In The Mind Of A Childlike

Quod Me Nutrit Me Destruit. What Nourishes Me Destroy Me.

My 2nd Research Committee Members’ Meeting : The PhD Research Diverged – Rhetorical Criticism @ Focus Group Discussion Approach? (Goodbye Angelina Jolie, Hello Dr. Mahathir?)

Posted by Shahrill Ramli on April 9, 2018
Posted in: Road To PhD. Leave a comment

After so many futile attempts since last year’s December, I finally managed to conduct the 2nd PhD Committee Members Meeting on 29th March 2018. But minus one member which was Dr. Moniza Waheed as she is currently attached outside of the university with scholarship, abroad! So, I had the meeting with my Chairperson, Prof. Dr. Abdul Muati and Dr. Hamisah at the faculty’s Bilik Kesuma. Thank you so much to the Supervisor’s Personal Assistant, Iecha for helping me so much. God bless her; what a kind and helping soul, she is!

Prof Muati & Dr. Hamisah – my PhD Committee Members. Dr. Moniza is outside of radar. Hehe.

Based on the discussion, my committee members were not happy with the direction of my research. It seemed that I am still having vague idea on how Neo-Aristotelian analysis should have been conducted. My preliminary analysis was not in-depth and they were afraid if I were to continue doing this, I would not be able to defend my thesis in viva because what I’ve given them were simply superficial. 

Dr. Hamisah said that Neo-Aristotelian is an old philosophical communication method and to comprehend it is to read more about it. To her it seems that my analysis did not reflect what an aspiring rhetorician should have been. Prof Muati concurred with her as my analysis was merely on the coding layers, with no in-depth proposal. Hence, Dr. Hamisah proposed that instead of focusing on rhetorical criticism of speeches, why don’t I gauge the feedback from audience :-

  • survey distribution?
  • quasi-experimental?

I was a bit on daze as these are quantitative approaches whereas rhetoric is meant for qualitative, no? But I guess she had points on the fact that I should have shift my artifact; instead of the speeches, I should get from the perspective of the outsiders, the audience. 

 

Prof Muati concurred with that by proposing me to conduct :-

  • Focus Group Discussion (FGD)

; and I could refer to Madiha Hashmi’s thesis (who happened to be one of his students and I’ve got the chance to interact with her when I was pursuing my Master’s Degree) as she was also doing Rhetoric but with FGD as her artifact (subject).

  

The two journals spun from Madiha’s thesis. She is amazing, no doubt!

In addition, Dr. Hamisah expressed that choosing Angelina Jolie may be risky and wasted – the chance for the thesis to be commercialized here locally is thin; I would mostly keep the thesis for my own personal archive. On contrary if I were to choose a local orator, I would probably stand the chance to commercialize the findings; let’s say if I were to study Dr. Mahathir’s speeches. The current scenario is very interesting in terms of academic perspective. Years ago, perhaps people were quite hesitant to express their honest perception of Dr. Mahathir’s rhetoric as he was the reigning Prime Minister. By studying his speeches now that he is in the opposition side, it is expected that the findings would be richer and varicoloured – and the prospect of commercializing it is high! Prof Muati was teasing me saying that maybe I chose Angelina Jolie because I was a hardcore fan but he agreed with Dr. Hamisah on the practicality. Besides, a lot of people have been studying Dr. Mahathir (including Prof. Muati’s!) and all I could do was just to get these research and flipped to the “Future Recommendations” to see the gap of knowledge and emulate that to my new research! Moreover, I am still going to study Rhetoric but from other subject perspective!

Your PhD research is like your baby. You nurture it deep in you. So you get sentimental with it. It’s like you are pregnant with it. When anyone asks about the progress or say something bad, you are quite taken aback and sensitive. That is normal for PhD candidate. 

I have to confess that I do have that sentimental element. I have been devoting myself with Angelina Jolie for the past 3 semesters (9 months) and out of a sudden, I was told that this isn’t relevant and would be hard to defend in viva. Furthermore, I already went through my Proposal Defence (REFER to https://undomiel84.wordpress.com/2017/12/16/my-ph-d-proposal-defense-an-unarmed-academic-duelling-battlefield-the-self-discovery-of-my-own-strength-the-power-of-mothers-doa/) last December 2017! Nevertheless, Prof Muati and Dr. Hamisah are definitely not forcing me. They are simply assisting me, forecasting to whatever difficulties I may encounter during the final phase of my research if I were still adamant on doing Angelina Jolie. They asked me to go back and ponder and present them new manuscript/analysis/proposal in the next two weeks time.

So for the past two weeks, I have been referring to theses suggested by Prof Muati. I’ve read Madiha’s thesis “Discerning Goodness of Leaders Using Thin-Sliced Judgement of Nonverbal Cues Among Lay Malaysian and Chinese Perceivers” and the two journals she spun from thesis :-

  1. Interpreting Cues of Goodness: Thin Sliced Judgment of Malaysians and Chinese towards Political Leaders;
  2. Exploring Perceptions of Goodness Among the Malaysian and Chinese University Students: A Focus Group Study.

I have also reread the thesis by Khor Mi Nee “A Rhetorical Analysis of Speeches Delivered by Malaysian Chief Executive Officers According to Economic Climate (1998-2008). From Madiha’s thesis, I understand the perspective of which my Committee Members would like me to see. By having that Focus Group Discussion as a sturdy and stable methodology, it would serve as a great scaffolding for my research as so far it seems that my rhetorical criticism is not yet, ‘in-depth”. From Khor Mi Nee’s thesis, I now get the picture of the “in-depth” analysis I am supposed to do – that is to peruse  line-by-line of the speeches. 

One of the journals spun from Khor Mi Nee’s thesis.

As conclusion, I feel like I still want to give my Angelina Jolie’s rhetorical criticism another try and at the same time, try to see Dr. Mahathir’s possible rhetorical angle with Focus Group Discussion incorporated in it. So at this juncture, I hope I can hand two manuscripts to my Committee Members, hopefully by this week :-

  • Improvised rhetorical criticism analysis of Angelina Jolie
  • Focus Group Discussion approach to study rhetorical elements of Dr. Mahathir’s speeches.

 

Angelina Jolie or Dr. Mahathir? You know, I am equally fascinated with Dr. Mahathir as I am to Angelina Jolie. In fact, I have written a few blog entries on him, Che’ Det so the idea of being gravitated towards him is no question because I am his ardent fan. BUT, I still harbour that sentimental value towards Angelina Jolie’s research. But maybe like what my friend Sha commented in my Facebook – I can always “revisit” Angelina Jolie once I’ve got my PhD, no? For the time being, focus on what’s practical and necessary! So far, Che’ Det predominates the scene. but we’ll see on the outcomes of my manuscripts.

Insya ALLAH. Amin. Hopefully this 4th semester goes well.

Advertisements

Mabruk @ Siti Nurhaliza Given Birth to A Daughter : Siti Nurhaliza and I – The Story of A Middle Class Malay’s Dream (PhD and Malay Muslim Identity).

Posted by Shahrill Ramli on March 19, 2018
Posted in: News Of The World. Leave a comment

I used to be Siti Nurhaliza’s hardcore fan. Like a real hardcore fan. Where no one could say bad things about her, etc. But everything transpired as I grow up, and after she got married (Haha!). I still like her and enjoy her music but not as hardcore as I used to be. As a Middle Class Malay, it is understandable why Siti Nurhaliza has been part of my “auditory solaces” over the years. Her music represent the Middle Class people – the genre where Upper Class Malays and Westerner-Wannabe Malays look down upon; the typical “Jiwang Melayu” (lovey-dovey Malay) and “Kampung” (backward). But it is her music that really reminds you the essence of Malay. If you were abroad and suddenly you are craving for Malay ambiance just for a while – all you have to do is just to get yourself a dosage of Siti Nurhaliza’s traditional or Malay songs and that longing will be alleviated (from my own experiences).

Her image as goody-two-shoes Malay poster girl was slightly smeared when she wedded the widower, Datuk Khalid. But over the years, we have seen how sincerity prevailed everything. Their marriage is blessed and even with the exes – they form a large family. Still, audience who have never been in contact with the chanteuse doubt her personality, including me, the ex-hardcore fan. But when you peruse all the interviews involving her family members and her stepsons, you know that that is the real her. She is “born polite” – so said Zainal Alam Kadir, the renowned reporter in Siti Nurhaliza’s Special in History Channel. And the way she speaks about her husband – even during interviews, she never talk ill about her husband; even when she was joking relating about how her romantic relationship with Datuk K wasn’t a love first sight (she profusely apologized for saying that she wasn’t attracted to him at first sight! Haha!). 

It was quite a controversial news back then. And reporters were excited to “dig” more on the news. And conservative Malays were left bewildered. How could the innocent, Malay poster girl to be connected with a widower? 

Initially, I did have an intention to study her speeches from rhetorical criticism point of view (I am studying speeches). I planned to study her interviews and how her guarded persona was somehow “shaken” when she was questioned on sensitive issues in regards of her fertility (she blatantly fired up to an insensitive reporter from Galaksi TV Programme for poking on her discreet visitations to a fertility hospital). I planned to mould the Pregnancy Issue as the exigence of my PhD research but after submitting the proposal (My Supervisor was very open to any of my suggestion. He let me explore any possibilities. Haha!), I felt that the scenario wasn’t really that strong to be scaffolded as a research; so I abort the topic and resort doing Angelina Jolie’s speech. You guys can check my blog entry dated 5th October 2016 : https://undomiel84.wordpress.com/2016/10/05/gggoooodbbyye-sitii-nuurhaliza-the-country-bumpkin-diva-the-ph-d-revolution-new-discussion-new-direction-image-restoration-image-persuasive-rhetorical-communication/.

