Cara Buat Passport Kanak-kanak - UTC Alor Setar

Paling leceh bila nak buat passport terutamanya untuk anak kecil. Prosedur tidak sukar, cuma kena beratur seawal pagi untuk ambil nombor giliran. Jika nasib anda tidak baik, mungkin tak dapat nombor pun, sebab ada kuota harian. Inilah masalah yang dihadapi di cawangan Imegresen di bandar-bandar besar seperti Kajang.

Minggu lepas berpeluang balik ke kampung di Alor Setar pada  hari minggu. Alang-alang di sana, saya ambil keputusan untuk buat passport untuk anak yang berusia 3 tahun.

Kami buat di UTC Alor Setar (di City Plaza) pada hari Rabu. Sampai di UTC pukul 4.30, ambil nombor dan terus dipanggil ke kaunter. Saya dimaklumkan bahawa jika datang hari Ahad, waktu menunggu adalah lebih lama (3-4jam).

Prosedurnya mudah:

1) Serahkan dokumen* kepada pegawai bertugas, dan ambil nombor giliran yang diberi. Perlu tahu tinggi pemohon. Pengukur disediakan di situ. Jika barisan mengambil nombor panjang, eloklah sambil-sambil ukur tinggi.
2) Urusan di kaunter: Ambil gambar* dan cap jari pemohon.
3) Bayar. Kanak-kanak bawah 12 tahun, RM100 untuk tempoh 5 tahun.
4) Passport sedia untuk collection* selepas 1 jam.


*Untuk gambar, perlu memakai pakaian gelap. Rambut mestilah kemas, tidak tutup dahi dan telinga.

*Dokumen diperlukan: Mykid, sijil lahir anak, Mykad salah seorang penjaga.

*Pemohon perlu hadir untuk collection kerana memerlukan cap jari.

5 Ultimate Ways to Learn Statistics & Score in Exams

Statistics can be the most dreaded subject for some students. I teach statistics in university. Every semester I can see many of them struggle to score the subject. Of course I’ll do everything in my power to help, but students need to realise that the main factor to excel in any subject is themselves. Cliché: It starts with you. 

With my teaching experience AND from my own experience during undergraduate/postgraduate (did Bachelor & Master in Statistics-UPM, was the best student for both programs Alhamdulillah), I’m sharing with you guys how to score your statistics exams. 

Good luck!

 

      1) Change your mind set. Having a positive mindset can be powerful. Seniors probably tell you it is a killer subject. Don’t fall for that trap. It killed them (maybe), but not you. You must remember, even if it not easy, it is doable. As much effort put for other subject, you are going to work as hard for statistics. 

      2) Practise. I remind my students again and again there is no other way to understand the concepts other than doing exercise. To do statistics, you must understand the concept. This can be achieved only by practicing. Do as many exercise/examples as you can until you finally grasp the concept. Here’s one thing, in exams, we rarely have open ended questions. Hence, as long as you understand the concept, you’ll nail it.

      3) Ask questions. If you are too shy to ask in class, see your lecturer personally. Never let go of the things you can’t understand because it will accumulate. Most of the time, if you miss concept #1, you’ll definitely loss concept #2 too. You can also ask help from lecturers from other classes (we don’t mind, really). Also, try to be friends with your classmates who can teach/guide you. I quote my high school teacher “Tak tahu, tanya. Jangan jadi bodoh sombong”.

      4) Always starts with formula. When doing exercise, always starts by writing the formula needed. This way, you train your brain to remember, and understand what each term/symbol represents. This is also another way for you to learn to differentiate which formula to use, which method to apply, which hypothesis testing is in question etc. Before long, you’ll know all these by heart.

      5) Know your calculator. Nowadays, scientific calculator is capable to do a lot of things. Knowing how to use it to its full potential can significantly save time during exams and you’ll get extra time to focus on other things. In Exams, I’ve seen many students who already know how to answer questions, but failed to correctly answer the questions because they use the calculator wrongly/ not enough time because they did many calculations manually/ don’t know how to use the calculator (classic example: to answer Permutation & Combination)

Things I Cut From My Budget

Ever since I become a mother, I am more conscious about my monthly expenditure. I would like to save more in order to provide better life and education for my daughter and also to buy a house (for my family). Of course I am like every other typical mother who easily goes overboard in buying their kids’ toys and clothes. Therefore, I’ve been thinking a lot on ways to cut my expenses and save up. Here are some things I can think of right now which have helped me achieving my objective.

