10 things 2010/2011

I had to browse through my blog today because someone asked me to list down my achievements for documentation and record purposes. While I scrolled through my 2010 blog posts, I came across this post called, "10 things". Here was what it read:

"10 things" 

I received an email from a fellow Toastmaster the other day. It read: 

My Dearest Toastmasters!  

Every year on 31/12, I'll list down 10 things I achieved in 2009, and 10 things I want to achieve in 2010. 

Every year I would be so amazed, didn't know I have achieved so many wonderful things in my life, if I just rush through a new year. God is indeed Great and Wonderful. 

Simply taking 10mins of your time reflecting and writing down what you have achieved on 2009 (be it big/ small, "spent a 3 full days together with my family" is an achievent for me) and 10mins to think and write down what you want to achieve in 2010 (Not what others want you to achieve, but what are important to YOU and you sincerely want to achieve, personal career.

It will have a magical effects on written Goals.
Do it, you'll amazed yourself with what you have achieved. And you will not regret when you review on 31/12/2010.
Goals written down has 60% higher chance to achieve! 

And there are only 3% of the people has written goals, 13% had goals, not written down, 84% no specific goals at all.
BE THE TOP 3%!
HAVE A HAPPY, HEALTHY & PURPOSEFUL YEAR AHEAD.
Joescher Chee 

10 things I want to achieve in 2010 (my final year as a teenager)

1. Raise money for a cleft lip repair. Go to Kerala, meet Dr Hirji, and have the most awesome trip to a cleft lip repair surgery in India. Done.

becoming the extraordinary doctor

I've had the habit of putting off blogging until I'm really free. But when will "really free" ever be? So I decided that even if I can't write a lot, at least 15 minutes of writing should be sufficient to just jot down my thoughts and important reminders for my future.

Firstly, I wish I can type down everything I learnt at the "Fiqh and Usul Fiqh on Contemporary Medicine" course I attended yesterday. In our CST (Clinical Skills Training) classes, Dr Hazian always stresses on the importance of professionalism and ethics. During the course, there were 5 slots:

The first lecture at the
Fiqh and Usul Fiqh on Contemporary Medicine Course.
Organized by PPIM CUCMS Student Chapter.

• Islamic Medical Ethics, Oaths and Codes: The meaning, importance and explanation on Oaths (Hippocrates Oath and the Qawaid Syariah) and the Codes (according to Malaysian Medical Council).
• Introduction to Fiqh and Usul Fiqh: The difference between Syariah (the Divine Revelation) and Fiqh (human intepretation of the Divine Revelation). What I love most was that it was in English :)
• Qawa'id Syariah: Principles of Islamic Medical Ethics and it's application in medicine.
• Maqasid Syariah
• PBL (problem based learning) case: This was facilitated by Prof Latiff. We were grouped and had to choose 3 out of 12 cases which had a lot of ethical and moral issues. It was really really great and eye-opening because so many questions have finally been answered. Sometimes we think there is no right or wrong answer; but after learning Qawaid and Maqasid Syariah, you would be able to make the best decision.

First encounter with Qawaid Syariah.
But immensely grateful for knowing sooner than later.

And that it what I learnt the most: being able to make an "educated" decision (as Prof Thuaibah would always remind us). It's about being empowered with knowledge to make safe decisions.

That night, there was a forum with panelists Dr Mohd Asri Zainal Abidin (ex Mufti of Perlis) and Prof Abdul Latiff Mohamed. If there's one thing that I remember most, it's what Prof Latiff said, "If you are in a war and someone comes charging at you with the intent of killing you, and suddenly that person falls hurt, it is your responsibility to help him. And that is the nobility of this profession."

To me, if I felt that a friend wronged me and suddenly they need my help, I don't even know if I would have the nobility to put aside my emotions. What more an enemy.

But throughout this course, I felt this overwhelming sense of pride of my college. Mainly because of the professors and my seniors. They never fail to always make me feel so motivated. I think after attending these kind of programs, they always inspire me to always want to be the best and become the envisioned extraordinary doctor. They always remind me to give and make the people around you better than you. I think that's incredibly awe-inspiring.

Now to start on SCTLs. Reproductive block begins tomorrow!

Nervous System done!

