UTP Newsletter Coming Soon~

Really excited to wait for the UTP newsletter to be published. a very good effort. applause to the ELC members! i hope this will go on and improved from time to time. who knows one day it will have a wider coverage beyond the UTP ground.

to those who will have access to the newsletter, don't forget to read my column on the 'Surviving FYP: 10 Things You Have to Keep in Mind'. a very useful lesson for the FYP students and other students as well since that every UTP students will have to go through FYP one day.

since that the article is based on my own experience, it is kind of nostalgic when writing it. frankly, i think FYP is a love-hate experience where i sometimes feel miserable and disturbed when recalling the FYP period but still missing it.

For other UTP graduates, there must be many other tales that they could tell about FYP- the sweet and bitter moments. but thanks to the people around us- lecturers, friends and family- we get through successfully.

to my friends, family and lecturers, thanks you for all your support. i appreciate every second of your guidance and motivation.

till then, bye~

I'm Back...or so i hope...

It have been almost a year since the last time i write for this blog. A busy year last year and no internet access. job hunting and adapting period for my new job. but most importantly i'm engaged since last December. now residing in PJ and i walk to my office. convenient for me and its nearby Kelana Jaya LRT station too.

It seems like a long time since i met my fellow UTP friends. hoping to meet you guys again when i have the chance since that every body is busy now.

i'm currently getting back on track to write more but time does not really permits. i'm trying to get my next writing published by early next year. wait for it, guys.

Till then, bye~

The Evil Twin and Other Short Stories

Finally, a book written by me are available nationwide. It consists of 28 original short stories which most of them were written during my time in secondary school while the rest were written here in UTP and in Miri during my internship period. The stories are of various genres, from suspense- thriller to inspirational stories to go with your changing mood. Thank you to all who have supported me all along. This book is for all of you!

As the dedication message in the first page of the book indicates:

Millions of gratitude to:
My parents (Nordin & Noraini), Arafah & Azhar for the love & support of a family
Syahid whose critiques brought me to be a better person,
Zarith who had opened the door of possibility for me,
Lecturers, teachers, friends & colleagues of
Sek. Keb. Pulau Sebang (1994- 1999),
Sek. Tun Fatimah (2000- 2004),
PCSB- SKO (2008),
Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (2005- 2009);
Thank you for all the inspiration & motivation. This is for all of you.

Below are the brief details of the book:

Author: Nurul Jannah
Title: The Evil Twin and Other Short Stories
Publisher: Buku Prima (Under Karangkraf)
Page: 160 pages
Price: RM15.00

I hope you will continue supporting me as more stories will come up soon. I’m the progress of writing a Malay novel, an English novel and Children Books. For those who have comments about the book, this entry will be available for at least the next three months to give the opportunity to the readers to directly comment on the book. Feel free to leave notes in the comments and thank you for your supports=)

A Series of Unfortunate Events- my version

Guess terrible thing came in strings.

Yesterday, i woke up grudgingly, and walked to Pocket D for the 9 am Malaysian Studies class just to find that the lecturer didn't come- for the second time. frustrated, i went to MMK booths just to waste some time because i don't want to go back to my room. the next class will be HRM at 12pm.

So,i headed to building 21 to meet Ms. Subarna who i had intended to see for weeks. unfortunately, some students were with her. i decided not to go all the way back to the booth, so i went to the waiting section (is it a waiting section?) in the office of building 21 & read some newspapers. luckily, the students appointment with Ms. Subarna lasted earlier than i thought so i got the time to meet her. at least, one thing turns out all right.

The rest of the day went quite all right except if you count the pain i had to endure because i have been walking aimlessly throughout the day in a pair of high heels (serves me right!).

And so the night came. just when i was preparing to go to Ain's room to watch the TV, i realized that my laptop had not functioning very well. it suddenly went blank. i tried to restart it but it make strange noises that freak me out. i decided to switch it off again and give it a rest. when i returned to my room, i tried to restart it but it was useless. it was not long that i finally learn that the hard disk is damaged. and there goes my three years worth of hard work.

I don't really know how to react. if only i could get a brand new laptop but i guess that was not going to happen until i had my own job. so, my whole semester will be in jeopardy if i didn't find the solution fast.

I don't care about the lost data anymore now that it's gone (including my halfway written Malay novel which i had started since in my first year) but i really need to get the laptop to come to life back. it's my final semester and i just hope it won't let me down during the most important time in my life.

My Holiday Journal

Although I have been in UTP two weeks before the semester started, this is the first time I have the chance to update this blog…
So how was my holiday?

