Life Using Raspberry Pi 4

On Friday, 22 August 2025, my Lenovo ThinkBook suddenly refused to power on. After some checking, I found the issue was the battery. And the replacement would take at least two weeks to arrive. With no backup laptop on hand, I had to get creative.

So, I turned to my Raspberry Pi 4.

This little board has been sitting on my desk since the Covid-19 days, when I first experimented with it as a learning tool. Now, it has stepped up as my main workstation. Surprisingly, it’s been very helpful in keeping my workflow alive. I’ve managed to polish my command-line skills again, and it reminds me how versatile the Pi can be for everyday tasks.

Of course, there are limitations. At the moment, I’m running it with an HDMI monitor. Not exactly portable. I’m still figuring out how to make the whole setup more mobile, but for now it gets the job done.

What I’ve learned from this situation is that having a Raspberry Pi 4 as a backup PC can be a lifesaver. It may not replace a full laptop, but it keeps me productive when I need it most. Until my ThinkBook is ready, I’ll continue to explore what this tiny computer can do.

So, if you ever find yourself without a laptop, don’t underestimate the Pi. It might just surprise you.

My daily process flow for fasting 2025

This entry is made on the morning of 13 March 2025, as a reminder for future fasting preparations.

This year, I have been using a 900 ml flask to ensure I have warm water available during sahur. Over the past two days, I tested the method using 2 unit 900 ml flasks, and it has significantly improved my body condition. By preparing warm water the night before, I no longer need to boil water in the morning, making sahur more convenient.

Additionally, I ensure that three eggs are steamed before bedtime. So by sahur, I only need to peel and eat them without extra preparation. I make sure to complete all preparations, including filling the flasks with warm water, by 10 PM.

As I reach this stage in life, where physical strength is more limited, I have realized the importance of planning ahead. Simple steps like these help reduce the need for unnecessary movement in the morning, making sahur more manageable, especially when energy levels are low.

Until then, have a good joyful sahur session.

Solving heating 65 W fast charger that exceeds 44°C

The new 65 W fast charger does charged my Samsung Galaxy A34 phone within 1 hour 18 minutes from 31% to full charged 100%. However I do notice it becomes very hot before my phone get to full charged. I turn it off when the temperature exceeds 44°C. Despite only use 1 unit USB-C port from the available 2 unit USB-C ports and 1 unit USB port. After tell a friend about it, using a fan to cool the charger down is one of the suggested solution. This would not void its warranty. I do check with my thermometer. The charger temperature did not exceed 40°C with fan turn on. To be exact between 34°C to 37°C. Without the fan turn on, the charger temperature easily reached 44°C upon 10 minutes usage of only 1 USB-C port used.

The cooling set up that I used at home with this  65 W fast charger.

With this setup, there is no issue of temperature to the 65 W fast charger exceeds 44°C. Despite all 2 unit USB-C ports and 1 unit USB port occupied. For duration more than 2 hours. At least I do not have to return the bought 65 W fast charger. And it does works well to fast charging my Samsung Galaxy A34 phone. As with the previous 65 W fast charger, it takes 1 hour 50 minutes from 30% to full charged 100%.

Until then, have fun in solving your heating 65 W fast charger.

A Morning Harvest: Flowers, Fruits, and Fresh Healing.

On the morning of 20 August 2025, I remembered to harvest some rose flowers and butterfly pea blossoms to add into my ginger lemon tea. A simple ritual, but one that always helps ease my menstrual pain and improve the flow. While picking the blooms, I noticed a little lizard resting on the branch of a newly opened rose. Nature’s quiet company.

Later, just before lunch, I gathered an abundance of ripe mulberries, a perfect source of fresh vitamin C for the day. And before leaving the lab, my boss harvested some lemongrass to take home for cooking. All of it: roses, butterfly peas, mulberries, and lemongrass is grown right outside the lab, fresh and naturally free from pesticides. Truly, there’s nothing better than harvesting straight from the garden to cup and plate. 🌿✨

The Look of Blooming Flower Buds on the Pulasan Tree

📍 4 August 2025, Morning Light

This morning brought a small joy, the sight of blooming flower buds on my pulasan tree. There’s something quietly beautiful about the way they unfurl, hinting at the promise of fruit to come. I managed to snap a few photos while the light was still soft, and the air felt just right.

It’s always a hopeful sight, seeing the early signs of life forming on a tree you’ve been tending with care. Fingers crossed it grows well to full term and brings a good harvest in the months ahead.

Until then, enjoy the process. There’s magic in watching nature do its work.

The look of my 65W W Desktop Charger

On the morning of 28 February 2025, after assisting in unboxing a newly purchased 70W Desktop Charger, I had the opportunity to compare it with a 65W Desktop Charger that I had been using for my laptop and phone charging needs.

Observations on the 65W Desktop Charger:

-The 65W charger reaches temperatures of up to 44°C after charging my laptop for just 13 minutes, resulting in an 11% battery increase.

-To prevent overheating, I used a mini fan set at wind speed level 2 to cool it down.