Assalamualaikum:)

There's always so much to write about. Honestly. But other commitments and pressing matters have been cropping up and I end up leaving my blog untouched. I should have the resolution of at least uploading at least a paragraph of reminder or thought if not pages and pages- which is almost always the case after not blogging for so long:P

We've just completed Nervous System block. Had our finals for the past 3 days. A lot of people said that CNS was the heaviest and most difficult block. Yes, I agree it is. But at the same time, I would have to say that it is the most fun and understandable block- but to say that I will pass with flying colours is still not definite. Maybe I find it fun because I've (sadly) finally learnt (after 1.5 years) how to learn pre-clinical medic as how I would enjoy it. Learning anatomy with the atlas and with the anatomy models and really concentrating in Dr Khin's class (which is actually not terrifying as I perceived when I was in 1st year!); her classes are really so fun:D Learning physiology by referring to Vander's. Learning diseases through concept maps and pathophysiologies. Learning pharmaco through tables and cases. It's scary how you wish that you could have caught onto this earlier. But as always, lessons which Allah has decided for you to learn the hard way is priceless.

a sin and a good deed

Came across these beautiful words found at a comment on a site:)

"I do believe that a sin; bad deed can take you to jennah and a good deed can take you to hell. (Forgive me if Im mistaken I think that’s a hadith;not sure) I believe this to be so true. That one sin can be the sin to take you to jennah by always repenting and getting closer to Allah and feeling remorse. As opposed to a good deed that can make one so prideful and feel they have done enough infront of God. Allahualim."

Twenty.

Dear Ummi,

It's been exactly twenty years since you delivered me. I wonder if at that time in the labour room, you were wondering, "What will she be like in 10 years, 20 years? Will I be a good parent? Will she be a good person?"

I don't have the answers to those. Even if I have turned 20. It sounds like such a huge number already. And they say, "Once you turn 20, life will just fly by." What more since I'm taking medicine, right?

I remember there was one time I entered your room and I said, "Ummi, I'm so scared to grow up. There's a lot of bad people, bad goings-on out there." At that time, I had just read the newspaper. I really was so scared. And I don't know if I'd be able to survive living in the "real world". And you calmly replied, "Alia, the world needs good people like you to grow up."

After 20 years of living, am I a good person? I don't know. I don't think I am yet. Many blunders, mistakes I wish I could turn back time to erase and undo. Probably things you might wish too. But going back in time would also mean missing out on opportunities that happened when those shortcomings happened.

And standing where I am today, I am grateful for the way you raised me:) Sometimes I wish I can learn faster and do all the things I want to do. And you must be snickering, "Impatient Gen Y" (hehe). But I KNOW where I want to go. I know what are the things I need to do that inspires me to become a better Muslimah and I know what are the places I should be frequently associating myself with that should insyaAllah increase my iman. And for that reason, that insight, that vision, Alhamdulillah and thank you for guiding me patiently for two decades. 

Dear Ayah,

During my high school graduation, you sent me a message. You said that because you were outstation when I was born, you had planned to redeem it by always being there for me throughout the rest of my life. You've held onto that promise tightly until now.

 Ayah, if I haven't already told you this, I hope you know that you are my source of inspiration. I don't know how you do it but no matter how tired or difficult your day was, you never failed to call out my name happily whenever you pick me up to go home. My "almost-failed-exams-and-life-is-so-impossible-and-I-have-so-many-things-to-do-this-weekend" feeling completely disappears. It's just simple small things, but those inspire me the most.

Dear Ummi and Ayah,

 I turned twenty. And a very awesome 20th birthday it is. I'd update about the Twenties for Smileys project in the next post. This is about the very start of my 26th November:)

On Thursday night, I was studying CNS physio (for our assessment the next morning) with Cah. At 12am, Min, Aki and KakFiza went into the kitchen to cook maggi. And then they came out with Secret Recipe's Chocolate Indulgence with two candles! It was really so sweet!:)

Chocolate Indulgence from Min, KFiza, Aki & Cah:)
Note the CNS Physio modules around:P

The next morning, we took our test and then headed for reflection. While waiting for the reflection session and actually throughout the day, there were a lot of people who passed me donations for Twenties for Smileys!:) I was really so touched and at a loss for words whenever people passed me the donations. I don't know how to tell them how I really really appreciate their deed. May Allah bless each and every one of you:)


We had reflection and immediately after that, Amira and Zahidah came into the room singing "Happy Birthday to you~" and joined by all the M19 members!

A second unexpected surprise! 3 cakes from Secret Recipe!
Thank you M19:)

Cah, Meet, Diba, Sufi, Zedah, Mira, Aufa
Sarah, Me, Aki
My M19:)

hazelnut cheesecake

pecan butterscotch

white choc macadamia

We had a "suap-suap" session after that:)

Stevie Wangwang given and named by Mira:)

Blueberry Cheesecake from IPP MMU TMC:)

And the rest of the day was *almost* just like a normal beautiful friday:)

So yes, it turned out into the best birthday ever:) With a total amount of RM 1,180 (and still counting!) for the Twenties for Smileys!:) Alhamdulillah. Also received cards, letters, two books as a present:) One of the best birthday present was from a senior; in the form of a reminder. To still remember the right intentions as for the reason of doing T4S:)

So that's my beautiful 20th birthday:)

Lots of Love, 

Alia

Twenties for Smileys!:)

Why Twenties for Smileys?