Siti Nurhaliza and I have gone a long way in my blog. I have written about her for quite sometimes :-

  • 18th July 2006; Siti Nurhaliza’s rumours on her wedding with Datuk K (mind my topsy-turvy language! I was young and so not matured in my writing and thinking; but it was what it was!!) at https://undomiel84.wordpress.com/2006/07/17/the-darling-of-malaysia-siti-nurhaliza-is-getting-hitched/ and the second episode at https://undomiel84.wordpress.com/2006/07/18/the-darling-of-malaysia-siti-nurhaliza-part-ii/;
  • 25th November 2008; Siti Nurhaliza’s picture at a private event. My ex-banker colleague Kak Khairina Datuk Hussin’s event : https://undomiel84.wordpress.com/2008/11/25/picture-from-facebook-siti-nurhaliza/;
  • 30th December 2008;  Siti Nurhaliza’s traditional album entitled “Lentera Timur” (The Eastern Lantern) review at https://undomiel84.wordpress.com/2008/12/30/scheherazade-of-voice-siti-nurhaliza-the-eastern-lantern-a-firefly-the-nymphs/;
  • 29th September 2011; Siti Nurhaliza first English album debut “All Your Love” at https://undomiel84.wordpress.com/2011/09/29/100000-jubilee-views-all-your-love-siti-nurhalizas-english-debut-album/;
  • 6th July 2014; Siti Nurhaliza’s “Fragmen” album review at https://undomiel84.wordpress.com/2014/07/06/the-15th-musical-fragments-of-a-malaysian-chanteuse-fragmen-by-siti-nurhaliza

My hardcore craze days are already over but I still admire her personality. I like that she still have that Middle Class Malay Muslim essence in her despite now that she has already elevated her social status (she represent me and the rest of my childhood friends). I also love the idea that she now is a devout, practicing Muslim as she always get herself affiliated with Islamic events such as Usrah and performing Umrah and Hajj – whenever I read about her and MizzNina, it sort of giving me the thump on my back saying, I need to detach myself from the Wanton alter-ego (guilty as charged) and get myself in touch with that Malay Muslim side of me.

Coincidentally, I went there the month after Siti Nurhaliza went there with ALCC Travel (last year’s March!). Perhaps, Siti Nurhaliza’s prayer at Mihrab Zakaria (Zechariah’s Sanctuary) was answered by ALLAH SWT? You guys can read my Al-Aqsa’s visit at https://undomiel84.wordpress.com/2017/04/18/hymn-for-the-soul-the-land-of-the-prophets-my-spiritual-journey-at-the-promised-land-palestine-israel-al-ar%E1%B8%8D-al-muqaddasah-eretz-hakodesh/. I remember that I prayed for someone there but unfortunately he passed away right after I came back to Malaysia. God bless him. 

And lastly, I also admire her patience – her positive outlook in life and put her faith to God. I remember watching one of video interviews (for the sake of my PhD Proposal!) where a foul-mouthed local entertainment reporter harshly asked her what if she is destined not to have a child forever; she calmly replied that she gave everything to the hands of God but deep down, she believed one day she would have a child. And it is, what it is. Kun Fa Ya Kun, if God wants it, let it be. God is Great. And congratulations to Siti Nurhaliza, the Malay icon for having a baby girl!!!! Feeling overwhelmed and amazed by your patience. Inspiring for me.

You can’t separate Siti Nurhaliza from Malayness – so said Asia Bagus’ Najib Ali. And it’s true.

4th Semester of #ShahrillsRoadToPhD : The Blues of Health – Responsibility As A Teacher, “Advanced Qualitative Research Methods” Class & Communication Convention 2018.

Posted by Shahrill Ramli on March 8, 2018
Posted in: Road To PhD. 1 Comment

It is already March 2018 and this is my second entry for this year. Things are happening so fast with so little time. What are the current updates on my plate? Alhamdulillah, this year I am no more the PIBG Treasurer, a designation I reluctantly succumbed last year when my name was chosen (out of nowhere!); since this year I am serving as the Year 6 class teacher 6 Samudera as well as the only teacher who is teaching both English Language and Science for UPSR classes. But I guess it is not so much a grudge to accept the responsibility as long as it deals with the core task, which is to TEACH, no?

 

I am both a Science and English Language teacher. Two different world of academic discipline. One uses the brain’s left hemisphere whereas the other focuses on the right hemisphere.

As for my PhD journey; I am currently now in my 4th semester (February-June 2018). This should be a very crucial semester for me as I have to :-

  1. Prepare myself for the Comprehensive Exam (CE) – oral and written exams on my research;
  2. Start writing 2 journals for submission as prerequisite for graduation;
  3. Focus on the demanding assignments for “Advanced Qualitative Research” class. 

Today 8th March 2018. I am not feeling well but my head is thinking about my “Advanced Qualitative Research” class at UPM this evening from 6-9 pm. My lecturer for this class is Associate Prof. Dr Abdul Lateef Krauss and he asked all of us to read articles prior to the class so that we would be able to participate actively in the intellectual discourses conducted throughout the lessons. Honestly, I don’t think I am that fit to drive all the way to UPM today but it is aching to think about possibility of missing the class (and I am paying for the class, for God sake!). In addition, I don’t like the prospect of missing any input conveyed in the class!

 

Besides that, today is important because I have slotted an appointment with my so-ever busy Supervisor tomorrow at 3 p.m. and I need today to at least have the talk with my Supervisor’s PA. I am now trying to prepare an abstract for submission to the anticipating 12th Biennial Convention of the Pacific and Asian Communication – Communication and Industrial Revolution 4.0 (PACA 2018); so if I could finish it by today, probably we could just skim and scan the flaws of the abstract tomorrow, no? Furthermore, I need to find dates to set the 2nd Committee Members’ Meeting, as well! I have booked 16th March 2018 but that is subject to condition.

I wish. Amin.

I also don’t feel energetic and perky like my usual self at the school today. But my heart sank when I thought about my academically-abysmal pupils of 6 Samudera; this week is the “Revision Week” as next week would be their 1st Mid Semester Exam – therefore, I need to use this week to really reinforce any last minute lessons vital for next week’s examination! so for the kids’ sake, I am forcing myself to the school today.

But whatever it is, I must be rationale. If my body isn’t fit for the planned errands I have on my plate today, there is no benefit to be gained as the outcomes will not be as satisfactory as I aspire them to be, no? The other option is to go back home and have a rest after school and then try to finish the abstract for tomorrow’s tete-a-tete with Supervisor. As for the “Advanced Qualitative Research”, I probably need to skip that.

This is a letter from me to myself; dated 8th March 2018. By Shahrill Ramli, 4th Semester Human Communication PhD candidate, 2018. God bless.

A New Year, A New Leaf : The Resolutions @ 2018, The Year of Savoir Vivre, The Experiential Varicoloured Life (Good Childlike Gone Bad).

Posted by Shahrill Ramli on January 27, 2018
Posted in: Joie De Vivre. Leave a comment

This is practically my first entry for this 2018! I am writing this at The Pines Hotel in Melaka. I came here after school this morning; emceeing the “Majlis Temu Mesra Ibu Bapa Murid Tahun 6” for 2018. So, this year marks my 8th year in SK Serendah (gosh, I know!) and like I said, I’ve given myself time to finish my PhD before I depart to another working atmosphere. Sure, after securing PhD; it wouldn’t be easy to jump into University as a lecturer but I’ve made plan – once I’ve finished my viva, I am going to gear up the scouting while giving myself another year in the school. If things don’t work out as per plan and I am still stuck in primary school; I will surely apply to go somewhere else – I cannot be stuck in the same working place for 10 years, no?!

My PhD journey for 2018 : My 4th and 5th Semesters.

If last year was dubbed as The Year of Metamorphosis; I would say that this year 2018 would be The Year of Savoir Vivre, The Experiential Varicoloured Life. Every year, I would choose a tag that will suit my forecast for the year – and last year just as I have predicted; – was the year of transformations for me. I have gone through metamorphosis in my life. And this year 2018; I am going to live by the rule of savouring the life and grab any opportunities that come – I want to experience a lot of new things and to never let go any chance of tasting them all. Life is too precious to be cooped in the cocoons!

To give my best as a teacher : 6 Samudera class teacher and teaching 2 core subjects for UPSR – English and Science!

Alhamdulillah, I’ve achieved 95% of my Resolutions. So for 2018, my resolutions are :-

  1. To solidify my PhD journey – I’ll be entering my 4th and 5th semesters, Insya ALLAH. I would have to take the Comprehensive Exams on the 4th semester AND I have to produce two journals within 4th-6th semesters (requirements to graduate!);
  2. To give my best as a teacher – this year I am the class teacher for 6 Samudera and also teaches 2 core subjects (English & Science). It is hard as most teachers only teach 1 core subject for UPSR. But I vow to give my best to my pupils as a teacher; while pursuing my PhD as well;
  3. To read 6 celebrated books/novels – I need to read to stimulate my intellectual and creativity;
  4. To participate in 3 running events – Last year I only managed to participate 2 running events; so this year, I need to continue that healthy regime lifestyle and be more active;
  5. Travelling @ Wanderlust (Domestic/Abroad) – I have opened my option this year to domestic location as this year would be a tight budget for me; so I won’t be dreaming high to travel abroad – but if given chance, I would like to go to Turkey; or if I get to repeat oversea locations, I would like to explore London or Makkah, one more time.

