The People Closest to Us

Sometimes I wonder why we can be so nice to people we barely know, but somehow become a little different with the people closest to us.

With people we rarely meet, we choose our words. We are polite. We make an effort.

But with our family, siblings or close friends, maybe because we are too comfortable, we sometimes become rude, impatient or simply careless with our words.

And yes, I am guilty of this too.

Maybe it is because we know these people will still be there. We become comfortable enough to forget that even the people closest to us can still get hurt.

I have felt that way too. Sometimes, when someone I consider close treats me differently, I wonder why they can be so nice to everyone else but somehow not quite the same with me.

But then again, I remind myself that I am human too. Maybe I have made someone feel the same way without realising it.

So, perhaps this is just a reminder to myself: being comfortable with someone should never become an excuse to stop being kind.

It has been more than two months since I joined my new department. Everything felt new at first, but slowly, the people, the routine and the work are becoming familiar.

And I guess that's good.

Life keeps moving. New things become normal. Hopefully, as I settle into this new chapter, I can also become a little better at appreciating the people around me; especially the ones who are closest.

Because sometimes, the people closest to us deserve the nicest version of us too.

P.S. I guess being close to someone means they get to see the real you. Just remember not to make them regret getting that close. 😅

A Different Kind of Session

We had a group of students visiting from the AEI-ASEM Summer School and Symposium come to BHA the other day. Usually for these visits we do the standard thing. Someone gives a welcome speech. Someone gives a briefing. The students sit and listen and maybe ask a question or two if there is time.

This time my superior let me plan it differently. He trusted me to try something else instead of just talk and speech from us.

Still new in this department. So that trust meant a lot more to me than I expected it to. Not even a month or two in and already being handed a room full of international students and told go ahead, do it your way.

None of it would have come together without the team either. The ones setting up the room, printing the flip charts, making sure everything was in place before the students even walked in. I get to write about the part where I stood at the back and watched, but that only happened because other people were doing the parts that never make it into the story.

So instead of another round of formal Q&A we did a mini workshop. Small groups, one question each to sit with. Questions like what makes a country a good partner in international education, or what one Asia Europe student programme they would design if they could.

I did not expect much honestly. Maybe polite answers, a few sentences, done. But they came out with drawings. Discussions that ran longer than the time we gave them. Points they genuinely wanted to highlight.

Then came the gallery walk. Papers went up on the wall, everyone walked around reading, groups took turns presenting. Even the quieter ones were leaning in, asking questions, adding their own thoughts on the spot.

I stood at the back for most of it and just watched. There is a certain kind of happiness in seeing something you planned actually work.

After that we walked them over to the KPT library, did the usual photo session. But the part that stayed with me was earlier, the students hunched over flip chart paper, figuring out what to draw.

Small session. But I think I will remember this one for a while.

P.S. still finding my feet in this new office. Days like this help. Haha. 

Coming Back, But Not Quite the Same

I always seem to write about things a little later. Maybe I need some time to actually understand what happened before I can write about it. So, here I am, almost one month after starting my new journey at the Ministry of Higher Education, in the International Relations Division.

One month already.

Honestly, I am still learning. Not just about the work, but also about adjusting myself back into life in Malaysia and working in Malaysia again. I know it sounds a bit funny to say that I need to adjust after only being away for two years. But I think those two years changed me quite a lot.

In Perth, I had a different kind of working life. I had quite a lot of autonomy. I was leading things on my own, making decisions, solving problems and figuring things out as I went along. Sometimes I had to make a decision because there was simply nobody else there to make it for me. Haha.

Now, I am back in Malaysia. And yes, things are different. There is a structure. There is a hierarchy. There are processes. There are people to consult and things that need to go through the proper channels. Some of the work itself feels familiar because I am still working around international engagement, education and people. But the way things are done can be very different.

I guess that is part of what I need to relearn. It is not about saying one way is better than the other. It is just different. And maybe this is one of the biggest lessons from the first month.

