Navigating the Intersection of Mentorship and Deadlines

Reflections from the Desk |16 January 2026

They say that "burning the midnight oil" is a relic of the past, but for those of us in the thick of research and engineering, it remains a quiet reality. As the clock ticks toward midnight, I find myself in the final stretch of a major submission, one that has been two weeks in the making. 

The Balancing Act: SDK V4 vs. The Deadline

As a senior member of the lab, my time is rarely my own. While I have held a solid draft of this work for over 14 days, my focus has been diverted to the Microprocessor class. Supervising students as they navigate the intricate soldering and assembly of their SDK V4 boards is rewarding, but it is also a relentless "interrupt" to my own cognitive flow.

When you are ensuring that a student doesn't short-circuit a board, your own "deep work" on a report inevitably takes a back seat.

The Power of the Progressive Outline

Fortunately, my engineering instincts kicked in early. Instead of leaving everything to the end, I relied on a Progressive Outline. By building the skeleton of this submission over the last two weeks, tonight isn’t about "starting from scratch": it’s about:

• Finalizing the narrative: Polishing the flow of the document.

• Filling the gaps: Addressing the "blanks" I left behind while waiting for data to stabilize.

• Academic Rigor: Tightening the references within the Summary and Methodology sections.

Synergy: The Strength of the Team

I am also reminded tonight of the importance of reliable collaboration. After splitting the technical tasks, my teammate has delivered his portion with precision. As a Senior Lead, I know all too well: if I were tackling this solo, the midnight deadline would be an impossible target. Having a team member you can trust is the ultimate "force multiplier."

The Final Takeaway

As I sit here with my Life9 portable fan keeping the Johor heat at bay and the wind providing a calm focus, I am struck by one truth:

Progressive work will always triumph over a total last minute rush.

It isn’t always about working more hours; it’s about working smarter during the hours you have, so that when the students leave the lab and the house goes quiet, you aren't staring at a blank page; you are simply finishing a masterpiece.

Submission status: successfully submitted before 11.20 pm.

Field Report: The "Pompadour" Expansion Project

Date: 6 April 2026

Subject: Biomass Increment & Fertilizer Efficiency

There is nothing quite like the morning of April 6 to remind us that "System Inputs" matter. After two months of switching to a consistent compost fertilizer regimen, the results are officially in: my Rose Pompadour has jumped an entire size class.

The Technical Breakdown

Traditional synthetic fertilizers often provide a "spike" in growth followed by a crash. By using Compost, we’ve shifted to a Slow-Release Nutrient Diffusion model.

●The Result: The plant isn't just growing faster; it’s growing stronger. The cell walls in the petals are more robust, allowing the bloom to hold a larger volume (the "1 size bigger" effect) without drooping.

●Observation: Managed to document the "Peak Bloom" this morning before the commute. In the gardening world, this is what we call Optimal Operational Timing.

Until next time, keep your soil rich, your roses big, and your morning routines efficient!

From Parcel to Office Fame: How a 30cm Stand Changed Everything

Received: 6 April 2026 (evening)

First use: 7 April 2026

Boss approval: 8 April 2026

Yes, it took only two days for my new 30cm portable monitor stand to go from "let's try this" to "my boss wants one too."

The Setup

I recently got a 30cm stand designed for my 15.6-inch portable monitor, the perfect travel companion for my workflow.

The parcel arrived on the evening of 6 April 2026. I unboxed it, set it up, and let it sit overnight. (Yes, I have self-control. Barely.)

The next morning, 7 April 2026, I started using it for real.

The "Show Off" Moment

By 8 April 2026, I couldn't resist. I brought my full mobile workstation to show my boss.

And here's where it gets interesting.

He didn't just say "nice." He was genuinely smitten with the stand.

Within minutes, he gave me an order:

"Make one set for me too."

But not just the stand. He wants the complete package, the same setup I use with my 17-inch laptop backpack.

Why the Backpack Matters

Here's the secret sauce.

My bag pack has two pocket slots, perfectly sized to carry:

- 14-inch laptop (one slot)

- 15.6-inch portable monitor + charger + stand (the other slot)

Everything fits. Nothing rattles. No awkward bulging.

It's a mobile dual-screen command center that fits in a backpack.

