Travelling again

It has been over a year since I travelled anywhere. The last time was to Hamburg, and that was in June 2012, a few months before I joined the university as a full time academic staff. Now, due to my academic commitments, I will be travelling again.

At this age, frankly, I prefer not to travel too much. That is why I feel three overseas trips in the span of four months can be overwhelming. In between these, I have two domestic outstation trips. Nonetheless, I try to think positive. At the very least, the trips will provide some new experience. Hopefully, I will be able to establish some networking as well.

At the end of this month, I will be off to Indonesia - specifically, Bandung - to attend a seminar co-organised by Universitas Islam Negeri Sunan Gunung Djati (UIN SGD) and the Academy of Islamic Studies, University of Malaya. I will be presenting a paper there.

At the end of December, I will be heading to Tokyo, Japan to attend a conference co-organised by Waseda University and the Asia-Europe Institute, University of Malaya. I am also scheduled to present a paper in this conference.

Less than a couple of weeks later, I will be flying to Hamburg, Germany to attend an international workshop on bioethics organised by Universität Hamburg and the University of Oxford. The workshop will discuss and review a number of papers, one of which is co-written by myself, to be published in an international journal called Die Welt des Islams (translation: Journal of the Study of Modern Islam).

In the middle of these international trips, I will be going to Gambang in Pahang to give a short briefing on a research project on organ donation, and later to Kota Bharu in Kelantan to give a lecture as part of a master's course at the university's Nilam Puri campus. These two will take place in November.

I am also involved with at least three seminars as co-author of papers - one in Nilai, Negeri Sembilan; one in Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu; and one in Kuala Lumpur. Fortunately, my co-authors will be presenting the papers.

In many ways, I am enjoying my life as a full-time academic. It reminds me of the days when I was with the Institute of Islamic Understanding Malaysia. I am now in my second year at the university, and looking forward to many more years here. Insha-Allah.

Hamburg - Day 3

At the time of blogging, Germany is celebrating their quarter-final win over Greece in the UEFA European Football Championship 2012. The Germans are very passionate with football and this is very much evident even before kickoff starts at 8:45 p.m. local time. I was in the city centre this afternoon and the anticipation of the match was very apparent. The sound of celebration can be heard from my hotel room even as I type this very sentence.

It is quite easy to be swayed from the actual reason for this posting. I did not originally intend to start off writing about football but the euphoria outside makes for an interesting observation. In any case, today is the second day of the conference at the University of Hamburg. In total, there were 14 papers presented today with three papers presented by Malaysians.

Ustazah Nor Safina Zainal from JAKIM presented her paper entitled "The Malaysian Department of Islamic Development (JAKIM) in Relation to Bioethical Discourse". Professor Dato' Dr Ismail Ibrahim from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia presented his paper "Development of Fatwas in Malaysia with Special Attention to Bioethical Issues". Dato' Dr Zaki Morad Mohammad Zaher from Ampang Puteri Specialist Hospital spoke on "The Novel Legislation on Transplantation in Malaysia: How It Emerged and What Problems Arose during the Process".

The second day ended with a forum with the theme "The Future of Islamic Bioethics", and one of the five panellists was Professor Datin Dr. Azizan Baharuddin, the Deputy Director-General of the Institute of Islamic Understanding Malaysia.

It was also an interesting day for me on a personal note. I had the opportunity to meet up with my former classmate between 1983 and 1985. After 27 years, we finally met in person and of all places, in Hamburg. Siti and I were classmates in Sekolah Rendah Seri Tebrau (now Sekolah Kebangsaan Seri Tebrau) in Johor Bahru. In 1985, I moved to Kulim following my father who got transferred there. Siti and her family meanwhile migrated to Hamburg in 1986. The picture below was our school photo taken in 1985. Siti is seated at the far right at the front row while I am standing at the far right at the back row.