You need to be a fast learner.

You need to be ready.

You need to listen, observe and understand before you start thinking that you already know everything.

I have also realised that the experience in Perth did not really end when I left Perth. Some of the things I learned there are still with me. The confidence, the ability to communicate with different people, the experience of dealing with different situations and the networks that I built. They are still part of me.

I think I have changed too.

I feel more relaxed now.

Maybe because I have discovered more about myself in the last two years. I met so many different people. I made some wonderful friendships. I experienced trust, disappointment, kindness, support and all the complicated things that come with human relationships. And I think my understanding of friendship has changed.

The way I trust people has changed.

The way I look at people and relationships has changed.

Maybe I am not as quick to give everything to everyone anymore. But at the same time, I have also learned to appreciate the people who genuinely show up for me.

I think that is growth too.

Coming back to Malaysia feels a little strange sometimes. Everything is familiar, but I am not exactly the same person who left two years ago. Maybe that is why this adjustment takes some time.

I am learning the new environment.

I am learning the work.

I am learning the system.

And, somehow, I am still learning myself.

One month is probably too early to say where this journey is going to take me.

So for now, I will just keep learning, keep adapting and do my best.

Let’s see what happens next.

P.S. One month only and I already have so many things to learn. Haha. I guess that is not a bad thing after all. :)

Settling In, Again.

It has been a while.

A few months already since I came back to Malaysia. Time really flies. It feels like only yesterday I was still in Perth, packing things, trying to settle everything before leaving and now I am already back in Malaysia.

A lot of things have happened since then. My things have arrived. I have my house. I have my car. Slowly, life is starting to feel a bit more settled again. Technically, I think most of the things are already in place for me to start my life here again.

But then again, life is never really that simple. There is always something else to try. Recently, I tried for another opportunity to continue my studies. I started preparing quite early this time and I think that was already a good thing for me. At least I had enough time to prepare myself and think about what I wanted to say.

But after the interview, honestly, I didn’t really feel that this would be my time. Maybe I was wrong. Maybe I was right. I don’t know. But this time, I am okay with it.

I think I learned something from the experience. Not everything we try will happen immediately and maybe that is okay too. I still want to continue studying, and I am still looking for the opportunity to do so. I guess I just need to keep trying.

Work has also been quite interesting since I came back. Things move quite fast and I think I need to run a little faster too. There are many new things to learn, many things to understand and sometimes I feel like I am trying to catch up with everything at the same time.

But things are good. I have a good boss who is very much into teaching and guiding. I really appreciate that because there are so many things that I don’t know yet. So, I am trying my best to keep up and learn as much as I can.

I think being open is important. Open to new experiences. Open to learning new things. Open to new skills and knowledge. After being in Perth for almost two years, coming back here is another kind of learning experience. Different place, different people, different work environment and different expectations.

And I guess that is what keeps things interesting.

I also miss home. Funny, right? I am already back in Malaysia but I haven’t really had much time to go back to Kedah. Since coming back, there have always been things to settle and work has been moving quite quickly. Hopefully next week I can finally make the journey back.

I want to see my mom and dad. I want to see my family. I just want to be there for a while.

Sometimes, you don’t really realise how much you miss home until you haven’t been there for a while.

So, here I am. Back in Malaysia. Still trying to figure things out. Still learning. Still looking for the next opportunity. But this time, I think I am a little more relaxed about where things are going.

Maybe I don’t need to have everything figured out just yet.

Settling in, again.

PS: Kedah, I am coming home. Yeeha! 😆

2026 — what is coming, I guess I am ready.

2025 feels so fast. But then again, I say this every year.

Still, when I pause and really think about it, 2025 was full in ways I didn’t expect. I crossed a new boundary last year, one that I honestly never thought I was capable of. Being in Perth pushed me, especially socially. I showed up to events, some by instruction, some by choice. I learned that growth often begins with discomfort and confidence is something you build by doing, not waiting.

