the paces in a mile

Preparation through pregnancy

6:22 AM

Bismillah.

Assalamualaikum dear readers,

Fast forward to the next phase of life, some women eventually will be blessed with double-line on p-test. Alhamdulillah thumma alhamdulillah.

“Sometimes the smallest things take up the most room in your heart”

As the first in the siblings to get pregnant, I guess my mom couldn't help me much since it has been almost two decades ago since she got pregnant in addition to the fact that she is just thousand miles away. Hence, the ultimate reason why I decided to blog this journey, knowing that, there must be some of us who in need of this rough idea of how to face first pregnancy.

But firstly, I would like to thank my sisters-in-law for being such a sweetheart to share things about pregnancy including my big family and friends.

1) Open Pink Book

Apparently, in Malaysia, there is a pink book that a pregnant mom should acquire and it can be done by a simple visit to the local government clinic before 10 weeks of pregnancy. Well, I must say if you come late, there is a chance for you to get scolded. So, as an abiding law citizen, I went to the public clinic and try to figure out the numbering system there. Since I'm living a sort of suburb area, it doesn't really look like the usual stuff. Anyway after several times of check up, I finally get hang of it. Good thing about attending the check up is that the nurse will try to inform little by little information on things we should aware went we get pregnant especially regarding the body changes, and also she will advise what kind of diet should we have more. At the back of the pink book, there are more information on how we should wear loose clothes during pregnancy and potential sickness we can get ourselves into if we don't take care of our hygiene.

2) Read more!

Then, it is our choice, either to read more on internet or find books so that we understand more on what to prepare before the baby is born. Even in Islam, it is advisable to read more Quran and try to be closer to Allah in order to familiarize the baby with Islamic teachings. With hope the baby will become the people of faith. If you are looking for holistic and simple book, I would recommend "9 bulan 10 hari" book written by multiple authors. It gives me the idea what is the sunnah practices can can be done before and after deliver on top of the traditional practices in confinement according to Malay tradition.

3) List necessities

You definitely can find the list online on things you can buy for the labour preparation and necessity items for newborn. Just want to share mine;

Anyway that is my personal list, feel free to save it💓

4) Attend Antenatal Class

For labour experiences, I have always asked the elders experiences. Amazingly a mom would remember which kid they have gone for ceaser or normal. Of course, I wouldn't imagine my experience would be same as theirs, but at least I got rough idea what to expect. As my senior once advised me, to seek for knowledge and learn about birthing so that we know how to handle it. For that reason and to feel more prepared, my husband and I enrolled for antenatal class, conducted by hospital An-Nur (which I decided to give labour at). Knowing that all speakers are doctors from the hospital and not some sort of rookies sharing, I believe I will enjoy it more.They basically tell the parents what thing to be expected, not to get freak if our baby has jaundice, what is the baby hungry sign and how to clean the baby. That is definitely things to learn if you are first timer like me! Besides there is also physiotherapist who helps us practice on the posture to birthing, exercise that would help and how to breathe. I definitely the kind of girl who google how to breath & push in labour. I believe in good techniques.

27 weeks pregnant at Nice, France

Ingredient-concious lifestyle

8:25 PM

CBD entour

7:33 PM

Great Beginning in Auckland City

4:43 PM

Hello there from the City of Auckland!

Alhamdulillah, 🙌 landed safely for about two weeks ago. It is indeed incredible to gain this exciting opportunity to study deeply in my area of interest, in order to get myself equipped for my future career. Believe me, last year I did imagine myself doing my master right after my degree, but didnt expect myself to get married 💖 that soon tho.

Anyway, Alhamdulillah, despite the fact that I'm flying solo as a master student, and most of my countrymates and even my housemate are undergraduates student. So like my lecturer said, as a posgraduate student I need to think on my feet. Of course, not to forget the undeniably helpful communities and friends here in Auckland, who was indeed a stranger to me, her home has been my second home in Auckland. FF, Amalin, Ili and Kak Baz, I really can't forget what you did for me here!💕

So for this amazing opportunity, I was given the chance the choose my courses, what I wish to study and the great thing about the education here in Auckland, is that it always relate with the current project and case study in Auckland. Isn't that amazing? Truly!! 👌

Eventhough, as stated in my master program, I need to take up around three to five papers on 💓ENVENG, I choose to take the rest of the papers from other departments instead of Engineering Department. Currently I'm taking the Urban Planning paper particularly on Sustainable Infrastructure Planning which lie under the Architecture Department and Assessing Environmental Effects under Science Department. Cool! I wouldn't deny the fact that I was quite intimidated by the fact that other people are from Urban Planning degree background, hence I would probably face some challenges since I have zero background, but let's take it as a positive challenge. Despite, the classes are filled with people from the Water industry itself, I urge myself to learn more from my classmates.

If I have the chance to tell myself something, I would say:
-Basyirah you are going through the journey that make up a great person one day.
-You stretch yourself to learn something you love.
-Eventhough you are the youngest person in class (of course lacking of experiences and knowledge) you have all of it to learn more!
-You have never been afraid to learn. Yup, that's you.
-So take everything you can, learn everything, be a great person you wish to be once you get back 🙋

XOXO,
Basyimon.

dear diary

How did you do it? -IELTS

8:20 AM

Bismillah. Praise to Allah the Most Gracious and the Most Merciful.

Alhamdulillah, I'm finally inspired to update my blog despite the laziness (Masya Allah) in the holy month.

I always thought that my writing wouldn't be much beneficial since I always speak gibberish through my blog. However, I couldn't help myself to enlighten (I believe many) people out there who have been asking the same question pertaining my further study. If you follow my blog, I believe you should have realized I've been talking about study abroad since last year, but hey, it wouldn't hurt if I repeat slightly the same thing here.