Fortunately, because of Facebook, we were kept in touch again a few years back. But as fate would have it,  I am here in Hamburg to attend a conference, and Siti was around for a mini reunion of sorts. Although we met briefly, it certainly brought a nice feeling since the childhood friendship was able to be renewed and refreshed. The photo below shows our brief meeting in Hamburg earlier this afternoon.

I suppose what I blogged some years back do have a ring of truth. Life is like spaghetti. Imagine each of us is a strand of spaghetti in a bowl or a plate. And that strand of spaghetti is the path that we take in our respective lives. There are times when our paths cross one another at different points. There are times when our paths are separated. And yet, there are times when the strands (paths) are so near but yet are apart. I guess that is the beauty of life. No matter how far we go following our own paths, there will be times when our paths will cross again. And from my experience and observation, true friendship stay strong regardless of the length of time that has come to pass.

Hamburg - Day 2

The long days of summer has been a distant memory for me, until I experience it again here in Hamburg. It brings about a familiar feeling when the day is much longer than the night. It can be disconcerting if one is experiencing jet lag, but fortunately for me the jet lag has been mild.

My second day in Hamburg is basically spent at the conference held at the University of Hamburg's Guest House. The conference began with the welcoming addresses by the convenors and sponsors of the conference. What fascinates me is the simplicity of the way the conference is run. Minimal formalities, no elaborate ceremonies, no masters of ceremony. Everything was straight forward, short and simple. Within less than half an hour, all the welcoming addresses were done and over with. This is a far cry from the protocol-laden opening ceremonies in Malaysia. While some may disagree with me, I think we can do away with much of the unnecessary aspects of officiating a conference, especially if the conference is academic in nature. If the conference is academic, let's just keep things academic. At least, that is my two-cent worth.

There were seven papers presented today. The only Malaysian speaker today was Dr Muhammed Anis Abdul Wahab of the National Transplant Resource Centre (NTRC). The other speakers were from the United States of America, Oman, Tunisia, the United Arab Emirates and Germany. There were very lively and interesting discussions during the conference focusing on many bioethical and medicoethical issues revolving around the concept of brain death, organ procurement, end of life care, surrogacy and social insurance systems in healthcare. 

On a personal note, I find the discussions stimulating. The nature of the conference, small and semi-formal, contributed towards the lively discussions. Almost everyone was able to comment and ask questions. The only constraint was perhaps the limited time available.

After the proceedings of the first day ended, all the conference guests were taken for a cruise on Lake Alster, which is an artificial lake within the city of Hamburg. The cruise was about two hours, and the view was spectacular. It was kind of a relaxing end for the first day of the conference. (Picture below shows Dr Anis and I on board the cruise).

Two days to go before the conference ends on Saturday. Looking forward to another two days of intellectual stimulation.

Hamburg conference

As I blogged before, I will be travelling to Hamburg to participate in an international conference with the theme "Health Related Issues and Islamic Normativity" organised by the Asien-Afrika-Institut of the University of Hamburg.

The paper presenters are from many parts of the world. Aside from Malaysia and Germany, there are presenters from the USA, Tunisia, Oman, Sweden, Lebanon and Qatar. From Malaysia, there are eight speakers altogether. I have been made to understand that the Malaysian delegation is the largest from outside Germany.

My former boss at the Institute of Islamic Understanding Malaysia (IKIM), Professor Dato' Dr. Ismail Ibrahim will be presenting a paper entitled "Development of Fatwas in Malaysia with Special Attention to Bioethical Issues". Professor Dato' Dr. Ismail is currently Holder of the Syeikh Abdullah Fahim Chair at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. He was also Chairman of the National Fatwa Committee and former Ambassador of Malaysia to Saudi Arabia.

Former head of nephrology at the Kuala Lumpur Hospital and currently consultant nephrologist at the Ampang Puteri Specialist Hospital, Dato' Dr. Zaki Morad Mohammad Zaher will speak on "The Novel Legislation of Transplantation in Malaysia: How It Emerged and What Problems Arose in the Process".