To read 6 books throughout 2018.

To participate 3 fun run events – for health and aesthetic feature!

I admit I am now a legit Good Childlike Gone Bad. I have become that insatiable wanton. I want them and they want to taste and try me as well. They are always curious. It is amazing how these experiences shape your thoughts. You can actually rate the performances and the sizes based on these players’ athleticism. And most of the times, you see the packaging and the facade so alluring and inviting – BUT, the inside? Ouuch… ! Haha!  Packaging and equipment don’t go hand-in-hand and THAT IS A #TRUESTORY! Still, it’s good to educate myself. I actually give myself a year to explore this “wild side”. Hopefully, what doesn’t kill me make me stronger. Hopefully when I read this by the end of 2018, I will achieve my resolutions @ KPI. Insya ALLAH. Amin.

Insatiable. And the exploration for the athletic trophies continues. #TrueStory.

Goodbye 2017, The Year of Metamorphosis : The Evolution of Personality, Epistemology & Chastity. #TrueStory.

Posted by Shahrill Ramli on December 30, 2017
Posted in: Joie De Vivre. 3 Comments

So this is it. The last day of 2017; the year of Metamorphosis for me. I’ve experienced varicoloured episodes in life that are sure to make me wiser. I guess my premonition a year ago that 2017 would be the year of Metamorphosis was definitely true. Experiences throughout this year has enriched my mind and heart. Definitely, a #TrueStory. So, based on my 2017 New Year Resolution etched in the entry https://undomiel84.wordpress.com/2017/01/01/ahlan-wasahlan-2017-a-year-of-metamorphosis-living-the-life-of-lime-lemon-lemonade/ ,these were my 2017 resolutions :-

My Ph.D Proposal Defence on 15th December 2017.

  • To solidify the progress of my Ph.D thesis – entering the 2nd and 3rd stages mean that I have to really converge all the attention into that! ;
  • To visit at least a place enlisted in my #Wishlist –  I have one abroad destination which I really wanna go so bad (hopefully will materialize!) and other countless local destinations (I will try my ass off – FULL THROTTLE! – materializing these!) ;
  • To read more than 5 celebrated books – the popular books or the “highly-renowned among the literature community members”.
  • To join at least 3 running or health activities – to stay slim and young!

Alhamdulillah, I’ve achieved the first resolution – I’ve gone through the dreading PhD Proposal Defence on 15th December 2017. It was a smooth-flowing one albeit I’ve encountered challenges prior to the session. Alhamdulillah that everything went without major glitches. Details on the Proposal Defence is in https://undomiel84.wordpress.com/2017/12/16/my-ph-d-proposal-defense-an-unarmed-academic-duelling-battlefield-the-self-discovery-of-my-own-strength-the-power-of-mothers-doa/.

 

 

In front of Dome of The Rock; at the Dead Sea and a photo at chai stall run by a Palestinian at the compound of Masjidil Aqsa. 

Secondly on visiting a place in my #Wishlist; Yes, Alhamdulillah! I’ve also achieved that! The jewel of my 2017 experiences would definitely be the once-in-a-lifetime journey to Palestine, where I had the opportunity see Masjidil Aqsa and Dome of The Rock with my own eyes. I also travelled to Port Jaffa-Tel Aviv and had opportunity to be in the world’s saltiest place, The Dead Sea and also went for a canoe-sailing at Sea of Galilee. More of the experiences at my blog https://undomiel84.wordpress.com/2017/04/18/hymn-for-the-soul-the-land-of-the-prophets-my-spiritual-journey-at-the-promised-land-palestine-israel-al-ar%E1%B8%8D-al-muqaddasah-eretz-hakodesh/. It is one of #WishLists that I’ve fulfilled and I am very happy for that.

 

Vietnam’s Halal foods were amazing!

In addition, my family and I also visited Vietnam and it was my first ASEAN country. I have to say my perception on ASEAN countries changed overnight! Really loved the food and culture but hated the congested traffic! Haha!

 

The two books I read throughout 2017.

 

Thirdly, to read more than 5 celebrated books. Alhamdulillah, achieved! According to my Goodreads profile, I’ve finished reading 12 books this year and for some books, I’ve written the reviews in my blog :-

  • Percy Jackson & The Lightning Thief;
  • Percy Jackson & The Sea of Monsters;
  • Percy Jackson & The Battle of Labyrinth;
  • Percy Jackson & The Titan’s Curse;
  • Percy Jackson & The Last Olympian;
  • A Map of Trengganu;
  • Jerusalem : The Biography;
  • Tombiruo : Penunggu Rimba
  • To Kill A Mockingbird (REFER to https://undomiel84.wordpress.com/2017/07/20/a-satire-towards-the-american-egalitarian-spirit-defying-the-apartheid-sexism-societal-segregation-to-kill-a-mockingbird-by-harper-lee/);
  • The Black Pearl of Peihoo (REFER to https://undomiel84.wordpress.com/2017/08/22/the-occidental-writing-ooon-the-colonial-pages-an-oriental-response-of-white-supremacy-1914-the-black-pearl-of-peihoo-a-tale-of-the-malay-seas-by-stanley-portal-hyatt/);
  • Ayat-Ayat Cinta (REFER to https://undomiel84.wordpress.com/2017/09/12/a-musslimahss-romance-fantasy-or-a-contemporary-conduit-of-dakwah-the-verses-of-love-ayat-ayat-cinta-by-habiburahman-el-hirazy/);
  • Perempuan Berkalung Sorban (REFER to https://undomiel84.wordpress.com/2017/11/13/the-voice-of-feminism-in-islam-a-muslimahs-bold-discussion-on-gender-equality-reproduction-rights-socioreligious-positions-perempuan-berkalung-sorban-a-woman-with-the-kefiyyeh-turba/)

I am a geek. Star Wars fan!

And the last one is to join at least 3 running activities. Although I now starting to lead healthy lifestyle (drinking plain water and been running weekly at Titiwangsa Lake), I only joined two running activities, hence I did not achieve my KPI this year. Still, I should give a pat on my back by joining :-

  • The Star Wars Run at Singapore (REFER to https://undomiel84.wordpress.com/2017/05/07/thee-galaxy-of-geekddom-garden-by-the-bay-singapore-the-star-wars-run-2017-the-prior-prejudice-of-bangsa-johor-an-amateur-social-science-observation/); and
  • The Sea Games 2017 Fun Run at Putrajaya.

I also experienced melancholy side this year. An acquaintance I’ve met via social media passed away due to tongue cancer. I’ve been giving him moral support and even visited him last year October at UKM Oncology Department. I have been messaging him all the times it was like I literally went through his agony of the suffocating ozone treatment, multiple surgeries and all. I even prayed for him at Masjidil Aqsa. God bless. You will be missed Faizul Anuar Fadzil (REFER to https://undomiel84.wordpress.com/2017/04/04/inalillah-an-ode-to-a-cancer-fighter-life-is-ephemeral-memory-is-eternal/).

This year is definitely a year where I’ve become more independent and bolder. I am no more a clingy partner and I’ve ventured into the darker sides. 7 times. Have y’all heard Rihanna’s “S & M” lyrics? It feels good being bad, there’s no way I am turning back. It keeps away the clingy personality and awaken my unapologetic adventurous alter ego, experiencing many skills, sizes and sensation. #TrueStory.

 

7 Times. #TrueStory.

In terms of school, I had the experience becoming the PIBG Treasurer and it taught me to be outspoken at the school. I guess some of my colleagues may see me now being a big-headed just because I am now pursuing Ph.D which is not the case. It’s because of being a Treasurer that I’ve becoming what I am now. I am done being a People’s Pleaser when people are trying to take opportunities against me. I’ve make promise to myself that I will be transparent and truth when it comes to my professional affiliations at the school’s meetings so that I won’t be persecuted anymore (REFER to https://undomiel84.wordpress.com/2017/10/04/from-a-public-pleaser-to-an-unapologetic-treasurer-the-metamorphosis-of-the-schools-darling-the-sk-serendah-charity-carnival-2017/).

 

On whole, I just hope that 2018 will be a new leaf for me. God bless.

Find the lyrics. It’s #TrueStory.

My Ph.D Proposal Defense @ An Unarmed Academic Duelling Battlefield : The Self-Discovery Of My Own Strength & The Power Of Mother’s Doa.

Posted by Shahrill Ramli on December 16, 2017
Posted in: Road To PhD. Leave a comment

Alhamdulillah, at last I’ve gone through that dreading Proposal Defence for my PhD journey; it’s like an official statement to say that half of my #ShahrillsRoadToPhD is completed (though I still need to focus on the thesis and to produce two articles to be published in order to secure the doctorate, apart from the upcoming viva!). So, all the preparations which were highly-intensified since the commence of my 3rd semester on September has produced quite a satisfying outcome (for me!) although I have to admit that the journey was not a bed of roses, filled with hindrance and challenges.

