Preparation for viva presentation

This is made on the noon of 7 July 2024. Where I remembered to make notes on preparation to present for viva.

Things I notice and I should remember to prepare for next viva presentation.

1. Bring own kettle to make hot water. As only cold water prepared for the session. And the available cuckoo water machine on that floor is not functioning at that time.

2. Bring cooked rolled oats. As chocolate muffin is not enough. 

3. Powerbank for your phone. 

Preparation before the presentation day.

Self cook lunch food the day before. As I have started to feel unwell.

The used herbs. All freshly harvested from the one grown outside lab.

Add okra (bendi) after the lamb shoulder stew finished cooking.

The clean plate.

Drink lemongrass. The evening before presentation and morning of presentation. 

Drinking coconut water from Tuesday till the presentation day.

All the food and drinks consumed the week of presentation does helps to sustain my aging body. To be more alert and well for the presentation. Also from flat depletion after presentation and the bloody day of the month.

Where I am able to even go to gardening plot to harvest pisang lemak manis (banana) fruits. As the tree already fallen down. 

Flowers to my arabica coffee tree. It started to grow bigger and more fragrant.

Pink rose flowers. 

2 sisir/sikat (comb) pisang raja (banana) fruits.

Sirih leaves grown at home. 

Blue butterfly pea flowers (bunga telang biru) at home.

Flowers to my male papaya tree. Going to test using it with mengkudu (noni) fruit juice.

The look of sirih water made with sirih leaves, pink rose flowers and blue butterfly pea flowers (bunga telang biru).

Drinking green tea with pink rose while waiting for sirih water to cool off. 

The look of processed sirih water.

Question asked last 30 June 2024. Whether I am nervous or not for my viva. As this friend said, I does not seems to be.

My way of finding inner peace really similar to Po's Meditation Session 😂 from Kung Fu Panda 4. Where inner peace becomes dinner please.

What matter is I passed my viva session. Left to do the thesis correction.

Until then, have fun in preparing for your viva presentation. 

Salted plum for asam boi drink

This is taken on the evening of 20 February 2025. Where I managed to buy salted plum. As one of ingredients to make asam boi drink later.

The look of asam in this asam boi drink. 

The look of the bought salted plum. After asked the seller for confirmation. 

The initial selection before deciding which asam to buy.

Bought Phoenix plum to satisfy my craving. Since it has been long before covid19 for me to eat asam.

Until then, have fun in buying the correct asam for your asam boi drink ingredients. 

Surprise Flower Buds on the Pulasan Tree

I wasn’t expecting much when I stepped out to stretch my legs that afternoon of 22 July 2025. Just the usual check on my lemon tree and a bit of trimming here and there. But as I passed by the pulasan tree, something caught my eye.

To my surprise, the branches were dotted with clusters of flower buds. And not just a few, but a whole lot of them! It felt like a little gift from nature. What made it even more special was the fact that this pulasan tree had been growing quietly in the background without much pampering. The only attention it got recently was a dose of fertilizer about two months ago. That’s it.

Yet, here it was, bursting with potential, despite the odds.

It’s a hopeful sight. I can only wish the buds grow to full fruiting glory, and maybe soon, I’ll be tasting sweet pulasan right from this very tree.

Until then, I’ll be keeping a close eye on this blooming surprise.

Here’s to enjoying the little wins in our gardens 🌿✨

My tasty and pretty sirap bandung soda drink

This is taken on the noon of 27 February 2025. Where I managed to make sirap bandung soda drink. It is tasty and pretty. No lumps or clumps.

The look of used ingredients.

Until then, have fun in making your own sirap bandung soda drink.

🧴 My Disinfectant Spray for Daily Use

This entry was made on the morning of 7 July 2025, when I remembered to bring along my disinfectant spray for daily use. It's now clipped onto the same belt I use to hang my lab keys and portable fan. Which makes it super convenient for quick access.

Before dilution. 

After dilution ratio 1:10.

Having it with me means I’m always ready whenever I need to visit the toilet or use the Vecad Lab pantry. It’s become part of my daily routine. Previously, I used to carry a Febreze spray just to freshen up the toilet after use. Which now I get to do both: disinfect and freshen the space in one go.

Until then, have fun staying fresh and clean with your own disinfectant spray on the go! 🧼

🎶 A Song, A Dog, and a Memory That Stuck

This morning of 9 July 2025, while taking a shower, a song suddenly popped into my head. Not just any song. But that song my youngest brother used to sing out loud in the most unexpected moment. Which is Who Let the Dogs Out, song by Baha Men, year 2000 [1].

