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.

Noviembre.

Last day of November! Oy!

Time really flies! So, here's a random topic!

On November 2010, 4 years ago, I began a new hobby. And I have no idea how the idea started, but I still enjoy doing it until now, and I do believe in the quote : Practice makes perfect. And to be honest, it has been a year that I left this hobby of mine. It makes me sad, you know, to abandon it. But, now that I'm going to have many time on my hands, will be so, I'm thinking of being active again.

You're probably wondering what it is, ay? (I don't think you are. Har dee har har!)

I am proud with these.

I'm a crafter. I began by selling friendship bracelets at school, to my juniors, to my little sister's friends, to anyone online who wanted to buy them. Then, I came across crocheting. And believe me, I am one obsessive crocheter! It has been a year since I left the world of crafting, but my enthusiasm and passion about it had never decreased nor has it ceased. In fact, the longer I abandon it, the stronger my passion. Aaahhhh! I really miss it. Sigh.

Lo and behold!

In fact, when I was in semester 2, I stumbled upon a set of crochet hooks that was on sale on Facebook, and since it has been ages since I've looked for hooks that are in sets, I bought them~ Oy! And talk about being random here. These precious crochet hooks of mine are really something that I am really proud of. No one understands just how happy I am when I engage myself in this activity. I don't think my skills are rusty now that I've abandoned it for almost a year, and I am very eager to start it again. Oy~ Can't wait!

Well, I told you, this was a random topic. Muahaha.

Since it is kind

a related to November, right? Okay. Adieu!

Me gusta~ Oy! Oy!

Day 4, week 5.

It's day 4 of week 5 of practicum, which means, it has been 5 weeks since I'm in UiTM KBM. It has been 5 weeks that me and Mira has worked as a trainee counselor. 5 weeks has passed, can you believe that?

I still can't believe I can call myself as a trainee counselor. I remember the first day I went to UiTM KBM to work as a trainee counselor. I was scared and nervous. Why? Well, I was scared and nervous to meet my supervisor and be a part of an organization since, well, UiTM is basically a huge organization with many branches throughout Malaysia. But in the end, I was proven wrong when I  met with many wonderful staffs and the majority of my time was spent with complete ease with their company and presence. The warm welcoming was enough to make anyone smile and never frown.

I remember my first year as a counseling student. I remember people telling me that I was ridiculous in pursuing my dream in becoming a psychologist, but I brushed the comments off and pursued my dream anyway. And never once did I ever regret my decision. True, there are times where I would doubt myself about it, but in the end, I would always get back on track and still move forward with it. You see, counseling or psychology has been a huge dream for me. Well, it wasn't exactly that -- I was aiming to become a psychiatrist before, but I failed in that. But the failure in becoming a psychiatrist has opened up the doors that will lead me to become a psychologist or a counselor, and I will use this chance wisely to learn and improve myself. I will never let go of this opportunity.

Believe, and you're halfway there!

That's how life is, you know. When you encounter failure, don't dwell on it. Instead, look beyond it and learn from it. I've encountered many failures in my life, and I've dwelt on some before, but I've learned my lesson. Dwelling on it won't get me anywhere in life. In fact, it would only hold you from growing and make you depressed. There's a quote by Helen Keller that I love :
"When one door of happiness closes, another opens; But often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one that has been opened for us."

I am not lying about it either. We often dwell and linger on our failures that we forget that success is never-ending and failure is not (and never) the ending. In fact, I've learned this the hard way. The prolonged depression that I felt when I failed before was enough to hit me in the head and to go back to square one. It is never too late to go back to square one. All we have to do is to just believe that the failure that we've encountered means that another door of opportunity and chance for success has been opened. And even if the door leads to another failure, keep on believing until you come across the right door which leads to a path of your desired success.

It's going to be my second semester of year 3 this December (sixth semester all in all). And for the past 3 years, I had met with many people that had taught me the true definition of life and what and how to gain contentment from what life has to offer. I learned so many new things that I even forgot how I was before coming to this college. I am able to smile gleefully and happily now without having the slightest regret of what my pasts hold. I've dealt with heartbreak along the way too, and I've laughed till I cried with many occurrences. In fact, I've encountered all the possible emotions there is, and yet I am still alive and that what makes it more memorable.

I guess this is what my school counselor used to tell me when I was 16. She said : "Taking counseling as a course has changed me and my views of life. I went back to square one and began a new life. I found a new breath of life. It felt like a wonderful transition from a broken me to a new and enjoyable me. I finally say the light at the end of the tunnel and I fought hard to gain that light. I had never regretted this decision ever. True, life has been an up and down ride for me, but rather than to be depressed, I finally am able to change my views toward life and change depression into contentment. I am happy now, and I won't stop believing. You will feel this too, one day. I am sure of it!"

It has been 4 years since she said that to me, but I still remember every word and every moment I've spent with her. And my enthusiasm to pursue my dream increased profusely. And now, I will never regret this decision. This is the transition that I need. This is that new breath. All I have to do now is to keep on believing.

Week 1 as a trainee counselor

Day 4 of week 5.

I am happy. I am enjoying life. I want to face my fears. I want to believe. I want to be positive. I want to be there for people. I want to love everyone. I want to be a person of good influence. I want to be a new me. I want to learn to be independent. I want to be me. I've learned about how change takes time and determination. I've learned about the importance of having a dream to stick and to chase. I've learned to love those whom I just met and who I've already met wholeheartedly. I've learned to stay positive -- especially during critical moments where anxiousness can easily set in. Most importantly, I've learned to look into many matters of life in the spectacles of a true Muslim!

And I won't stop believing. Because I know I can.