Lecturer, colleagues and friends keep saying that I am getting scrawnier. This is the testament of my stress, juggling between school’s responsibilities & PhD. And yet, some people still have the audacity to question my stress? You’ve gotta be kidding!

OK, according to the ideal timeline proposed by my Student’s Advisor, I should have done my Proposal Defence on my 2nd semester (February 2017-June 2017) but UNFORTUNATELY, I was experiencing my demotivation curve :-

  • I’ve lost the drive to focus on my research;
  • I felt like I wanted to quit;
  • I felt that pursuing Ph.D was a worthless, suicidal act – to defy my comfort cocoon and to trade my tranquil suburban teacher’s life towards uncertain “money and time-wasting” ambition;
  • Lost the direction of my research;
  • Too occupied with stuffs and responsibilities at school
  • Found that writing thesis was not appealing ; and many more.

 

My “demotivation curve”. The dark phase of my PhD journey between January-April 2017. I hope I won’t experience that block, again.

During my Master’s Degree, I was known by my peers as the “Go-Getter, Kiasu” type and to say that I would be losing my motivation during Master’s Degree would certainly raise eyebrows of disbelieving. And I always thought that the notion of “demotivation curve” was some Bullshits coined by lazy people – NONETHELESS, I learned my own hard lesson when I myself experience that, and now I can vouch that the “demotivation curve” IS REAL! After dilly-dallying for 3 months, I slowly picked myself up and FORCED myself to concentrate on the whole Proposal and Thesis stuffs – partly because of listening to Moana’s song (I know, childish right? But Disney has always teaches me to BELIEVE IN MYSELF) where she discovered that SHE CAN ONLY RELY ON HERSELF for strength when Maui abandoned her. This blog entry penned on 27th April 2017 described vividly my own self-discovery to suck myself out from the “demotivation curve”; you guys can read at https://undomiel84.wordpress.com/2017/04/27/myy-pph-d-spiritual-quotient-sq-emancipation-from-procrastination/. The part of the lyrics – “the call isn’t out there but it’s inside me like a tide” – really HIT me real DEEP.

But since April was too late already for my abstract admission (should be sent on the 4th week of the semester in order for you to present your proposal on the 14th week! That’s exactly how universities work; the dates are eminent superpowers to be alerted!), I’ve decided to do it on the 3rd semester so that the timeline plan would not jeopardized; on 4th semester, I can take my Comprehensive Exams and also to concentrate on journals and thesis.

Throughout semester 3 beginning on September, I was feeling very PUMPED UP for my PhD study. BUT UNFORTUNATELY, the hindrance came in the form of my responsibilities at the school. It has always been hectic season for the schools in Malaysia during end-of-year months as there are so many filings and documentations needed to be prepared, as well as “ad hoc” documents summoned by the Higher Authority to the school and of course, the school has to pressure the teachers! On top of that, my school also has decided to organize a Charity Carnival on 30th September 2017 to raise funds for our school’s facilities. A week prior to that as the PIBG Treasurer, I had to :-

  • Distribute coupons for 39 classes and class teachers;
  • Distribute coupons for the “non-class teachers” (relief teachers) – should be around 25 teachers;
  • Distribute coupons to 20 staffs and School’s Administrators;
  • Recollect the coupons from the “Tayangan Filem” department;
  • Recollect the money paid by pupils who bought the coupons from the whole 39 classes (via their class teachers), 25 “non-class teachers” and 20 staffs/School’s Administrators;
  • Recount and recount and recount the money manually.

And on the day of the Carnival itself, I was a one-man-show, alone; to be cooped inside the room to count the money, freshly churned from newly-released coupons and I had to be in constant vigilant so that nobody would trespass the room as there were so many outsiders at the school. After the carnival, I had to :-

  • Recount the coupons and the money paid by the outsider stall owners;
  • Recount the teachers’ profits;
  • Bank-in the money tantamount to RM9,000 via deposit machine as banks were close during weekends.

I have documented the “2-weeks-of-hell” under my blog entry dated 4th October 2017; REFER to https://undomiel84.wordpress.com/2017/10/04/from-a-public-pleaser-to-an-unapologetic-treasurer-the-metamorphosis-of-the-schools-darling-the-sk-serendah-charity-carnival-2017/. AND to make the matter worse, I received an e-mail from my university reminding me that the submission of my thesis’s Abstract was on 11th October 2017!!! Yeah, seemed like there was a gap from Charity Carnival, no? BUT in order to produce that Abstract, I would have to do extra-reading to ensure the validity of my points AND to secure session with my Supervisor who is the Dean was another hassle as he is always BUSY with tight schedule AND to worsen the matter, he would not be in UPM from 6th October (Friday) as he had conference in Sabah – THEREFORE, I’ve got to get his signature by 5th October (Thursday)!! Can you imagine that????!

I drove my car to his office on the 5th October 2017 and got him checked my Abstract; and then reprinted the newly-amended Abstract, got him signed the Abstract and sent it to the Post-Graduate department in our faculty! Phew! I have to say that my eyes WATERED as I saw my Supervisor’s signature. To reminisce the stress I had to endure due to my school’s responsibilities. And I have that built-in anger towards my school’s administration honchos. They know I am pursuing PhD study and yet they were so merciless to assign me for big posts? We have 90 teachers in the school and don’t tell me not one of them COULD shoulder those responsibilities? I have to say that is a total Bullshit. From then on, I made promise to myself to REALLY SPEAK THE TRUTH IN MEETINGS REGARDLESS IF MY COLLEAGUES WERE TO BADMOUTH OR GOSSIP ABOUT ME OR NOT – I will not burn myself for their sake as I have to think about my own sanity for my PhD journey. That was a metamorphosis experience for me.

Apart from PIBG Treasurer, I am also the Pegawai Asset 2 (Asset Officer) and Class Teacher of 5 Samudera. On the last 2 weeks before the school closed, I emceed 2 events; I toured around the school (4 blocks, Science Labs, Music Room, Co-Curriculum Room, kindergarten, office, Counseling Room, and many more) to count the assets along Sir Edwin Roy; and preparing tedious filing for my 5 Samudera.

Some of my colleagues maybe think I am getting that “big-headed”, straight-talking persona because I am pursuing Ph.D which is not the case. It was because my experience as the PIBG Treasurer that I now become more gallant. I am done thinking about other people’s feeling; when they don’t give a damn about mine. If I have issues, I am going to table them out PROFESSIONALLY during meetings; not to talk-back and gossiping with others but didn’t do anything to solve them. No!

I am lucky in the sense that my Proposal Defence would be during school holidays (but work as PIBG Treasurer never stop!). But unfortunately like I mentioned in my previous entries (REFER to  https://undomiel84.wordpress.com/2017/12/07/the-phh-d-bluess-the-plastic-smiles-between-politics-of-the-school-university-an-etch-by-a-very-scarlett-survivor/); I could not secure meeting with my Supervisor or Committee Members due to their conflicting schedules and electrical fiasco. So by hook or crook, I had to face the Proposal Defence’s panels without having any eleventh-hour consultation from my academic team! It was a suicide point; entering the battlefield, unarmed.

Those were the feeling I experienced prior to my Proposal Defence. The moment of truth; the whole 3 months dedicated for yesterday’s 15 minutes!

BUT, since my Qualitative Research class makes it compulsory for us to present proposal slides; I thought why not used the session as my “warming-up session” prior to the Proposal Defence presentation and get Dr. Mursyid’s academic feedback on proposal, no? At least I had that minor preparation before entering the battlefield. On Thursday 14th December 2017, I presented my proposal in Qualitative Research class and gained feedback from Dr. Mursyid and my coursemates. It was a salvation session for me as I FINALLY got that professional feedback I badly needed to improve my proposal prior to the defence session. Thanks so much Dr. Mursyid!

The day. Thanks to my China friend, Vicky for the photos. She was the first presenter.

So, yesterday 15th December was THE DATE. My Proposal Defence session. The date that has been bothering my mind for almost 3 months! I spent night at Kakak’s place at Putrajaya (coincidentally Ayah & Mak were also there) and been practicing my punchlines and puns for the presentation. I entered the Makmal Kewartawanan (Journalism Lab) and found nobody. I waited for 5 minutes and sensed something fishy – did they change the venue without me knowing it??? Well, true enough I found out that the venue was changed to Makmal Pidato (Public Speaking Lab). So, I hurriedly ran to the lab and found the people there.

I was explaining the past findings in rhetorical journals – mostly on political, business and religious speeches. My Literature Review.

I was the 4th person to present. Each student was given 15 minutes to present their proposals and then to be quizzed by panelists. On whole, I thought everyone was OK with my presentation – I mean, friends who have watched me presenting topics would know my exaggerating, full of enthusiasm, loud-voice style. Haha! Some even recorded my session as nostalgia. Those were the responses of the audience but for me myself, did I feel that my contents were strong? Not quite. I felt that my “rhetorical style” had covered the weaknesses of my contents. But the panelists were not critical about that as they had no problem with my Background, Research Questions, Signifancance and Methodology. BUT there were two concerns which I should take note :-

  • I merely stated that I will be doing Textual Analysis after transcribing Jolie’s speeches. But what are the procedures and steps? Of course it is a common understanding that a researcher knows the procedure BUT I may want to highlight the chronology so that in the upcoming viva, examiners know that I know the steps;
  • I may want to heighten the sophistication of my research as this is a PhD level. Therefore it should not be a plain research; must a be a novel contribution to the knowledge. OK, so what if based on the research that Angelina Jolie does follow The Classical Theory or Monroe’s Motivated Sequence or McCrockey’s Characteristics of Good Style? I may want to correlate her speeches on the feminism perspective or her personality as a person? I may want to explore plethora of academic dimensions instead of to merely concur with the old Aristotelian method.

