election. But I was a bit slow as the choice was given to people who ran quickly to the stage. I wish they had done a draw for example putting interedted peoples' name in a box and draw the name as there were quite a number of students interested to join the body. It's fine though as now I am more observant and learn from what I see. Congratulations to all student representatives! Yay!

The classes started the next day up to Friday. The focus is more on the introduction to the job scope of a PTD. It was relly interesting to hear real life experiences from the senior officers. As a PTD job scope is huge and general, the experiences that the guest speakers shared were so valuable. Their experience can be useful for us as the next generation of the PTD.

I think that it is too early for me to feel settled in the surroundings. There is still a lot more to learn absorb and observe. There are more chances and possibilities to come and to care diem!

Let's hope for the best all of the time and wish that things will always be good! by the way, great to meet some very nice friends here.

PS: Staying in the hostel during weekend is quite cool! (while crying haha)

Raya 2016: Raya with Alpaca!

OK, Raya celebration is almost over. I had better write something here before it's too late...aha... This year I had such a memorable Raya experience.

It's not as easy as when you were young. When you were just a little kid, Raya brings so much joy to you. When you became an adult, the understanding of Raya is different and changes over time. This year I had so much fun!

Raya Part 1: Kampung Gunung Sali

As this time around, I ended my teaching profession a month earlier, I had a chance to be back in my hometown earlier. It's been a while since I had this kind of opportunity. To be home early, free from the busyness of the traffic. Being home this year, I had chances to be around my family and it was so much fun. I guess it was also because I know I am about to jump into a new beginning.

On the first day of Raya, all of my siblings were there except my eldest sister as she celebrated her first week of Raya at her in laws. My mom and dad looked really happy and beautiful. I believe that in their eyes, they couldn't believe that all of their children now have grown up and become adult! Even my youngest sister is now in university! Time flies!

Raya Part 2: Merthyr Tydfil

On the 5th day of Raya, I flew to the UK. Firstly to make sure that I finished my research with UH but mainly to visit my Welsh family there. Yeah, before I will be busy with the next journey, I should just take this chance that I have to visit them.

It was amazing to be back to the UK, to see Dr. Kit, Uncle Alan, Auntie Susan, Suzanne, Neil, Cole and Isla. I had so much fun being there. I even had a chance to go and see and walk with the amazing animal - ALPACA! Interesting creature ever! :)

Raya 2016 was filled with so many memories. I have more things to write about but too little time. This is my best trial to update the blog!

PS: When you feel sad and unhappy, remember Alpaca!

Administrative and Diplomatic Officer (PTD) - The Story Behind the Scene

I have received an offer to be an Administrative and Diplomatic Officer (PTD) in the government sector. It is well known that this job is the most difficult job t get in the government sector and Alhamdulillah I have been chosen to join the post-graduate programme and later on can be oficially appointed after finishing the programme.

This entry is purposely written to review the stages that I have been through to get the offer. I will not specify things like the topic, questions and so on. This is more like a framework of stages that I have been through:

ONLINE EXAM

I had already forgotten that I registered for the exam when the email came into my inbox. At that time, I had joined UNITAR and was busy in the middle of the October semester. The online exam was divided into 2 exams. The first exam is focused on logical mathematics (quite difficult, I tell you) and the second exam is more related to general knowledge.

Programme Assessment Centre (PAC)

The result of the online exam came out after a few weeks. I was so excited to know that I passed the exam and that I was called for the PAC. The PAC that I went was the second cycle out of 6 cycles. It was in INTURA (INTAN Wilayah Utara). These PAC programmes were held all around Malaysia. The PAC consists of:

1. Physical Assessment

Early in the morning, after the registration was done, we were given a number that we needed to wear throughout the day. The first assessment is to see whether you are fit and well enough to join the programme. The assessments were: BMI, 1 minute sit up, hand grip and bleep test. Then we went for a quick medical check up with the doctors. It took the whole morning to the afternoon to complete these activities. 