Day 4 of week 5. I will always cherish all the days I've spent and all the days I will spent, and most importantly, I will cherish the days I am spending. I am sad to leave UiTM, not because my semester 5 results are out next month, but because I've grown to love and miss UiTM with every passing second that I'm in UiTM. But, life has to move on. I'm going to miss them a lot.

Life is beautiful, can't you see?
With all the joy, sorrow and calamity.
But never fear, never worry,
never ever feel sorry.
Because life is a long story,
that we write about our journey.
It is never stagnant, nor scary.
Because life is all about beauty.
Open your eyes wide so you can see,
that we have a life that's temporary.
We strive hard to gain the eternity,
not for a life that's temporary.
If you stray, you'll be in a quandary,
so go back to Him, and He'll end your misery.
With His power, He is the Almighty,
able to change strength from your vulnerability.
With that I give you a guarantee,
a complete and strong certainty!
Life is always beautiful, can't you see?
With its joy, sorrow and calamity.

The person I am today is not the person I was yesterday.
Because I have a dream. That's a certainty! How about you?

Random

Stay strong, my love...

The end of practicum is getting nearer and nearer, and I don't think I am ready to leave yet. Not just yet. There are parts of this period that disenchant me, but I still think it's a wonderful chance to be able to work as a counselor -- even only for 6 weeks. To be acknowledged as a member of a staff and to be acknowledged as a counselor feels so awesome for me.

Not everything in life will make you happy, and so is not everything in life will make you sad and sappy. Life is a balance occurrence. These few weeks working a routinized hour of 8 am to 5 pm was a pain for me at first, but just by having a recognition is enough to make me happy. It's awesome to be able to be part of the society, and not just be the receiver of education ie a student. I don't know, but I had always imagined myself working as a counselor (or a psychologist) ever since I was 14, and somehow being able to do that now (even for just a short period) suffice and able to make me feel satisfied. Somehow, I am content to what I have now. I am in a field in which I had long desired and had long dreamed of. Still striving to be a psychologist -- who knows, maybe one day I might be able to be like Dr Halimatun! But, reality check! I am still a student now, aren't I? So, maybe I should focus on this first before anything else.

Many has said that a student's life should be used wisely, and so I will use it wisely. Students should seek experience in many fields, not just by smothering ourselves with books. Without experience, the things that we learned in lectures are for vain.

Anyway, I'm clearly not making any sense at all with this post, but then again, I just needed to type anyway. I need to think of what to write (type) from now on, or at least need to rethink about all this blogging stuff again. Hm.

Stay focus. Stay coordinated. Stay positive. Stay strong.

Keep on believing.

Use time wisely. Because once it is gone, there's nothing you can do to take it back. But, unlike others who wishes to enjoy the majority of their time (and also, money) going shopping, karaoke-ing, or even just loitering endlessly without purposes, I really don't want to follow. Time, to me, is too precious to be wasted, but then again, with me saying that is like a huge irony in my part. Though my realization and awareness regarding the importance of time is huge (Si, muy importante!), I am not one who uses the time efficiently either. In fact, if I were to compare myself with others, I am no different. But that doesn't mean that I can't improve myself on the matter now, right? Wink.

Get back up,
up on your feet.
Don't give up,
never admit defeat!

Experience 1.0

"Being a counselor comes from the heart," said Dr Halimatun Halaliah to us last Monday.

4 weeks of practicum has passed. A month being in UiTM Melaka (Kampus Bandar) a.k.a UiTM KBM as a trainee counselor has taught me many things. It has made me realize just how awesome a counselor's job is, and how awesome life can be. I just don't know if I can be okay once my practicum period ends. Two weeks to go, but as the days pass by, I can't help but to fall even deeply in love with the job and profession. There even comes a point during these practicum days that I wish I can work and not be a student anymore. The satisfaction that I feel is beyond words can ever explain.

Patience, Mardyati. Patience...

What Dr Halimatun taught us last Monday made me remember and relive the day where I said to myself that I will work hard and be a great contribution in the field of psychology and aid the society that we live in. If anyone were to ask me regarding the short course we had last Monday, I can profusely and wholeheartedly say that I really love it and I enjoyed every second of it. I can see and feel the passion that Dr Halimatun has in the field of counseling. At some point during that course, a huge part of me wants to be like her.
 

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Dr Halimatun emphasized to us regarding the importance of passion and involving the heart into the majority of things we do in life (except on that day, she emphasized it specifically for counseling). I agree, the heart is important. To be honest, last Monday's one-day course was just a course to enhance our skills in the counseling field. Mind you, the topic itself was straightforward ie Health and Basic Skills of Guidance and Counseling. The thing is, though I already know and understand most of the things that Dr Halimatun taught on the day, it somehow felt different and alien, as though I had never encountered any of it before. It felt like as if I was a semester 1 student again, full of enthusiasm and motivation to learn, and it really felt nice! Awesome, even!

Be a person with a heart; Don't be heartless!

True story. ;)

I've learned a great deal of things ever since I started my practicum. I never knew that working 8-hours a day can be so tiring -- even when there's hardly any work to do! But, despite being tired, working as a trainee counselor is fun! Being a part of society, giving for the society is somewhat a huge satisfaction in life for me, and I wish I can continue doing so forever. In these 4 weeks, the biggest lessons I've had is the lessons that I have to improve myself. I found out that without improving on my soft skills, my career life would be stagnant.

Anyway, I've met with many people with various backgrounds while being here. But what awes me is the reality in which I'm currently living. These people that I met here are the people who never knew how to give up. Somehow, after meeting with these kind of people, I grew happy and I instantly fell in love with them. In fact, I had never been happier.

Learn to be positive everyday. Stay positive. Stay positive. Stay positive!