I came across an extremely inspiring trailer (a definite MUST watch!) regarding Charity: Water. It all started when the founder asked his friends to donate $20 for his 31st birthday for the cause of providing clean water for people in Kenya. The Kenyans previously had to walk HOURS to get clean water; and even then, the water were still dirty. Now? They managed to drill wells and provide clean drinking water for over hundreds and thousands of people! Isn't that amazing?:D

And so, "Twenties for Smileys" started:) With only 5 days left, I decided that I would want my birthday to make a difference. I'm going to be turning 20 on Friday, 26th November. I'd like to ask you to consider donating RM 20 (on my 20th birthday) whereby 100% will go to the Smile Train, an organization dedicated to providing free cleft surgeries for children in rural and poor places.

One cleft surgery costs RM 840. Previously, I had raised for medications of a surgery. In a second project, I raised funds enough for 2 surgeries. This time, I'm aiming for 5 surgeries:) It will really be the coolest and most awesome thing ever if this can make kids smile; and not just them but their parents and families too!

So, if you'd like, you can 1) donate to my MAYBANK 162674045935 or by cash if you meet me:)

and 2) I would be most grateful if you can share about this cause by posting this link on your Facebook or Twitter. This can tell more people about clefts and perhaps spark someone to raise funds with their birthdays too:)

The Smile Train: Changing the World One Smile At A Time:)

TEDxYouth@KL!

 It was awesome!

*note: the final paragraph holds the most important part of this post.

I know the word is overused but it's short for amazingly wonderfully excellently superbly overwhelmingly movingly exceptional! plus all other words related to those.

When Shobana messaged me a few months back, all she said was, "Hey Alia, are you interested to be a speaker for our youth program?" and I never heard from her again til about one and a half months ago when she confirmed my speaking slot about my Smile Train project at TEDxYouth@KL.

Basically it's a summit gathering youths and featuring speakers who would share on how to Be the Change. You can check out more about them here: www.tedxyouthkl.com

I've given a speech about the Smile Train a few times before but it only lasts about 7 minutes. This was a challenge because it's timed for 18 minutes. I crafted the speech about a month back; but with studies, SCTLs, assignments, assessments, exams, I was a little distracted. On Thursday morning, few days ago, I was having a really bad sore throat and woke up to find that I could only croak a few sounds much to my horror. From then til the morning of the event, I had been coughing and sneezing and hoping to conserve my voice; and that my immune system would please please please not start acting up during the presentation. Allah answered my prayers:) But during the whole event, I ended up talking to people (many amazing ones, I must say), straining my already-inflamed throat and it is now mayday-ing for some rest.

I met many dedicated youths today; people I would want to work with and associate with any time, any where:) They are so awe-inspiring (is there such a word?). Prashun, Shobana, Hafiz, Tristan, Teng Yew, among some of the organizers. And listening to the other enlightening speakers, Niki, John-Son, Navin (sorry I missed, I would definitely listen to your future talks!), Sabrie, Aanatha and JFK. They're all really entertaining and some educational speeches. Niki talked about the education system, Navin talked about recycling business, Sabrie talked about politics. I talked to Navin after that and he shared about the difference between profit and social businesses. He's got a lot of insight to share:D

TEDxYouth@KL Speakers. 

Picture from Prashun Kumar, Organizer:)

Most importantly, I'd like to say that I am so immensely thankful to be surrounded by people who care about me. The night and also the morning of the event, I had people messaging me and wishing me all the best:) I wish I can name them all here but not too sure if they would like to be mentioned:P But you all know who you are:) I would like to personally thank each and everyone of you; if you didn't receive a reply, please forgive me because my mind was elsewhere. But do know that I deeply appreciate each and every one of them :) They were my source of strength.

Among the inspirational: "Don't be afraid if you're going to fall because even if you did, then it will only make you go nowhere else but up. So, just be inspiring the way you are Alia Nadhirah." I got a delightful message on my way to the event "We came to support you, aliaXD" so I knew my classmates were coming:D Sangat sangat sangat terharu to see Najwa, Evieygaliasyg, Mira, Syuk and Cukie. Also to the people who wanted to be there but couldn't (yes, I got your message, aki). You guys are the best:) Thanks also Hafiz and Hamzah, and also it's a pleasure meeting you, Azim :) All your presence speak volumes.

Certificate of Appreciation from organizer Prashun Kumar

Also, met someone who came to me after the event to personally congratulate me and ask me more. He happened to be a friend of a friend (who couldn't be there because he had to attend his graduation). Again, a pleasure and DEFINITELY a surprise.

Special thanks to Ummi Ayah and my greatest supporters; my brothers. When I thanked them, they said, "Of course, Kak Alia, how can we not be there?"

Looking forward to future youth programs and be inspired by all these amazing people :)