I have to admit that the last holiday was the most interesting one compared to others since I entered boarding school. Usually, I would spend most of my holiday time sleeping, eating, watching TV and reading. Totally uneventful.

However, this time, several things happened.

For a start, I finally passed my driving test after delaying it for two years. My instructors rushed me into taking the test and fortunately, I passed after hardly two weeks of training.

Then, I checked my email using my sister’s laptop and was overwhelmed with the congratulation message from Ms. Azza, the executive editor of Buku Prima/ Karangkraf confirming that my own collection of short stories will be published. So, they need more short stories to be included in the book. My next few weeks were packed with me preparing the contents needed. Thanks to Pali who had kindly helped me typed a few stories. I managed to send all short stories needed on time.

During the holiday, my sister, brother and I would go to our parents’ small orchard where they planted a few kinds of vegetables and ulam. Although I did not eat any of the vegetables, I honestly enjoyed the time I was in the orchard. It was calming. I missed those times when I am back in UTP.

My sister, my brother and I went out for outings several times together. Since that I am not yet an expert to drive the car, it was always my sister who always had to be the driver. One time, we have to ask her ‘friend’ to drive the car to Melaka for the PC Fair in Mahkota Parade.

On the last 12th January 2009, I went to Buku Prima in Shah Alam to finally meet the editor whom before this I always communicating with through emails. She is as I expected. Friendly, supportive and quite enthusiastic. She showed me the designs of the cover page for the book and asked which one I would prefer. Our meeting that day was only to discuss the terms and conditions of publishing the book to me. It lasted less than 30 minutes but I feel quite pleased that I finally get to meet her. Thanks to Syahid who have been willing to bring me to Shah Alam. Love you=)

