i can do this. i can do this!

found it from here

yeah, it is good to keep the spirit on ourselves all the time!

well..

a good start from me after a few days off

hehe...

qila, get back to work!!

last meet-up before christmas

am going to meet my sv and a guest from Imperial to discuss about new approach that could be applied in my thesis
this Imperial guy would probably do most of the talkings to elaborate about his idea to both of us who are still clueless about the theory that he has suggested
we actually met this guy masa conference kat Kew haritu and he later mailed my sv to discuss about his thoughts
therefore, i came out with a list of preparation before the meet-up

- read some related journals about that particular approach, try to get some ideas on it
- bring the updated database.. a little bit more to complete!
- prepare some journal references to show to my sv about things i'm working on now.. (nak tunjuk die yang saya ada buat keje..hehe)

Dec - Jan - Feb

i have officially completed my autumn season's mushroom samplings last week
and succeeded in my first formal meeting with mr. sv and adviser also in the last week
so, for this coming 3 months, i am going to spend most of my time updating the database, organising my sampling results and plan for next year activities
in the meantime, i need to think about any additional topics/studies that i potentially can put in my thesis instead of all ideas that my sv and i have discussed before

akira~chan! ganbatte!

the outcome of my 4 months review meeting today

thumbs up!!
yeay!!

good starting, i guess?

late evening today, i received a short yet meaningful email from mr sv saying;

" I think this is absolutely splendid and is exactly what i wanted. Well done and thank you!"

it was about my review report that i've submitted to his inbox last week. Actually i am expecting some corrections and any additional points to be added in the report, but Alhamdulillah he is satisfied with that 4 pages report. Thank you Allah!

so, what's next? I am going to prepare myself for the review meeting with Mr. sv and my adviser to discuss about my project progress this coming Friday.. will do my best there~

yes Friday! = Eid-ul-Adha celebration = no cuti

update

as all of you know, I have just attended my first meeting on fungal fruiting in relation to different sort of fields (genetic, climate change etc) organised by BMS at Kew Gardens
overall i found it very interesting and as new intern, there will be lots of things to be learnt from these people
not many young people involved in this kind of activity, yeah.. most of them are seniors and old..tahap mak-ayah dan datuk-nenek.. really!

that's not the point, actually
the real point here is, these people has made a simple and viable study on mushrooms according to their research interest and later sit together in a room and shared their results within the people with the same interest that might include the locals too
i think the applying method is just cool! you don't have to be someone Dr. or Prof. in order to show your complicated methods and results to your audience..
it is just about being you -- either you're just local citizen or a researcher or an academia, they share everything

another story:
i have received a forwarded message from my sv yesterday
still about the Kew's meeting on the previous day
this time was about an interested postdoc from Imperial who has been interested with what my sv has been working on at the moment (that includes me) and came out with another theory approach to be applied together
so, mv sv has replied to the interested people, asking if he would be able to meet us and have a discussion about this
at first, i was kinda shocked, but i think this is the good way to expand network and started to think beyond the horizon..yeah, it's a good start
but before the meet-up, i need to study about that particular theory approach to get an understanding feature of it..

but, hold it!
i need to finish my 4 month progress report first..
the deadline is this Friday and a week after, i am going to have my first formal meeting with my sv and advisor..wish me luck guys!

esok

akan pergi ke Kew Gardens di Richmond
sempena Annual Conservation & Taxonomy Meeting British Mycological Society
dan akan bertemu pakar2 kulat specialising dalam aspek fungal fruiting
juga berpeluang berjumpa potential supervisor dari Norway
en. sv pun excited nak kenalkan saya dengan orang2 kat sana

nervous lagi..
huuuu..

working on manuscript

this afternoon, i am going to meet my sv to brief him about my ideas on our future manuscript
am not really sure whether he will likes it or not
but i have done my best after all
i am new into this manuscript thing, so i hope he will understand if i am still lacking in several aspects
i'm really excited to work on this project but at the same feel kinda nervous about it! am i going to produce a good manuscript? do i have enough contents to put in it? arrgggh!

...
hope everything will turn out well today..

