Responsibility

It is so easy to attribute a success to one's hard work as though you earned it; failing to see Allah's grace, generosity, love and mercy. Subhan Allah wal hamdulilLah wala illah ha ilalLah Allahu Akbar. With Allah's grace, may I be able to expedite the amanah (responsibility) assigned to me to the best of my ability and may Allah SWT protect me from istidraj, insya Allah ameen ya Rabbal 'alameen.

Afternote: I'm instinctively reminded of mum's advice - "Allah will not forsake those who seek out His guidance and remain steadfast in prayer", subhan Allah... inna lilLahi wa inna ilaihi rojiun :)

Usabiliity Bootcamp

Had a blast this week at the Usability Bootcamp organised by the great guys at Pebbleroad (thanks guys!). Christine Perfetti shared great examples of user-friendly design and I met some great folks during the networking session. The information I gained will come in handy when I get started on the next project - revamping the company's website... and you thought Instructional Designers just design and develop courseware! Don't ask... that was a vent ;P

Afterthought: I stand by my conviction, that great design is truly about empathy :)

Think Positive

I was looking forward to get my PMI exam over and done with by May. Al-hamdulillah ala kulli hal (Praise is due to Allah in every circumstance, even the depressing ones). Due to an administrative glitch, I now have to prepare for it only in early September. Truly Allah Azza wa Jall is Oft-Knowing what is best for me.

Afternote: Mum, it'll be your birthday present... I'll promise to study and get through this with flying colours, insya Allah. La Hawla Wa La Qu'waata Illa Billahil Azim (There is no power and strength except with Allah, The Grand, The Great)... Btw, this doa is said to be a cure for various types of sadness so for those who are feeling a lil down, read various useful tips via  Don't Be Sad website.

Book Exchange

[Source courtesy of NLB, Singapore]

Whew! Was on duty for half a day at the Book Exchange event at Victoria street. Approximately 73,000 books exchanged hands between 6,000 library patrons. To those who supported the event, thank you for your support, especially for dropping by NLB Academy's booth to say "Hi", catch up or subscribe to the promotion offered. :) 

PMI

From 27 Feb onwards, I will go through a 5-week PMI PMP certification course. Have asked around and it seems that the end-course exam is rather tricky. Please pray for me so that I will pass the exam, Ameen.

You may be wondering, "What is an instructional designer doing taking up a course meant for a Project Manager?" Let's just say its about optimising resources ;)

San Jose

I was supposed to be at San Jose last week but due to certain circumstances, I could not be there. Nonetheless, I'm glad to be able to at least read what a good pal has taken away from the sessions there [thanks Maish for sharing] :)

What a week!

140507:
Mum informed me dad will be back in Singapore after an ordeal in Indonesia. A part of me was glad and hopeful that he had changed for the better. A part of me was sad to find out what he went through the past few years. There was a tinge of suspicion yet a voice whispered forgiveness… Perhaps this is the much needed closure on this episode a man called ‘dad’… Oh God, guide me to the straight path and protect me from hell’s fire.

150507:
The 3 hour gathering was compact with catching up on each other’s lives - V’s second baby girl is due this September (let’s go for 13th), Paul got married this year as planned; Spens to walk down the aisle next (good luck!), Y’s new job seems to bode well for her current married lifestyle. Talk of sideline business came up again… interesting conversation. Spoke to a dear friend in between dinner and dessert; glad mum is doing ok.

160507:
Went back to check on the lil tyke – Irfan…wonder if there is a way to put it tactfully across to his mum not to take food she is allergic to… looking at the eczema on poor Irfan enraged me…I know he is not my child but could you bear seeing the poor tyke itching and not knowing how to communicate the discomfort to people around him? For God’s sake, he’s a baby.

Imagine your hands being tied, your mouth gagged and itch powder poured all over your body - you have no way to scratch or yell out to someone to help you get rid of the itch. Suffering in silence is something no one condones right? I rest my case…

At the end of the day, it boils down to mindfulness… Save the debate about different living standards and definition of hygiene… Any mother would want to protect, nurture and bring up her child in the safest environment possible… that’s what we call motherly instincts.

180507:
Tender closes today and I could already envision the busy months ahead once the project kickstarts end June... So now is the time to really hang loose and de-stress as much as I can... Seeing the way things took a turn this week, all I can say is "Expect the unexpected"... Somehow that seems like an understatement... vibes, folks. Oh how I love it that God loves me so much! Amen...

190507:
NLB’s inaugural Sports Carnival in the morning. Verdict = interesting. Saw my HOD in action - she's really good with ping-pong (those smashes!)... And of course my dear Idah playing soccer with the guys...

Met up with Rye to see how he was doing over brunch. “Certainty”… what was that about? Hmm… Anyway, got to rush home to change and head to class. In between, had an interesting conversation with aunt Sophie… learnt a lot from her about 'marital bliss'. Resolved to take up course on child psychology…

PS: What a week… Grandpa is rather unwell. Stay tuned to find out what will happen in the next Episode on “The Journey back to Batu Pahat”…

A Fruitful Life...

How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving and tolerant of the weak and strong. Because someday in life you will have been all of these.

- George Washington Carve

231006:
Can I not go to work? So much spring-cleaning to do and to complete my assignment and presentation before end of module... Ok that was a vent btw... I wish I could do more for my faith but looking at the schedule, I pray that GOD forgives me for my less-than-brilliant conduct this month...sheesh.

291006:
Happy birthday to Dayat (cousin's hubby) and for making history in getting us lost in transition from Tampinese to Sembawang and for being unable to cut the frozen cheesecake ha! It was fun spending perhaps the first and last raya with the family from Kluang/Kedah as my cousin will be leaving for Australia National University to pursue her 3-year PhD... I'll definitely pay you a visit @Canberra sweetie :)

301006:
NLB Academy launch went without any glitch, thank GOD! I have to thank my dear friend, Ryan for his willingness and patience in crafting the flash demo for the website's launch.

Also today marks a special day - my dive buddy got married and sadly, I missed her banquet due to the Learning Festival hustle and bustle...

311006:
Happy birthday to dear Inez who is currently busy being an entrepreneur and MIA-ing. Miss you...Also today marks a special occassion where NLBA launched its Trainer & Facilitator Community of Practice (CoP)... What a way to officially close NLB Learning Festival.

021106:
Happy birthday to dear Luke who turned 28 on this special day. May you be blessed with great things in life... and that your mum recuperates from colon cancer and your nephew is free from the terrifying illness...

031106:
Irfan just turned one month and is gaining weight and his aunt (that's me!) is looking forward to driving him around for the festive season. It'll be loads of fun.

061106 to 071106:
Looking forward to the staff orientation that is long overdue, hmm...

081106:
A bundle of nerves, awaiting in anticipation of the feedback from my boss on my PMP mid-year review... hope I did him proud...

091106:
The next eClinic is due and I hope we can finalise the content before vendor engagement. I'm looking forward to working with the vendors on the elearning project. And the satisfaction of crafting the requirements and standards in setting the precedence for the entire organisation to adopt is gratifying...

141106:
My next module will start and I'll be back in class... persevere Azzah.. just 2 more modules and you are done! Yippee... Then up one notch ... Masters then PhD, God-willing!

So stay tuned when Azzah finds time to catch her breath and Rye, I didn't forget our dinner outing, owe you one! ;P