I remember it so clearly. I had just picked up our 8th brother from primary school and was riding the motorcycle home, with my youngest brother (9th) sitting in front of me. We passed a house with a dog out front. And out of nowhere, he belted the song at the top of his lungs. I can’t remember exactly what lyric triggered him, but it was loud, enthusiastic… and terribly timed (or some might say accurate).

There I was, riding, internally panicking, hoping the dog wouldn’t chase us down the road. Meanwhile, he was happily crooning without a care in the world. Judging from the year the song was released, year 2000. My little brother must have been around 3 years old then. Too small for school, but already a performer in his own right!

It’s funny how songs carry memories with them. It was like little bookmarks in time. 

Until then, have fun rediscovering old tracks and the stories they quietly carry along.

Reference:

[1] Who Let the Dogs Out, song by Baha Men, year 2000 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ojULkWEUsPs

🌿 Blended Noni Juice: My Energy Drink of the Day

This was taken on the bright morning of 10 July 2025, when I finally harvested one precious noni fruit from my own little garden. It may not seem like much, but there’s something deeply satisfying about using what you’ve grown yourself.

I blended the noni with some fresh mango and water. That just enough to mellow it down a little. Then I strained the mixture and poured myself a glass.

The look of used ingredients: noni fruit, mango fruit and cooked water.

After well blended.

After strain.

Ready to be consume.

That first sip? Let’s just say… noni is not for the faint of heart. It’s bold. Slightly spicy. Definitely bitter. But there’s also something invigorating about it. Like it jolts your system awake in a strangely grounding way.

It’s an acquired taste, no doubt. But for me, it’s my energy drink of the day. Raw, real, and straight from the source.

Until then, have fun experimenting with freshly blended noni juice. Who knows, it might just grow on you!

Meeting an MRI Specialist, And Surprising My Brother

It was the evening of 9th July 2025 when I found myself in an unexpected but exciting situation. A meeting a medical specialist in MRI technology. He just so happened to be a high school friend of my supervisor. And when I heard about their meetup, I jumped at the chance to tag along. Why? Because this specialist isn’t just anyone. As he was once the senior fellow resident and boss of my third brother back in HTAA (Hospital Tengku Ampuan Afzan), Kuantan.

Naturally, I had one mission in mind: take a selfie with him and send it to my brother. The reaction? Priceless. My brother was stunned. He couldn’t wrap his head around how I, someone in the engineering field, managed to cross paths with his senior in such a different domain. What can I say? I’ve got more connections than he thinks. And I’m not done surprising him yet.

Beyond the fun and teasing, the meeting turned out to be incredibly insightful. We dove into discussions about the MRI machine, from technical issues to power capacity. Thankfully, I’d just watched the latest Final Destination movie, which coincidentally featured an MRI scene. That little detail gave me enough of a head start to join in the conversation about Tesla strength and machine safety. Who knew movie night could double as prep for a medical tech discussion?

So here's a tip: never underestimate the power of connections, curiosity, and a well-timed selfie.

Until next time, keep teasing your siblings with unexpected surprises!

🥣 My Weekend Diet Food: Rolled Oats with Strawberry Jam

This entry was made over the weekend of 6 July 2025 when I decided to keep things light and simple with my meals. For this one, I used just 30 grams of rolled oats, 170 ml of hot water, and 2 tablespoons of strawberry jam.

After boiling water, I poured it straight into the glass container with the oats. No cooking, just let it soak. I left it for about 4 hours to let the oats soften and swell naturally. When it was time to eat, I added the strawberry jam right before serving. Simple, satisfying, and no fuss.

It’s my current go-to weekend diet food. Which is gentle on the tummy and easy to prepare. Hopefully, with consistency, this small effort helps me reach my ideal shape and weight that suits my height and age.

Until then, I’ll keep enjoying little wins like this one on my health journey. 🌿

Beetroot Smoothie That Tastes Like Ice Cream

19 June 2025 – Noon Experiment in My Kitchen

Today at noon, I tried something refreshing and a little adventurous in work place pantry. A self-made smoothie using beetroot, lemon, Greek yogurt, fresh spearmint leaves, and sweet pineapple. Everything was blended together using my trusty immersion blender.

The result? Creamy, tangy, and surprisingly dessert-like.

The ingredients before blend it all.

The peeled beetroot. That stained red my hands after the peeling process.

The raw beetroot.

Even my picky colleague, who usually turns away anything “too healthy,” gave it a thumbs up. “It tastes like ice cream!” they said and honestly, I’ll take that as a win.

Until next time, have fun experimenting in your own kitchen. Especially with beetroot — it’s full of surprises!