1)      Stop buying stationery/note book

Some people are just addicted to cute stationaries. I am not that obsessed, but still buy stationary once in a while. They are not cheap, especially the fancy one. Since my department provides basic necessities like pens, marker, correction tape, paper clips and staplers I can just make use of them. I used to buy notebooks every time I visit Kaison. But now I realize it is a waste of money because I have so many already. Also, I’ll get new notebook every time I attend a conference/seminar/workshop.

2)      Avoid takeout tea/coffee

I was first introduced to Tealive when I was in Edinburgh and it has been a habit to buy tea or coffee every time I go to the mall. A regular cup of Costa will cost me almost RM10. Now I realize if I just drink coffee/tea at home it will save me around RM40 per month.

3)      Reduce fancy dine out

I used to have big/fancy lunch every Friday and Saturday. I like to try new or viral places or newly introduced menu. I even have my own hashtag every time I review new places on instagram (i.e. #hanijjcm). This usually cost me around RM50 per meal. When I cut down this ‘jjcm’ to only twice per month, it effectively saves me around RM300 per month.

4)      Clothes!

When I started teaching, I make my own policy of buying new working attire every 3-4 months. At that time I don’t have many suitable working clothes and feel bored recycling them every week. Now I have accumulated quite a lot, I better go easy on this. I am totally okay about wearing the same baju kurung to class twice a month. On average, a baju kurung costs me RM200. So not buying them frequently have save me a lot.

5)      Avoid Mr Diy/Daiso/Eco/Ikea

It’s obvious. I’ll end up with non-essential, not needed items. Although they are cheap, but they add up to big sum. (Ikea is not cheap but very tempting!)

6)     Au naturel: Skincare and make up

      I had a major breakout for one year now. This made me keep on buying products that people rave about. However, most of the products are kept untouched in my drawer because I am too afraid to try in case they’ll make my skin worse. I now focus on using up all the stash before I buy new one. I also have stopped doing make up and just use a compact powder.

7)     Cut desert/appetizer

      When I came back from Edinburgh, I adopt the habit of ordering appetizer and/or desert every time eating out. I like to have chips or hot brownies with ice cream or chicken rolls. However, I never be able to finish everything since I am not a big eater. Now I cut those things and only order main course. I still can enjoy those foods during festive seasons and party. This is definitely better for my health, and my wallet!

FREE baby food at IKEA

I couldn’t be the last person on earth to know this. I am sure there are new parents or people who are not familiar with Ikea still don’t know that you can get free baby food at Ikea! That’s correct mom and dad; your baby can also enjoy good food at Ikea. Organic food is good food right?

Yesterday, on our way to Ikea, I browsed Ikea’s webpage to check on the menu. That’s when I saw this great news.

FREE! Baby food for kids up to the age of 12 months with purchase of any adult meal.

So, at the counter during check out I asked the cashier

“Adik, boleh bagi baby food tak?”

She had a look at Sufia and placed the pouch on my tray. Smile.

I’m not sure if we must bring our baby to the till for identification or not.

The puree we got. You can also buy this from them at RM6.10/pouch.

Also, FYI: Even without Ikea member card, you can get free coffee if you come early - from 9.00 - 9.30am.

Jom, IKEA!

5 Tips Tempah Baju Kahwin

Saya rasa apa yang paling dirisaukan oleh pengantin perempuan ialah baju kahwin. Nak nampak princess, tak nak nampak gemuk, nak kaler yang buat kita nampak cerah, nak sedondon dengan pasangan, taknak nampak macam baju raya etc etc

Jadi, lebih ramai yang tempah baju sendiri daripada sewa. Lagipun, sekarang ni kalau sewa pun dah ada pakej ekslusif. Maksudnya, baju baru ikut design dan ukuran kita sendiri. Di sini saya kongsikan tips untuk nak tempah baju pengantin dari pengalaman saya yang lepas. The dos and donts lah.

