The year started busily with a Colloquium, Teaching Apprentice Fellowship Program, and newly recruited teachers training where I took sessions, training at DIS, 21st founding anniversary of DIU, DIU convocation program, family day where Parisa recited Shakespeare's poem.
Then, we went to IUBAT with students to watch Macbeth performance, and to Momota Palli for our family picnic. Meanwhile, my registration at USM was complete, so I kept attending online workshops as a warmup activity. In March, adjudicated debate after ages at a program organized by Dnet, felt nostalgic thinking about Stamford Debate Forum... Going to the Joy Bangla concert was also exciting, but didn't enjoy as much as I had expected. Talking about performance, Parisa was Rosalind on the stage for As You Like It and she rocked!
She also added more feathers by becoming the runner up in an essay competition and securing the 2nd position in the final exam while being promoted to class 8. She continued to participate in debate competition and gladly got back her interest in piano playing. The year ended with her yearly recital.
Met Mukta Apa and Humaira as they visited Bangladesh. Parisa and I kept trying new places to hang out and eat. During Ramadan, eating iftar together in different groups continued and then Eid came over. Parisa suddenly seemed all grown up with a different look.
During Eid I visited a few places of family members just to take doa as I'd be leaving soon. Meeting Chachi was something that I'd be always be grateful about because that was the last time I saw her. Tanya came over, so had our friends' outing too. I went to Tangail with Tithi, and loved visiting her house and eating all the delicacies by her mom.
People's love always showers and surprises me. Just before leaving for USM, I was showered with many goodbye gifts, hugs and love. My students also presented skits of alternate ending to Shakespeare's plays we studied, and some productions exceeded my expectations.
But this year will be marked as a special one for I've been away from my country, my family, friends and loved ones for the longest period. I missed deshi food and hugging my people the most. All this is due to my long due PhD and finally as I registered myself at the School of Educational Studies of USM, I feel thankful for doing this. Abbu became the happiest and I hope he can see the completion of the journey. Living by myself has its perks, but I think I managed it pretty well. In terms of studies, I suffered from a couple of bumps, especially with the prospectus presentation. But I'm learning by doing and getting a little better along the journey. Learnt a new language Bahasa Melayu as well. This was a bit demanding with the research work but enjoyed that too. I became one of the Excos of USM international students' body and this inclusion led me to visit new states - Kelantan, Perak, Selangor apart from the already visited ones - KL, Johor Bahru, Putrajaya, and Penang. Participating in the team building in the health campus and the Buddies Jamboree in UKM was really invigorating experiences.
I helped organize the International Food Fiesta in September and Postgraduate Orientation in December. I made many new friends on the way, a few I'll definitely keep in touch; not to mention trying new food which I love. But one thing I can't really stand is Malaysian's love for gula (sugar) in almost everything! My love for spicy food rather increased. I worked for a voluntary organization called Tzu Chi. That was a rewarding experience too teaching English to Malaysian kids coming from low-income families.
This year will be also noteworthy because of the genocidal attack of Israel on Palestine. Being a commoner staying far away I could do what could be done - boycotting, and sharing in social media. There were days when I cried uncontrollably looking at the horrific images/ videos.
As I'm traveling on the final day of 2023 and feeling really excited that I'll see everyone very soon and will be able to hug them, a sense of longing fills my heart, and I look forward to 2024.