Work in 2025 gave me space to contribute beyond my comfort zone. Collaborations, engagements and relationships slowly took shape. November stood out — helping to introduce the first Malaysia festival in Perth, Journey to Malaysia, felt surreal. At the same time, being involved with Malaysia Fest in Sydney and Colours of Malaysia in Melbourne reminded me how meaningful it is to see ideas turn into something real, shared and celebrated.

I travelled a lot. So much that, at one point, dates and time zones no longer mattered. What mattered was being present, arriving on time and delivering what was expected. Movement became normal. Stillness became something I learned to appreciate only when it appeared.

And now, 2026 is here.

This year somehow feels the same as any other day. Quiet. Normal. Less about proving and more about understanding. I feel like I’m entering 2026 with better awareness of my limits, my strengths and the pace that truly works for me. I’ve learned that not everything needs to be rushed and not every opportunity needs to be taken at once.

I hope time will allow me to work with more clarity, manage my energy better and build relationships that are not just wide, but deep.

I may not know everything that’s coming.

But I’m ready to walk into it.

P.S. Finally, I visited Paris and it really was magical.

Reflections in Transit

Here I am again, sitting at the airport. It feels like a familiar scene by now. Whether I believe it or not, I was posted here at the end of September 2024, and now it is already the end of June 2025 which means I have been in Perth for about nine months.

In that period, I have travelled back and forth to Sydney more times than I ever expected. I genuinely thought I would not need to move around this much, that I could simply settle into one place and build my rhythm there. However, the nature of this role continues to demand that I am present in more places than I initially planned for and in ways I did not quite anticipate.

The past few weeks have been intense. There has been a constant stream of events to manage, people to lead and countless responsibilities to navigate whether in the diplomatic sense or from an educational perspective. It has tested me on many levels. Sometimes pushing me far beyond my comfort zone.

What I am realising, while juggling all these pieces, is how much I am learning about myself. I have discovered new layers of my own capability, resilience and adaptability. There have been moments when I genuinely doubted whether I could manage everything, yet somehow I did and that matters. It makes me wonder what else I might be able to take on in the future and what opportunities might lie ahead.

Dr. Kit came to stay with me in Perth for a quick seven weeks and during that time we managed to explore many places across Western Australia and even made a trip to Sydney together. While in Sydney, we met Dr. Sarah and her family, who was one of Dr. Kit’s former students. Dr. Kit also contributed meaningfully to several education events along the way and had the chance to meet some of my colleagues and friends, which made the experience even more memorable.

For now, I am reminding myself to appreciate what is here in front of me, to stay present while still allowing my mind to explore what could come next. Airports have a way of making me pause and reflect, of reminding me how far I have come, how far I still wish to go an

d how life will continue moving forward whether I feel ready or not.

P.S. Missing home but also missing the people along the way.

Resetting the Mind, One Step at a Time

This week, I have just been trying to ease myself back into routine, mentally and physically after spending a short week at home in Malaysia. Funny how I did not realise how much I actually missed home until I was already back here in Perth. It was not a long trip but it was important. It reminded me of the kind of comfort that no other place can quite offer.

Since coming back, I have been picking up my walking habit again, early mornings and later in the evening. Nothing ambitious, just some quiet time to collect myself.

Then something unexpected happened over the weekend.

I was walking near Ascot Waters, same route I have passed so many times. But this time, out of nowhere, I spotted a dolphin. A dolphin! Just swimming around near the boats, close to the flats. It looked like it had lost its way, maybe strayed from the ocean, but there it was. Playfully circling in this strange, quiet part of the river.

It was surreal. So close, so real. I just stood there and watched. For a moment, the world paused. It felt like magic.

Maybe that is what I needed, a quiet reminder that even in all this adjusting and readjusting, there is still wonder around me. I just have to keep looking.