November will be the most busiest month i guess

am going to Windsor for my 9th time sampling tomorrow
and with that, I will only have another 4 rounds for my mushroom samplings for this year before the winter arrives
also, many postgraduate programmes and training courses to be attended
but i'm fine with it
hopefully all hardworks at the beginning pays off in the end..insyaAllah

Kepada semua penerima biasiswa SLAB dan SLAI

Anda boleh check akaun anda di sini

Asian Mycological Congress 2009

dah dua kali berturut2 qila tak dapat sampaikan hajat yang satu ni
huh!
dahla buat dua tahun sekali
alasan kenapa tak dapat pi ?
2007-- saya tak cukup fund nak gi masa wat MSc
2009-- November, jadual saya pack dengan Research Training Programme ngan School nye training courses..

i'll make sure that i'll make it at 2011!
yes, i will..insyaAllah!

Event:
ASIAN MYCOLOGYICAL CONGRESS (AMC 2009) and the 11th INTERNATIONAL MARINE AND FRESHWATER MYCOLOGY SYMPOSIUM (IMFMS).
National Museum of Natural Science, Taichung, Taiwan, from November 15-19, 2009.

buku rujukan

yeah, like i told ya before
i'm not really good when dealing with stats
so, i bought this book to help me throughout my studies

went to meet my supervisor this afternoon to show my sampling progress and to discuss several matters about my research
n so far, he satisfied with my findings and he did recommending some additional points into my sampling results.. i can do that!
we do talked about my future tasks and he also inviting me to attend a conference at Kew's next month regarding mushroom's fruiting which i definitely call SUPERB!! my husband and i are actually planning to go there, but we have no idea when it will turn out to be real.. ouh, mr sv has make the dream come true, in-advance. yeah!.. yeay! i just can't wait to meet the expertise n surprisingly, the mycologist whom i am planning to meet with at Norway later also will attend this conference too! double luck!!

weee.. really can't wait for that!

i am having fun

..with spss!!
1st lab seems fine
n the handouts are clear and easy to understand
but more to come later!!
watch out!
hehe..

update

database:
stop at list no 8313, another 52,000 to go! fuh!

fungal sampling and identifying:
still running it.. n of course still learning

journal reading:
 already into it, a journal or two for a week (at least), but i'm considering to increase the number to gain as much info as possible and possibly new ideas for my research study

statistic class:
been missing two previous classes, due to postgraduate training course and received wrong information about the class location.. but this week, i definitely can make it!

postgraduate training courses:
really help me a lot to gain confidence, to manage my research, getting the most out of my supervisor, time management etc. love 'em!

found it!

since little girl, i always dream to see this mushroom alive in front of me
yela, because every fairy tales illustration must have this kinda mushroom inside
and if you realise the shape of mushroom that u've drawn since your childhood must resemble this mushroom kan?; the red cap with white spotted dots on its surface

n i found it!
for the first time of my life, for real!
it's Amanita muscaria in science or local's, Fly agaric

yeay!

overall: 18 samples collected in my 6th sampling

5th sampling

hubby is such a great photographer!

yeeha! one of my longest mushrooms in collection!
latest collections will be updated later
just got back from sampling sites.. penat!

my first class

today i've attended my first research skill training session as a PhD student
not bad!
i am starting to like this back-to-school whole thing!
being a student in sumwhere far from your country and with sumthing new to learn plus with the new environment, new people
it makes me so excited!
hopefully i'll keep my spirit from the first till the end of my 6th terms afterwards! insyaAllah

my training schedule weren't tight anyway
only 1-2 classes per week
and the rest, i'll spent mostly for my mushroom sampling and database lah!

well..
good news, i might going to be a demonstrator for mr sv's class
maybe this term, or maybe next term
it's going to be a new experience for me
plus receiving pocket money for hours spent teaching and guiding undergraduate students
how thrilled is that!

ok.. that's all from me at the moment
till the next entry

cheers!

fuh!

been doing lab works since morning to afternoon today
n having sue n leen (lab mates) around really made my day!
we chat about all sorts of things; from Sue's research project, British artists to the personal life
of course, while doing our lab works!
:)

a little relieved hearing about PhD upgrade interview from Sue
she said am gonna be fine
all i need to do is to prepare myself with project progress and future plan for research
and make sure everything is well-organized

i will do my best.. i will!
ganbatte masu!!!

3rd sampling and database

1) 3rd sampling

September 10, 2009
Zone 1
new area discovered!

not much samples collected during this day. the place was too dry, and received too much sunlight.. n below are some of my collections for the day

2) database update

stop at list no 2257
another 57,612 list to go!!

