I shall be achieving this on April 2011:

Monday 24 December 2007

How to find A Supervisor and A University for PhD?

I finally have the time to write on this one... very very sorry for the time delay... had just came back from a very interesting course that had just ended this evening.. will talk on that one in another topic...

About finding supervisor...

1. Search through for Universities that does research area you are interested in.
2. Then, look for potential supervisors in it.

Seems simple eh? Nope, not really...
The thing is, the process of doing it, actually makes it a bit tougher, not hard... but.. a little bit tougher...

3. When you have found someone, that might be your potential supervisor, then, you might have to approach that person, depends on which way you think you would be more confident of doing, email or phone call. I myself, personally would prefer email.

will cont after my dinner....

Sunday 23 December 2007

Busy with Reading Journals to Write in Posters/Doctoral Consortium

hiya!

i've been very very busy lately.. ya rite!

uh well.. i am trying to keep myself busy with reading journals.. there are a lot to cover... from all areas that is connected to my topic of interest.

Everyone had gone off for Xmas Hols.. and the uni is very very quiet now...

My SV had gone back to his home town..

I am struggling on the reading thingy.. not an easy task.. but am trying my best.. found a few tips on the internet to help in focussing better... i hope to be able reach my target.. not to be able, but i have too!

My goal is to produce a paper before 1st Jan 2008, to submit to a conference. The due date is 8th Jan, but I need to prepare them early, to present them to SV. therefore... need to get on going!!!

wokay.. if you don't hear from me, that means, i'm on my desk doing some reading.. really2 need to concentrate..

taa...

Sunday 16 December 2007

Posters and Conferences

I am trying to create my own poster for conferences.. little that I know, the posters are not as I've imagined before.. I thought posters means pictures.. just pictures and a little bit of words, here and there...

but NO!!!

try and google it.. and you will see what i meant.. hey.. i'm still in the learning phase.. and.. while trying to learn on how best to create or design a poster, I found some interesting links, which helps to describe it further..

have a look:
1. This one is from UCL.
2. This one are some samples to see.

and these are some templates to use...
1. templates

Orite... got to get back to designing it..

taa

Saturday 15 December 2007

Organising and Filing

How do I organize myself?

1. I like to prepare everything beforehand.
2. I like myself to be ready before anything. I hate being panicked. It is just not me!
3. I like to have an organizer around with me at all times. I know I am the forgetful type, therefore, organizers are the best place for me to write events and reminder. Electronic organizers just do not work with me. I tend to be forgetful, when I insert events on electronic organizer, I have to set up alarm or reminder, and I just do not have time to mingle with it, as I've got little FD with me, and by the time i'm holding it, FD will be tagging along wanting to hold them. So, it just do not work with me. Besides, I love hand writing.. I feel more confident with writing things down..
4. Before sleep, I make sure I check my organizer, and when I woke up, I make sure I check them too.
5. I like rewarding myself with something beneficial and good for myself. Therefore, I love checklist, and when I know I have achieved certain target, I need to pamper myself with something good. :D

How do I file my journals (reading materials)?
1. I like papers, I like books, but I have to be strict with myself in organising them as well. This is also a tip from a friend, SSAR. Once I have read a journal, put it into categories like:
  • important to less important
  • with keywords; like the most related ones, to the least related ones
  • organize them with colors
  • have a recorded list of all the title of journals
2. in my computer, how do i categorize them?
  • i created folders and named it accordingly:
    • e.g: PhD Research Materials - 151207 (with ddmmyy at the end to remind me of when I searched for the materials)
  • then, created folders for:
    • Printed
    • To be printed
  • i made a list (in table form) of all the titles of journals that I have, so that I do not search and save them twice or print them twice.
    • benefits:
      • a good collection
      • avoid double printing
      • avoid printing unnecessarily
      • up to date
      • help search better and with quality
3. I do not know whether I am a good reader or not, but I need a good mood to read! Therefore a quiet time is needed. I work best at nights! And in the morning. Therefore I have to make sure, mornings are in the office... to study.

