Gardening

Ever since I was a young boy, I enjoy gardening. This is a favourite hobby of mine until about five years ago. When I started doing my Ph.D. in 2007, gardening no longer became an activity. It was more of a distant memory of years past.

Last week, after nearly half a decade, I decided to start gardening again. It was then that I realised what I have missed all these years. Weeding, pruning, feeling of having soil in between your fingers... I did not realise how much I miss all these until I started doing them again.

Gardening also helps me to relax after a long day. And it is much easier to sleep at nights too.

One journey ends, another one begins

It took me over a month to recover from all the excitement. It started with receiving the job offer at Universiti Malaya. I made the move to the oldest university in the country on the 3rd. of September. A few days earlier, on the 29th. of August, I got a call very late in the afternoon informing me about the date and time for my viva voce, which was on the 4th. of September. With that over, I had less than three weeks to do the minor corrections so as to enable me to join the convocation on the 1st. of October. Alhamdulillah, I managed to have them done and was one of the 353 Ph.D. graduates from Universiti Malaya for 2012. Amidst all the happenings, my sister also graduated with a B.Sc. (Hons.) from the International Islamic University Malaysia on the 7th. of October.

All these events actually was pretty hectic for me. I rarely get online at nights these days. By the time I get home, I am pretty much tired and opt to rest rather than sit in front of the laptop. Since the thesis is done, I don't have any valid reason to stay up unnecessarily. Most of my work can be done at the university, something that I cherish at this age. I can spend more time with my family, especially my two boys, at home.

Of course, one chapter of my life's journey has ended. Now another chapter begins with my tenure at the university as a full time academic. So far, I am relishing in the joy and challenges of being an academic. Hopefully, whatever tests that may come my way, I will be able to handle them with wisdom, insha-Allah.