My PhD supervisor who is currently Deputy Director-General of IKIM, Professor Datin Dr. Azizan Baharuddin will talk on the topic "The Role of the Institute of Islamic Understanding Malaysia in the Malaysian Bioethical Discourse". She, who is also professor at the Department of Science and Technology Studies, Faculty of Science, University of Malaya, will also participate in a public forum on "The Future of Islamic Bioethics".

The head of the National Transplant Resource Centre (NTRC), Datin Dr. Fadhilah Zowyah Lela Yasmin Mansor will present a paper focusing on "The National Transplant Resource Centre in Malaysia".

Her deputy, Dr. Muhammed Anis Abdul Wahab will speak on "Current Clinical Practice on Organ Transplantation in Malaysia".

Ustazah Nor Safina Zainal from the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) meanwhile will present a paper on "The Role of JAKIM in Relation to Bioethical Discourse".

My colleague at Yayasan Ilmuwan, Muhammad Zaki Ramli, will present his paper partially based on his master's research. The topic that he will touch on at the conference is "Exposure to Islamic Bioethics among Biomedical Students in Malaysia".

Meanwhile, I have been asked by the organiser to present a paper called "The Role of Diverse Stakeholders in the Malaysian Bioethical Discourse".

I hope that everything will go smoothly during the conference. Insya-Allah I will be blogging about the conference in particular and Hamburg in general in future postings.

Organ donation matters

I will be off to Port Dickson later this afternoon to attend a three-day workshop organised by the National Transplant Resource Centre (NTRC). I was recently appointed as a member of the technical committee to update the National Organ Donation Promotional Kit 2012 by NTRC. This is a huge responsibility for me as well as a national duty in assisting NTRC in their task. May Allah SWT provide us with guidance and ease in tackling this task.

A few months ago, I was part of a team who prepared two booklets and a pamphlet for the Ministry of Health on organ donation. The booklets are Pemindahan Organ dari Perspektif Islam and its English version Organ Transplantation from the Islamic Perspective, while the pamphlet is Soalan-soalan Lazim Mengenai Islam & Pemindahan Organ. It is hoped that these materials will assist NTRC in promoting organ donation in particular among Muslims.

In mid-May, I will be off to Kuching to deliver a talk during the Malaysian Society of Transplantation's Scientific Meeting 2012, again on organ donation. Again the topic is on the FAQs regarding organ donation and Islam.

As I have said many times before, I look at organ donation as a crusade on my part. I will do whatever I can to help in discussing and promoting organ donation.

A very meaningful week

Last week was the National Organ Donation Awareness Week 2010. It was a week to remember, at least for me. I attended five of the many events held in conjunction of this inaugural remembrance of those who have donated their organs in saving other people's lives.

I have been involved with organ donation campaigns from 1999 when I was working at the Institute of Islamic Understanding Malaysia (IKIM). My involvement started off as a work assignment, and hence I approached organ donation in a very academic way. However, over the years, my conviction on the importance of organ donation has increased, more so when I met Muhammad Fikri Norazmi in 2005. His story is well-known, just Google up his name and you will get more information on him.

Since then, even after leaving IKIM, I am still involved with organ donation programmes out of sheer interest. It is no longer a work-related assignment for me, rather it is now a cause that I am voluntarily involved in.

During the launch of the National Organ Donation Awareness Week at Taman Tasik Titiwangsa by the Hon. Minister of Health, I was caught by surprise when I was presented with a certificate of appreciation conferred by the ministry. I was informed initially that I was to receive the certificate on behalf of the organisation that I am currently attached to, but when I got there, I realised that I was one of three individuals being acknowledged by the ministry for our involvement in organ donation programmes. It goes without saying that I am humbled by this acknowledgement and would like to record my sincerest gratitude to the National Transplant Resource Centre and the Ministry of Health.