4. I like making notes of what I read... It helps to extract some points from the long journals. I do not consider myself as being a good note taker.. Some times, I tend to write everything?!?! which actually not.. but I felt like it.. but, writing helps to increase my confidences and understanding on the reading subjects... I don't understand how some friends of mine are just sooo good at noticing the important and keywords... for me, I just have to read everything, else, I will think that I am missing all the important points?

Any tips anyone? please help...

well.. i guess that's all the moment.. I hope to write more to share with others on the 1st year as I am...

taa..

Thursday 13 December 2007

Publications

And so I've heard.. publication is very important for yourself to acknowledge others on what you are doing. Its a great measurement tools too.. as you could get feedbacks on what you are currently doing.. ideas were given and criticisms are good to improve yourself better in future writings...

I am targeting myself to attend 2 international conferences this 1st year of my DPhil. SV is encouraging myself too, and I hope to be able to be accepted. Fingers crossed! I really hope too..

For those whom are in the same boat as I am, the 1st year of doctoral studies is very very important!

1. Need to do a lot of reading, which I mean a lot!!!
- why? because, as SV said, don't stick to one title yet, as journals are being produced every now and then, get yourself updated and see whats the latest research in the market.. then, you know whether you are doing the right thing?!?!? i mean in the sense of originality? yeah.. it has to be original..
- and then, when you read more, you have more ideas on what you could be doing...
- and then, it will help you to produce the best research proposal...

2. Time planning and organizing yourself is the most important thing, as it will reflect your work!
- at the moment, my first 2 weeks had just passed, and I am trying hard to adjust myself with the new working hours, of going to the office to study or research and time for my little baby, FD and hubby and home.. etc.. etc.. there's a lot to do being a mom!

3. I am targeting myself to attend conferences, atleast one for this 1st year of doctoral study, however, the more the better to get my work published!
- at the moment, i mean now, i am looking for ways to design my poster and am preparing myself to write for Doctoral Consortium... I am hoping high to attend them.. i really hope to be accepted to present my ideas to the world.. i've never thought of doing this before, but this is the right time i hope...

so, for those reading this.. keep yourself updated with more tips from myself.. which is sooo informally done... i hope you get the message...

taa..

Friday 7 December 2007

4th day

My tasks today:

1. go to Barclay to change current address to this uni. this is very important for the Bank Statement.

2. Go to Health Centre to register and change GP.

3. Register for Dentistry. This is what I have been waiting for all this while.. and finally.. i managed to get an appointment. Do you know how hard it was to get yourself registered to get a dentistry treatment in the UK? Very2 hard! Its a looooooooonnnngggg queue and even if your tooth is aching like hell, nothing can be done.. urgh.. they do have the emergency thingy, but it just never work for me.. i am so phobia for a dentist appoinment.. but.. i really have to motivate myself.. and push myself to go!

My dentist appointment is next week. 12th December 2007 at 11am. we'll see what'll happen.. heheheh...

ciao!

the rest of the day is a day to unpack stuffs.. and clean the house!

Thursday 6 December 2007

3rd day

got a flash short talk at Pevensey. It was awesome and really really great!

check out the profile of the company here! The guy called Seb, managed to program the snow in flash in 15 minutes.. and it was really2 great

I had a discussion with Graham at 4.30pm and it was really motivating.. he helps to explain the areas that I could venture into.. Children, Multimedia, Interactive TV and Accessibility...

I wasn't quite sure of the meanings: ACCESSIBILITY in the beginning.. and Graham helped to explain it further. Now, I understood it better. It is actually meant for disable. I like the idea of doing something on Interactive TV. I found a paper on Touch TV and they explained about their study on children. however, further research need to be done as this field is very very new and we are moving towards the future.

Graham said:
1. not to worry if you are still blur about what to do. : I actually know what i like, but having given the new idea on interactive TV, i would like to look into this matter further.
2. Conferences coming up!
3. Read as much as you can. And for each journal, write a summary on it and must be able to be very analytical in terms of criticising what need to be done further and what is lacking with what has been done! As this will be something that you might have to look at for your research!

4. Graham also mentioned about writing books. Put this at the back of my head.. you might want to think about this. make your thesis available in a more friendly-writing-book.