I took note of these two feedback and would use them to improve my thesis. And it was an honour to know that the panelists were enthralled by this topic as it is rhetorical analysis (which is a unique study even amongst Communication-related disciplines as Rhetorical Criticism is somewhat a dubious epistemology, for some scholars) and the source of this research’s subjects (artifacts) namely Angelina Jolie is interesting because for plain people, she is merely known for her Hollywood gossip-worthy personas and not her humanitarian contributions. 

The diagram I prepared to summarize Miss Jolie’s globe societal contributions. The amounts of money she donated for UNHCR, The Doctors Without Borders, The Jolie-Pitt Foundation, Namibian Wilidlife Sanctuary and setting up schools of Afghan girls; to name a few. 

Alhamdulillah that the session went smoothly. I think mainly because of Mak’s Doa. It is important to get your mother’s blessing. I can feel that her prayers protect me. So now, I have to concentrate on my Qualitative Research exam on 5th January 2018; and for my 4th semester, I have to get ready for my Comprehensive Exams and starting to produce journals for publication. Amin!

The Ph.D Blues @ The Plastic Smiles Between Politics Of The School & University : An Etch By A Very Scarlett Survivor.

Posted by Shahrill Ramli on December 7, 2017
Posted in: Road To PhD. 2 Comments

I am trembling, shaken. The volcano within me erupted but the lava of anger is unable to be transpired, hence the eyes began to water. Yes, I cried just now at the car. Just because I felt so tired and feeling so stupid; like someone who has no value; tossed and flipped on a whim! I also feel dejected. It’s like I have to continuously put that plastic innocent facade to curry favour the system in order to make things work – though my dignity is abused – and I am tired of it. But because I cannot do anything but to play with the cards orchestrated by the system, I am suffocated and depressed.

Fake facades. 

So being a teacher, we have this school’s year-end holidays. While most of my colleagues are enjoying their happy days, I am busy burying myself with my PhD affair. Before the big date (my Proposal Defence!) which is on the 15th December 2017, I have slotted two meetings prior to the Proposal Defence :-

  • 6th December – my 2nd Committee Members meeting with 3 of my supervisors;
  • 7th December – my final tete-a-tete with Supervisor before Proposal Defence as he will be having long end-of-year leave until 29th December.

Unfortunately, BOTH meetings were cancelled due to electrical fiasco at the faculty’s main block! I am sad because it is NOT EASY to secure a date where the 3 of lecturers could sit down together as I have to check and recheck their timetable to fit the slot for Committee Members Meeting (6th December). My Supervisor told me that I have to do it at least once in every semester just to secure the status of “MENGUASAI” (Pass). I could not do the meeting before school holidays because I was SO OCCUPIED with my school’s tasks as the Treasurer (we had the Charity Carnival) and many more clerical stuffs (Class Teacher, The Asset Officer, The NUTP Representative) which make it so IMPOSSIBLE for me to slot the time! And school seems to not care about it; keep choosing me for tasks that really demand high commitment. I am very angry and sad with my school’s administration.

Volcano eruption of anger. But it cannot be transpired. Hence, the emotion turns into dejection and depression.

But then, I accepted it as “OK, whatever” fate. The Supervisor’s PA told me that the slotted appointments for 7th December and 8th December would be as usual as she expected that the electrical fiasco could be fixed within a day (on the 6th December). So with that mission to meet my Supervisor BEFORE my dreading Proposal Defence, I drove from Batang Kali with full enthusiasm at 8 a.m. so that I could make it to UPM by 11 a.m.!

Clock struck 11 a.m., I was already at the front door of the office but it was dark. So, I called my Supervisor’s PA and she told me that the meeting was cancelled as the electrical fiasco is still unsolved and my Supervisor wanted to focus on his work so all meetings are cancelled today! She tried to call me but proved to no avail and she sent me WhatsApps. I was shocked as I didn’t receive anything. And true enough, I received the WhatsApps after I refreshed the connection – it was all MAXIS. I was stunned and SAD! Simply because tomorrow Friday (8th December) would be my Supervisor’s LAST DAY before he departures for his long leaves and the PA told me that his schedule is VERY TIGHT tomorrow and there is no way she could squeeze me in within the hectic schedule! On whole, I AM NOT GOING TO MEET HIM OR HAVING PROFESSIONAL OPINIONS OF MY COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRIOR TO MY PROPOSAL DEFENCE!!

And to add the salt to the wound, these emotions of feeling unworthy and disgraced are possessing my mind now. 

I don’t know. I feel so sad. I guess these are major blows to my head because :-

  • I feel worthless ;
  • My CGPA will be marred as if I don’t do the Committee Members Meeting by getting “TIDAK MENGUASAI” (Failed) –  (I am quite a Go-Getter person. A Kiasu, more like!); and;
  • I am also scared that I will be grilled by the Proposal Defence’s panelists as I could not get my Committee Members and Supervisor’s professional opinion before the Proposal Defence session.

I need to psyche my own mind; away from this dejection blues.

I cannot hide my feeling. I almost burst to tears when I called Kakak just now. But I also trying to reverse my mind now. I want to put my focus towards my Qualitative Research class’s presentation at 3 p.m. today. We have to present a Qualitative Proposal and are allowed to present our Master’s Degree/PhD topic. So, I wanna make this as my “warming up session” of presenting my proposal before the next week’s real deal on the 15th December 2017. Maybe I can take note what my Qualitative Research lecturer has to say or comment on my slides. At least, I will be getting some professional opinions there. Sigh.

I have to be that persistent Kiasu! I have to be that shameless, thick-faced if I want to soar high!

By etching this episode, I hope if I ever had the opportunity to achieve my doctorate one day, I would be able to smile reading what I have experienced in order to hold that academic recognition and said – “I’ve made it”. It’s still a long way but whether I am crying blood or gunned down over and over again, I must not falter. I am a survivor.”

This quote by Scarlett O’Hara (played by Vivien Leigh) has forever stuck in my mind on the first time I have watched it. And today’s event has resonates the quote even louder in my life, now. Like Scarlett, I vow this. I will do whatever it takes to achieve my dream. God bless.

A letter to Shahrill Ramli, by Shahrill Ramli; 7th December 2017 (3rd Semester of #ShahrillsRoadToPhD). Amin.

The scene where Scarlett vowed to do whatever it takes to achieve her dreams. I am her. I will be that. And willing to be that. Even if it means I have to don this plastic masquerade. God as my witness.

Posts navigation

← Older Entries
  • Angel With Dirty Closet

  • My Facebook @ Shahrill Ramli

    Shahrill Ramli | Create Your Badge
  • The Many Faces Of Shahrill Ramli Through Ages.

  • How Many Countries Visited @ In The Mind Of A Childlike?

    Flag Counter
  • Visitors : Since 27th May 2008.

    • 350,831 times peeping !
  • Resonance Of The Heart @Soundcloud.com

  • Shahrill’s Wanderlust @ Around The World!

    Shahrill’s Travel Map

    Shahrill has been to: Australia, Belgium, Brunei, People’s Republic of China, France, Hong Kong, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Malaysia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Vatican, Vietnam.
    Get your own travel map from Matador Network.

  • The Calendar!

    April 2018
    M T W T F S S
    « Mar    
     1
    2345678
    9101112131415
    16171819202122
    23242526272829
    30  
  • Angelina Jolie Voight

    Angelina Jolie animated gif Angelina Jolie animated gif
  • My 34th Birthday!