Jendela Sepi

Rumah kayu yang pernah tersergam indah di kampung itu telah menjadi seperti rumah berhantu. Selepas ditinggalkan begitu sahaja setengah tahun yang lalu, rumah tersebut nampak tidak terurus. Lalang di kawasan halaman rumah itu sudah meninggi. Daun- daun kering yang berguguran dari pokok – pokok di sekitarnya dibiarkan mereput di atas tanah, menjadi baja menyuburkan lagi lalang di situ.
Sesiapa yang lalu di hadapan rumah itu akan terasa seramnya. Seperti diperhatikan sesuatu dari dalam rumah. Rumah yang dahulunya sering dikunjungi orang- orang kampung itu terbiar sepi selepas penghuninya dihukum tanpa peluang bersuara diberi.
Walaupun orang- orang kampung sudah lama menjauhi rumah tersebut, Asyraf tegar menjadi pengunjung setia. Setiap pagi sebelum sawah bendang dijejak, rumah itu menjadi tempat persinggahannya. Sekadar memandang sayu ke arah rumah itu di halamannya. Harapannya tinggi untuk melihat jendela rumah tersebut terbuka memunculkan wajah ayu bekas tunangannya di tubir mata. Namun, segalanya tinggal angan yang terbawa- bawa ke dalam mimpi. Hartini tak akan kembali.
“Kita halau saja dia! Jika tidak, kampung kita akan dilanda bencana!” hasut Halimah, isteri Tok Ketua kampung itu.
“Tunggu!” tegah Izzuan. “Kita tak boleh terburu- buru! Kelak lebih satu jiwa akan merana!”
“Apa kau menyebelahi perempuan sihir itu? Apa kau pula telah diguna- guna?” meninggi suara Halimah. Semakin riuh suara orang- orang kampung yang sedang berkumpul di halaman rumah Tok Ketua.
Izzuan memandang wajah resah Asyraf. Matanya yang redup bagai meminta maaf kepada Asyraf kerana tidak mampu berbuat apa- apa.
Asyraf kematian akal. Bagaimana harus dia menentang orang kampung yang ramai sebegini? Sedangkan sekarangpun ibu bapanya menegah dari mencampuri urusan gila Halimah dan konco- konconya.
Aysraf tidak lena tidur malam itu. Wajah Hartini seringkali mengintai sepi. Mula- mula wajah ayunya yang akan menjengah. Tersenyum memandangnya. Namun, wajah itu perlahan- lahan berubah menjadi hodoh dan Hartini meraung- raung meminta tolong pada sesuatu yang tidak kelihatan. Dan setiap kali itulah Aysraf akan terbangun dengan keringat yang membasahi tubuhnya.
Usai solat Subuh, Asyraf berteleku merenung sejadah. Jika ibu bapa Hartini masih hidup, tentu perkara ini tidak terjadi. Jika Halimah tidak termakan hasutan syaitan, Hartini tentu telah berada di sisinya, tidak kiralah bagaimanapun paras wajahnya. Seketika, Asyraf beristighfar kembali, rasa berdosa menyelinap ke dalam diri kerana menyalahkan takdir yang telah tersurat.
Dia masih ingat bagaimana Izzuan terkocoh- kocoh ke rumahnya untuk memberitahu tentang Hartini yang dijumpai pengsan di rumahnya oleh Esah. Asyraf bergegas ke rumah Hartini. Rumah yang menjadi peninggalan arwah ibu bapanya yang baru meninggal seminggu yang lalu.
“Akak jumpa Tini dah pengsan, muka tersembam ke lantai. Bila akak terbalikkan mukanya…,” suara Esah mengendur, serba salah untuk meneruskan kata- kata. Aysraf mendapatkan Hartini yang dibaringkan di ruang tamu. Mengucap panjang Asyraf apabila dilihatnya wajah Hartini yang terkenal anggun dan memikat itu telah bertukar hodoh. Lagaknya seperti disimbah asid dengan kesan terbakar di seluruh muka. Baru pagi dia bertemu Hartini. Mustahil!
Hartini yang tersedar beberapa ketika selepas itu mengalami trauma yang dasyat apabila melihat wajahnya di cermin. Dia malu untuk berdepan dengan Asyraf dan orang lain. Saban hari dia hanya meraung meratap sendiri dan menguncikan diri di dalam bilik.
Setelah dipujuk rayu Esah, Aysraf dan Izzuan, barulah Hartini setuju untuk dibawa ke hospital namun, tidak banyak yang dapat dibantu doktor. Perubahan mendadak wajahnya itu dikategorikan sebagai penyakit misteri. Tiada ubat yang dapat dikenalpasti bagi membantu Hartini.
Maka, Hartini pulang ke rumah dengan hati yang berat. Berita tentang perubahan wajahnya cepat saja merebak bagai api yang memamah daun- daun kering lalu bahangnya menjadi penyumbang rangkaian fitnah yang sukar dibendung- Hartini dituduh mengamalkan ilmu hitam.
Kononnya ada sihir hasilannya yang berbalik memakan diri mengakibatkannya merana kerana racun buatan sendiri.
Beberapa siri kejadian malang yang terjadi di kampung itu dikaitkan sebagai angkara sihir Hartini walhal penuduhnya tiada bukti. Membuta- tuli Hartini dijadikan subjek untuk menidakkan qada’ dan qadar Tuhan. Hinggakan pertunangan Hartini dan Asyraf juga dianggap berhasil kerana Hartini mengguna- gunakan Aysraf.
Beberapa pendomba dan penghasut utama seperti membentuk kumpulan sendiri diketuai Halimah yang kelihatan begitu mendendami Hartini kerana kononnya Tok Ketua sendiri pernah dihantui penyakit angau terhadap Hartini akibat sihir. Hartini juga dituduh menyebabkan kematian ibu bapanya sendiri untuk medapatkan harta yang sedia maklum banyak itu.
Maka pada malam hujan rebas turun membasahi bumi Kampung Bendang itu, Hartini dihalau kasar dari kampung tanpa belas kasihan. Dia tidak diberi peluang langsung untuk membela diri. Asyraf dan Izzuan yang cuba mempertahankan Hartini juga teruk dipukul.
Akhirnya, Hartini akur dengan kehendak zalim segelintir orang kampung yang telah buta hati itu lalu melarikan diri ke dalam hutan belukar berdekatan kawasan kampung itu.