On a personal basis, my involvement has been nothing more than just to provide information on the permissibility of organ donation in particular from the Islamic perspective. This is nothing compared to the sacrifice made by donor families in allowing for their loved ones' organs to be harvested in order to save the lives of total strangers who are in need. I am fortunate to be able to partake in "Bicara Hati" which is the climax to the National Organ Donation Awareness Week held at the National Heart Institute (IJN) last Saturday. The programme gathered nearly 50 donor families from all over the country as well some of the organ recipients who have benefited from organ donation.

"Bicara Hati" was, to say the least, an emotional tribute to the donor families. At the lobby of IJN, whilst rain was pouring heavily outside, donor family members shared stories of their loved ones, while recipients expressed their appreciation to the organ donors. It was difficult not to shed a tear that very meaningful afternoon. The programme ended with a tribute to the late Winnie Chen, who herself was waiting for a heart, but instead lost her life waiting. Instead, she became a donor herself.

I would like to go on record in applauding the Ministry of Health and the National Transplant Resource Centre for organising this awareness week. It has been announced that the week will be an annual event. I hope that in the coming years, the week will be filled with meaningful programmes that can touch people's hearts in creating awareness and understanding on the importance of organ donation.

National Organ Donation Awareness Week 2010

This is an advanced notification on an event that will be held for the first time in Malaysia. Beginning 16th of October 2010, the National Transplant Resource Centre (NTRC) will spearhead a week-long event commemorating organ donors and their family members. The inaugural event - the National Organ Donation Awareness Week 2010 - will see the participation of various government departments and agencies, NGOs, media players, individuals and others in promoting organ donation.

Many events will be held, and I will provide this information once the details have been finalised. So, stay tuned for the information. And make a date with the National Organ Donation Awareness Week 2010.

In two newspapers

Perhaps for the first time, I was in two different newspapers yesterday which highlighted two different issues.

The first was Berita Harian which carried a paper that I presented at the Institute of Islamic Understanding Malaysia (IKIM) a few weeks ago. The paper was on guidelines for parents in safeguarding their children in light of developments in ICT. The write-up in Berita Harian can be read here.

Meanwhile in Utusan Malaysia, the issue of stem cell transplant (as well as organ transplant) was carried yesterday. This was from a forum I attended at UKM Medical Centre in April, and the article can be read here.

There was also an interview done after the forum that I blogged about last month which was featured in Utusan Malaysia on the 5th of May. The link to this interview can be found here.

Interview in Utusan Malaysia

Last week, I was a panellist in a forum on stem cell therapy at the UKM Medical Centre (formerly Hospital UKM). After the forum, I was interviewed by a journalist from Utusan Malaysia on a slightly different topic but a topic that is close to my heart, namely organ donation from the perspective of Islam. The interview came out today in the paper's Mega pullout section. Unfortunately, there is no link to the write-up.

On a related note, I was informed that there was an organ donor yesterday at Hospital Selayang, and there is a potential donor today also from the same hospital. I hope that people will continue to pledge and donate organs, because this will certainly help to save many lives, insya-Allah.

Voice imperfect

I have nearly lost my voice.

I'll be giving a lecture on Islam and organ donation tomorrow at the UKM Medical Centre. The following day, I'll be presenting a paper on using science and technology for daawah at a seminar organised at Universiti Malaya.

While my fever has receded, my body has yet to fully recover. I hope my voice won't cause too much problems when I talk in the next couple of days.

Engagements

I have a number of talking engagements (which require a lot of reading and thinking) lined up which will keep me busy for the next couple of months or so.

On 10th March, I'll be giving a motivational talk at MRSM Batu Pahat to some 500 students there in conjunction with the college's seventh anniversary.

On 17th March, I'll be one of the panel members in a forum recorded for Radio IKIM's Forum Bicara Addeen. The recording will be at the Centre for Civilisational Dialogue, Universiti Malaya. The discussion revolves around utilising science and technology for daawah in conjunction with Bulan Dakwah Kebangsaan. The programme will be aired on 21st March at 9.00 p.m. over at Radio IKIM.

