Virtually Nurul – { Research | Fitness | Designs } by Nurul

Tag: dba milestones

  • DBA Milestone: Data Collection

    So thrilled that my REC application for data collection has already been approved! I have everything ready and found a working IoT application to supply with my questionnaire. It’s just a blessing and a coincidence that it came upon me to check on my cousin who is doing a fertigation chillies farm. I knew he mentioned something about creating a new IoT application. When I came and paid a visit to have a look at his farm and the system, it was exactly what I was looking for!

    Showed and explained to my supervisors about the plan, they were all so thrilled about it. I also called and coordinated with RedTONE the supplier for the system. They seemed OK with it. Everything is just ready for me to launch.

    A few things I need to prepare for data collection include:

    • Check BM translation for the questionnaire – get Bobby to check the language
    • Send English questionnaires for pre-test
    • Set timeline for data collection (Gantt chart)
    • Video productions for 1) IoT awareness what it is and benefits, 2) application of IoT system with Adek’s farm and the system, on how to use
    • Beware of the need to translate to Chinese language
    • Get RISDA to be involved and RedTONE
    • Send email with details to RedTONE
    • Get estimated revenue per cycle and costs from Adek after using the IoT
    • Join workshops organised by Jabatan Pertanian to gather data (strategy)

    Out of data collection, I am so thrilled that my proposal to write a chapter for a book under Taylor & Francis got accepted. I also have to ask Dr Jain if I can join courses that I failed under other UiTM campus. May God help me. I am so grateful for this progress.

  • Exploring IoT applications for agriculture

    Next phase of my research is determining which application I could use as base for my respondents to answer questions. While looking for it, I might as well, at the same time build the Google Form questionnaire as planned before. We’re close to get approval from the ethical body, so I expect by January 2024, I could ask for data already.

    Challenges in finding appropriate application include finding a cheap or open source solution that could fulfill the basic needs in terms of operation, technical complexity (as cited being one of the problems) and cost that is affordable. My course of action would be, to vet softwares from:

    1. Google search
    2. Google Scholar
    3. Academic research database

    I need to get one and analyse before releasing my questionnaire and probably have to host the software on my server and create a video as demonstration. My supervisor also advised me to create a timeline for data collection. I have roughly six months to compile everything from here on. I will update on my findings after I have finished with the software analysis and vetting.

  • DBA Milestone: Research & Conference

    So what is up with my DBA studies?

    In my 4th Semester already. For this semester, we are required to write and publish research paper for a conference proceeding, attend 1 colloquium and some other requirements like progress meeting with supervisors and completing our Chapter 4 & 5.

    My data collection procedures are halted for a bit due to waiting the long process of research ethical approval. In the mean time, I am still figuring out how to demonstrate the IoT application and select a simple one to be presented to my respondents.

    Good news, I have written a review paper and presented in a recent conference organised by Indonesian university, the University Negeri Jakarta (UNJ). It was a cool experience, and really, after all my experiences doing presentation and whatnots over the years, I had little nerves doing presentation and require less time for preparations compared to how I was years before. I enjoyed sharing my findings and on my field of studies to people that I am actually looking forward for more opportunities to write and present my research. I will share the paper once it’s ready and published by the organiser. In the mean time, this was my presentation during the event – here in PDF format.

    So next, I need to pay for my fees, figuring out where I am in my writing, and select and IoT application so that when my ethics were cleared, I am good to go and collect my data as fast as I can.

    I am going to be good!

  • Blocks and Obstacles of Writing

    I am in a week towards the end of submission for my journal article. It’s a few pages work. I am so anxious to start. I came up with a structure, but haven’t really start writing anything on it yet. People suggested me to use Quillbot. I never used one. Might check it out in a few minutes.

    I am so not ready to do anything today, but guess I need to start slowly. My house is in a mess, I haven’t eaten lunch, it’s almost dinner time. I don’t feel like eating, but I should. So what’s my strategy now?

    Normally, I would just write everything on my mind. Or I could summarise what I have written for my proposal. Copy and paste here and there and touch up later. I really need to work on a timeline for this.

    Saturday – Sunday: Rough draft, just keep some contents in. Target page count, check on format

    Monday: Refine and feedback from lecturers – iterate until Friday

    Friday: Formatting check and submission

    Ok, this could work. Now let’s have something to eat. I have got my coffee already. Screw him, let’s get back to work.

