2009

- Boston, MA, 2009 -

The time has finally come for the obligatory end-of-the-year reflection post. Looking at last year's post, I thought that the photo above with the airplane captures 2009 pretty well for me. With the count at 9 at this point, I must have taken more planes this year alone than in my whole life; perhaps I was exaggerating but you get the point.

2009 has been really good and blessed Alhamdulillah--I did finish my thesis on time, albeit not without a lot of pain; I am graduating with my Master's as soon as I submit my thesis electronically; I did get several offers for PhD programs and now, I have just survived my first semester as a PhD student. :) My first conference went superbly well, Alhamdulillah, and I have an open invitation to give a talk in Italy, which I fully intend to take up, Insya-Allah. Whilst my sleeping habits still remain much to be desired, I have met so many kind people and made such wonderful friends, especially since my move to the States.

So with 2009 being surprisingly pleasant and trouble-free, I can only pray that 2010 be that and better. May Allah SWT continue to look after me as He has done thus far, and bless me with spiritual peace, guiding me along the right path in every decision I make, and as an added bonus, to a soulmate, Aamiin.

Here's to a wonderful and blessed 2010, and may everyone find love, riches, and wisdom. :)

Fall

- Rosebury Ave, St Louis, 2009 -

Thought I should go out and benefit from the rare sun and take some photos today, especially since the weather forecast for the week does not seem too promising, i.e. cloudy/rain/cold. This is my first autumn ever, though I have been told that this place has somehow skipped autumn and gone straight to winter, given the sudden drop in temperature. Either way, it is freezing cold!

Nothing much to update; survived the 2nd stats exam, have another exam this week, got a poster to do for a conference as well as stimuli to construct for my study.

Am currently still traumatized by house bugs. Wondering if the bugs will be having a month-long winter party at my house should I go home at the end of the semester. =|

The End & A Beginning

- Missouri Botanical Garden, Saint Louis, 2009 -

It's been a really long week and the weekend is a much welcomed respite from school. Typing this while freezing my toes off just because I'm too lazy/cheap to turn on the heater. But I'll turn it on soon, just because I like the feeling of being lightly toasted (it makes my apartment smell like an oven too). Then I'll turn it off, because for some reason, either because my comforter is that awesome or I sleep like a dead log, that I don't feel the cold when asleep.

Talking about the weather was not my initial intention for this post; I guess I couldn't find the right words to talk about how the past week went. Because I'm just that sort of person.

End of Orientation

- Washington University in Saint Louis, 2009 -

Classes officially start tomorrow but mine start on Thursday. In any case, today was a lovely way to end off the orientation - the library is awesome! Glad I turned up for most of the orientation events and met all these wonderful people :)

Finally bought some dates to break fast with, thanks to Sarah, who is a sweetheart! :)

Love this place!

Ramadhan Kareem to all :) And happy 400th anniversary of Galileo's telescope, as according to Google.

Another Day

- Saint Louis, MO, 2009 -

A little update while I wait for maghrib. Cooked ayam kicap tomato (chicken cooked in tomato and soya sauce) and stir-fry vegetables today, maybe I'll upload the photos another time.

On another note, I was wondering if I should start a new blog to chronicle my PhD blues/adventure, especially since it's the beginning of a new milestone in my life... oh well, who knows if I'll even have time to upkeep a blog once school starts!

Orientation starts on Monday!

Have a great weekend everyone. :)

Overseas

- St. Louis, MO, 2009 -
From top left: on the plane; Crowne Plaza, Clayton; my bed; Sunrise from my bedroom window; Washington University; Yellow fire hydrant; the Arch by the Mississippi river; Museum of Westward Expansion (under the Arch); Busch Stadium; Guess the animal 1; Guess the animal 2; Hibiscus; flamingos; love the flora & fauna here.

Just a little update since I've just uploaded my photos using my aunt's cable. Not feeling that great since things that I was supposed to bring are either missing or did not get packed. Now I've got to get back to my thesis.


Oh yeah, Happy National Day to everyone.

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. :)