On 25th March, I'll be talking on organ donation from the Islamic perspective in conjunction with World Kidney Day at Pusat Perubatan UKM (formerly Hospital UKM) in Cheras.

On 26th March, I'll be presenting a paper entitled "Dakwah Menggunakan Sains dan Teknologi" at Universiti Malaya during a seminar organised in conjunction with Bulan Dakwah Kebangsaan.

On 2nd April, I'll be involved as a panelist in a forum to be organised at Akademi Pengajian Islam, Universiti Malaya. The topic will revolve around current issues of science and technology from the Islamic perspective.

On 27th May, I'll be presenting a paper entitled "Anak-anak dan Perkembangan Terkini Teknologi Maklumat: Panduan Berguna untuk Ibu Bapa" at the Institute of Islamic Understanding Malaysia (IKIM).

There are a few other engagements which have yet to be finalised. Aside from being kept busy with books, I will also be running around delivering lectures and talks.

This used to be a normal routine for me when I was working at IKIM. When I left in December 2005, things slowed down quite a wee bit. However, with the economic slowdown that we are experiencing, I'll be very much occupied with the things I used to do some years ago. Apparently, the more things change, the more things remain the same.

It looks like I'm back in business, and it's business as usual.

Lost forever

My whole working life revolves around writing. I started writing seriously around 1997. And I have dabbled in academic, journalistic and creative writing.

I have written more than 150 articles for newspapers, magazines and academic journals - both local and international.

I have written more than 100 academic working papers - both local and international.

I have written two novels published in 2007 and 2008.

I have written three unpublished short stories.

I have written a script for a television drama which won second place in a national script writing competition in 2007.

I have written a master's thesis.

I am currently writing a memoir - Fikri's to be exact, entitled "Echoes of My Heart". The writing process is nearly completed.

I am currently writing two novels. Both are halfway done.

I am also currently writing my doctorate thesis. The introduction and literature review have been completed.

And all these are stored in my laptop and backed up in my pendrive.

Last week, my laptop crashed, and apparently there is no way to retrieve the files. Yesterday, I lost my pendrive containing all those I listed above plus some other equally important files. The pendrive must have been lost while I was outside the office. I retraced my tracks to no avail.

More than ten years worth of work gone just like that. God knows how many hours and sleepless nights were spent writing all those things. Heck, the thrust of what I do for a living is writing. And they are all gone.

Doubtless I have some of those lost in hard copies or stored online in websites. I can retrieve those easily or scanned them again. It will take time, but it is something doable.

But those that have yet to be published and those that I did not have hard copies (because the writing process is still on-going) - they are lost... forever.

Fikri's memoir. The two novels. The three short stories. The television script. My PhD thesis.

Imagine having to rewrite those that cannot be retrieved. I have no choice but to rewrite these, but the end result will be different. The rewriting process will be more difficult. And I have no idea when I can begin because currently I am just not so in the mood to redo what I have done.

Ten years of work now gone.

I feel like a big part of me is lost forever.

New e-mail address

The National Transplant Resource Centre (NTRC) now has a new e-mail address.

Anyone wishing to contact NTRC can do so using the following e-mail:

ntrc@moh.gov.my

A day with Fikri

Flashback: Newspaper cutting on Fikri
after his IVAD operation

Yesterday was a public holiday. But I was at the office nonetheless. I wasn't alone though, as the day was spent "interviewing" Fikri for his memoir, "Echoes of My Heart". This wasn't the first time I sat down with Fikri for this purpose, but yesterday's session was perhaps the most interesting as many "unknown" details before came out. We spent about five hours, going from his childhood days up to his mechanical heart experience all the way to the heart transplant episode.

I am helping him to put his thoughts and experience on paper. When Fikri told me of what he had to go through, there were instances that I felt a tear drop in my eye. I hope I can do justice to his story so that everyone could appreciate the significance of organ donation in saving Fikri's life.