5. I might want to write papers.. he gave me tips about writing a summary of 20 journals that I have read. Publishers might be interested in this and some might be looking for one. Instead of having to read 20 journals, one might want to refer to only 1 paper, a summary of all.

In my Office:
1. I did some research on papers and journals, able to print them and need to read them and summaries...
2. I found only 3 books on ITV in the library... : However, graham said to not only focus on books, but look more on journals.. he gave me the best link to the best journal that contains such info: UAIS.
3. I looked at any available conferences that I might be interested to go too.

I guess thats it.

Discussions with SV Graham adjourns at 5.45pm.
Due to meet again on the 13th of December 2007.

Wednesday 5 December 2007

2nd day

so what happens next?

got to meet up with Eric, one of the research fellow, to help figure out where do i sit, where's my office and computers that i need to get my work going...

i've got a key to my office, eric informs me of all the codes to entering the building...

hmm.. what else? i went to the library to get some books for my references...

the day was pretty hectic actually..

first day in sussex uni

it was great... it was challenging... it was something that i never thought of coming true..

so, what was the great thingy?
  • i met my SV, graham mcAllister, he was great too in his research.. he has a Malaysian GF... which was shocking news to me... but it was something worth knowing about.. heheh.. .you understand me... he brought me around to view what they have in the building.. hey.. you won't believe me, it was really awesome... the gadgets thingy.. the technology they are using.. its HCI man... and they are really serious into COGNITIVE too!
  • my friend brought me around before i met my SV. she made me realise how hard it was to go around the building... it was really big and like a maze.. one will surely get theirself lost in this maze.. its just paths and doors.. you go here.. and you tend to appear somewhere else? and everywhere is just the same?!?!??! you get me don't you?!
  • my friend brought me to the cafe on the same building.. hey.. its really kewl you know.. i can get coffee anytime!!!
  • her room is awesome too.. very big and spacious.. and she's only sharing it with another girl.. named Joe.
  • I've got our Permit Parking... for a year... which costs 150pound.
  • I made my ID card.. and guess what? it contains my personal identification, works as a library card, student union, and i can also get discounts for shopping.. as a student.. hey.. all in one card you know?!?!?!? this is great!!!
And.. what was the challenging thing about the day?
  • went to the Interact Lab group meeting with Graham.. and everybody was soooo into it.. i mean.. into what they were currently doing.. and they were really great.. in terms of.. they know all about what they were doing.. hey.. ofcourse they have too right? heheh.. its their passion.. its what they are really interested in... hee...
  • after the short discussions about my research topic with Graham, he gaves me some ideas.. which was really2 awesome and brilliant.. and some of it, because of they've already have the gadget inhouse.. owh.. brilliant kan?
  • more challenging.. now that I have just went through my first day.. there is alot of reading that i need to do... a lot.. and i mean A LOT!!!
  • Graham said, that the first year of DPhils, is a very big scope of research topic that I need to find out.. no worries about being lost... its alright...
  • my friend soraya said the same.. no worries about it.. i'll do fine.. owh.. i really hope i could cope with it.. just be happy.. and follow the flow.. i guess?!?!?!
so.. to sum up the day: this is all about passion.. yes PASSION indeed... I remembered a friend asking me, why was I sooooo interested in doing PhD? at that time, i just said i don't know.. i feel like doing it.. but actually, deep inside me, I know why and the reasons.. it is my passion.. it is something that i have always wanted, after a few working experiences and also after a few advises... I finally made up my mind.. that i am good with people... and then.. a friend introduced me to being a lecturer, which i was a bit reluctant at first... but, after thinking about it.. yea.. why not.. since I like to do motivational talks.. and now.. here I am... :)

uh well.. yes.. it is all about PASSION!!!

ciao

Friday 30 November 2007

a very emo day...

hey.. this morning, i woke up and the first thing that i need to do was to call up jason, the housing assistant to ask for updates on my family accommodation application status. I was glad to be told that I am the next on the list. even though, calling jason would mean that i am being a bit pushy, i really need a place asap!