1) Jangan tempah terlalu awal. Contohnya 7 bulan awal. Kalau badan you jenis senang naik, avoid this. Sebab nanti dok stress-stress fikir urusan kahwin, makan coklat makan pizza makan segala, badan naik. Fitting baju, tak muat. Sedih. Makan lagi. Masalah tu. Saya rasa 3-4 months earlier is reasonable kot. Let your tailor/designer know your body concern lah. Discussion sister!

2) If possible, opt for a classic/timeless design. Sebab gambar-gambar kahwin ni nanti nak letak frame, nak letak dalam album kan. Kalau design funky-funky hipster-hipster, sepuluh tahun lagi tengok, wow what was I thinking. Sad. Tak relevan. Kalau buat design classic, bila orang tengok gambar tu, they can't actually put a time for the wedding. They'll just see the newly wed you. Lagi satu, in future kalau nak cari duit lebih boleh sewakan baju kita. Tapi kalau outdated sapa nak pakai?

3) Selalu follow up dengan your tailor/designer. Make sure they follow the agreed timeline. Bila first fitting, bila next fitting, bila final fitting, bila boleh ambil. Sebab selalunya, bukan senang kita nak pi butik. Ada orang kena ambek cuti just for the appointment. Dan pihak butik pun, ada yang tak ambek appointment lain sebab nak layan kita. Jadi, make sure semua pihak menepati masa dan janji masing-masing.

4) Maklumkan tailor/designer anda berapa tinggi kasut yang akan dipakai masa wedding. Terutama untuk baju resepsi. Kalau baju kurung nikah selalunya takda masalah sebab tak buat meleret-leret sangat pun. Lagi senang, bawak kasut contoh. Masa fitting pun bawak & pakai.

5) Jangan keterlaluan. Kalau kita tempah baju sendiri selalunya akan cost more than RM800 all in. Lebih baik buat design yang boleh dipakai untuk majlis-majlis akan datang. Yang tak keterlaluan lah designnya. . Contohnya kalau buat dress, train dia lepas majlis boleh potong. Dah boleh pakai buat attend dinner night, atau kenduri kahwin kat hotel etc. Manik pilih yang subtle ja. Elakkan manik-manik besar gemerlapan, bunga-bunga 3D, rambu ramba. Tapi, kalau memang suka pakai macam tu attend majlis, ikut suka you je.

Itu lah lima perkara yang saya belajar dari pengalaman lepas. Let me know kalau ada tips penting & menarik lain ya. Selamat kahwin!

Tips Bajet Perkahwinan

Dilema setiap bakal pengantin mestilah berkaitan bajet. Semua maklum kalau perempuan mesti awal-awal lagi dia ada 'dreamed wedding' gituh. Nak pelamin dalam taman, nak baju kembang semangkuk, sanggul tinggi cucuk-cucuk bagai kan....Cumanya orang pesan ukur baju di badan sendiri. Di sini saya kongsikan beberapa tips bagi pengurusan bajet bagi majlis kahwin sederhana.

1) Set bajet.
Letakkan had maksimum yang sanggup dibelanjakan. We don't want to be spending RM30k just for one day event. Kaya benar lah kau kalau sanggup macam tu. Apa yang lebih penting ialah hidup selepas nikah itu. Bunyi memang cliche tapi betul la weyh. Cuba fikir, nak kena beli rumah, kalau pasangan PJJ nak ulang alik kos minyak tol bagai..fikir fikir

2) Berhenti tengok video kahwin.
Kalau hobi you tengok video orang-orang kahwin, hentikanlah. Now now! Sebabnya, nanti terpengaruh, peer pressure. Nak macam orang buat. Masalahnya orang tu dapat sponsor sana-sini, kita ni kais pagi makan pagi ja. Sudahla neh...

3) Elakkan cuti sekolah.
If you can, buat kenduri di luar cuti sekolah. Cuti sekolah dikira peak time, jadi bila tak cuti tak ramai yang buat kenduri. Maka masa ni banyak promosi bagi pakej-pakej forografi, pelamin, baju etc. Penjimatan!

4) Barang hantaran.
Tak perlu nak beli bag Dior, make up Chanel, jam Daniel Welington, iphone, ipad semata-mata nak nampak gah atas dulang tu kan. Toksah la neh. Motip sangat nak keluar duit banyak-banyak untuk jamu mata orang. Padahal kau bukan reti make up pun. Keluar jalan pun galas bag sekolah ja. Kan.