We have, more or less, the concept for the memoir's cover ready. Fikri's mother has also scanned all the newspaper cuttings chronicling his near-celebrity life. We just need to gather some photos of him from his personal collection. I am pretty confident that "Echoes of My Heart" will be ready by April 2009.

On a related note, Fikri will be appearing in "Majalah 3" this Saturday at 9 p.m. on TV3. Don't miss it.

Leave IJN alone!

Much has been said about the privatisation of IJN. Some of the salient points have been commented by bloggers such as Tun Dr Mahathir, Rocky's Bru and Dato' Kadir Jasin.

I have been involved with IJN in one form or another. I have given talks there. My father had his bypass there. My aunt also had her bypass there. Fikri had his IVAD fitted and heart transplanted there. I have visited friends there. I have friends working there.

I have great admiration for the dedication of the team of doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, technicians, paramedics, pharmacists, clerks, receptionists, and the rest of the workforce working at IJN. From my perspective, they are very professional and tireless, and they give it their best for the health of the patients. Sure, there are drawbacks here and there, but I can say that there is an effort for continuous improvement in providing healthcare to the patients.

That is why I am shocked when I heard of the plans that IJN was going to be privatised. To me, IJN should never be privatised. Leave it as it is, a corporatised entity. IJN should not be looked upon as a cash cow for any company. Healthcare today may be a business, but there are certain things that should not be handled by a business entity. Instead of handing over IJN to a business entity, IJN should be run and managed professionally as it is.

I think that Sime Darby should stay away from taking over IJN. Rather than taking over IJN, I prefer Sime Darby to set up its own heart specialist hospital - as an alternative (and even a healthy competitor to IJN). Preferably this private heart specialist hospital should be located outside of the Klang Valley, say in Penang or Johor or the east coast - to cater for patients in those areas. Update: This view is echoed here.

Let us see if Sime Darby can really provide affordable healthcare through this private heart specialist hospital to everyone. I am of course doubtful of this.

I will join the chorus that is already loud.

Leave IJN alone!

Third anniversary

As friends and visitors of this blog know, organ donation is a subject that is very close to my heart. I have been involved with organ donation programmes and campaigns since 1998. So this year is actually my tenth year as an organ donation proponent. It's not an easy job, but the challenge is, in itself, rewarding.

My involvement in organ donation programmes and campaigns started out as a formal assignment when I was with the Institute of Islamic Understanding Malaysia (IKIM). When I gave my talks, they were very much "academic" in nature, and I felt detached from the subject.

Later, as I got to know the dedicated and selfless people behind the scenes who are actively involved in organ procurement, I began to understand how organ donation is crucial and critical in saving lives - in particular the team at the National Transplant Resource Centre (NTRC) and Institut Jantung Negara (IJN). I also began to appreciate the delicate nature of this oft-misundertood subject, although my perspective was still very much academic in nature.

Three years ago, I came to know a teenager. He was 15 years old then. And he changed my perspective on organ donation - transforming it from a mere academic perspective into something closer to my heart. When I met him, he was just fitted with a device called the intravascular ventricular assist device or IVAD. He was the first patient in Malaysia and the region to be fitted with IVAD (and the only person so far who had it fitted internally). This device served as a bridge for him until a new heart from a donor was available. [One of my earliest posts in this blog focused on him].

Alhamdulillah, he did not have to wait long. Today, three years ago, he received a new heart from a donor. Despite some hiccups now and again (mainly as a result of infection), he has been living a better life. Organ donation has given him a new hope and a new lease of life.So, to Muhammad Fikri Norazmi, thank you for changing my perspective on organ donation. Have a happy third anniversary with your new heart. And may you have a prosperous and happy life ahead.

Sign of rejection?