Reason for Receiving the 65W Desktop Charger:

-I was gifted the used 65W Desktop Charger since the new 70W Desktop Charger had arrived for my boss's use.

-The comparison between the two chargers highlighted the potential improvements in power efficiency and thermal management with the upgraded 70W model.

While charging both my phone and mini fan simultaneously, I kept the mini fan turned on during charging to help cool down the used 65W Desktop Charger. The blinking LED indicator on the mini fan signified that it was still charging, as the battery had not yet reached full capacity. This is why it is best to use fan that have battery level indicator. So that could avoid over charging.

In the end, I opted to use the newly arrived 65W Desktop Charger, as my boss wanted to test the longevity of his old 65W Desktop Charger under his regular usage conditions.

Until then, enjoy using a reliable 65W Desktop Charger for your charging needs!

My new health tracking device

Captured on the evening of 27 March 2025, this moment marks the setup of my new health tracking device, after having used the previous one for exactly 2 years, 5 months, and 15 days. A total of 897 days since October 2022 [1]. Over that period, I went through three different health tracking devices.

After months of monitoring reviews and price fluctuations, I finally decided to make the purchase. The main reason was that my Huawei Band 6 had become unusable. Its screen stopped working, and the Bluetooth connection was frequently lost. This made it impossible to automatically log my sleep data, forcing me to track it manually.

I placed the order on 24 March 2025. Delivery was attempted on 26 March 2025, but I wasn't home to receive it. I eventually picked it up from the GDEX Skudai office in Taman Selesa Jaya on the afternoon of 27 March 2025. I must say, I was very satisfied with their self-collection service.

To date, I’ve used three smartwatches:

• Honor Smartwatch, started 12 February 2021 [1]
• Huawei Smartwatch, started October 2022 [1]
• This latest one, started March 2025

Until then, enjoy the journey of using a reliable health tracking device—your health deserves consistent attention.

Reference:

[1] Upgrading my smartwatch last 13 October 2022 https://serinurulbeauty.blogspot.com/2022/10/upgrading-my-smart-watch.html

Good quality toilet rolls

This is taken on the noon of 26 February 2025. Where I managed to restocked toilet rolls for lab usage.

This brand quite sturdy. Not easily torn when pull it while hands still wet. Worth money spend to buy it again. For me, the best still Vinda [1]. However this brand does serve the purpose of me using it for daily usage. It is 6600 sheets of 3 ply.

Until then, have fun in using a good quality toilet rolls.

Reference:

[1] The look of individual wrap on the bought Vinda toilet roll https://serinurulbeauty.blogspot.com/2023/12/vinda-deluxe-3-ply-toilet-roll.html

Why I Now Keep a 6-Inch Adjustable Spanner in My Car

On the morning of 25 February 2025, I added a 6-inch adjustable spanner to my car toolkit. A small but important addition after what happened the day before.

The car battery had died while parked at Block P04, right after I dropped my things off in the lab. No warning, no second chance. Just a quiet refusal to start. That moment reminded me how essential it is to have the right basic tools on hand, especially something as versatile as a spanner.

So now, it’s tucked safely inside the kit, ready for the next time I might need it.

Until then, take it from me. Make sure your car toolkit includes a 6-inch adjustable spanner. It’s a small tool that can save you from big trouble.

The look of mini fan used to cool down used 65 W fast charger

On the evening of 26 February 2025, I found myself improvising a quick cooling solution for my used 65W fast charger. The charger was getting noticeably hot while powering both my phone and a mini fan. So I decided to repurpose that very same mini fan to help cool the charger itself.

I positioned the mini fan right on top of the wall plug, directing airflow straight at the charger. It may not be high-tech, but it’s the most practical, warranty-safe option I could think of for now. Any internal modification would void the warranty, so this little setup will have to do until then.

For anyone facing similar heat issues with their charger, sometimes the simplest DIY tricks are the most effective. Until next time, have fun figuring out your own clever ways to keep your fast charger cool!

🌿 Staying Youthful Naturally — My Simple Secrets

🗓️ Entry: Evening of 28 July 2025

Earlier this afternoon, I was casually asked my age by someone I just met. Her reaction? Pure surprise. She thought I was 10 years younger than I actually am. She even asked me what my secret was. Well… it’s not really a secret.

The truth is, I mostly consume what I grow myself. From garden to plate, it keeps things natural, fresh, and clean. And every two weeks, I make it a point to do a simple detox drink. Nothing fancy, just consistency.

Funny enough, just last week, another lady from my gardening group guessed my age to be 6 years younger too. It’s becoming a bit of a pattern now. And I must admit, it feels great to hear.

Aside from what I eat and drink, I also pay close attention to my skincare. I clean my face with my own handmade face oil and always wash up before every prayer, even on busy weekdays. It’s become a ritual of both cleanliness and mindfulness.

Now my next goal? To build a body as strong as Badang (Malay folklore hero 💪). Or at least aim for that kind of endurance. But truly, more than appearances, what matters most is to live without major illness, with strength in mind and body.

Until then, stay healthy, stay natural, and be kind to your body. 🌼