Sepeninggalannya, warisan harta arwah ibu bapanya jatuh ke tangan bapa saudaranya, Amat. Gembira bukan kepalang orang tua itu apabila menerima berita tersebut. Beberapa malam selepas itu, dia syik keluar berjoli tanpa memikiran nasib anak saudaranya yang sedang menderita itu.
Aysraf yang dipukul orang kampung pada hari Hartini dihalau, terlantar sakit di rumahnya lebih seminggu. Bukan fizikalnya yang parah, tetapi hatinya yang remuk musnah mengenangkan tunangnya itu.
Sebaik sahaja Asyraf mampu bangkit berdiri, dia menggagahkan diri menjejak Hartini. Kejap dalam hati harapan agar Hartini tabah mengharung yang sedang dialami. Hutan belukar tempat terakhir Hartini dilihat sebelummenghilang diredah Aysraf tanpa dimaklumkan kepada sesiapa.
Dari pagi dia meredah hutan belukar itu, cuba mengesan tanda- tanda Hartini pernah lalu di situ. Memang sukar kerana sudah lebih seminggu Hartini menghilangkan diri. Apabila senja menjelma, Asyraf berkeputusan untuk pulang sebelum kehilangannya dikatakan angkara Hartini pula.
Dalam kesamaran cahaya jingga senja, Asyraf berlari- lari anak berpatah balik mencari laluannya pagi tadi. Tiba- tiba, kakinya tersadung akar kayu. Asyraf rebah menyembah bumi. Kepalanya terhantuk pada seketul batu. Terasa kepalanya berpinar dan pandangan beransur kabur. Seketika sebelum dia hilang kesedaran diri, ada bayang melintasi pandangan. Cahaya kirmizi senja bertukar hitam.
Asyraf tidak pasti berapa lama dia telah pitam namun dia pasti hari telah larut malam. Bunyi cengkerik yang bersahut- sahutan membangkitkan kesedarannya. Terasa peluh bermanik di dahi. Dia yang sedang terbaring, cuba duduk mengumpul kudrat untuk berdiri. Dilihat sekelilingnya. Lain benar tempat ini dari tempat dia jatuh tadi.
Sebentar kemudian, bunyi ranting patah kedengaran. Asyraf menoleh pantas. Apabila dia terlihat kelibat seseorang, jantungnya seperti berhenti berdegup seketika. Hartini melutut menghadapnya dengan senyuman. Walaupun wajahnya sudah berubah, senyuman itu masih dia kenal. Senyuman itu masih manis dan menenangkan.
“Tini masih di sini? Syukur Alhamdulillah,” Asyraf memanjatkan kesyukuran. Doanya sebleum ini nyata tidak sia- sia. “Tini, abang datang mahu membawamu pulang,”
Serentak Aysraf menghabiskan kata- kata, senyuman Hartini lenyap dari wajahnya. Hartini menggeleng lemah.
“Pulanglah, bang. Pulang ke pangkuan keluargamu. Tini tidak boleh mengiringimu pulang. Kejadian hitam itu akan berulang jika Tina kembali,” sayu suara Hartini menggamit perasaan seorang kekasih.
“Tapi abang tak akan pulang tanpamu. Marilah kita pulang, Tini. Ataupun kita tak perlu pulang ke Kampung Bendang. Kita boleh terus ke Bandar. Kita bernikah jauh dari mereka. Abang pasti...abang pasti orang tua abang akan merestui kepeutusan ini,” pujuk Asyraf lagi.
“Tidak, bang. Masih ada sesuatu yang belum selesai. Masih ada dendam yang belum terlerai,”
Asyraf terkedu. Lain benar nada suara Hartini itu. Bagaikan hatinya kini penuh kesumat yang membakar diri.
“Tinggalkan urusan pembalasan kepada Allah, Tini. Bagaimana tentang kita?”
“Pulanglah, bang. Tini pasti abang akan bertemu jodoh yang lebih naik. Pulanglah selagi abang boleh. Tini tidak akan mengapa- apakan abang dan keluarga, tetapi Tini mohon maaf kerana terpaksa menghukum mereka yang membuatkan Tini begini!”
Seketika mata mereka bertemu, lalu Hartini bangkit dan segera berlari semakin jauh ke dalam hutan. Asyraf mahu menjejaknya namun dia tidak mampu. Sekujur tubuhnya terasa lemah. Baru dia sedar yang dia telah berada di pinggir hutan belukar itu. Tentu Hartini yang yang membawanya sejauh ini. Hatinya pilu untuk meninggalkan hutan itu, namun dia pasti Hartini nekad enggan bertemu dengannya lagi. Buat pertama kalinya, Asyraf benar- benar merasa kecewa merantai dirinya.
Beberapa hari selepas kejadian itu, sejenis penyakit ganjil menyerang penduduk kampung. Tubuh penghidapnya akan merasa lemah, seluruh tubuh akan menggeletar dan mereka enggan makan. Mereka juga sering dibayangi igauan ngeri diiringi racauan yang tidak tentu butirnya. Halimah dan Amat adalah yang paling teruk menghidapnya. Ternyata orang alim yang cuba mengubati mereka mendakwa bahawa ia perbuatan sihir.
Mendengar khabar tersebut membuatkan Asyraf teringat akan kata- kata terakhir Hartini kepadanya. Dia enggan mengandaikan bahawa kejadian pelik ini adalah hukuman yang dimaksudkan Hartini tetapi hatinya kuat mengakui. Asyraf takut Hartini terjerumus mengamalkan amalan syirik demi membalas dendam. Dia sedar, manusia mudah saja dirasuk syaitan tanpa pendirian yang teguh lebih- lebih lagi diwaktu hebat diuji Tuhan.
Adakah benar Hartini benar- benar gagal menghadapi ujian ini? Asyraf maklum sihr hanya akan memecah belahkan silaturrahim dan merebakkan panyakit hasad dengki seperti suatu wabak. Jika telahannya yang ini benar, ternyata Hartini tumpas menjadi mangsa setaraf dengan mereka yang telah menganiayainya. Atau mungkin juga kejadian ini sekadar pembalasan dari Allah buat mereka yang telah menganiayai insan yang tak berdosa.
Sehinggalah Halimah, Amat dan beberapa orang kampung meninggal akibat penyakit ganjil itu, khabar angin terbongakar menyatakan Hartini menghidap penyakit ganjil asalnya akibat perbuatan sihir Halimah dan Amat. Selepas itu, kisah Hartini seperti hilang ditiup angin. Namun, Asyraf masih setia untuk menunggu jendela rumah Hartini dibuka kembali tuannya suatu hari nanti.

