44 Days

- Perth, 2008 -

Back after a 4-month hiatus.. 44 more days till I get on the plane! Have pretty much settled all the things I need to do before I leave except for submitting the deposit to hold my apartment till I arrive and most importantly, my thesis. :P Pray I get through this!

In other news, there's a gaping hole in my gum, thanks to an unplanned wisdom tooth surgery due to a sudden infection from a cyst. Note to self: get a better and more reassuring dentist next time. Now I'm not even sure if I can eat all my favourite local food before I leave. :(

Need to start packing soon.. Does anybody want to donate anything to my new apartment? :P

Keep cool during this hot weather! :)

Because love is all you need

- Fremantle, Perth, 2008 -

The past week has been another rough week, with a high fever and a throat infection that left me bedridden and voiceless for a few days. It still hurts to speak and I still cough every minute; I really pray that the following week (and the weeks to come) will be a much easier one on the body and soul.

The past week was also full of good news and bad news, but in my half-drugged torpor, all I could think about was when my voice was going to come back and when my chest will stop feeling sore from all that coughing, which is still all that I can think about these days.

So pardon me if I have not been in a good mood, if I have not been finding your wisecracks amusing or if you have suffered the brunt of a significantly shortened fuse. Now is just not a good time, unless you are going to be bringing me some love, or lucre, or both.

Postcard from Perth (2)

- AQWA, Perth, 2008 -

They asked me how I knew...

- Central Cafe, Perth, 2008 -

It has been a trying week for me, what with heading to the lab every day, facing sudden glitches in my grad school applications, talking to rude administrative staff overseas over the phone and more. Nonetheless, it comforts me to know that despite such tests of patience, I am still able to find little sprigs of blessings that come in the form of family, friends and strangers. :)

Mere Coincidence or Part of the Plan?

Was just reading through my blog archives when I found this - saying that I should major in Linguistics, all the way back in 2006, a good 3 years ago! Am I the only one who found it bizarre that I'm doing Psycholinguistics now?

I pray for a good start to my academic year which begins today, Aamiin! :)

2008

- Tanjung Aru Beach, Kota Kinabalu, 2008 -

I was just reading the post I had done a year ago to summarize my 2007, where I sounded really happy and blessed. Well, 2008 has been equally wonderful but not without its challenges. So I have graduated Alhamdulillah, received several awards, got invited to the Istana and by some twist of fate, I got a scholarship to do my Master's and here I am, having passed a semester with one more to go, Insya-Allah. Yet, words could not have described the dissonance that I have experienced and am still experiencing with regards to the paths I have to choose. Graduate school applications have been both challenging and hopeful at the same time; I just pray for the best for I know no matter what happens, it is all part of His plan for me.

For that I am grateful for my wonderful family and friends; without their support, I would not have been where I am now. I am grateful to be blessed always with His love, for I know without it, I would not have been brave enough to tackle my challenges. I am grateful to be blessed with inspiration from around me, without which I would not have striven to be a better human being.

2008 has been an unpredictable but wonderful year nonetheless; 2009 could possibly be equally unpredictable for anything can happen. I pray that I will be able to finish my thesis on time, graduate, get offers from PhD programs, improve my proficiency in Arabic, have good sleeping habits and be blessed with kindness, love and charity, Aamiin. If all goes well, I will be overseas for a really long time, Insya-Allah, and I pray that I will have the heart and courage to start anew, Aamiin.

Here's to a wonderful 2009, filled with love in your heart, peace in your mind and happiness in your eyes. :)

Postcard from Perth

- Caversham Wildlife Park, Perth, 2008 -

Awwal Muharram Mubarak to all! :)

Life in Mini (6)

- Rottnest Island, Perth, 2008 -

Hello from Perth!

- Ilyas, King's Park, Perth -

Life in Mini (5)

- Gran Madre, Torino, 2007 -

Taking a hiatus since I've too much to do before I leave for Australia; will be back on the 15th Insya-Allah.

Life in Mini (4)

- Disneyland Paris, France, 2007 -

Looking Ahead

- Marseille, France, 2007 -

Currently busy with grad school applications, DALF preparation & exams.. Feeling blessed and grateful with such wonderful people around me :)