The Verdict

Item, Status:

〰30cm stand: ✅Boss-approved

〰15.6" portable monitor: ✅ Perfect fit

〰17" laptop backpack: ✅ Two-slot magic

〰14" laptop + charger: ✅ Ready to go

What I Learned

Sometimes the smallest upgrade, a stand, of all things; unlocks the biggest productivity gain.

And when your boss asks you to build his kit within 24 hours of seeing yours? That's not just a purchase.

That's an endorsement.

Timeline recap:  

 6 April – Parcel arrives

 7 April – First use

 8 April – Boss wants one

Not bad for three days' work.

Tech Resilience: Solving the "Possessed" Display in Digital System Class

Date: 3 April 2026

Project: Classroom Hardware Optimization

Last Friday, during my Digital System class, I faced a challenge that every tech enthusiast dreads: my laptop screen began to flicker uncontrollably. It looked less like a hardware glitch and more like it was being "possessed [1]."

In a high-stakes class like Digital Systems, I couldn't afford to miss a single lecture slide. It was time for a creative workaround.

The Dual-Power Solution

Instead of struggling with the flickering main display, I deployed my 15.6-inch portable monitor as my primary screen. To keep my workspace mobile and independent of wall sockets, I powered the monitor using my 20,000 mAh (22.5 W) power bank.

Efficiency Audit

The most impressive part of this "field fix" was the power consumption. After a full 2-hour class session, the power bank dropped from 100% to 96%.

Consumption Rate: Only 4% for 120 minutes of continuous 15.6" display usage.

This setup proved that with a high-capacity power bank, you can run a complete mobile workstation with incredibly low overhead. It was a creative, efficient, and most importantly flicker-free way to stay productive.

Until next time, keep your displays steady and your solutions creative!

Reference:

[1] The look of flickering laptop display https://youtube.com/shorts/aAMlI6Dpyvs?si=YEPHGTV9T9OKJYNJ

More Than Just Tea: Career, Health, and the Turmeric Harvest

Date: 2nd April 2026

Location: VECAD Lab Pantry

Sometimes, the best insights happen while waiting for an oven to beep. This evening, I was in the pantry, anticipating my Karipap Sardin, when I was invited to observe a Final Year Project (FYP) progress demo. It was the start of what would become a much larger, and very meaningful, gathering.

The "Rule of Three" Hospitality

My supervisor soon invited a colleague from the Power Department to join our tea break. Luckily, my current "System Protocol" is to always cook for three people instead of two. It was a fortunate habit, we had an ample spread for the additional guest. And what started as a quick snack turned into a deep, two-hour dialogue from 5:20 PM to 7:04 PM.

We covered the full spectrum of life:

• The Academic Grind: Supervising students and the rigors of PhD studies.
• The Human Factor: Mental health, aging body care, and managing diabetes.

It’s rare to have such an unfiltered, cross-departmental exchange, and it reminded me how much we all share the same challenges, regardless of our engineering specialty.

A Gift from the Lab Garden

After the cleanup, I stepped outside and noticed a small miracle: a Turmeric Flower (Bunga Kunyit) had just emerged from the cluster of plants outside our lab. I harvested it immediately to share with our guest from the Power Department.

He was intrigued! I shared my favorite way to enjoy it, dipped in yogurt. It turns out this was a perfect match for his routine, as his daily breakfast consists of Greek yogurt mixed with chia seeds and nuts. The fresh, slightly peppery crunch of the turmeric flower will be a beautiful, anti-inflammatory addition to his morning bowl.

There’s a unique joy in being able to provide not just food, but a fresh, self-grown harvest to a colleague.

Until next time, may your gardens (and your pantry) always have enough to share!

Small Joys: Finding the Perfect Shades for Raya Preparations

Sometimes, the best pick-me-up is finding that perfect lipstick shade! After spending quite a bit of time researching (and daydreaming!), I finally treated myself to two new colors. Since I wanted to be mindful of my budget, I had to be very selective, but the effort was worth it.

I decided on Motivate, which is a lovely, fresh pink that gives me an instant glow. Perfect for these long fasting days. 

For something a bit more daring, I chose Awaken, a stunning bold red-brown that feels so empowering.