5) DIY.
Bagi yang berdarah seni, boleh gubah sendiri hiasan hantaran. Jimat. Kalau tak dapat nak beli fresh flowers, takpa ja. Bunga akan layu akhirnya. Tak ke mana pun. Hand bouquet pun boleh gubah sendiri. Beli sejambak bunga kat florist, riben sikit, gubah sesuka hati.  

6) Make-up.
Tak perlu ambek make up mahal-mahal sangat sebabnya pakai dari pagi, sampai zohor dah kena basuh kan. Sat ja pakai. InsyAllah dengan seri pengantin anda tu pasti teserlah anggun jugak lah walaupun make up simple. Lagi untung kalau ada kawan/sedara yang pandai make up. Boleh lah kecek mintak tolong...hehe tapi kalau dah orang tolong mohon jangan banyak komplen

7) Kad jemputan.
Walaupun menjadi idaman setiap dari kita untuk buat kad jemputan penuh artistik, ada lagu-lagu, pop-up, laser cut semua, tapi kita haruslah realistic. Takda orang nak simpan kad kita tu pun. Tak berbaloi nak buat mahal-mahal. Apa yang lebih penting, maklumat di kad tu tepat, peta tepat, koordinat tepat, waze tepat.. Settle. Lagi pulak, sekarang ni ramai yang taknak kad dah. Semua pakai FB & whatsapp aje.

Kita perlu ingat objektif majlis kahwin ni ialah - it is the day yang kita finally akan kahwin dengan orang yang kita sayang. Itu paling penting, paling bermakna. Kalau dapat bunga-bunga wangi setaman tu, bonus. Kalau dapat baju merelip merelap tu, bonus. Kalau dapat hantaran Macbook tu, bonus. Kalau tak dapat semua tu, tetap dapat kahwin kan. Chill.

Panduan Pelajar Baharu - Apa yang perlu dibawa?

Di sini saya listkan senarai barang yang perlu atau elok dibawa dari Malaysia. Barang-barang ini adalah yang sukar atau lebih mahal harganya di sini (Edinburgh khususnya, UK secara amnya) berbanding Malaysia. Saya compilekan senarai ini berdasarkan soalan-soalan yang student baharu selalu tanya dan dari pengalaman kami di sini. Moga bermanfaat.

Untuk senarai makanan yang perlu/tak perlu dibawa, sila klik MAKANAN YANG PERLU DIBAWA

1) Gajet
Jika anda gajet freako, atau scroll hp setiap masa, sila bawa power bank dari Malaysia. Sini semua gajet mahal berganda. Jadi, bawalah pendrive, camera, external hardisk, ipad etc

2) Lampu putih
Kebanyakkan lampu yang dijual adalah lampu kuning (macam kat hotel). Bila nak study agak tak puas la. Kebanyakkan rumah, tak pakai lampu kalimantang. Semua pakai jenis bulb tu saja. Jadi, kalau boleh tahu in advance rumah yang kita nak masuk tu pakai lampu jenis apa, boleh bawak lampu cahaya putih.

3) T shirt sebenar
Untuk wanita, susah betul nak cari t-shirt sebenar. Faham tak? yang kain t-shirt, berlengan panjang. Kebanyakkan yang dijual kain chiffon je. Jadi, if you need t-shirt, bawak siap-siap

4) Berus baju
Mungkin ada jual, tapi saya cari tak jumpa. Ringan ja pun kalau nak bawak :) [kawan cakap ada jual di Poundland]

5) Selipar tandas
Kalau datang around summer, tak ada masalah. Sepasang 1 pound saja. Tapi saya pernah cari time winter, memang tak jual. Takkan nak beli fitflop buat masuk toilet pulak -_-"

6) Alat tulis (atau alatulis?)
Sila bawa stok cukup untuk tahun pengajian anda. Sini mahal. Ya lah, sebab dia ikut rate dia kan. Sebatang pen 1 pound, kalau convert ke RM boleh dapat pen dakwat basah dah kat Malaysia. Kalau pemadam hilang, terus moody satu hari. Sebab sayang duit nak beli baru. Bagi pelajar phd, selalunya alatulis boleh ambil di school. Percuma (padahal dah masuk dalam yuran)

7) Tudung
Jika anda peminat tudung bawal, sila bawak stok mengikut tahun pengajian. Kalau peminat shawl lilit-lilit, sini bayak jual. Orang lilit kat leher, kita lilit kepala. Takda hal. Lawa pulak tu.