    34 Years Old @ 1st of June 1984June 1st, 2018
    41 days to go.
  • My Instagram @ shahrillramli

    Who murdered the #Palestinian #Imam cum lecturer cum young scientist? The #Malaysian authority doesn't rule out the possibility that #Israel's #Mossad is involved. This is not a surprise as Mossad did assisinate those who were involved in 1972 Munich Massacre. #Muslim #humanity #zionism #Palestine
    Saturday Additional Class for Year 6. Simple, basic ones for my academically- abysmal 6 Samudera pupils. These must be easy peanuts for urban pupils but for suburban pupils with minimal exposure on English, it is a real struggle. That is why I don't make fun of the average Malaysians' #English nor am I a Grammar-Queen's English #Nazi. Because I know that it takes immense of courage to be bold, to weather the inconsiderate, ruthless taunt in order to improve yourself! #LifeAsATeacher #suburban #NonNativeSpeaker
    LUNA LOVEGOOD & STUTTERING BILL : THE AGE OF INNOCENCE. I purposely write this in English so that anyone who wishes to decipher the picture would have to read - and people HATE READING LENGTHY ENGLISH STUFFS, no? Kiki! These two boys, Haziq and Dharshan are of my own class, 6 Samudera. They are both good boys but I could see they are sort of like the #misfits (I have soft spots for them) in the class - the pace of psychomotor and agility are somewhat slower in comparison to the peers. Haziq is quite a daydreamer like Harry Potter's Luna Lovegood whereas Dharshan has problem in articulating words as he has that mild stuttering - like Stephen King's "It" protagonist, Bill Denbrough @ Stuttering Bill! They have problems in expressing themselves in front of other more domineering friends and often recoiled whenever I encourage them or quiz them openly to stimulate responses; but right after classes whenever everyone is dispersed, they will corner me and start to lament to me their problems or any trivial stories as I always entertain their antics. They feel at ease expressing themselves without their other peers - and as I feign interest (haha!) towards their little stories and all. What happened was that last Tuesday, these two besties were dillydallying in writing the Science notes I wrote on whiteboard although I have given 25 minutes of leniency (only 3 lines!). When I did the inspection and came across their unfinished work, I instantaneously morphed into #Godzilla gone berserk (ask any teachers in my school!). Like a dramatic Godzilla, I did things I won't mention here. The class was petrified. When the bell rang and the other children went home, these two csme to me and said - "Sir, sorry tau tadi kami tak tumpu perhatian." I was stunned, the anger evaporated. I said - "Sir pun mintak maaf. Harap Haziq dan Dharshan faham Sir tak boleh pilih kasih. Lain kali bila arahan diberi kena fokus, OK?" Happily, they walked beside me and dished their stories along the way as they were about to go home. But I was moved by their #morality and that sense of respect. I wish you the brightest future, my pupils. You have the gem of moral I admire. #LifeAsATeacher
    After my #UPM class. A spontaneous tete-a-tete with Kitty Kat. Caffeine dosage for the tired eyes and body. And keeping abreast with each other's lives. #CaffeineFelony #friendship #USM
    Malam ini untuk kelas "Advanced Qualitative Research Methodology" tentang Saturation Point & latihan menerbitkan kod (open coding, axial coding). Masuk kelas saja rasa kerdil dengan kesarjanaan rakan-rakan. Banyak membaca mereka. Huhuhu 😿😿 #ShahrillsRoadToPhD #Qualitative
    Look at the murky sky, impregnated with drops of rain; dying to drench the earth. It has been 4 years now since I first came here performed prayer as student circa 2014 as a Master's Degree student & now a #PhD candidate. From 2014-2018; definitely longer than my #USM days 2003-2006! This is the 4th semester. I have passed my Proposal Defence. And now I have to sit for Comprehensive Exam, publish 2 journals & complete #thesis in order to get a doctorate; right here in #UPM, Malaysia. So many things to do, with so little time & so many work commitments. Will I ever achieve the Grad-on-Time (G.O.T.) target given by the university within 6 semesters? My main concern is the requirement to publish 2 journals! This process takes time! Don't know why Malaysian Ministry pushes the academicians like this?? All for the sake of "world's best university ranking", I supposed?? Hopefully all ends well. #LifeCapsule #GOT #academia #weather #Malay #Muslim #mosque #architecture #ShahrillsRoadToPhD
    Good try my boy @amirulasyraf_mohdazmi for your participation among 30 participants! The judges did not disclose the ranking but I thought you did well in the Prepared session - smooth and slick presentation of "Gulliver's Travel". As for the #Impromptu, teachers were not allowed to witness the session. But it was an intense competition, with others exhibiting exaggeration and all. But given the limited time of our training session, I applaud your performance! Good one m'boy! #LifeAsATeacher #ScienceTeacherTurnsEnglishTeacher #storytelling
    Good attempt Amirul @amirulasyraf_mohdazmi in your prepared storytelling session! We'll wait for the verdict! This is a reminiscence of good old days. Felt like taking the stage and "donned the thing"! Haha! #LifeAsATeacher #English #storytelling
    You Raise Me Up. I love this song. It has purest lyrics. Think of my mother and it sends chill all over me...
    I hope other seasoned academicians won't laugh at me BUT getting this notification from 12th Biennial PACA Convention for a newbie like me, is like a HUGE DEAL! Oh, well. Both excited and looking forward for my #virgin academic convention! Hey, #Sabah see you in July! So all the Sabah hot meats; wait for me! Kikiki! #ShahrillsRoadToPhD #PACA #communication #rhetoric #academicpaper #Malaysia
    Memandu dari #Serendah, Hulu Selangor ke #UPM, #Serdang untuk hantar 2 manuskrip #PhD hasil mesyuarat Ahli Jawatankuasa Kajian tempoh hari. Supervisor dan Co-Supervisor risau dengan halatuju kajian ucapan Angelina Jolie yang guna metod Neo-Aristotelian iaitu konsep kefalsafahan komunikasi yang lama dari #Aristotle. Analisis awal saya hanya mendatar dan tak mendalam. Jadi mereka cadangkan saya buat Focus Group Discussion dan kaji retorik dan kesannya dari kaca mata audiens melalui ucapan Dr. Mahathir. Saya taknak putus asa lagi dengan Angelina Jolie kerana dah 3 semester dengannya. Jadi saya sediakan cubaan analisa yang lebih mendalam. Jika ini juga tak menepati "kedalaman kesarjanaan" yang sepatutnya; saya bersedia untuk "move on" dengan Che'Det. Kita tunggu keputusan 26 April. Apapun, dua-dua idola dekat di hati saya. Tiada masalah bergelumang dengan mereka. Ooops, menage-a-trois? Kikiki. Hujan lebat di sini. Bila katakan pada Iecha, PA Supervisor yang saya dah sedia nak balik Batang Kali; terlopong mulutnya - "Jauhnya!". Asam garam. #ShahrillsRoadToPhD #AngelinaJolie #MahathirMohamad #Mahathir #speech #rhetoric #communication #qualitative #NeoAristotelian #FocusGroupDiscussion
    #Throwback nostalgia dari penulisan #blog.Teringat kali pertama jejaki United Kingdom 2014. Teruja dengan Trafalgar Square, Big Ben, Eyes of London & makan di TukDin dan kantin Malaysia Hall - persis cerita "Cinta Korporat" & video muzik Amy Mastura (kikiki.. budak zaman 90an mesti ingat drama Kuasatek Pictures dulu). Teruja dan gusar juga sebab itu pertama kali terbang keluar Malaysia seorang tanpa sesiapa. Tahun itu Kakak @earadith, Abang Zam @ziggza, Rifqi @rifqinaufal2006 & Raess berada di sana kerana Kakak buat Master di University of Leeds. Jadi cadanganya, mereka turun ke #London dan jemput saya di Heathrow Airport. Tahun itu #Alhamdulillah dapat RM3000 hasil keputusan Cambridge Placement Test untuk guru yang ajar Bahasa Inggeris oleh KPM. Pengalaman terbang seorang dengan MAS mendebarkan kerana tahun itu juga kisah MH370 & MH17 terjadi. Kami tinggal di kawasan pinggir Great London iaitu #Camden. Kejadian ngeri berlaku bila tengah malam kami dikejutkan DENTUMAN PINTU oleh jiran bawah yang naik ke atas apartment kami. Rupanya air dari singki tak ditutup (penutupnya menutup lubang) dan sudah melimpah keluar basahkan karpet!!! Air itu rupanya dah mendap ke karpet dan menitik basah ke rumah tingkat bawah - silingnya BASAH. Orang putih itu tak puas hati dan desak gantirugi; saya yang kurang sabar bertikam lidah dengannya - dan kami berbalas sindiran, seperti dalam blog saya di https://undomiel84.wordpress.com/2014/12/23/winter-united-kingdom-part-1-the-london-roaming-around-the-angry-caucasian-neighbour-camden-town/amp/ (susunan ayat #English saya sangat amatur! Haha!). Kakak yang kenal sikap "mulut berbisa" saya terus redakan keadaan dan cuba pujuk orang putih itu bahawa dia akan bincang dengan tuan rumah. Kakak marah saya kerana sikap akal pendek saya - "ini negara orang. Kita tak tau apa depa boleh buat. Takyah bergaduh. Kita buat bodo ja." Ada benarnya kata-kata itu. Malam itu kami tak tido lena. Risau kalau kena bayar £2000, bersamaan RM10,000!! Dahla Kakak datang sebagai pelajar; saya lagilah tak ada duit. Hasil maklumbalas dengan #Airbnb akhirnya kami kena bayar £200 = RM1200. Memang pengalaman ngeri. #BlastFromThePast #nightmare #wanderlust
    How does it feel to be f---ed by #Nature? Surreal, ethereal. #Selfie #AgeingGracefully
    #Throwback nostalgia. Dah terlanjur mengenang kisah pengembaraan dalam #blog; teringat pengalaman 2013 di mana saya dan Kakak @earadith pertama kalinya bawa Ayah dan Mak ke luar negara iaitu di #Sydney, #Australia. Satu pencapaian untuk kami yang berasal dari Kelas Pertengahan Melayu Muslim. #Alhamdulillah tahun itu ada "durian runtuh" sikit. Saya tanggung kos penerbangan Mak dan Ayah manakala Kakak tanggung kos penginapan di #Campsie. Pengalaman manis sekurangnya pernah bawa mereka menghirup dan jejaki kaki di Australia. Harap satu hari nanti ada rezeki lagi. Membaca penulisan sendiri dalam blog yang disirikan kepada 4 siri iaitu salah satunya https://undomiel84.wordpress.com/2013/12/01/filial-piety-aurora-australis-part-ii-the-iconic-emblems-of-sydney-the-harbour-bridge-the-opera-house/; memang imbau nostalgia. Masa ini Rifqi Naufal baru berumur 7 tahun; Raess Nafiz pun masih bayi. Nostalgia bersama Mak dan Ayah di depan Sydney Bridge & Opera House. C.C @ziggza @rifqinaufal2006 #wanderlust #parents #Malay #Muslim #love #family #TheRamlisSiblings
    #Throwback kenangan di Amsterdam, Netherlands. Terlihat seorang kenalan FB di sana dan teringat pengalaman sendiri ke sana semasa menjelajah 6 negara sempena konvokesyen Kakak @earadith di University of Leeds 2016. Rasa terimbau bila baca penulisan sendiri di #blog https://undomiel84.wordpress.com/2016/07/10/the-ramli-siblings-conquering-eeuurope-amsterdam-netherlands-dutchland-the-land-of-new-adventures-new-faces/. Saat beg oleh Emirates masih tertinggal di Dubai walhal kami sudah berada di Amsterdam; saat kami tak jadi ke Giethoorn jadi ke Zanns Schans; saat tidur dalam dek kapal sempit di boat Vita Nova di Oosterdork persis kabin Titanic; saat bergambar di depan rumah Anne Frank, gadis Yahudi yang sembunyi dari Nazi selama 2 tahun; saat melawat Rijkmuseum melihat bahan inspirasi lukisan Van Gogh, dll. Amsterdam paling menarik antara keenam-enam negara itu. Orangnya kebanyakan boleh berbahasa Inggeris. Seronoknya kalau dapat pergi lagi. Apakan daya; kekangan duit dan masa kerana #PhD! #wanderlust #Netherlands #LifeCapsule #BlastFromThePast #ShahrillsWishingListTicked #TheRamlisSiblings
    Today, I just wanna be a lazy #sloth. Don't try tempting me to be a Pussy, cat. I wanna block myself from school and #PhD stuffs. Sometimes, they bore me. Zzzz. #LifeCapsule #layback #LifeQuote #lazy
    #Throwback. With my male colleagues. Not in full quorum, though (sick, attending courses outside from school, etc). Male #teachers are considered "endangered" especially in my school. Some of my female colleagues have the audacity to say they "work harder than their male counterparts" - and yet when it comes to physical stuffs, controlling 600++ pupils at one time or working late at night, you rely on us? All under the token of being "the weaker sex", of course! But they forgot that when they are gossipping like nobody's business. I observe and process that. Haha. But then, we are cool. We don't like shitty, useless #dramas. Kikiki. #LifeAsATeacher
    #Throwback picture. During Pn. Rosnaini's farewell ceremony/ocassion/party/whacchamaccalit. With Kak Ida and Kak Ani, two of my school's senior clerks. I have the utmost respect for both of them especially Kak Ida - she is the "go-to" person in the office and she don't mind coming to school even on Saturdays or Sundays for school events. She even without hesitation became the "runner" from the Khemah Urusetia to the Khemah Padang. I observe people, and I adore her work ethics. Always love hearing her stories and advices! #LifeCapsule #LifeAsATeacher
    Escaping the heat of the lowland. Up here on the hills of #Titiwangsa Range, zephyr is blowing graciously. So cool. And I can hear religious sermon from Masjid Yayasan Noah nearby. So therapeutic. I almost forgot that today (or tomorrow?) is 27th Rejab; the date of Prophet Muhammad's miraculous journey from Masjidil Haram to Masjidil Aqsa. Reminding me of #Jerusalem in #Palestine. This sermon reminds me of my parents especially Mak. She is like the light that always reminds me to the Islamic Path. Suddenly I miss #Jitra. I wonder how will I ever recoup my strength if one day they were gone? I hope I would be able to muster my strength. God bless. #LifeCapsule #Muslim #Islam #IAmAnAngelWithDirtyCloset
    Hujan hanya seketika, gagal menyejukkan tanah pamah yang sengsara kerana panas 2-3 hari ini. Katanya ekuinoks? #equinox #heat #Malaysia #nature #clouds #panorama
  • Recent Comments