And yes, there is quite a bit to plan for the coming month. Things are picking up again and I really hope everything will fall into place smoothly.

P.S. I really need to focus on writing a bit more. That is on me.

Balik Kampung: Perth to Malaysia and Back

Sometimes you don’t realize how far you’ve gone until you come home.

On the flight back to Perth now. I feel sad. I don’t know how to explain it properly. It’s a different kind of sadness this time.

I’ve traveled before. But working and living in Perth, it hits differently. Maybe it’s because I feel… older. Maybe it’s seeing my parents getting older. Maybe it’s just life moving forward.

The life I have in Perth, somehow, makes me feel like I’ve been leaving them for too long. When I meet everyone again, things are not the same. Maybe I’m not the same either.

But being home is always good. I had some time to catch up with my family which are my mom, my brothers and sisters. Mom looks sad. Maybe she feels the time too.

Managed to meet my teenage best friend, Rohaizat. And my closest friends Saiful, Hazman and a few more familiar faces. Felt like old times… but at the same time, not really.

One thing I really needed to do was to visit our old house. I went through some of my old stuff.nBoxes from so many chapters of my life: PTD training days, Kampung Kenang, studying in the UK, IPG years and a lot more.

It felt weird. Like, all those memories were just… sitting there, waiting. I kept so much. Too much maybe.

And maybe… it’s about time to let some of it go.bNot because I want to forget but because I need to make space for what’s coming next.

Balik kampung always reminds me of where I come from will always be part of me. But life, somehow, keeps asking us to keep moving.

And I guess… that’s okay.

P.S: Thank you Mak, Abah, Nasier and Hamidah, Anas and little baby El for sending me off at the airport today. Small moments like these mean more to me than I can ever say.

Six Months in Perth: Time, Challenges and Small Victories

Believe it or not, it has been six months since I was posted to Perth, Australia. Time really moves fast, sometimes too fast and it still feels surreal. There are moments when I just stop and wonder if any of this is actually happening. But I guess that’s just how I process things sometimes.

What’s crazy this time around is how fast I’ve been learning. I mean, I’ve always said that I pick things up quickly but this time it feels like I’ve been on some kind of accelerated mode. It’s not just about learning new systems or routines, it’s about absorbing the culture, the rhythm of life here, the expectations and everything in between.

The real challenge though isn’t just the learning part. It’s about staying motivated to keep planning, to keep discovering, to manage time wisely, to think ahead and honestly to manage my own emotions and feelings. That’s a whole job on its own.

And now that it’s Ramadan, I realise that managing Ramadan in Perth is actually one of the biggest challenges I’ve faced so far. When I first arrived, I heard about the ongoing struggles with organising 30 days of iftar at Malaysia Hall. It sounded exhausting just thinking about it. So early on, I decided to take a different approach, one that would hopefully change the landscape a little.

I suggested the idea of forming a new kind of community, one that could unite both the Muslim community in Perth and the student community here. Alhamdulillah, it worked. They managed to establish a new group called MUSSWA: Malaysian Ummah and Student Society of Western Australia and together they’ve done an incredible job managing Ramadan at Malaysia Hall. From iftar to tarawih, everything has been handled with care, sincerity and teamwork.

One of the best things that came out of it was the opportunity to bring in religious officers from Malaysia not just to Perth, but also to our Malaysia Halls in Melbourne and Sydney. They’ve helped lead tarawih prayers and supported other Islamic activities around Malaysia Hall, creating a meaningful environment for both students and the local community. And honestly, it was beautiful to see.

Over the past six months, I’ve faced quite a few uphill battles, especially when it comes to managing Malaysia Hall. There’s still so much to be done. And I’m not going to lie, sometimes it gets overwhelming just thinking about it.

On top of that, there’s the responsibility of handling student bodies in Perth and across Western Australia. And then there’s the unspoken part: managing people’s expectations. That’s a big one. Because no matter how much you do, there will always be this quiet pressure that you should do more, be more, deliver more. And yeah, sometimes I want to. But I can’t make things happen like magic. That’s just not how the world works.

