Academic Writing

Bonjour!

If I had to give one answer to what I've gained from my journey here, it is how to write a scientific paper. This is the place where I can see a tremendous learning curve. Writing a scientific paper as a foreign student, a non-native speaker simply not simple.

I'm now writing my second manuscript. After the 2nd revision by my co-advisor, I sent out this version purposely to the native English for critical reviews. They both are researchers, although not working closely in my area. I had no idea about their review style, but I do know they are nice people, and they for sure know how to write. Receiving 4 different reviews is great, but incorporating constructive comments into a single paper can be so overwhelming.

I would make the changes based on their comments one after another. I would also take a break in between. I am eager to make this paper to be well-written and has the standard of so-called a scientific paper. Well, at least an inch closer.

Conducting experiments without strong pre-knowledge, and lack of guidance from experts was tiring enough. That said, writing a paper with a time constraint does not make the journey less stressful. If I don't remind myself that getting this degree is a learning process, I would be not be able to appreciate the sluggishness. I do learn something, and I believe I could advise other people how to do the sailing smoothly.

I am grateful that I get a chance to meet a professor whom I'm proud being her student. This professor manifests what are the quality needed in order to be an educator and a researcher. What's more, she is a Muslim. Intelligent, objective, very responsive, down-to-earth are just a few examples of her personality. And she is also one of my internal reviewers. Alhamdulillah. May Allah preserve the professor and the entire family.

Thursday
12/1/2016
8.37 PM

2016: Year of Excellence

Bonjour!

Tahun 2016 ni saya harapkan akan jadi tahun kecemerlangan. Despite having so many ups and downs, the journey has to be completed. Yanie graduated first among us, and Essy just followed the footstep, so I will be the next insya Allah.

I have several targets to achieve while pursuing the PhD, and I'm trying to get them slowly, insya Allah for the benefit of dunya and akhirah.

Semoga Allah panjangkan umur ni untuk ibadah. Semoga Allah panggil pulang jiwa ini dalam status pelajar dan pengajar. Allahumma amiin.

Thursday
4/21/2016
1.07 PM

Accepted!

Bonjour!

After being buried about one and a half month, finally I managed to submit my revised manuscript back to a journal. Then, within several hours following the submission, its current status on the journal website changed to "Accept". Isn't this too fast? Awww, happy oii, den terjerit kejap pagi2! Happy 5 minit ja... Lepas tu serabut balik dengan hal lain... 

OK lah, I guess that's it for now, bye.

Wednesday
11/11/2015
10.15 PM

Comprehensive exams

Bonjour!

Alhamdulillah, one week ago I completed the most critical stage in the middle of getting a PhD. To become a PhD candidate in my university means one has to pass the comprehensive exams. These exams are designed to qualify whether or not one can continue the studies. The format could vary from one department to department, from one school to another. As for my department, the exams consist of two parts: two rounds of written exams, and followed by a presentation and an oral exam. My committee members are formed of multidisciplinary experts coming from chemical engineering, electrical engineering, agriculture, and plant science. The exams were so tough, at least for me, having not so much pre-knowledge made them not easy to answer. I had to gather information from here and there, having said that, honestly, I like the idea of having the exams because I can tell that I pulled out every effort that I should have done a long time before such as discussing with other scientists on Researchgate, reading books, watching informative videos on YouTube, asking peoples' opinions, etc. Ok, whatever...

So, now I have passed that stage, so I rewarded myself with one-week off to recharge. Lazing around, enjoying downtown, and most importantly, giving my body a full rest.

Now it's time to be back at work. The exam is just a part of the journey, in fact, I now have a lot more to do, every suggestion and comments from examiners should be taken earnestly, that's actually the gist of the exam, it is devised to shape one's PhD projects better.

PS. The new PM of Canada seems to have many Malaysian supporters, are you one of them?


1.27 AM
Tuesday
Oct 27, 2015

Tahun akhir pengajian

Bonjour!

I don't know where to start. Maybe I should do with the most recent thing happened. Here we go...

Alhamdulillah, I just submitted a revised manuscript to the Waste Management journal this morning, hopefully that very first paper will get accepted easily soon! Ameen. Duh, I went a long journey to get to this stage, I started writing the paper in January if ain't mistaken, and after so many revisions back and forth with my advisors, I managed to submit the paper in May and received a feedback from the Journal in July. I'd say I learned how to write, and the process is still continuing. Big things start with small steps, so we have to start somehow to get there.