    Niroshini Shini on 4th Semester of #ShahrillsRoad…
    abigail on Emceeing Helter-Skelter @…
    Antara Kisah-kisah P… on The Princesses Of Malaysian Fo…
    Shahrill Ramli on Goodbye 2017, The Year of Meta…
    anas abd rahman on Goodbye 2017, The Year of Meta…
    kiki on Goodbye 2017, The Year of Meta…
    Jamilah on The Ph.D Blues @ The Plastic S…
    Jamilah on The Ph.D Blues @ The Plastic S…
    Aini Shah on Tombiruo, The Mythical Borneoa…
    husaini on The Tale Of The Kampung Malays…
  • The Categories Drawer

    • Cinema, Cinema, Cinema (88)
    • Joie De Vivre (623)
    • Master of Mass Comm (56)
    • MH370 (18)
    • Miaow, Kitty World! (10)
    • My Castle On A Cloud (My Own Home!) (5)
    • My Promise @ Road To Recovery (20)
    • News Of The World (115)
    • Novels/Book (42)
    • Professional Life (135)
    • Road To PhD (23)
    • Searching My Soul- Back To Basic (22)
    • Travelling – Out From Chrysalis (108)
  • Time Of Halo

    Daisypath Friendship tickers
  • The Links

    • Aidawati
    • Darweena Al-Idrus
    • Ena
    • Eragorn Faiz
    • Fadhli Atari @ Pali
    • Halim @ Pingu Toha
    • Ihsan @ Panglima Kecekapan
    • Janice Jaya Ram @ Mariposa @ Jan Chica Espanol
    • Kak Chech Be True To Yourself
    • Kakak @ Ziggurat @ Earadith Mi Blog Es Su Blog
    • Kathleen Mujan Nandong @ Kat Kitty Kat
    • Lutfi Amri
    • Miss T @ Queen Bee
    • Missy Anna @ MsFbee
    • Muzem
    • Nazar Azly Zaberi @ NAZ
    • Tan Sri Tony Fernandes – CEO of AirAsia/Tune Air
    • Ustaz Jasni @ Tinta Pendeta
    • Zakri Zakaria @ Zack
  • My Alter Egoes

    • Angelina Jolie Voight @ Angie
    • Angie's Tumblr Quotes
    • Angie’s Tattoos
    • LA Ink – Tattoo Pictures
    • LA Ink – The Official Website
    • Miami Ink – Tattoo Pictures
    • Miami Ink – The Official Website
  • My Virtual Pages

    • My Facebook Page
    • My Instagram Page
    • My Myspace Page
    • My Tagged Page
    • My Twitter Page
  • Novels/Books

    • 50 Shades Of Grey – E.L. James
    • A Doctor In The House : The Memoirs of Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad
    • A Thousand Splendid Suns – Khaled Hosseini
    • Almayer's Folly – Joseph Conrad
    • Atlas Shrugged – Ayn Rand
    • Billy & The Cloud Fife – Winston Lim
    • Carrie – Stephen King
    • Christine – Stephen King
    • Harry Potter & The Cursed Child – J.K. Rowling
    • Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows – J.K. Rowling
    • I Am Malala : The Girl Who Stood Up For Education & Was Shot By The Taliban – Malala Yousafzai
    • Life Of Pi – Yann Martel
    • My Sister's Keeper – Jodi Piccoult
    • Notes From My Travels – Angelina Jolie
    • Pet Sematary – Stephen King
    • Salem's Lot – Stephen King
    • Salina – A. Samad Said
    • Tenggelamnya Kapal Van Der Wijck – HAMKA
    • The Alchemist – Paulo Coelho
    • The Dark Half (I) – Stephen King
    • The Dark Half (II) – Stephen King
    • The Devil Wears Prada – Lauren Weisberger
    • The Diary Of A Young Girl – Anne Frank
    • The Fellowship Of The Ring – J.R.R. Tolkien
    • The Fountainhead – Ayn Rand
    • The Girl Who Kicked The Hornet's Nest – Stieg Larsson
    • The Girl Who Played With Fire – Stieg Larsson
    • The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo – Stieg Larsson
    • The Kite Runner – Khaled Hosseini
    • The Malay Dilemma – Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad
    • The Scarlet Letter – Nathaniel Hawthorne
    • The Secret Life Of Marilyn Monroe – J. Randy Taraborrelli
    • The Shining – Stephen King
    • The Unfinished Tales – J.R.R. Tolkien
    • Thing Of Beauty : The Tragedy Of Supermodel Gia – Stephen Fried.
    • Ulu Yam Di Liverpool – Nazali Noor
  • Domestic Vacations Folder!

