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!

Strategic Recovery: Managing the Logistics of Healing

By the night of Day 5 (9 March 2026), I hit a logistical bottleneck: my initial 21 gm supply of Silver Sulphadiazine was nearly depleted. In management, we often have to weigh "time vs. worth," and with a mounting workload, a return trip to the clinic for a small refill wasn't the most efficient move.

My solution? A two-pronged approach. I secured a 15 gm tube of Fusidic Acid as an interim "bridge" while awaiting the delivery of a bulk 50 gm supply of my original prescription. It’s about keeping the "healing pipeline" moving without compromising my work output. My target for a full recovery is 13 March 2026, and until then, my SOP is simple: consistency and strict adherence to the cream-only protocol. Fingers crossed the system is back to 100% by Friday.

A Test of Patience: My Ramadhan Burn Recovery

Ramadhan is a month of patience, and this year, I’m being tested in a way I didn't expect. It’s been 5 days since my boiling water accident, and the healing itch has set in. It’s a "good" sign, but the tightness makes every step a struggle.

Walking with a limp has shifted my balance, and now my waist is starting to ache. It’s tiring, especially while fasting, so I’ve decided to manage things from home with a larger 50g tube of my prescribed Silver Sulphadiazine cream. Going back to the clinic during these long fasting days is a drain on energy I’d rather spend in prayer.

The used stainless steel spatula for the burn cream (Silver Sulphadiazine) application. 

I’m sticking strictly to the doctor's orders. Which is no "DIY" remedies that might aggravate the skin. As I wait for the skin to soften and heal, I’m reminded to slow down. Please, stay safe around hot water, friends. Recovery is a long road.

The Tea-Time "System Crash": My 7:17 PM Burn & The Power of First Aid

They say life happens in the blink of an eye. For me, it happened at exactly 7:17 PM.

I had just finished brewing a comforting pot of English Breakfast tea in my favorite green flask. As I moved toward the dining area, gripping the handle on the lid, the unthinkable happened: the body of the flask detached. In a split second, scalding hot tea splashed across my right side, from my thigh down to my ankle.

In moments like these, survival mode kicks in. Panic is a luxury I couldn't afford. Here is how I managed the crisis, and why immediate First Aid is your best ally.

The Immediate Response: Cooling the "System"

The moment the heat hit, I didn't wait. I went straight to the tap and washed the area with cool pipe water. With Iftar approaching, I had to balance recovery with refueling.

During my meal, I deployed a Portable Fan at Speed 4 (maximum Speed 5). A constant stream of cool air to the splash zone. And immediately took 2 tablets of 500mg Paracetamol to get ahead of the inflammation.

The Routine: Persistence over Pain

After eating, I returned to the water. Persistence is key with burns; you have to pull that heat out of the skin layers. I continued the cool water rinse, paused for Maghrib prayers, and then took a careful bath, allowing the pipe water to run gently over the affected area.

The Diagnosis: First-Degree Management

Once the skin was dry (thanks again to the portable fan!), I assessed the damage. The tell-tale redness of a first-degree burn had set in The Diagnosis: First-Degree Management.

Once the skin was dry (thanks again to the portable fan!), I assessed the damage. The tell-tale redness of a first-degree burn had set in.

My recovery kit was simple but effective:

• Pure Aloe Vera Gel: To soothe the "fire" and hydrate the skin.
• Strategic Pain Relief: Another round of Paracetamol after a two-hour gap to manage the "throbbing" sensation that often follows the initial shock.

The Morning After & The Path Forward

The next morning, the area was still throbbing slightly, especially after my shower. A fresh application of Aloe Vera did the trick to calm the nerves. My next milestone? Getting behind the wheel to have a professional at the clinic give it a once-over.

The "Executive Summary":

If there is one thing this incident taught me, it’s this: The first few minutes are everything. 1. Stay Calm: Panic increases your heart rate and your perception of pain.

2. Cool Water is King: Forget the "petua" (home remedies) like butter or toothpaste. Cold, running water is the only way to stop the burn from going deeper.

3. Monitor the "Baseline": Keep track of your pain levels and skin color.

Accidents are part of the "Operational Risk" of daily life. What matters is how we respond. I’m hoping for a fast recovery, but more importantly, I’m grateful I knew the protocol.

Stay safe out there, and always check your flask lids twice!

Among tool for portable fan cleaning

This is taken on the morning of 11 June 2025. Where I get an idea to use lab spatula that I have to clean the narrow portable fan.

Cleaning up process last 12 June 2025 with lab spatula.

The the above idea after my electronic bending tweezer and bending forceps unable to be used to get through the inner narrow part of my portable fan.

I refrain myself from try to open the portable fan for clean up. As I know myself very well that I will start yanking up things when my patience and health not in optimum stage. So, better be safe than sorry.