Four at last

I am finally in Kuching, and masyaAllah, it feels great! Why? Because after years of separation and after years living apart from one another, we are together again, at long last.

And I have only that to update. This moment will be cherished forever.

Marlynna, Mohd Marzwan, Mardyati, Marlynni - 4 Mars

Because we awesome like that

Po, the Dragon Warrior

Po and the Furious Five

Have you ever watched Kung Fu Panda and Kung Fu Panda 2?
Well, Kung Fu Panda is my all-time favourite cartoon from Disney, and no matter how many times you put it on repeat, I will always watch it and never get tired of it. It's really that awesome. In fact, I can even memorize most of the scripts used in the cartoon and even after hundreds of time watching it, I can still laugh at the pictures and scenes. (Okay. I sound obsessive. Eheh!)

You see, there's something special about this cartoon that makes it memorable and enjoyable. And no, I'm here not to write a review about it, but I'm here to share what I get every single time I watch it. If you haven't watched Kung Fu Panda, then I highly recommend you to watch it, again, and again, and again, and again... In fact, I always watch it whenever I need extra motivation to work. There are times where I would just play the cartoon and just listen to the cartoon. Never fail to make me smile.

The main character of the cartoon is Po. Now, you see, unlike other movies or cartoon, Po is a very special character -- he's a big, fat PANDA! You can tell that the cartoon is about Po, since, well, isn't it obvious? The title itself is called Kung Fu PANDA? Oy!! Focus!
In Kung Fu Panda, the story starts with Po dreaming of becoming a renowned Kung Fu Warrior who awesomely fights alongside the Furious Five, but in reality, Po was just the son of a Noodle Soup shop owner and his dream was just a dream. But, despite knowing the impossibility of the dream, Po kept on dreaming and hoping that he can master the arts of Kung Fu and able to protect China and its citizens. When Po was chosen to become the Dragon Warrior by Master Oogway, everyone was in awe, especially Master Shifu. Shifu was reluctant over the fact that Oogway had chosen a fat panda who had fallen from the sky rather than choose the students he had trained for years. Master Tigress was also shocked but chose not to rebel and question the decision that Oogway made. After knowing that he was chosen to be Dragon Warrior, Po was both shocked and excited that finally his dream would come true. The story continues with Shifu unable to accept the fact and reality that Po was chosen to fulfill his destiny as Dragon Warrior. Po did not give up despite knowing that Shifu despised him. But because he was determined to achieve his dreams, he gave his utmost in his training. No matter how much Shifu wanted to kick out or scare Po, Shifu did not succeed. The harder the training, the more it increases Po's enthusiasm to go on.

Master Oogway's advice

Anyway, in the end, Shifu learned how to accept the truth that Po was the Dragon Warrior, and Po learned how to control himself in order to fulfill his destiny and to achieve his dreams. He learned to believe in himself and with that, he was able to defeat Tai Lung who came back to settle his grudges on Shifu and claim himself as the real Dragon Warrior. Po became China's most awesome warrior, and with that, everyone loved Po for his bravery and success.

Well, that's only for Kung Fu Panda, and not Kung Fu Panda 2. I'll put up Kung Fu Panda 2, maybe next month. Now, anyway, as I was saying... Isn't this cartoon great? It taught me to believe in myself and to control myself in order to be able to achieve what I had longed for. People may not approve of what I want and desire along the way, but with persistent effort and high determination, I can fulfill my destiny. I can achieve my dreams, just like Po. Po showed courage and strength in his journey. He got scared along the way, but he did not quit. He endured both mental and physical pain so that he can be stronger in the future. In the end, Po succeeded.

Po and Master Shifu

And we should be too. We often say to ourselves that we can't do it. Instead of saying that, why not we tell ourselves that we can do it? When Po received the Dragon Warrior's Scroll, the scroll was empty except for a shiny golden surface which reflected Po's face. At first glance, no one understood what it meant, and everyone gave up. Po did too, but when he talked to his father, only then he understood what the scroll meant.
"To make something special, you just have to believe it's special," he said. And though his dad was talking about his secret ingredient soup, Po finally got an idea and finally smiled. The only thing we need to believe is that we are special. There's no secret in success. The only thing we have to do is to just believe that we are special and we can do it. Without it, then everything will be in vain.

I don't watch cartoon or movies without learning at least one thing from it. And by watching Kung Fu Panda, I am able to gain confidence about myself. If Po the big fat panda can do it, then so can I! All I have to do is to just keep on believing that I am special. One of a kind.
Like I always say : Be different, be unique!

Keep being awesome, people! Adieu!

New semester!

Hola, como estas? Oy oy oy~

It's the first day of a new semester today, and boy, am I happy!
Why? Well, one : I get to meet with many new faces today. First years were swarming today, wandering around the faculty, looking so young and fresh. So eager to fill their heads with knowledge that will one day bring benefits, development and growth into our world! Okay. Too immersed in adrenaline, doncha think? Eheh! Looking at them reminds me of my first day stepping into my faculty as a counseling student, and who would've thought that now I am a semester 6 student, a final year student who's going to look after and care for my new juniors! Ah! I love them already!

Herp derp!

Two : I got my results today, and boy, I had never felt so relieved! Alhamdulillah, I did not expect it to improve, but it did, and I am thankful. My hard work really paid off. Now, if you were to ask me, there are only 3 occasions where the faculty will be packed with people. Results' Day, the first day of final exams, and campus election day. Aha! Anyway, people were so busy asking each other about their results today, and my faculty had never been so noisy before. My batch-mates, on the other hand, were busy asking each other about updates on their lives, and how their practicum period was. I wasn't excluded in this. In fact, after 6 weeks of practicum, I had never felt closer with my batch-mates like how I had felt today. Which leads to reason number 3 why I love the first day of a new semester.