The physical assessment is really important as it will determine whether you can stay for the night or not. If you pass, you can carry on with the other assessment that will require you to stay for a night. The most tiring assessment was the bleep test where you need to do a shuttle run from point A to point B faster than the sound of the beep. The sound will get faster according to the level of the stage. My advice for you is to train a bit before you go to the PAC so that you are prepared to run and at least achieve the minimum level!

2. Essays Exam

After lunch, we were given the result of the physical assessment. Then, candidates who passed the physical exam straight away went to the exam hall while saying goodbye to the candidates who failed in the physical assessment. Sad. 

There were 2 essay exams and 1 hour was given for each exam. The first essay exam was a Malay essay exam. There were 2 questions given and we needed to choose 1. My advise is to choose the question that you can write a lot as there were no words limit. 

My aim during that exam is to be precise and objective as I can. Lucky for me I have been working in the university for a while. Somehow marking my students assignments gave me wide experience on the essay writing for example what to avoid writing and how to plan an essay. The second essay was in English and the rules are the same. Choose only 1 topic and write your experience, opinion or facts that you know.

3. Group Activity

After a bit of rest, we gathered in a hall during the night time. We were divided into a small group (around 10 people in each group). We were given a task that needed us to think outside the box as well as make a good judgement based on the condition given. The test is to see how well you can work in a group, how effectively can you think and come out with a good reasoning in a short time and how convincingly you can deliver a message. The activity was fun but a bit stressful as well because the facilitators will try to provoke and ask you high level questions that will make you sweat to answer.

After the activity ended, we were given a topic for the next day activity. One topic for public speaking in Malay and one topic for public speaking in English. Not so much time to prepare, so you need to be really clever about how to manage your time and get ready the next day!

4. Individual Public Speaking

In a small group, we needed to do public speaking for about 5 minutes. There were 2 sessions for each participants. The topics were mostly about general knowledge, short and simple. It depends on you how you will elaborate in your speaking.

I used personal experience as the basis for my public speaking. It will be easier for me to relate and talk when you use your personal experience. Believe me, 5 minutes is not short and easy for public speaking. When you are nervous and people are looking and focusing at you, waiting for you to share your thoughts, 5 minutes is like 5 hours! So be ready... most importantly, try to be confident and avoid holding papers in your hands!

5. Group Discussion

After finishing both sessions of individual public speaking, we moved to another room for a group discussion. Remember that all of these activities happened simultaneously with the other groups. In the group discussion, we were given only 1 topic and then the discussion needed to last for 1 hour. We were given 5 minutes to prepare and then started t talk to each other. Here, you need to agree, disagree, support and help each other out. Everyone needs to show their ability to think and express their opinion. My suggestion for you: do not be greedy to control the situation and talk the whole time!

The PAC was done after we finished the group discussion. Such an intense 2 days and somehow you need to be strong and ready with immediate thinking and ideas. Intense but a very nice and useful experience to explore and feel.

INTERVIEW

The last stage of this PTD intake assessment was an individual interview. When I received the email that said I had passed to go on to this stage, I was a bit speechless. You know, I have never really planned for this route, but this was a great chance! I went to the interview having done some preparation by reading material online. I think at this point you should know where you would like to work, if you have a chance to choose. Then you will know what to read. As PTD is a very flexible job that involves moving around different ministries, you should have some targets.

There were 2 panels that ask you questions and provoke you during the interview. I believe they want to see how can you respond to immediate questions. How can you deal with difficult questions? How will you react to certain provocation? Can you be calm? Or will you be too nervous to handle the questions?

I was very nervous as sometimes I felt like I had not prepared enough. It was hard for me sometimes to explain my opinion. But I did it anyway, trying to be honest and calm the whole time, even though inside, it felt like I was going to explode! aha

I am so happy that the result was positive for me. This is a new journey to take but a good journey, I believe. I think that at this stage, when you receive a chance of changing your whole career, you need to think really deeply and carefully. Wish me luck!

PS: Selamat Hari Raya 2016!