Before we go down further on the details. There are common things that I believe you would want to check before you decide on further study.

Check on the possible opportunities you may get, from company that you intend to work in the future. For example some companies especially research companies, pay much attention on the staff having master degree. Hence, in some cases, you may get sponsored to continue your master.

If you still couldn't find a company that suits you, you might want to check what Malaysia in need of. Well, to be precise, I'm talking about what professions or specialization that Malaysia is lacking, or which area should be something Malaysia concern about. So, personally, I use this method, to seek the area that is related to the green technology or sustainable engineering which the main idea is to preserve the environment. Since Malaysia have quite numbers of significant events related to drainage problem and flood storm, I decided to take up few subjects related to this which are commonly related to urban planning and of course, waste management is also my biggest concern. Do you get my point? Study in which area you interested in and find some common points that will benefit the country later. You wouldn't want your master degree to go to waste right?

Okay, move on the next step.

After you already made up your mind, find out when and where do you intend to go for. People often take travels as the main plan for study abroad, but what I'm saying is find out the best university that can offer the course, with affordable fees, and tolerable weather.

Then, if your choice is somewhere in UK, Australia, New Zealand, or Canada, you might want to check with IDP for further assistance. Some may think, "Oh, is there any charges on the consultation?" Certainly, no. IDP is a middle man for you to contact the university since it's their expertise, they already have the collaborations with the university managements. Hence, find out and keep update with their open days. That is the best time for you to meet the representatives from the universities itself to find out the details. I suggest you attend the open day (according to the country you are interested in) and collect all sorts of information especially the deadlines, and the methods of application despite the fact, it is still one year ahead of your intended date. Then, you will be well prepared and plan when should you take your IELTS.

As for me, since I already make some surveys in the early months of 2016, I took my IELTS as soon as I finished my internship on August since I wanted to avoid having that big exam during my final semester (I did sacrifice my holiday plan since the IELTS is expensive kay-RM850). I thought of attending the July intake in 2017, hence yeah, I'm ready in no time with my IELTS result for further application. Haha, but unfortunately, I got slightly low band for one of the element despite the fact my overall band shows I'm eligible enough to enter that particular university. So I had to repeat my IELTS (like the whole thing) to ensure my placement in that university, but hah! I got the offer letter even before the result is out! Sish! Ma money (technically ma parents')!

Many of my friends did ask me whether the paper tough and how's the procedure to take up the exam. Bismillah, here you go:

Find the test date that is suitable according to your schedule here: https://www.britishcouncil.my/exam/ielts/dates-fees-locations
Bare in mind, that is just the rough date to inform you when the test will be held, but if you click the register button, you will find two dates given for each academic test. Speaking test and Writing test. Basically, speaking test only required you to speak with the examiner for about 11 minutes while the Writing Test will take up about 3 hours since you gonna have listening, reading and writing test at the same hall back to back.
Just follow the instruction when you register online and make sure to have RM850 in your bank account. Further instruction will be given, as you need to scan your IC and passport picture for the registration.
As soon, you receive the email that your registration is successful, you will get access to roadtoIELTS for self-study. It will greatly help you to make you familiar on the format and such. So, study your ass off!
Baca doa, all the best!!
The result will be out 13 days after your writing test.

Tips? You can find it online, all you need is to readddd duh!

Okay, I think this should be enough 🙆

Oh, did I mention the IDP people are really helpful? They will assist you from A to Z, and if you attend the open day, and send your application on the same day, you will get waiver form! In layman terms, you are saving 100 dollars for processing fee (for each university kay)! Say whatttt? 🙌 Thank You!

Anything, please comment down below kay. So that I don't have to repeat myself (Just In Case).

dear diary

Phase change

10:37 PM

Hello there, again!

The clock is ticking as I'm writing, and finally less than a month, I'll be finishing my undergraduate study. Despite of planning to study abroad, and all those thought leaving the country, and make most of my time here and there, the marriage mind kick in.

Huh!

It looks so simple and easy at first but, its getting step by step, real. I mean like who would have thought its quite a feeling to accept someone in your life, like for good and bad, when we never grow up together. Just imagine, who would you trust will love you as your family does? Despite all the bad traits you own. Who could have thought, my dad will stop planning my future after this. Who could have thought, ill be on my feet (so much of spoon feeding).

So here am i, reflecting myself, as a daughter to a great parents, on what i have achieved and good deeds for my parents. What an emotional month for me.

The things that I always remember about my parents is literally everything good. Well, they are the living inspiration for me to have my own little family. They give me the very best in everything, and I couldn't thank enough for everything. From food to educations, and even advices. There are many to be mentioned, but what i am today, is what they moulded me to become. The mindset, the way i speak, the way i address issue, its all what they taught (unless i choose to act otherwise).

So I was like thinking, how great the roles of a parent must be. They influence the children's life, on what they become and that is the sole reason why that family institution is so vital. The children are the future, the nation's future.

Suddenly, it all makes sense, why people take marriage seriously, why the traits of the partner is crucial and most importantly, why marry?! Honestly, i just understand the whole concept now (funny huh).

Hence, the phase change is coming through. From a person, who is solely moulded by the parents, we are becoming one of the moulder soon. Thus, instead of acting like 'my action doesn't accountable for anybody else' to yes, my actions will determine my kids' actions.

photo courtesy: Imran Shah

XOXO,

BHR

Resepi Sotong Telur Masin

Preparation through pregnancy

1) Open Pink Book

2) Read more!

3) List necessities

4) Attend Antenatal Class

Ingredient-concious lifestyle

CBD entour

Great Beginning in Auckland City

How did you do it? -IELTS

Phase change

the lady in the hoodie

i wrote

current read

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