I went to college early today, and it was a bit of a shock to me that college seemed empty at first. I had to sit and work at Kelab Kaunseling's registration counter for semester 5 and 6 today, and I had never talked so much in a day like how I talked today. The registration counters were almost never empty, and there's always going to be someone sitting and chit-chatting away. Ah. I'm really going to miss being in college once my diploma years end. I have 4 months left of college, and somehow it pains me to just think that I'll be away from all my juniors and friends. Sitting at the registration counter today really made me think that time flies really fast. It felt like only yesterday I was a semester 1 student, and now I'm a final year student. It felt like only yesterday I was nominated as an academic exco for my faculty and now I am someone who people go to for references.

Time really flies when you have fun. And this first day of a new semester always reminds me of just how important time is in our lives. Every second of our life is precious. Once it is gone, then you can't get it back. That's why there's a saying : Enjoy every moment of your life! and Live life to the fullest! When you fail, keep moving forward. Without failure, you won't be able to greet success with a smile! This reminds me of one of my favorite cartoon : Meet The Robinsons. Oy oy oy~ I love cartoons. Okay. Random shizzles. Har dee har har~

Anyway, welcome to a new semester, Mardyati!
Second semester, year 3 for a counseling diploma. May Allah accept our littlest deeds!
Biidznillah!

5th Dec : The Final Chapter

Today is the last day for practicum, which also means that today is the last day I'll be working as a trainee counselor. It has been a wonderful 6 weeks being in UiTM Melaka, and the experiences and the memories will last me for a lifetime! Indeed it will.

Kak Aini, Pn Anis, Kak Fatin, Pn Mizah, En Bakri, Pn Baiti

I'm going to miss UiTM, especially the people that I've met during these 6 weeks. Like, Pn Baiti, for instance. And there's the other counselors from UiTM KAG, Pn Mizah and En Bakri. Then there's two other intern counselors from KAG, kak Fatin and kak Aini. In fact, if I were to list out everyone's names out, it'll tear me up! (Ahah! Talk about having a soft heart. Aha!) 6 weeks of practicum, 6 weeks of working, 6 weeks of learning, 6 weeks of happiness, 6 weeks of my semester break. 6 weeks feels so insufficient and I am quite sad and a little bit disappointed that I was given only such a small amount of time to savour and really grasp this opportunity to experience first-hand of what and how it is to be a counselor. I had hoped for a longer time for practicum, but 6 weeks will do, then. At least we were given this chance now, right?

These past few weeks had taught me many things. These people, too, had taught me many things about life, and they had made me realized the true meaning of life as a whole. I had never met such outspoken, carefree, caring and supportive people. It has been quite awhile since I've felt close to someone new; It's like as if we were a part of a family. My expectations were met, to be honest, during these 6 weeks. And I had never been happier. To walk out this room today feels so sad and somehow it feels like I'm walking out from a life that I had long desired. A life that I had longed imagined. A life that I thought would never happen for me.

[credit]

Before practicum started, our lecturer told us that we were to carry out 10 individual sessions, 5 group sessions and attend or conduct 3 programs in this 6 weeks, and alhamdulillah, all praises to Allah, He had eased us in our journey. And through that journey, too, we had learned so much from our clients. Each and every single one of us has a struggle of our own. Each one of us has our own path to walk, to take, and it is unfair for us to make fun of other people's paths. Their path may differ from us, but who knows one day their path will cross-path with ours. By looking at other people's life, we can learn a great deal. As for me, I had learned to be thankful and grateful of my life, despite the emotional turmoil that I have to suffer each passing day. After hearing countless stories about other people's lives, it made me realized that my life isn't at all that bad. True, some stories of my life had devastated me before, but then again, there are others who's currently suffering something far worse than what I had to encounter -- or currently have to encounter. If they can still live life to the fullest, and still stand up tall, then why can't I be like them too?

Mira, Pn Baiti, Me

In fact, my clients had successfully opened my eyes to see life in a different angle, in a different perspective. They had made me fully aware about life and its simplicity. The only thing's complicated about life is our views and distorted perspective of it. Only now, I finally understand what it is to live life to the fullest. To be carefree, and happy always. No matter how rough the storm is, the sun always comes out again. These people, for the past 6 weeks, had finally made me a better person. Had successfully made me smile endlessly till the end. They had taught me to live life without regrets, and to continue my current path and not stray from it. These people had showed me a great deal of love, kindness and support, and believe me, I love them, lillahi!

Ah. I'm going to miss being in UiTM. Being with these people. Being with my clients, being with the
students and staff there. Gonna miss working as a counselor. But all in all, I'm going to miss the environment, and how it made my heart feel. I'm going to make these 6 weeks a memory of a lifetime! For 6 weeks, the only emotions I had felt were happiness and contentment, and I had never been happier! Thank you to everyone for helping me improve for the better for the last 6 weeks. Thank you for everything, for the lessons, for the motivation, for the support, and especially for this 6 weeks of experience. Thank you, and I hope to see each and every single one of you again later on in life. Who knows, our path might cross each other one day! Ah. And yes, I will always miss you guys. Smiles.

Ah! Life has to move on, though, because I have a dream to achieve. Like what Pn Baiti always say : We need to move on and to always believe! And that, I will.. Wink.