8) Kerongsang
Memang takda jual. Safety pins ada lah. Kalau kat Malaysia, seminggu sekali hilang pin kan. Sini tatanglah bagai minyak yang penuh. Kalau hilang, moody lagi satu hari.

9) Baju kebangsaan
Bawak lah. Nak raya di perantauan katanya kan.

10) Jalur Gemilang
Bawak. Boleh kibar-kibar time photoshoot, Malaysian gathering, panjat gunung dsb.

11) Anak tudung (inner tudung)
Sini ada jual snow cap saja. Hijabista sangat pakai snow cap dengan tudung

12) Cadar & sarung bantal
Kalau masih ada ruang, boleh lah bawak. Sini ada ja jual, saya beli yang 4-6 pound saja. Buruk la tapi. Kosong saja macam cadar asrama.

13) Quran tafsir
 Bawaklah kalau nak baca tafsir Bahasa Melayu atau Bahasa Indonesia. Moga perjalanan hidup anda diberkatiNya. Al-Quran jadikan amalan, moga tak hanyut anasir luar.

14) Sabun Taharah
Senang nanti kalau jalan-jalan tergesel anjing comel.


Sat saya fikir lagi. Kalau ada saya tambah. Kawan-kawan yang ada nak tambah, mari kongsikan. Terima kasih.


Jumpa di Edinburgh!

Panduan Pelajar Baharu (Scotland) - Talian Telefon dan Internet

Panduan ini khusus bagi pelajar-pelajar baharu yang akan menyambung pelajaran di Scotland. Telefon dan internet paling penting lah zaman sekarang. Paling korang gusar jugak kan. Panduan ini ditulis dan relevan bagi tahun 2014 (disclaimer bajet 10 tahun lagi ada orang nak baca entry ni). 

Talian telefon:
Saya pakai line Three mobile. Sebulan £16 untuk unlimited data, dan ribu-ribu free minutes (call to UK number) dan text (sms). GiffGaff pun popular untuk data plan. Sim kad free saja boleh order di website dan dia deliver ke rumah. 


Kat campus, atas bas, kat rumah ada wifi jadi boleh ambek data plan yang jimat. tapi kalau suka instagram, kau ambek lah unlimited data.


Untuk panggilan ke Malaysia, selain gunakan Skype, Viber etc, boleh gunakan pay-as-you-go (prepaid) Lebara atau Lyca. Dua-dua ada deal £10 untuk unlimited call to Malaysia for one month. Murah dah ni. Kalau call Maxis to Maxis lagi berganda mahai. Eh. 
Simkad ada jual di banyak kedai (student shop dalam campus pun ada) atau boleh request online. Kalau kat Heathrow ada jual dalam vending machine. Sampai terus beli boleh check in Foursquare, Facebook dan seumpamanya. Wifi Heathrow tu free 45 minit saja.


Internet:
Internet provider kat rumah boleh ambek pakej dari Sky atau Virgin Media. Tak susah, pergi mana-mana store dia dan tengok pakej yang ada, terus langgan. Cepat saja dia mai pasang. No sweat. 
Pakej internet ni selalu bundle sekali telefon rumah dan TV.

Panduan Pelajar Baharu - Makanan di Edinburgh

Panduan ini khusus bagi pelajar-pelajar baharu yang akan menyambung pelajaran di Edinburgh, Scotland. Berikut ialah sedikit perkongsian mengenai senarai makanan yang mudah dan sukar didapati di Edinburgh. Senarai ini akan dikemas kini dari masa ke semasa.