then, time goes by and i talked to my mom about costs of living.. and bla..bla..bla.. and then, i received a call from jason, telling me that i got a place! YEEHAA!!! it was the greatest start for the day... and then, without wasting anytime, i just agreed with him.. as i really do need the place badly.. a family flat with just a room is fine with me. we can managed the small space.. ahh.. don't worry.. anyways, we were so glad to have it.. its in park village.. and thank god for that.

and so, my first appointment with my SV will be on this Tuesday, really hoping to be able to present something to him.. i don't know what I will be expecting, but i wanted to be the best that i could.. getting some motivation for myself.. i would like to get the right aura as a start...

i resigned from my job today too.. am going to miss all the work in nhs-ppd. really enjoyed my job! and having brian as my team manager was great as well.. eventhough he does have his mood not right some times, but i really did enjoyed working under his supervision. owh well... gonna miss all my friends..

so, going to move soon.. can't wait to start study.. am just soooo busy packing things.. and GOD!!! there's so much things to pack.. i am so worried, that i need to let go a lot of things.. ouhhh....

sigh.. got to get back to packing..

ciao

Monday 26 November 2007

need to start with something...

just read a friend's blog:

some tips for myself so that I won't forget:

1. make sure once i start my course, make filings.
2. each filings for each chapter that I need to write.
3. collect as much reading materials as i could.
4. put them into category, so that i won't miss out anything.
- there will come times that you will get so messed up and that this would make you more confuse.. so, if you organize things earlier, it would really2 help a lot!
5. I have to maintain my study mood and not to mix it up with unhappy mood.
6. put all the negatives aura far away from myself... i need only the positive aura... kihkihkih!!!
- hey.. this is true y'know.. u'll feel much happier with the positive auras around you...
7. what else?!?! keep everything tidy.. and also planned ahead!
8. after finish working on something, prepare for what to do the next day.

alright! i guess thats it for today!

-cheerio-

Saturday 24 November 2007

looking for some inspiration...

i am keeping myself light.. and need to always be in the happy mood in order to get 'the INSPIRATION'!!!

me: "yea.. hop by in my head.. uh' com'on!!!"

i need to look around and get something creative... i need to be self motivated.. i need to stop for a while and solat, and get that inspiration from the ABOVE...

aahhh.. yessss... that's it.. just what I need at the moment..

geeezzzzzzzz

Study commences Dec 1st

And so, I will start my study on Dec 1st. Actually, we'll be moving on Dec 1st, and will start registering on Dec 3rd.

Kak E.I.M had advised me on a lot of things and I really2 appreciate all her effort. She's like a big sister to me. She mentioned that I need to get ready for the upcoming event, that is the IDC2008. And this time, they will be having it in Chicago, USA!!! Yippie yeay!!! It is something that I am really looking forward too.. therefore, hey!!! Gotta plan on it from now on... so, move your butt.. do your paper now!!!


She told me to prepare my paper and to submit to the event organizer to make sure that I will have a place. Preparation is good, as once I'm in the uni, I could just present what I have been preparing and this would help a lot for getting a lot of input for my research study.

I am so looking forward towards my research study. I know its going to be tough. Looking at all the sisters studying here, I just don't have any idea how its going to be like for me.

But..., observing everyone had given me the strength to work hard and push myself to the limit! Work hard and smart, and I can't be lazy anymore. Everything is up with the beat. I need to plan everything in advance. No more laziness.

If this is what I want, then, I have to work towards it.

Good luck to myself!

Friday 23 November 2007

the time has come.. and i am so ready for it!!!

I can't believe it that it is finally my turn.. I don't care what people wants to say.. those who understands me, would perfectly support me, I know! and I'm loving them for supporting me...

It is finally my turn.. and I am loving it.. I am loving it for my dream is on its way to becoming true.. and also that my husband is supporting me very well and so does my parents and in-laws.. owh.. i am loving each and every person who is supporting me..

I finally got a sponsor to do my research study.. and it does not matter who the sponsor is, as I would do my best and give my full attention on this research study! 'Tis my passion.. my dreams... and I want this to happen for real!!!