  • DBA Milestone: Conceptual Paper

    As I write, it’s almost 2 am, just submitted my set of questionnaire for my research to my supervisors and had to power through to prepare for tomorrow’s BodyPump class. Yet to apply for ethical committee approval to collect data, but I’m hoping to get it done in a week from now.

    Next up is to write couple of journal articles, starting with conceptual paper. I’m so excited to start on this one. I hope I can manage to get it done on time. Honestly so struggled to do it all, but compared with my condition last year, I’m at better odds to get things going.

    Be grateful for what I have and had done and focus on facing the present while preparing for the future. Now, time to sleep. I hope I can remember my chorey for tomorrow’s class.

  • It’s DRP day!

    Finally the dreaded day has come! Most of my preparations were ready with the help of my supervisors. It was not 100%, but I felt that what I did was good enough.

    I was late probably 30 minutes later than what I originally planned. Managed to tweak a bit my presentation slides in the morning, where I deemed appropriate. My wardrobe planning were done yesterday and I had everything ready the night before. Wardrobe planning is so important to me, that I would not risk it for the last minute throw as it could end up not right the first time, and I would waste times to find what will fit; then I would be late and other disasters would follow. Talking about neuroticism, but I accept myself this way.

    I was happy with how I looked and my makeup was alright! My car took a bit more time to warm up, but I just waited patiently knowing I will arrive on time (30 minutes later than what I had planned).

    I tried to stay calm throughout my journey to the uni, reassuring myself that I had done enough preparation for it. Whatever happens, I’ll just need to catch up and do my corrections. It’s all in God’s hand.

    I arrived 15 minutes early. Set up my laptop, presentation slides with the projector and basically got myself ready and made sure that I was within the right mindset.

    The presentation went smoothly as per my usual practice mock DRP. It was a lot better and smoother than what I had expected. Got a lot of feedbacks and questions from the examiners and everyone present. After I finished answering and clarified what was asked, I was asked to stay outside with my supervisors as the panel were discussing among themselves on my results.

    Had a little chat with my supervisors while waiting for the results. When we were called in I was calm, maybe because I fought and waited so long for this day. The chairperson explained to me all the passing ranks and the justifications. Finally, he announced that I passed with rank 2! Hooray!! Very minimal correction and only my supervisors will endorse the corrections after that. We were all so pleased with the results. We were then given the opportunity to speak a few words and I was so happy and expressed my gratitude and appreciation for everyone involved especially towards my supervisors.

    What I took from the session was, I did a good job together with my supervisors at research. According to the panels, my research is in line or at par with PhD level, for it’s prospective contribution not only for the industry, but also for the body of knowledge. Secondly, practice and hard work seldom come irreciprocated. Third, when I disagree with something, often I just need to express it and ask for help on how win win situation could be created with related parties. Finally, I was just so pleased because all of this was the fruition of my authentic intention and beliefs. I also could not do it without the support and understanding of my parents.

    I would also like to stress that understanding my interests and my awareness of my behaviours my motivators, though it’s hard work and resulting from years of exploration – doing something that is aligned with myself will never feel like a burden; but rather something that I would be gladly and willingly fight for.

  • DRP Preparation

    So, my DRP is finally happening and will be conducted on 4th August 2023. I am so excited, but also now really need to focus on touching up my proposal and presentation plan to be in sync with my supervisors. List of things to do from here on:

    • Finish adding citations and check references
    • Formatting
    • Check my grammar
    • Presentation slides adjustments
    • Mock DRP presentation with my supervisors
    • My own timeline prior to make the above list happens

    This week, laser focus on this one and assignments. May God help me in completing this one.

  • Backdate – Emotional Housekeeping

    Where do I start? A lot has happened last week. Mixed emotions and experiences that almost triggered me into that survival mode again. Five major adjustments from my usual routines:

    1. Coordinating expo and working with my mother
    2. School friends came over for a visit and wanted to hang out
    3. A session of strength training that sent my body feeling weird
    4. Defending my stand and negotiate to undergo my DRP with my supervisors
    5. Going through my already full routines in addition to above event – I had exam, class and teaching group exercises as usual

    Discussing on event 1, it was okay at first. The folks who are supposed to be working with my plan just decided to do their own thing. And I felt that my time is not respected. It might seem that I can come up with a plan as quick as a snap of fingers, but actually all the scenarios have been thought up for days or even weeks in my head. And I know my mom was tired and she sacrificed a lot, but I am also upset that she did not stand up to her needs – and took it on us when she was overwhelmed. To some degree, I did that too when things are out of my control. It is our dynamics that concern me a lot. How do we address differences. How to communicate all these things. My brother did not seem to want to help or cooperate until my mother stepped in, and maybe manipulated him to help. So really, after all this, I really need to reconsider how I would want to be involved with my family again especially in helping them with business. A lot of reframing and boundary setting need to be outlined, so as to not exhaust myself. I am tired of putting on the self that I automatically project whenever I am with my family members. They are puppets of their insecurities without feelings, not human. If I choose to follow their flow, I will succumb to their insecurities, and be like them too. So, I need to be careful.

