I received my FYP marks. I got 83. That’s an A. Although my GPA is in progress, I am already thrilled and elated with my scores. I felt that my hard work and unintentional breakdown episodes were justified.
The first person I thought of was my supervisor, Dr Juliana. I wanted to give her something as a token of appreciation for the relentless support and motivation given to me throughout my 1-year journey of doing FYP. It was no easy feat. Even in medical school, there was no similar concept of FYP involved. However, I do have to note that the final exams for medical school were killing me. Ha ha. Even then, FYP was a different ballgame altogether.
I searched for florists and gift shops within Dr Ju’s campus. My brain was finding it very difficult to fathom the geography of KL and Selangor. I had to use Google Maps to see if the shop was within acceptable delivery distance ranges. Finally, I spotted a place called Petals & Chocs at Seri Kembangan. An order was placed and I had it delivered to my supervisor at her campus.
I added another 3 roses to this gift selection.
Alhamdulilah, my supervisor received it well. It was the least I could do for her constant guidance and prayers.
Ramadan is coming soon. I have started searching for suitable gifts for my friends and family.
Khatam Quran, meaning the completion of the recitation of the Holy Quran, is a significant milestone for many Muslims. This act signifies not just the finishing of the Quran but also a spiritual journey filled with reflection and devotion. Many aim to complete the Quran during the month of Ramadan, engaging in daily recitation to deepen their connection with Allah and to gain a better understanding of Islamic teachings. The completion is often met with joy and gratitude, as it represents a personal achievement in one’s spiritual growth.
The celebration of the Khatam Quran typically includes communal gatherings, where family and friends come together to honour this sacred accomplishment. These gatherings often involve collective prayers, the recitation of verses, and heartfelt supplications, known as du’as, during which individuals seek blessings and guidance. Additionally, it is common to perform acts of charity, embodying the values of generosity and community spirit that are emphasised in Islam. Through such celebrations, Khatam Quran not only strengthens individual faith but also fosters a sense of unity and shared purpose within the community.
Haneem had her ceremony recently. It was planned by Mr Husband and his side of the family. Haneem said she was nervous but braved on. She has been practising her recitations with her cousin, who also Khatam Quran for the past few weeks during the school holidays.
On the day itself, both of them recited the Quran in front of the imam. Then, everyone had a meal. My MIL ordered some catering. Mr Husband and his siblings prepared the goodie bag. Haneem and her cousin received monetary gifts from guests. It is not compulsory but the kids obviously loved them. Haneem received RM230 in total and requested all of it to be placed inside her Tabung Haji account. Bless her heart.
The room, food and activities are nice for exhausted parents with energetic children. I booked a room with two single beds on Agoda. Com. Total was RM 442.45 including tax and fee for a 3D2N stay. This time I did not include breakfast. I wanted to see whether the menu is nice. If not, we will have our meal nearby. This resort is located at Ayer Keroh. Thus, near a few main attractions and MITC of course. That is where the food is. However, we did get 2 free waterpark tickets (priced at RM15/each). I bought an additional 2 tickets.
We checked in on Friday just after our Rejab Iftar at Mi Tarik Lanzhou. Mr. Husband brought his inflatable mattress. We pushed the single bed next to each other, giving enough room for the Queen-sized mattress. There were the usual expected amenities: FREE WIFI (with a very long password), a mini fridge, an iron with a board, and a TV. Plus points, a bathtub, and room service! Although we do not need it, the idea of it being available made me happy.
Even chilling at the lobby is nice. The breeze, the ambience is just relaxing and cooling.
In-house breakfast started at 7am. The price was RM30 for adults and RM20 for children. The options were satisfactory. They had bread but not other forms of pastry. The bihun and curry were delicious. There’s nasi lemak, lontong, congee etc. I loved that they provided mugs for our hot beverages and not those tiny cups. That is the way to go! Mr Husband had a meeting that morning at a nearby hotel, so I didn’t bring the kids for a swim due to safety reasons. I worry that I won’t be able to keep an eye on both. But we did play at the playground and the kids’ zone. The entry bracelet could be worn for both days we were there. In other words, you can enter and exit the park no matter how many times you like, as long as you wear the bracelet. We went to the waterpark later in the evening once Mr Husband came back from his meeting. The employees even use the stapler to make it easy to remove and fasten again.
Our humble breakfast buffet.
After breakfast, I brought them to the playground near the waterpark. For Vitamin D.
There’s also an indoor playground – the Kids Zone. With a mini library and lots of little tables for self-activity.
There’s also a little sand area where kids can build sandcastles and stuff. There were lots of slides too. My daughter tried the‘tall’ one. That one is only for kids between 6 to 10 years old.
That’s why I believe this is an excellent spot for tired parents. Personally, I don’t have the stamina to spend over four hours at a water park just to get my money’s worth. But at Amverton, we could enjoy an hour of water play, take a break for a meal and a nap, and then head back in the evening for another session. Later, we’d pause for dinner and even continue the water park fun the next day until checkout. It’s perfect for parents to sneak in some much-needed rest between activities. I believe the adults would enjoy the swim at the huge pool just beside the mini water park. I’ll do that with Haneem once she’s a bit older. Amverton is also lenient with swimwear. I love that we can wear T-shirts instead of a burkini.
The normal swimming pool roughly 4ft over here and the waterpark just beside it.
We used GRAB for our lunch and dinner. There’s an in-house restaurant and cafe where you can have your meal. I might consider that during our future visits. Yes, we love this place so much that we’re thinking of making it our getaway place at times when we feel that we need to go to a kiddie-themed waterpark.
My daughter was very excited when she discovered my YouTube channel. It was a channel I set up quietly to build up my skills using the camera function on my phone. I think she loved seeing her face in the videos rather than anything. She became my 25th subscriber.
She also asked me to make more videos for 2025. I will think about it. Until I get my FYP results for psychology, my mind is not really resting.
Whenever you reach a stage in your life where money can buy you anything your heart desires, learn to live below your means. So that you will be able to appreciate life and experience happiness in the simplest things.
A few months ago, I had a realization: choosing to spend money lavishly (which I don’t necessarily do) might lead to a lifelong cycle of chasing dopamine highs. For instance, if dining at Secret Recipe becomes just an ordinary meal, the urge to seek out even more upscale restaurants arises when celebrating or wanting a more special experience. Many people my age likely remember a time when KFC was considered a luxury, a treat for special occasions. These days, for most, KFC is simply a convenient way to fill their stomachs, disconnected from the joy of shared moments with loved ones. It’s no longer the rare indulgence or meaningful family experience it once was.
This cycle of seeking greater thrills or pleasure can also explain why some individuals turn to drugs. When everyday activities lose their charm and no longer bring happiness, people may resort to extreme measures to feel something. Or anything. Much like how the joy of simple treats like KFC fades when they become routine, the fulfilment from ordinary joys diminishes, driving some to pursue more intense experiences. Over time, this pursuit can rob them of the ability to find joy in the simple, meaningful aspects of life.
Thus, I’ve made a conscious effort to simplify my lifestyle. I’ve toned down on online shopping, resisting the urge to constantly seek excitement through new purchases. Instead, I’ve focused on cooking more at home, rediscovering the joy and satisfaction of preparing meals for myself and my family. These small but intentional changes have not only helped me save money but also brought a sense of fulfilment that no extravagant splurge could replace. It’s a reminder that happiness often lies in the simple, deliberate moments we create for ourselves.