I believe in giving things time. I know I’ve done my part the best I can within these six months. But I also reflect a lot. And in typical me fashion, I tend to dwell more on the things I haven’t done, instead of celebrating the things I have achieved. Maybe that’s just how I keep pushing myself. Or maybe that’s something I need to work on too.

PS: But yeah. That’s where I’m at right now. Still moving, still figuring things out. And still learning, always.

Beginning of 2025

 Wow, it’s already 2025. Out of nowhere, I think. I came to Perth in September, and since then, everything has been moving very, very fast. I’ve learned so much—new things, in a different country, and in the diplomatic world, especially focusing on education. The pace felt so fast before, but towards the end of the year, and now, early this year, I finally have a bit of time to reflect and think about what I’ve learned.

Here are three main things that I’ve realized from this experience, especially in 2024, as I move into the new year:

• Planning is crucial.

Planning is such an important tool. It sounds simple—everyone says, “Plan,” but do you actually do it? Do you write down what will happen for the event you want to organize, or for your life, daily routines, or bigger goals? Do you take a step back and see things from a helicopter view? Being here made me realize how essential planning is and how much better things flow when you really commit to it.

• Time moves so fast.

I mean, we all know this, but sometimes it feels like 24 hours is just never enough. Every blink of an eye, things keep moving. That’s why it’s so important to stay aware of what you’re doing. At the same time, it’s also a reminder not to waste time focusing on failures or negativity. Dwelling on those things doesn’t help. Instead, the best use of time is finding solutions and moving forward.

• Building relationships and trust takes effort.

Whether it’s with family, friends, colleagues, or even people you’ve just met, trust is the most important thing. But trust isn’t something you build once and then forget about. It’s a constant process, even with people you’ve known for many, many years. Relationships need nurturing, care, and effort, no matter how strong they already seem.

That’s all. I’m very glad that 2025 has already arrived. I feel excited to see what this year will bring, especially experiencing more in Perth. Hopefully, I’ll be able to achieve my plans, manage my time well, and build the right relationships along the way.

P.S. Perth is cool and simple.

Another journey to Wales

Isn’t it amazing to learn and understand a culture other than the one that we are used to? I am so glad that this time around I a wonderful sweet time with Dr Kit and family to spend more time learning about the Welsh culture.

I travelled to the UK this time to say goodbye before starting my new adventure in Australia. To be honest I am very nervous thinking what is coming next in the chapter of my professional life. As much as you think you have experienced a lot, still inside of me, I am still that Hafiz - the same one that I know.

I managed to get 10 days off from work and travelled to the UK from 27 July 2024 to 5 August 2024. Dr Kit is such an important role model for me. I am sometimes jealous of how he manages to keep motivating himself to do so many new things. He’s been teaching, consulting, marking, social care and now he is about to be a magistrate! Isn’t it amazing? Me? The only thing I am good at is to doubting myself the whole time! (haha)

We spent time in South Wales this time, from venturing in the beauty of the beach in Monk Nash Point up to reminiscing about the time we had in Cardiff Bay. I even had some time in Caerphilly this time - interesting town with the largest castle ever!

The best was the visit to Breacon Agricultural Show 2024 where I had the chance to see and experience agricultural life in South Wales. Looking at the farm animals, watching local competitions for baking, decorating sandwiches and many more. The moment they started the motorbike show and the parachute- that just stole all the attention! Amazing to spend a summer in Wales.

Ooo not to forget that I also went to the National Eisteddfod in Pontypridd. Amazing event organisation from the car park up to the simultaneous events that happened. I was amazed by the level of commitment given by the community to make it successful. Some people come for the experience of enjoying the event, some come for the competition and some come to support their family and friends.

With so many world issues that are arising lately, I am happy and thankful to be surrounded by so many loving and caring people.