Thanks to a few friends more, whom had been supporting me all this while.. to name a few.. friends in Manchester, friends in Malaysia, friends in the UK and everybody who knows you did support me in any ways. You people are brilliant! and my prayers are always with you!!!

I can't wait to move, even though I know that I am going to miss this place sooo much! I am nearly to tears.. but, I need to proceed with my next step and life plan! I need to move.. for my future.. :) owh.. only god knows how i am feeling now...

I love all of you!!! thank you so much for all the supports given..

muahs!

Friday 20 April 2007

Sharing Points

This might be a help for others... I just don't want to loose this link...

for you guys who wants to write a statement of purpose letter in order to apply for a place in Uni...

http://www.geocities.com/heartland/flats/5353/classes/purpose.html

Sunday 25 February 2007

i was thinking...

I was thinking of doing my research based on multimedia and testing the eye movements of students when reading... I do not know whether this is the best idea.. i haven't found anything on this yet in my research. My husband had gave me this idea of having it done and to compare which design is preferable by dyslexia's students. I have not designed anything as yet, but I have ideas on it.

I read this short story given by a friend, Sera. She downloaded them from the internet:

Curly Line with Flowers
(from 'Be Special, Be Yourself for Teenagers')

The story of Jessie, a dyslexic girl, who writes a diary of her brave struggle for acceptance and how she wins it, with the help of her mother, her teacher and a friend.


It was from Ronit Baras. It is a good article and helps me a lot in understanding this little kid's problem with reading. Her therapist had helped her a lot in gaining confidence and giving a lot of motivation and encouragement in writing via emails and writing in diaries given specially to this little kid.

This gave me the ideas of practicing writing reflections in diaries. I learned Reflection Practice Writing when I was doing my Master Course with Steve Cockerill in LMU. I really like the course, understood it very well, even though I did not score that high. I was thinking of implementing this idea in my PhD research study. It would be great to be able to see what's on the student's mind and how they feel besides being able to encourage them to write more and not being ashamed of not being able to write properly.

Oh.. I know the journey of understanding this is still far for me. But I am trying my best to put myself in the shoes of Dyslexic person. Please share your experiences with me as it will greatly help in contributing to my deep understanding of the matter.

I have this great comments given by Liz from I Speak Of Dreams. I really appreciate her comments and sharing. I am open to any positive ideas, comments to better my research and understanding. I am sorry if I am not sensitive enough about the subject. I am still learning about this and I seek for all your help to make me better.

Thank you all!

Will have to read more to gain more understanding.

Friday 23 February 2007

welcoming any info, ideas, problems, experiences on dyslexia

i belief dyslexics are very special... from my readings and research, dyslexic's brain are far more advance than normal human being's brain. it does make them special as they are SPECIAL!

look at all those famous people:

Albert Einstein? - he's a dyslexic
Thomas Edison - he's a dyslexic too
Leonardo da Vinci - he is too...

Walt Disney? - he is too...
Cher? - she is too...
Whoopi Goldberg? - she is too...

Jamie Oliver ? - Britain most famous Chef - he is dyslexic!

see... all these famous people are dyslexics! Dyslexic does not make you disable! Dyslexic is an advantage to those whom knows how to use them... so, u have got to know what you are good at... and i am very sure that u know what you like most!

my readings and research has opened my eyes and gives me the motivation to understand dyslexic in depth.

I would appreciate all comments, ideas, information, problems, experiences and what not on this matter... I would love to be able to understand dyslexic..

cheers

in the process of understanding

Still in the process of understanding. I have got this idea from a cousin of mine. Met her on Raya Eve and she told me of her son whom is dyslexic. The word was very new to me back then.

It suddenly became my utmost interest. I decided to proceed my study and research in the matter. Looking at Malaysia, the issues are so fresh that I could still make it major.

I am looking for sponsorships to sponsor my study. I am very highly motivated to proceed with this. First, I would love to major the issue so that I could understand it and be able to advise and share what I know with others who need them. I want to write on this matter. I want to share as much as I know about what I studied. I hope to be able to help dyslexics.

I hope.. i hope.. i hope..