    Internally, I feel that I should not feel guilty, because I already communicated my availability and the stuffs I needed to deal during the event. I am not a superhuman, and I already did my best. What I am disappointed about is, all these chaos distracted me from concentrating for my exam. Partly it is also my fault, because I want to control everyone’s time to fit in mine. And turns out it was not for the best too. I also feel that I spent my time meeting my friends more than I can afford to spend. My rationale is that they are here for a short time, and I should take the opportunity to meet and catch up. Maybe situations like this triggered my critical perfectionism or I call it Rebecca that guided me to make this judgement. It really weren’t my friends’ fault. It is mine for not drawing the line.

    I am also so stressed out because of conflicts with my supervisors, it was an intense session meeting them last week. But it turned out so well after we all communicated our concerns, and we left as a team again. My supervisors really are my people. I love them so much for helping me. I pray that we could all work together well to finish my studies. That really was something positive or progress I made, because I dare to stand up for myself and voice out my needs. My DBA circles are the best people I have been with, except a few – I so can detect now who have dysfunctional tendencies and who are healthy, and who are in between.

    Other than that, I am just already physically exhausted from training. But I know this is good for my future longevity in fitness career. I am only started here, there are lots of adjustments I need to make for optimum growth for my work and my training in fitness. I got to restructure my time and recovery to fit in group fitness instructing, powerlifting training and CrossFit. Fitting in exercise, training, proper nutrition prep and recovery are really hard and takes a lot of discipline. So far, the best things and moments that are rewarding and positive to me are from fitness and my DBA studies. These are the things that I would like to keep for a long time.

    Seriously, it is the family dynamics that bother me the most. Because I am still depending on them financially. I am looking forward to severe ties with them professionally. I still can spend time with them, but I no longer can participate in all their insecurities about money and power; especially money. This is where I learn from them, that I could not live off like how I want to with financial stability. I have long unsubscribed to their definition of life and success. I will do a life audit to structure my life better.

    All for a better emotional and physical fitness. I got this!

  • Missed Deadline

    Oh my God! I’m supposed to submit a draft early morning today. Not tomorrow.

    Well I really do my best, if only people know how hard I am trying. I feel guilty though, but I’m not gonna beat myself up cause I really did everything I needed to prepare myself to write today.

    Now I need to meditate it out.

  • DBA – 3rd Semester, In!

    This weekend I spent a lot of my time for activities involving my DBA studies.

    Had my 4th presentation on my DBA research proposal, that I do not have any fear to talk about it to anyone (hopefully) at all. The more I present and received feedback from lecturers, the clearer I get on what are the challenges to do it; and how can I improve the research. My confidence also grew a lot. The lecturers and my peers had warned me that the actual defense session is going to be brutal. I do not yet feel threatened or stressed out by it, but I have still to prepare myself for what can happen.

    Explaining my literature review leading to research framework

    I did the presentation in the midst of class learning about PLS-SEM, but glad that I managed to catch up what was it all about after missing about one and a half hours of lecture and demonstration.

    I feel the time is just right. Had I presented my proposal before I have the slightest idea what PLS is all about, I might be fried and burnt down to ashes, if methodology is asked out of me. The more I just let things flow and not stressing over it, the more convinced I am that Allah has everything laid out for me. I just need to do my best in my capacity and with the help of others around me.

    All of us DBA classmates minus one, with Dr Chua and her husband

    We also had a nice dinner last night at a native cuisine restaurant at Hotel No. 5. It was a nice and chill hang out with my classmates and the lecturer. I don’t really know what was nice about it. The whole experience, the company, our dynamic conversations that really made the night, I guess. We spent for a whole 2 hours there, but it felt longer that time.

    At this point of time, I really am feeling that I am together with my tribe – people who are more like me; and less like the people who I tried so hard to belong to. I feel like I have really grown and upgraded; and I am so pleased with myself. Thank you Allah for all the experiences you sent my way. And for my mom, for being there for me in the toughest of times.