    • A Famosa Resort, Malacca, Malaysia
    • Ain Arabia, Bukit Bintang, Malaysia
    • Ampang Hill Lookout / KL Bird Park / Saloma BISTRO, Malaysia
    • Ana Ikan Bakar Petai Restaurant, Bandar Baru Bangi, Malaysia
    • Bagan Lalang, Malaysia
    • Batu Caves, Malaysia
    • Bellevue Hotel @ Penang Hill, Malaysia
    • Broga Hill, Semenyih, Malaysia
    • Bukit Nanas Eco Park & Kuala Lumpur Tower, Malaysia
    • Bukit Wang, Jitra, Malaysia
    • Candi Batu Pahat, Malaysia
    • Central Market (Pasar Seni), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
    • Chuping, Perlis, Malaysia
    • Colmar Tropicale & Japanese Tea Village, Bukit Tinggi, Pahang, Malaysia
    • D'Lala Seafood @ Kampung Baru
    • Empangan Batu Ulu Yam Hulu Selangor, Malaysia
    • Famous Jo Cendol, Jitra, Kedah, Malaysia
    • Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM), Malaysia
    • Fort Cornwallis, Penang, Malaysia
    • Fraser's Hill, Pahang, Malaysia.
    • Genting Highlands, Malaysia
    • Gua Kelam @ Cave Of Darkness, Perlis, Malaysia
    • Hotel Seri Malaysia Genting Highlands @ Gohtong Jaya
    • I-City Shah Alam, Malaysia
    • Jalan Bellamy Grilled & Roasted Seafood, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
    • Jamek Mosque, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
    • Kampar, Perak, Malaysia
    • Kapitan Keling & Acheen Mosques, Penang, Malaysia
    • Kellie's Castle, Batu Gajah, Perak, Malaysia
    • KidZania @ Mutiara Damansara, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
    • Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
    • Kuala Kangsar, Malaysia
    • Kundasang, Sabah, Malaysia
    • Laksa Ikan Sekoq, Alor Star, Malaysia
    • Lumut, Malaysia
    • Malacca, Malaysia
    • Malaysia National Library, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
    • Malaysian National Museum, Malaysia
    • Malaysian National Zoo, Malaysia
    • Malaysian Old National Palace, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
    • Miami Beach, Penang, Malaysia
    • MINES Wonderland Night Cruise, Seri Kembangan, Malaysia
    • Old Protestant Cemetery, Georgetown, Penang, Malaysia
    • Pasir Salak Historical Complex, Perak, Malaysia
    • Penang Floating Mosque, Penang, Malaysia
    • Penang Hill @ Flagstaff Hill (Bukit Bendera), Penang, Malaysia
    • Penang Little India, Penang, Malaysia
    • Penang Museum, Malaysia
    • PetroSains, KLCC, Malaysia.
    • Port Dickson & Malaysian Islamic Arts Museum, Malaysia
    • Portuguese Settlement & Princess Hang Li Po's Well, Malacca, Malaysia
    • Putrajaya International Convention Centre, Malaysia
    • Sedim Waterfall, Malaysia
    • Sepang International Circuit, Malaysia
    • Seri Menanti Palace, Malaysia
    • Sg. Klah Hot Spring, Malaysia
    • Taiping Zoo @ Night Safar, Perak, Malaysia
    • Tambunan, Sabah, Malaysia
    • Tanjung Lumpur & Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia
    • The Leaning Tower of Teluk Intan, Perak, Malaysia
    • The Nahara, Kalumpang, Malaysia
    • The Natural History Museum Precint Diplomatik, Putrajaya, Malaysia
    • The New Masjid Jamek Kampung Baru, Kuala Lumpur
    • The Pines Hotel, Melaka, Malaysia
    • The Settlement Hotel, Melaka, Malaysia
    • The Wetland, Putra Mosque & Botanical Garden, Putrajaya, Malaysia
    • The Whimsical Houses, Changlun, Malaysia
    • Timah Tasoh Lake, Perlis, Malaysia
    • Tun Dr. Mahathir's Birthplace & Nagore Mosque, Alor Setar, Malaysia
  • International Vacations Folder!

    • Amsterdam, Netherlands @ Holland
    • Beijing & Tianjin, China
    • Brussels, Belgium
    • Church of Holy Sepulchre, Palestine
    • Dome of the Rock, Palestine
    • Hong Kong (SARS)
    • Interlaken, Switzerland
    • Jerusalem, Palestine
    • Madinah al-Munawarrah (1), Saudi Arabia
    • Madinah al-Munawarrah (2), Saudi Arabia
    • Makkah al-Mukarramah (1), Saudi Arabia
    • Makkah al-Mukarramah (2), Saudi Arabia
    • Makkah al-Mukarramah (3), Saudi Arabia
    • Makkah al-Mukarramah (4), Saudi Arabia
    • Masjidil Aqsa, Palestine
    • Melbourne, Australia
    • Milan, Rome & Venice, Italy
    • Paris, France
    • Sea of Galilee, Israel
    • South Island, New Zealand
    • Sydney (1), Australia
    • Sydney (2), Australia
    • Sydney (3), Australia
    • Sydney (4), Australia
    • Sydney (5), Australia
    • Sydney (6), Australia
    • Tel Aviv-Port Jaffa, Israel
    • The Dead Sea, Palestine
    • The Wailing Wall @ The Western Wall, Palestine
    • United Kingdom (1)
    • United Kingdom (2)
    • United Kingdom (3)
    • United Kingdom (4)
    • United Kingdom (5)
    • United Kingdom (6)
    • Universal Studio & Merlion Park, Singapore
    • University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
  • MH370

    • MH370 (Episode 1) – #PrayForMH370
    • MH370 (Episode 10) – CNN Twisted News Coverage
    • MH370 (Episode 11) – SARS Rescue Mission @ Indian Ocean
    • MH370 (Episode 12 ) – Prime Minister's Official Statement
    • MH370 (Episode 13) – Ahmad Jauhari Yahya & Identifying 122 Debris
    • MH370 (Episode 14) – Zhang Ziyi's Ignorant Blatant Comments
    • MH370 (Episode 15 ) – Diego Garcia, The US Military Base Island
    • MH370 (Episode 16) – Crisis Communication With Charles Mohan
    • MH370 (Episode 17) – 100 Days MIA Questions With Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad
    • MH370 (Episode 18) – Flaperon Confirmed At Reunion Island
    • MH370 (Episode 2) : Malaysians As Key Board Warriors
    • MH370 (Episode 3) – Mysteries On The Case
    • MH370 (Episode 4) – Jasmine Johari, The Fake Twitter Victim
    • MH370 (Episode 5) – Two Iranian Fake Passport Of INTERPOL
    • MH370 (Episode 6) : Raja Bomoh, The Malaysian Shaman
    • MH370 (Episode 7) : Conspiracy Theories Of World's Political Superpowers
    • MH370 (Episode 8) – Signal From Kazakhstan & Turkmenistan
    • MH370 (Episode 9) – A Hate Mail From PUKIMAKHANG
  • My Bookshelf : Rated Read

  • Archives

    • April 2018
    • March 2018
    • January 2018
    • December 2017
    • November 2017
    • October 2017
    • September 2017
    • August 2017
    • July 2017
    • June 2017
    • May 2017
    • April 2017
    • March 2017
    • January 2017
    • December 2016
    • November 2016
    • October 2016
    • September 2016
    • August 2016
    • July 2016
    • June 2016
    • May 2016
    • April 2016
    • March 2016
    • February 2016
    • January 2016
    • December 2015
    • November 2015
    • October 2015
    • September 2015
    • August 2015
    • July 2015
    • June 2015
    • May 2015
    • April 2015
    • March 2015
    • February 2015
    • January 2015
    • December 2014
    • November 2014
    • October 2014
    • September 2014
    • August 2014
    • July 2014
    • June 2014
    • May 2014
    • April 2014
    • March 2014
    • February 2014
    • January 2014
    • December 2013
    • November 2013
    • October 2013
    • September 2013
    • August 2013
    • July 2013
    • June 2013
    • May 2013
    • April 2013
    • March 2013
    • February 2013
    • January 2013
    • December 2012
    • November 2012
    • October 2012
    • September 2012
    • August 2012
    • July 2012
    • June 2012
    • May 2012
    • April 2012
    • March 2012
    • February 2012
    • January 2012
    • December 2011
    • November 2011
    • October 2011
    • September 2011
    • August 2011
    • July 2011
    • June 2011
    • May 2011
    • April 2011
    • March 2011
    • February 2011
    • January 2011
    • December 2010
    • November 2010
    • October 2010
    • September 2010
    • August 2010
    • July 2010
    • June 2010
    • May 2010
    • April 2010
    • March 2010
    • February 2010
    • January 2010
    • December 2009
    • November 2009
    • October 2009
    • September 2009
    • August 2009
    • July 2009
    • June 2009
    • May 2009
    • April 2009
    • March 2009
    • February 2009
    • January 2009
    • December 2008
    • November 2008
    • October 2008
    • September 2008
    • August 2008
    • July 2008
    • June 2008
    • May 2008
    • April 2008
    • March 2008
    • February 2008
    • January 2008
    • December 2007
    • November 2007
    • October 2007
    • September 2007
    • August 2007
    • July 2007
    • June 2007
    • May 2007
    • April 2007
    • March 2007
    • February 2007
    • January 2007
    • December 2006
    • November 2006
    • October 2006
    • September 2006
    • August 2006
    • July 2006
    • June 2006
    • May 2006
    • April 2006
    • March 2006
    • February 2006
    • January 2006
    • December 2005
    • November 2005
    • October 2005
    • July 2005
    • June 2005
    • May 2005
  • My Twitter-Patter! @https://twitter.com/shahrill

    My Tweets
  • Angie, My Gemini Twin!

  • Advertisements
Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com.
In The Mind Of A Childlike
Blog at WordPress.com.
Cancel