2nd sampling

August 27, 2009
Sampling 2
Zone 2

well.. about my sampling areas.. maybe some of you thought the areas must have been decided by my sv, right? no it wasn't! i have to decide which areas will be mine and for that, i have been given only 2 maps and a permit from Windsor Forest authorities and they have highlighted a big area (that may contain up to thousand hectares of the forest land!) and i am free to go anywhere within the boundaries.. yes free... but so far, we (together with mr husband) went there on our own and without any help from anybody else.. which i can be proud of it!

at first, those maps seems blurred and the reality paths/routes didn't seems similar to the one that been shown in map's.. we have to change our routes to another area (yet,waisting time)..but somehow, i feel that i gained confidence and strength to overcome this problem and get familiarised of the sampling areas..which i found so beautiful and gorgeous!

update: database

stop at list no 1618
n still in A list..aiyaaaa!
qila, sila jadi lebih rajin!!

progress

database
* baru sampai list yang ke 1289
* ada 58,580 data nak di'settle'

sampling
*esok (Khamis) akan pergi untuk kali kedua memandangkan semalam dan harini hujan
* hope there will be plenty of them tomorrow!

check this out!

August 19, 2009
sampling 1

one of my study sites

tekun taks? hehe

Amanita rubescens

predicted to be Boletus chrysenteron

Hypholoma fascicularis

Scleroderma citrinum

my working area in lab

well-equipped lab!

one of my successful-made spore prints! wee.. sample from Russula sp.

gigih! (hidden snap taken by mr hubby notty!)

as summary:

not much samples taken for the 1st day

(atas tu hanya sebahagian sahaja)

we had met troubles to seek on the suitable tracks for mushroom foray and also been disturbed by pet dogs belong to the people whose walking/exercising around the forest..well, they often walk/jog alone, so that's why they take along their pet for their safety..

huiisssh.. buat kecut perut je..!

ashita~ (esok)

akan mula sampling pertama saya di WGP ditemani en. suami
maka pada hari ini berjumpa dan berbincang dengan mr. sv pasal aktiviti sampling saya
die sangat teruja bile dengar saya nak mula sampling minggu ni
sebab kalau ikutkan, saya akan mula sampling musim luruh nanti (September)
tapi sebab nak biasakan diri dengan jalan ke hutan itu dan pilih route mana yang sesuai untuk jadi permanent study sites saya nanti, so saya rasa baik buat pre-sampling kan? *wink*

mr. sv banyak bagi guidelines pasal nak ID fungus2 yang bakal saya petik itu
plus he also gave me a very cute basket yang dulunya die guna basket itu untuk mushroom forays gak dan juga sudi pinjamkan buku untuk ID mushroom (by Roger Phillips) sementara saya tunggu buku saya yang dibeli dari e-bay sampai di main door tingkat bawah..hehe. so sweet of him!

task malam ini -- cube kenal2 mushroom yang common kat sini.. (~_^)


later~

buku yang baru saya beli.. also by Roger tapi buku yang belum sampai tu lebih detail skit

sudah ready dengan equipments! yeap..that's Alan's book..

wuuu.. the couple boots! bought them cheaper than u could never imagine..! haha..

recharging mode is over~~

saya akan mula bekerja!

last Thursday, mr. sv has handed me the 'precious' database that contains every single data for about 60,000 samples recorded since 1950s.. it was superb! he explained to me how the database works and taught me the steps to update, to analyze, transfer another data into the database etc. Moreover, he also supplied me with statistical analysis software for my future analysis. His last words before we end up our discussion that day were, "take your time, Aqila. You don't have to rush anyway. I am sure that it's gonna take months for you to complete that"..haha! banyakla tu nak kene buat pasni.. but then, I'm OK with that

another day, when i met Alan for further discussion, he has introduced me to Deborah, his post-doc student currently doing research on bug associated with fungi (if i'm not mistaken lah!).. he told that Deborah is going to Windsor Great Park (my future study site) the next day and going to meet the forest expertise (juga merangkap pakar dalam pengecaman fungus), Mr Ted Green and you know what's gonna happen, do you? Alan itu berkata yang ini adalah kesempatan terbaik untuk saya berjumpa En. Ted yang itu. maka sebagai student yang solehah, saya mengangguk saje. Amboi, baru lum lepas habis jetlag lagi dah kene tengok study site.. nyway, it was a great experience to meet him btw.. :)

I think i am gonna love this place~ the WGP.. why? sebab cendawan die besar2, cute, dan sangat senang nak jumpa..plus, hutannya takde banyak semak, tak banyak CWD, and the most important thing is ~ no leeches!! haha.. but somehow, there are times that the area will get wet and full of mud due to heavy rains in summer..so i shud get prepared with my boots and other equipments!

saya akan berjumpa dengan mr. sv isnin ni plak untuk report perjumpaan saya dengan en. ted dan perancangan untuk sampling saya di masa depan. ok, till then, everyone


toodles!