Yang mudah. (Tidak perlu bawa dari Malaysia jika ruang bagasi terhad)
1) Kicap - kicap masin dan manis cap kipas udang, Kicap Adabi, Kicap ABC dan beberapa jenama lain boleh didapati di kedai makanan Asia (contoh: Mathhew's Foods dan Hing Sing Chinese Supermarket).
2) Sos cili - Pelbagai jenama dijual di  kedai makanan Asia.
3) Sos tomato - terdapat di merata-rata
4) Tempe - Takla senang jumpa, tapi ada di Matthew's atau order online di Tiny Tempeh (FB)
5) Rempah-ratus - rempah 3 sekawan, 5 sekawan semua ada.
6) Cili kering
7) Beras - merata-rata jual. selalu beli yang sekilo 40p saja.
8) Sardin, tuna - cuma Ayam brand takda, pelbagai jenama boleh didapati di Asda, Sainsbury, Poundland etc
9) Asam jawa - Matthew's




Daun - daun (yang ada)
1) Serai - di Asda, Sainsbury, kedai Asia
2) Daun pisang - Mathhew's (stok takda hari-hari)
3) Pandan - Matthew's (stok takda hari-hari)
4) Daun limau purut - Mathhew's (frozen)
5) Daun kari - kedai Rahman
6) Kucai - Asda, Sainsbury, Matthew's



Yang susah jumpa. (sila bawa jika nak guna)
1) Cili kering - walaupun ada jual, tapi super pedas. Bawak dari Malaysia untuk rasa sambal lebih enak.
2) Bunga kantan - kalau nak buat laksa
3) Daun kesum - tak pernah jumpa lagi di kedai
4) Mee segera - yang banyak Maggie ja. Tapi tu Nestle kan? BOIKOT. so bawak dari Malaysia Cintan, Ruski, Mamee. (indomee dan mee sedap ada di Matthew's)
5) Ikan bilis - sini ada tapi mahal. segenggam tu berapa £ tah, 
5) Keropok ikan - takda jual
6) Sirap
7) Serunding - memang takda lah. Sila bawa buat bekalan sementara nak settle down dan di waktu busy kejar deadline.
8) Udang kering - sini mahal tapi ada
9) Gula melaka - sini mahal tapi ada
10) Laksa! - bawak la laksa kering tu, dah masak jemput saya k, terima kasih.
11) Asam keping

Alamat kedai: 
1) Matthew's - 36 Inglis Green Rd, Edinburgh EH14 2ER
2) Hing Sing Chinese Supermarket - 310 Leith Walk, Edinburgh, Midlothian EH6 5BU


Bagi pelajar yang baru menceburkan diri dalam bidang masakan, digalakkan bawak perencah segera. Ada jugak jual di Matthew's tapi mahal lah sikit. Kalau ada lagi makanan yang tak pasti nak bawak or tak, boleh komen di sini atau email : syahida.tapai@gmail.com

Kawan-kawan di Edinburgh, jika ada maklumat tambahan sudi lah kiranya kalian berkongsi di sini. (pengetahuan saya ni terhad ke kedai-kedai yang selalu pi saja).

Untuk rujukan makanan halal di Edinburgh, baca di Makanan Halal Di Edinburgh

Tips to Improve Academic Writing for Non-native English Speakers

English is undoubtedly important nowadays especially if you are in academic line.  If you have good findings or new theories but cannot convey people through your writings, it is difficult for people to recognise your work.  As a non-native English speaker I struggle to put my works and findings into words. Below are a few things I learn in my two years of PhD here and some advices from my supervisor (also a non-native English speaker) to improve our writing.

Don’t play safe

This is one of the mistakes I made. I know certain perfect sentences, and I keep using it repeatedly.  This makes my writing monotone and predictable.  We should try to construct different sentences every time and not worry of doing mistakes because mistakes give room for improvement. 

Seek help

If you cannot find native speakers to help you, find someone who you think is better than you in English. Ask them to read your writing/essay. They probably won’t understand the details or theory you write, but they can help in detecting grammar or spelling errors. They also will know if your writing makes sense or not. 

Read thoroughly

Writing thesis is not done in one week time. We write it since first year, and keep updating the details and chapters as we go on. Chances are, by second or third year, we completely forget what we wrote before. We should make it a habit of reading everything thoroughly once in a while to make sure our chapters are synchronised. 

Read academic materials

As a non-native speaker, we tend to be influenced with how our own language works. Direct translation is one of the common mistakes. To overcome this, we usually rely on magazines, movies, songs etc. to improve our English. But, writing a thesis need a more intellectual touch. You need to read more journals, books and academic materials to learn the academic style.  

American or British

Identify which English you want to use. I am studying in the UK, so my thesis should be in British English. Practise using the correct spelling for which English you choose. For example, recognise or recognize, standardise or standardize and colour or color.

That is all for now. Feel free to add anything or correct my mistakes ;-)