I was at IJN this afternoon to visit Fikri who is warded. He was there for his routine biopsy last week before his mother received a phone call from IJN informing them that Fikri has a Grade 3A rejection. Fikri's account of this condition can be read here.

Next week will be Fikri's third anniversary with his new heart. I hope and pray that this condition is only temporary.

On another note, I will be sitting down with Fikri soon to complete the first draft of his memoir - which is long overdue. The cover of the memoir is being done by a friend. I will post the teaser cover when it's ready. And we hope to have the memoir ready by March, insya-Allah.

Organ transplant info updates

About ten days ago, the National Transplant Resource Centre (NTRC) launched their new website. Have a visit to the website by clicking here.

Also, I have updated the listing for transplantation info on this blog's side panel. Just scroll down a wee bit, and you will find the links to organisations linked to organ transplantation locally and internationally.

And while we're on the topic of organ transplantation, I'd strongly urge that everyone reads up on organ transplantation and donation, and seriously consider becoming a pledger if you are not one already.

Give the gift of life.

Full plate

When it comes to writing and editing, I practically have my plate full, so to speak.

I am currently editing a compilation of articles written by my former boss, Professor Dato' Dr Ismail Haji Ibrahim. This, I believe, will be his fourth book which compiled articles that he has written. I had the opportunity to edit his very first compilation of articles way back in 1999, entitled Isu-isu Semasa dari Perspektif Islam: Koleksi Tulisan Dr Ismail Haji Ibrahim. And I am particularly happy that he has once again entrusted me to edit his latest endeavour. If everything goes well, this new compilation (of which the title has yet to be finalised) would be out by the end of the year.

Another priority for me is to fast-track the writing of Fikri's memoir, Echoes of My Heart. I hope to be able to sit down with Fikri and his mother some time next week so that we could expedite the publication of this important memoir. Any book tackling the issue of organ donation should be seen as an important addition to the library of knowledge in our society.

Of course, aside from this work-related writing and editing tasks, I also have my PhD thesis to write. I will be submitting the first chapter to my supervisor this Friday. After which I will start with the second chapter. As I have most of the materials required for the thesis in hand already, I plan to speed up the writing process. My intention is to have the draft for the whole thesis done by May 2009. Ambitious, I know but I have to set my targets and datelines, lest I procrastinate.

And in between all of these, I am writing the sequel to Transgenesis: Bisikan Rimba. The basic plot is basically set in stone. But my only worry is that it will be too long. Frankly, after a number of rewriting exercises, I find that I can actually break that one story into three parts. Arghhh! I wish I have clones to write these novels for me. Anyway, in all seriousness, I am reassessing and relooking at what I have plotted and what I have written in order to rationalise on what to do. Some plot points may not see the light of day in the final version of the sequel. Some may have to be shifted to the third part of the trilogy. While others may (and this is "a big may") just end up in a spin-off of sorts. This, of course, could only be done if I have the energy to write.

There are several other tasks in the pipeline. I have one thick book to edit, two monographs to consider for publication, and a number of articles and working papers to write. But these are all for next week...

Writing mode

Somehow, last night, I managed to switch on my writing mode. Currently I am having fun writing - both my PhD thesis as well as the sequel to Transgenesis: Bisikan Rimba, and a few other things in between.

The first chapter of the thesis is looking good. Coincidentally, I spoke to my supervisor yesterday and she is looking forward to the write-up. She wants me to send whatever I have to her next month.

The first chapter of Transgenesis 2 (working title) is also looking good. The original novel has been receiving very positive vibes from online commentators. So, I need to up the ante and deliver a story worthy for a sequel. How do I describe this sequel? Well, if Transgenesis: Bisikan Rimba is "Batman Begins", then Transgenesis 2 I hope will be "The Dark Knight". Tall order, I know, but one has to set high standards.

And soon, I will resume writing Fikri's memoir, Echoes of My Heart. I have not been able to focus properly on this previously, but I have cleared my schedule to make sure that this memoir is completed very soon.