It’s amazing how the right colors can change your whole mood! 💄✨

From Branch to Plate: A Special Ramadan Guava Harvest

There is a unique kind of stillness in the garden just before the holidays. On the afternoon of March 18, 2026 of my final day of work before the Aidilfitri 1447H break. I took a quiet stroll to my gardening plot. I was just checking in on my trees, but the garden had a parting gift for me: two beautiful, heavy guavas ready for picking.

I brought one home, knowing that the secret to a perfect guava is patience. I let it sit for exactly one week, watching it reach its peak ripeness. 

Finally, on the evening of March 25, 2026, it made its grand debut at Iftar. Weighing in at a solid 312.6g, this fruit was everything a home-grown harvest should be: incredibly soft, juicy, and bursting with flavor. That one-week wait was absolutely worth it! 💪

There truly is no better feeling than enjoying the literal "fruits of your labor" from a tree you’ve nurtured yourself. To my fellow gardeners: keep planting, keep growing, and enjoy every tasty bite!

Convocation Studio Vibes

Just wanted to share a quick studio picture I managed to grab yesterday, 19 November 2025.

It’s always a rush right after a busy day! This shot was actually taken immediately after wrapping up a 30-minute, hot and sweaty outdoor photography session with some amazing undergraduate students. Phew, talk about needing a cool-down!

Despite the heat and the fact that it was just my own quick, self-applied makeup (nothing professional here!), I think it still helped me look a bit more "alive" and fresh in the studio lights. It definitely falls into the category of "something rather than nothing!"

I'm still very much on a learning curve when it comes to applying makeup specifically for studio pictures and artificial lighting. There is always so much more to learn in this art form!

Compact Car Savior: Why This Tissue Holder on Car Visor is a Game-Changer

I took this picture on the evening of 22 December 2025, right after I finally solved a small but annoying problem in my compact car. I found a tissue holder that attaches to the sun visor.

Before this, I always struggled with where to put the tissue box. It would fall off the passenger seat, get squashed in the door pocket, or just take up space I didn't have. Even if I put in a bag and hang it at the back of the seat, it is still inconvenience and such a hassle. In a small car, every inch counts.

This holder is a simple piece of tool with an elastic strap. It clips right onto the visor, using a space that was just empty before. Now, the tissues are always right there when I need them. Whether it is for a sneeze, to clean my glasses, or for a quick wipe. I can grab one easily without taking my eyes off the road or fumbling around. Easy access to tissue is is crucial and important for me while driving.

It might seem like a tiny thing, but it has made my daily drives a little bit easier and my car feel a little less cluttered. If you drive a small car, a visor tissue holder is a simple, cheap trick that really works.

Quick Errands at UTC JB: Insurance, Road tax & a Surprise Discovery

18 June 2025 – Morning Update

This morning turned out to be unexpectedly productive. While accompanying a friend to settle a traffic summon at the MBIP counter, I decided to take the chance to renew both the insurance and road tax for the car that I am using at UTC Johor Bahru.

To my surprise, the whole process took less than 30 minutes. Definitely worth the trip!

When we reached the MBIP city council building, we noticed it was closed. After asking the staff, we learned that it’s currently undergoing a major renovation, expected to be completed by the end of 2025.

After settle my friend's errand in MBIP counter, I proceed to drop to MyEG office. Gratefully, the person at the insurance counter asked whether I wanted coverage for all windows or just the windscreen. I chose the windscreen-only option, which was just right for my needs.

As for my road tax renewal, it was a smooth process. I simply downloaded the JPJeQ app from the Play Store to get my queue number. This can only be done after renewing my insurance at the MyEG counter. Where I only had to pay RM 20 for the road tax at JPJ counter.

The queuing number.

My number was called after 25 minutes of waiting.

I managed to send off two fabrics to the tailor today. Yes, already. For my custom tops for the next Hari Raya Aidilfitri! Some may say it's way too early (my aunt certainly thinks it's ridiculous!), but I believe in planning ahead.

I’m not one to chase trends. For me, it’s all about comfort, personal style, and making sure everything is ready well before the festive rush. It gives me peace of mind knowing that my outfits will be perfectly tailored, without any last-minute surprises or alterations.

Better early than sorry, right?

All in all, a productive morning that checked off more than I expected!