Top Five Lecturers to me…

I do not mean that other lecturers are not good, they are all outstanding and without them, I would not be able to reach this stage. Thank you to all. But these top ten lecturers to me are the ones who had done more just teaching me. Lecturers who left vivid image in my life in UTP. Lecturers who knows my personal interest, my childhood, my ambition and most importantly, have become a friend or a father/ mother to me in UTP. I don’t want to rank them because I think they are all important to me in different aspect. Here are they:

1.Mr. Amzairi
Including this semester, it had been three semesters Syahid, Shaz and I have a class with him (POM, IB and POF). I always go and see him if I need advice on the subjects he taught and it turns out that he used to live nearby the area I lived now. He knows me well, always give advice about students’ life and regard me as his daughter. “Kalau ada apa- apa jumpe je saya. Awak ni dah macam anak saya dah,”. I’m going to get his advice on the business plan I’m going to device for a rabbit farm since that he used to teach SBE before Dr. Satirenjit came (there’s a story behind this one.)

2. Mrs. Aliza
Thought me and my BIS colleagues System Analysis and Design before. She also gave advices and guidance during our CDC event. Although very well- known of her strict personality during class and project presentation, she is very friendly towards the students when outside the class. Very business- minded as most of my friends will agree.

3. Ustazah Asyiqin
She shares the same interest in Malay literature as me only that she is more towards Islamic literature. Interested in Faisal tehrani writings as I do and I used to see her to discuss about this interest with her.

4. Ms. Subarna
I never had a long chat with her but she is the lecturer who had always given the support and guidance for me to pursue English writings. It started when I sent her my short stories for her to check and it turns out that she likes it and ask me to type them down. Unfortunately, I had only managed to do that this semester.

5. Pn. Khalidah
For my BIS Jan05 colleagues, taking Corporate Ethics subject will be the third semester (Business Management, Principle of Economics) being in her class. She knows most of the students in the class and never fails to give advice and greet those students she recognized if we meet her.

There are also the favorite lecturers which I tribute to their dedication and good relationship with students while maintaining their style of teaching to ensure good results in students.

1. Ms. Noreen Izza
Famous of her ‘check it out’ phrase, those who took KMD had been in her class twice. Her style of teaching really captivates me. She encouraged students to answer and never condemns that if the answer is wrong. Have very good relationship with students.

2. Ms. Rozana
Also has great style of teaching. Like Ms. Noreen, She encouraged students to answer and never condemns that if the answer is wrong. Importantly, she knows how to handle the boys in the class.

3. Mr. Md Noor Rosli
Those who have been in his PCS class will definitely agree with me that he had relaxing, matured but fun approach of teaching. Had recently being promoted, he is undoubtedly a role model of what a lecturer should be.

4. Dr. Rohani
I had only been in her class once to date but those who had taken HRM should have fresh memory of her great teaching.

5. Ms. Savitha
Being in her IKM and KMD classes is really fun. She knows ways to capture students’ attention during IKM lab session through games only that she is quite strict in giving marks.

To these lecturers and others, thank you for all these years. Without you guys, my colleagues and I would not be able to reach this far.

THANK YOU=)