Ps: enjoying watching the Olympics this time around as well!

Anyhow, I am still here!

I can never stop reflecting I guess. I have not been writing for a while here in this blog but I am back now.

Have you ever wondered why sometimes our intuition gives us some sign? And even though we know it we still try to ignore it? I have experienced this many times. Simple example - you go to a restaurant and you look around and feel uncomfortable about something that you see but you still go ahead with ordering food - then, guess what? It's a disaster!

However, no matter how things happen to you - life is still needs to go on. You still need to make sure you wake up every morning and get ready for a new daily adventure.

I am now moving on to a new journey in my professional life. It’s very exciting to see where this adventure will lead me. At the same time, I am also very nervous about it as well! As per usual, deep inside of me, I am always not confident and feeling scared. The next journey will definitely bring me to a new learning experience.

ps: have you ever wondered why sometimes life feels like a magic?

Happy New Year 2023!

January 2023 has ended, February comes and I have only wished a Happy New Year today. I guess better late than never.

2022 happened pretty fast. Even though things started to get much better after the pandemic. I think 2022 somehow taught me many valuable things that I treasure for life. I'm growing older now and hopefully wiser too. Some lists of things that I learnt:

1. Appreciate people and be kind always.

Sounds very familiar and clichéd I think but somehow I think to appreciate people and to be kind are just the things that you need to keep telling people to do. To kids, to adults or to family members. I struggle to remind myself sometimes so I hope by writing this down will make me remember to always being appreciative in whatever conditions and to be kind in whatever situation. Especially being a bit sensitive and thinking a lot about small things that happen around me; I just need to be reminded again and again.

2. Time is precious! Just do it!

Sometimes when you think you are not ready to do something or start something different, I think you just need to do it. If you keep waiting, then you never start. Start small is alright but just start-lah! Another year comes around faster than you can ever realise. I still feel stuck in the mind of a 25 year old but in the body of a 37 year old man! haha

3. Be brave and believe in yourself.

I think as human beings somehow we always face the challenge of feeling nervous and scared when we want to do something different or something new. I always have this problem thinking that people will judge me and that my idea is not good enough. I have learnt to fight the feelings and to be bold sometimes. 

I guess this list of things I learnt in 2022 sounds very familiar and usual things people write down. But sometimes usual is what we need. Okay, that's all for now and happy new year 2023! May this year fill us with many more interesting journeys that will lead us to many more learning experiences.

PS: Waiting is a part of a process!

An update on my birthday

Alhamdulilah for another year of life.  So much to be grateful for. So much to learn from mistakes and from the past. But I think I am eager to see what comes ahead.

Sometimes I still doubt myself even though with the number of age I am now, I am supposed to ‘Feel’ adult. A long time ago I thought life would be figured out when you are an adult, it turns out it is not that simple.

Everyday you step into a new day, then a new decision needs to be made. A new choice needs to be made. A new solution needs to be figured.

Today I feel happy and settled with the day. I feel content and alive. I feel happy and easy with a quiet time on my own.

PS: Travel to Malacca for a night and two days in a workshop with Ministry of Rural Development.

What I thought of leading when I was young

When I was young, I always believed that I was not good enough to lead and give my ideas. I always believed that I was more of a follower than a leader. Growing up, I felt differently even though there would always be doubts and insecurities the entire time.

When I was young, I felt that people around me judged the way I looked, the way I talked, the way I walked. The stereotype of a leader is more of a strong masculine man rather than a soft spoken person. Growing up, I realised that just being manly is not enough for you to be a leader. Being a leader is not just simply being a man. It is more about the planning, the thinking, the good manners, being respectful and reflective.