Yesterday, I attended one PhD oral defense, presented by one smart student who's able to finish in three years. And to make it more impressive, he's even published 8 journal papers. He defended the thesis confidently, like quoting facts by heart here and there. Masya Allah, I was simply awed.

While on Wednesday, one of my officemate successfully defended his thesis. For me, he's already a good example, did it within 4 years with 5-6 publications. I am so happy for his achievement. But quite sad to accept the fact I will continue my journey without him by my side. Anyway, I wish you all the best, man!

What else,..oh yes, Insya Allah, I'm taking my comprehensive exams in Fall, most probably in September. I'm in my critical time now; working on publication for the first project, conducting the second one, and readying stuff for the final project. I target to finish all experimental works in January 2016, and quickly focus on analysis and writing up the thesis so that I give it a shot to graduate in October 2016.

--

Ok, pindah cerita raya pula. Tahun ni tahun paling sederhana (baca: bosan). Komuniti Melayu makin sikit dekat province ni. Orang2 yang rapat pun dah ramai balik Malaysia, ditambah dengan jadual sendiri pun makin padat. Rasa macam dah lama tak masak sedap-sedap. Sekarang jarang masak, rumah pun dah macam kapal pecah.. Sabar je la.. Tapi bila mengenangkan winter yang ekstrem dan panjang tu, perasaan rajin akan datang. Tak sanggup lah nak ke sana sini waktu winter. Kalau boleh nak buat stay indoor je waktu winter. Cepat lah siap belajar..

Esok ada jemputan rumah terbuka, potluck. Tak pasti nak datang ke tidak. Jauh la juga, dalam 2 jam perjalanan. Nak masak memang tak lah, mungkin singgah beli kek atau apa-apa yang patut.

Friday
6.45pm
August 7, 2015

Conference

Bonjour!

While attending conferences is not something unusual among graduate students, this can be optional though. Past March was the first time I presented my own PhD project. The poster presentation went well but the conference scope itself was too broad, I found only one project similar to mine. Traveling overseas alone can be challenging, but making to North Africa with some basic in English and Arabic was really an asset to me. Oklah.. Overall experience to Tunisia for 5 days in term of self-satisfaction: 6.5 out of 10.

Well, for Summer, I am attending a class on Academic Writing for Grads Students. Because it is offered at my campus, I thought why not spend some time for gaining this skills. An intensive course of 5 weeks for 15 hours. Semoga kebolehan dalam penulisan akademik makin cantik.

Lani tengah menulis study plan untuk tujuan mohon pelanjutan. Harap-harap tak ada banyak masalah la. Dah tiga hari susah nak tidur sebab hidung tersumbat.  Tak boleh nak bernafas dari hidung, gila tak gila dibuatnya.. Steam dah, pil dah, urut dah. Alahan apa pun tak pasti. Tanah projek ke, habuk ke, cuaca ke.. Yang paling perit bila demam seorang diri ni bila nak makan lah.. badan dah lembik, tapi nak makan masih perlu masak. Kadang tekak dah tak selera, tapi perut tersangatlah lapar. Ayoyo

Bye now. 

Hye geng !!

Lame menyepi baru skrg nk muncul..huhu.

Kalau korg nak tau Yanie da start keje da dr Disember yg lepas. Nk dipendekkan cite, Yanie msok time student tgh exam n kelas mostly da habis. So Yanie pon xde idea nk bwt ape..huhu.

Nasiblah ade keje nk writing paper utk phd haritu kalo x konfirm lg bosan. Sebenarnye sbb hari2 bwt benda yg same, so Yanie mcm xde idea nk menulis blog. Bkn ckp time study dl lg best tp perasaan free die lain mcm. Walaupun memonteng lab skali skale rs bhgie je. Ni nk memonteng keje pon rs stress. Even x memonteng tp dok dlm bilik n bwt keje org lain suroh pon stress. Hurm tggh tggu la kursus mne2 yg kosong bole la g tmpt2 lain slain dari bilik berkurung ni..huhu

Utk essy n j.azri, selamat berjuang k. Aku tunggu kome balik..hehe.

Big Meeting with Big Bosses

Bonjour!

Masak.

Baru selesai meeting dengan dua2 penyelia. Doa takyah cakap la, berlori2 sebelum masuk meeting. Punya la seram sampai tak boleh tidur malam tadi. Penyelia industri tu peribadinya lembut, tapi sekali dah sentuh bab kerja, terlalu teliti!!

