Grit.

I still find myself unimpressed with MAS. I admit, part of it was my fault - as someone who consistently keeps up with emails, I didn't expect to miss the notification email from MAS regarding flight exchange. MAS should differentiate between important notification alerts and promotional emails that seem to clutter the inbox. Sigh.

I was utterly exhausted after a long day at the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, presenting on the potential of genomic sequencing, I couldn't help but feel a mix of sadness and anger upon realizing that I will be stranded at the airport today.

I contemplated to be a child, and could have reach out to brothers around KLIA. I'm certain they would come and rescue me. However, I recall a discussion I had with Prof Wan Zurinah yesterday about grit. I personally believe that grit isn't just reserved for things we love; it's also about finding the smallest elements of enjoyment in tasks or stituation we dislike but are obligated to do. 

It feels like a test from the Almighty. In this situation, I should be able to summon my grit. And I've found my solace. Alhamdulillah.

Eventually, I made the decision to embrace my time here at the airport. After a delicious iftar at Chef Wan's, I felt incredibly sleepy due to only managing a few hours of sleep the night before - all because of my nerves about facing the representatives from the ministry. Finally, I stumbled upon a secluded little hideout with exceptionally comfortable sofas. Within moments, I drifted off to sleep.

Now that I feel refreshed after a proper rest. I quickly performed my prayers and tarawih, and then resumed doing what I love - tackling the backlog of work that awaited me.

Ageing hits!

In a few months, I'll be 40, signalling the start of a new chapter in my life.

Now that I'm back from Copenhagen, the realities of life have hit me hard in terms of my profession. The practice of sequencing is novel, somewhat foreign, and very important. But this did not stop me from working hard - from nil to something! Over the past 3-4 years, I've grappled with the daunting task of transitioning from a void of creativity to delving into the intricacies of sequencing. 

Having trained in science, I take a practical approach to all of my future undertakings. I am well aware of the hereditary predispositions to cancer that run on my mother's family, as well as the dismal fact that males only live an average of 65 years. This awareness fuels my determination to make the most of the next 20 years.

Today, I revisited the starting point: https://cric48.blogspot.com/2014/06/start.html. I dug into my old works, looking for solutions to help me navigate the next 20 years.

Aging is not a disease, and it doesn't need a cure. It's simply something I must embrace in a healthy manner.

Yep, that was me in the middle of Danish lands. Little did I know, just a couple of years after that adventure, my vision would blur due to myopia. Additional fat would accumulate around my belly due to sarcopenia.

Looking back, the naivety of youth is apparent. At 30, the future seemed uncertain. Yet, with the remaining years ahead, I'm determined to fill them with meaningful pursuits, hopefully for the better. InshaAllah.