When I was young, I was scared to voice out my opinion. I was scared to give my ideas and also nervous to take charge of a situation. I tried to hide and only gave my opinion when necessary or when I felt safe and easy. Growing up, I tried so much to grow from that feeling. I would voice out my opinion when necessary, I would take actions, I would take charge and responsibility. I pushed myself to be brave and forget what ever scary things that I felt when I was young. I knew deep inside me, the insecurities are there, but the older me is braver than I ever expected.

When I was young, words really hurt me much. When people made fun of the way walked, the way I moved, the way I talked, I hid away. I ran. I shied away. But now, even though words are still knives, I care less. I have my shield. I am strong enough to ignore and separate between harsh words and reality. The reality is, I am good and people are just jealous of my uniqueness.

When I was young, I thought my idea was not good enough. My idea would only be good if I met certain requirements of a male leader. When I was young I always believed that I was weird and did not fit in. I think that because of my weirdness I didn't deserve respect and I should just stay quiet. Now that I am grown up, I know that life is bigger than that. What ever situation you were forced to believe, not everything is right about yourself. I know that my potential is bigger than what I used to believe. I know that what I have inside of me is much bigger than what I used to show.

But I am glad to have had all that experience. It enabled me to be who I am today and built me with humility and gratitude. Thank you to everything, everyone and every single moment of the ups and down of my life.

PS: feel the feelings

24 hours is not enough!

I found that this week was very hectic and 24 hours a day was not enough for me. There was always something to do and to think that made me feel my day is full. Whether it’s full with office work or just daily life matters.

Interestingly, it makes me feel alive and good. Busy doing or thinking make me feel functional and distracting me from thinking negatively about life. These last few months, I have also started to care about my diet and exercise - and I think somehow this just added to the busy day.

I’m waiting patiently for a new adventure to start. I can’t wait to start new journey, new adventure, meet new people and learn new skills. Even though I'm waiting patiently, the joy and excitement of a new journey and beginning is always what I look for. It’s always great to feel the rush inside of me - the mixed feelings of nervous, scared, happy, excited, sad, joy and many more ecstasy.

By the way, now that government has lifted the states' borders, everyone stay safe and follow the SOP. I am on my way to visit my parents just for a few days. Let’s take some time to relax and chill out at home!

PS: flying to KL with my mom and dad - their birthday present!

4 years as a PTD and keep striving!

This past few months, since beginning of 2021, I have been facing writer's block! My writing on this blog is always simple and is based on my experience of what happened around me; but still I failed to write. What a nightmare to have!

Today I decided to force myself to write and reflect on what have I learnt this past 4 years as a PTD. I decided to acknowledge that my new circumstances have affected my writing behaviour. Before, when I was a teacher, the subjects to talk about felt wide and huge, as I was trained to be a teacher for 5 and a half years. Then, the topic of education was big and wide for me to explore.

Now that I have changed career path, I somehow have less confidence to talk about education and give my personal views and opinions. Today, I started to realise that this just doesn’t make sense! I am very passionate about education and even though nowadays I do not teach or have a direct connection to education anymore, I am free to share my experience, knowledge and passion about. There are no boundaries on what my passion should be and it should be fulfilled as long as it gives benefit to other people.

Anyway, starting a new career at the age of 30 was quite challenging. Your colleagues are fresh graduates and have started on the same level with you. It only bothers me every now and then when I feel like my experience before starting this new journey has been disregard and forgotten by people. 

No matter what happens, I will keep trying my best; and what ever challenges come, I will face it with dignity and integrity!

PS: waiting patiently for the next steps!

Learning in a short period of time

I have learnt from a few really interesting experiences even during only a few months in new department. At the moment, I am in a department involving human resources particularly focussing on competency.

Here are some experiences that I have learnt from in a short period of time:

- Managing examinations on a big scale

When I was a school teacher, the exams mainly involved my kids in the school, specifically the kids in my class. But here, the numbers are much bigger and the management needs to plan really well so that everything is synchronised.

- Managing timelines

Time passes really fast if you do not follow the timeline that you have planned. The worse part you always need to remember is that not everything will follow your rhythm. There will always be obstacles that will come and drag your timeline down!