Saya rasa macam kena berdebik-debik tadi. Padahal kalau meeting berdua takda nya kena macam tu, tapi depan advisor uni. beliau kenampakan tegasnya. Terfikir, "ni harsh dekat aku ke dekat penyelia uni.?"..

Honestly, I don't want to have an extension, but it seems that I cannot afford graduating on-time. He mentioned me to finish in January 2016, meaning that in one year ahead everything will be over. While I'm glad he plays a big role in making sure I complete my studies, I've no choice but to be under pressure through the process. Ada masa sangat tertekan okay. Nasib la tahap kesabaran sejak dua menjak ni nampak lebih positif dari tidak.

PS. I canceled to bring up my plan to go on vacation. Berani laaa.. 

Kawan berbincang

Bonjour!

Pagi ni air tak ada! Nasib baik dah mandi awal. Emel dapat semalam, tapi tak baca..

Ni dah nak akhir tahun, kebanyakan orang bercuti. Yang tinggal dekat pejabat cuma orang2 yang tak ada tempat nak berjalan, keluarga jauh, atau memang banyak kerja.. Tapi apa yang saya syukurkan, kawan berbincang saya selalu ada dekat pejabat! I do adore his simplicity; not loud, very understanding, cool and easy to discuss.

Dengan adanya dia ni, sangat membantu dari sudut perjalanan mental dan emosi dalam menghadap kerja-kerja PhD ni. Sebab projek saya banyak juga berkait dengan mikrobiologi dan kimia. Ada masa rasa nak campak je paper semua ni. Tak larat oi! Banyak gila taktau. Nak harapkan pembacaan memang semput la. Bila ada orang tolong terangkan, lapang sikit dada ni. Dia tak banyak cakap, tapi boleh ajak bual bila kita nak. Thanks, dude!

Upfront charge

Bonjour!

So I told you my health condition, and I decided to see a doctor past three days. The first clinic that I went did not accept me as doctor's appointment was all full. Then, I tried to go to another clinic- it's a walk-in clinic i.e. No appointment, just go and wait 'till your turn is called.

I arrived around 11.30 am. I was so tired for the fact I had to wait so long approximately 4 hours. Then I just happened to know my number was 'skipped' when the patient number from 38 suddenly turned to 41 without numbers in between. I saw the staff and she said my name was called and I did not show up. Bengang ler, dah tau orang tak datang tu cari la, macam seats klinik tu satu baris je. Lepas tu panggil sekali je. Grrr. Ingat bayar $20 ke.

Wait, I won't skip the reason I felt so mad after the silly mistake. At the counter while the clinic staff got me registered, he first asked me to pay $200. Within 5 seconds, I nodded my head. I have been sick for a month. The feeling not-so-fit made me exhausted most of the times. So, I gave my YES to whatever cost I had to pay without thinking any further and did not expect to face such a lazy staff.

I did not want to go to my university's health center for two reasons. First, it was 11.30 am, and I bet no more appointment slot would be available at that moment. Second, the most recent visit was so disappointing- I waited for hours yet the doctor ended up with no prescription. He repeated several times "It's normal, it's normal". Duh, I did not come to see you to listen to such advice. He did give some advice but actually was referring to his child who had a similar case. I paid you for the visit, Mr. Doctor. Guess what, while we were still in the session, he easily told someone who knocked his door that our session would end in 2 minutes while actually I was not done with him, yet. Hmm..

(Aku pun boleh jadi doktor macam tu.. setakat pesakit yang datang mengadu dan beri respon 'itu biasa.. itu biasa...").

Back to the story.

When I managed to see the doctor, I did not even remember to ask him what my problem is. While I was entering the doctor room, he asked me, "Are you a doctor?". "No, I am not", spontaneously answered without asking him back. I know why people ask me such question simply because my father's name has an MD, an abbreviation that they understand reserved for Medical Doctor.

(Insha Allah the response will be a yes when I got my doctoral degree).

I could tell this doctor is about his 60s and looked so experienced, don't compare to my university doctor. Not even an inch close!

He prescribed me Nasonex. I used for two days so far, not sure if I get any better, but at least I have something to use. Forget about how much I could claim from my insurance company.

PS. I just submitted an abstract to Tunisia. Hope to get accepted because I cannot wait any longer for a long vacation.