RHUL

Yesterday I've met my supervisor for the first time after exchanging mails for about 11 months
we promised to meet at 11
my husband and i went out from the house at 10 and we just walk to the university
it was sunny morning yet the air blown was so damn cold!

my sv's office is at the Bourne Building
to get there, we have to pass through several buildings
FYI, this uni wasn't that big as i expected before
kecik je, macam UMT tu..

it was still early as we arrived at the building
so, we took a rest and sat down at the bench in front of the Bourne's
10 mins before the meet up, we went in and look upon the building map to locate Prof. Alan's room
suddenly i heard a sound calling my name from behind
it was HIM!
i never expected to meet him in such way!
haha..

later, he invited us to his room,
offering us drinks and gave us a warm welcome
then, he explained several things about my future research project, my sampling sites, and the list goes on..
he also told me that i am going make several manuscrips together with him and he is very confident to have that manuscripts finish by the end of this year... ooo-emm-gee!
i also have been given choices either to make phenological studies or community studies or can do both things at the same time depending on my career's field in Malaysia
fuh! too many things to absorb at the first day!
en. suami pun cakap "macam banyak sangat keje mama nanti"..
well...that PhD is all about, dear~
i hope mr. sv will guide me along the way

after loooong conversation+explanation+discussion things, mr. sv brought us for a walk around the building,
introducing me to the other PhD students under his supervision and several management people,
showing me the facilities that can be used in the office and brought me to my working table in the laboratory
and there goes the 1st day meeting up with the mr. sv
before we went back, i've handed the souvenire that me and my hubby bought earlier to him ~ the baju batik
he loves it very much..

i am grateful that mr. sv is an understanding person
he told me that he would not expect me to be at the lab 7 days a week and i can do my work anywhere i can
he also welcome any enquiries and opinions about my study and willing to cooperate at any time
i hope this attitude willl last longer

i'm gonna meet him on Thursday regarding the registration and briefing on safety regulations in the laboratory
can't wait!

excited!

saw a graduation picture of one my long-distance friend in Facebook profile whom currently pursuing her PhD at RHUL
she has been there since her MSc study and last week was her graduation day..
Amy, a big congratulation on your MSc G Day! i am so happy for you. Hope success may always be by your side
i want to be like her too!
struggling and doing my best to get my PhD scroll 








one day, 3 years from now
i'm gonna make sure that i'll wear the red robe on my G Day!
insyaAllah~

my RHUL email address

pagi tadi saya dapat username, password untuk RHUL Campus Connect
&
my Royal Holloway email address

its
A.B.Mohammad@rhul.ac.uk

oleh itu, selain e-mail2 add saya yang lain, anda masih boleh hubungi saya di alamat email di atas ye?


only few things left before flying off; hantar borang Leaver, amik cek kat KPT, buat online sign-up for uni registration..dan..ouh! hantar sekotak lagi barang2 guna mel udara ke UK..
phew!

counting days~

41 days to go! 

What makes a good PhD student?

• Choose a supervisor whose work you admire and who is well supported by grants and departmental infrastructure.

• Take responsibility for your project.

• Work hard — long days all week and part of most weekends. If research is your passion this should be easy, and if it isn't, you are probably in the wrong field. Note who goes home with a full briefcase to work on at the end of the day. This is a cause of success, not a consequence.

• Take some weekends off, and decent holidays, so you don't burn out.

• Read the literature in your immediate area, both current and past, and around it. You can't possibly make an original contribution to the literature unless you know what is already there.

• Plan your days and weeks carefully to dovetail project work so that you have a minimum amount of downtime.

• Keep a good lab book and write it up every day.

• Be creative. Think about what you are doing and why, and look for better ways to go. Don't see your PhD as just a road map laid out by your supervisor.

• Develop good writing skills: they will make your scientific career immeasurably easier.

• To be successful you must be at least four of the following: smart, motivated, creative, hard-working, skilful and lucky. You can't depend on luck, so you had better focus on the others!

mungkinkah??

ME..part of this??
next seminar la kot..
huu..
~pic grabbed from Kak Izan's fb~

my research subject~

aren't they cute, ppl??