- Making a wise decision; being new is not an option

Interestingly, being a new person in a new place will not make you that privileged.  Somehow you just need to make the wise decision for the sake of everyone!

PS: More to come and more to learn!

Raya on my own

The 2020 raya celebration was unique and different. This year, because of the spread of Covid-19 is still out there, Malaysia's government decided to only allow us to celebrate Eid on the first day with some tight rules. For example, no more than 20 people were allowed in one place; celebrate in the same state only and you could not travel outer state, no public were allowed for hari raya prayer in the mosque and always need to remember to maintain social distancing.

After Ramadhan ended, celebrating Eid is a must. So, as a single guy, stuck in my apartment on my own, I was still excited to celebrate hari raya. I made sure my apartment was clean and decorated with colourful lights, bought some cookies and prepared my new baju melayu as well.

The morning was different as I did not need to fight for a shower with my siblings. Just on my own, getting ready for the day. I woke up early and started with self reflection and takbir raya and then continued with the prayer. This is the most different I think because most hari raya mornings we were all used to rush to the nearest mosque. This year, everyone had a chance to learn and lead their own prayer. Amazing. Now, everyone had a chance to practise what they had learned by being the makmum (follower) before.

My hari raya was a bit quiet with no physical appearance of other people except from the phone calls and video calls from family members and friends. This is something to appreciate. The technology that we have today, connects us wherever we are. It's not the same as physical appearance but at least we can stay connected and say our salam to one another.

In the afternoon, I went to celebrate raya with some friends which was Hazman's family in Gombak. I was so glad that they were so nice and let me be a part of the joy. I spent some time there chit chatting, eating and photo shooting! Then in the evening I went to see Saiful's family  - in Bukit Bintang. He was stuck in Kuala Lumpur as well but luckily his sister and brother are also here.

Hari Raya 2020 was definitely different and unique for me and I guess for everyone in Malaysia as well. I remember in 2013 when I was studying for my masters, I celebrated raya in United Kingdom far from my Malaysian family as well but at least I was with my UK family in Wales. This time, I was on my own and glad that some of my friends wanted to share some of their moments with me. Thank you.

PS: Let's appreciate what we have today!

Bye Procurement Department, Ministry of Education; Hello Public Service Department

Today, on 9 March 2020 I went to my new office to officially report my duty there: Public Service Department. I was very nervous because this is the first step of my journey out from the education world. I have always worked in the area of education until now. Even when I was dealing with procurement, it felt safe and secure because was still related to schools, students and teachers. 

Now, that I have been transferred to the Public Service Department, I will be able to explore new territory. Something new and fresh to start a new journey of learning about being a leader. I cannot wait to start and explore. Just hoping that I will stay positive and energetic no matter how hard it will be!

To reflect on my learning and experience for about two years in the Procurement Department, in the Ministry of Education; I would like to start with the word BUSY! And elaborate on the word as follows:

B - Better be prepared before it's too late! When you plan to do a tender, you need to plan as early as you can. It involved time management and if you are not prepared, the time will pass and you will be left behind with projects that are not complete.

U - Use your experience wisely! The first time you do something, you might not do it as well as you can because you do not have the experience yet. However, once you have done it, you should use all the experience that you have  gained and improve the next time! Especially when the process of procurement is repetitive; you should learn, apply and adopt!

S - Sometimes it's not just about the work, it's about how you treat people! I think it's very important to remember this. No matter how difficult or complicated your job is, always remember to treat people well. Whether it's your clients, your staff, your boss or your colleagues. Be nice and things will turn out nice. So be nice to people.

Y - Yes, you can do it even though you think you cannot the first time! When you are overwhelmed with so much work to finish, with so much stress and with so little time you have, just inhale and exhale and keep doing it! Just focus, get it done and yes, you can do it! Do not give up!

PS: the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence