Studying in UK? What is the difference between MPhil and PhD programme?

Salam and hi!

If you realised, not much issue during first degree or master but when it comes to PhD, it seems to me tonnes of hurdles you need to pass before you finally reach destination. Challenges are aplenty for women especially when you are dealing with your research, writing up literature review, analysis, findings, errrr husband, kids, preparing food for family, do laundry and so many more! 

Here I want to share few information about studying in UK. First year students are known as MPhil students and once you pass your mini viva (known as PhD defend, upgrade document presentation,etc), you are a confirmed PhD candidate. Please do check with the relevant university first before you apply ok. Double check, make sure you are apply for PhD programme not the MPhil. The MPhil is part of PhD because during the first year, one is not considered a full pledge PhD candidate but a provisional one. Provisional PhD candidate is equivalent to MPhil. 

Well, the first year is crucial as you will have to be evaluated by way of a viva voce for transfer or upgrade from provisional status to full phD candidate. Sometimes, at certain Universities in UK, you will be rewarded MPhil but most Universities will just upgrade you and proceed with you second year and beyond.

Most PhD programme in UK is 3 years but the system allows you for an extended time of one year to complete your thesis, hence its 3+1. BUT.... beware for those who applying PhD programme, a MPhil will also be given to a PhD registered student if upon the viva, the panel thinks that the research is not a PhDable one but only qualified for MPhil only. Make sure you do really well for your mini viva (your upgrade document presentation).

Good luck to you and all ladies! xxx

Ramadan Kareem!

Salam Ramadhan everyone! Happy fasting! I am so excited today -- it's Ramadhan month. Alhamdullilah I am so glad that I could be able to experience my first Ramadhan in summer. I didn't make any extra preparations for this Summer Ramadhan. Fasting for 20 hours during Summer need a lot of energy. Phew! I need to be extra cautious about my cooking tips because I need a good, nutrient-rich food that provide me and husband a lot of energy when we are fasting for long hours. I received a lot of tips from my parents, cousins, sister in law and mother in law about 'eat real food' for sahur.

• Avoid drink tea and coffee for sahur.

"Both will dehydrate your body slowly over the course of the day. We need a lot of water in our body, so avoid it! Or if you really want to drink it, drink less ok. Drink a lot of plain water."

•  Eat more dates.

"Rasullulah breaks his fast with dates and if he doesn't have dates, he breaks his fast with plain water". Water is a purifier and dates contains lots of important vitamins, rich in minerals, sugar, protein and some fat which supply a lot of energy into the body. 

• Sleep at daytime for a couple hours.

"Ramadhan always associated with changes of lifestyle - daytime sleepiness. Ramadhan during Summer occurs influences the length of fasting and also affected our patterns of sleep when our Maghrib is at 10pm and Subuh at 2.30am (4 hours 30 mins only). I sleep for a couple hours at daytime because I want to stay up for sahur and Subuh, then I go back to sleep again and ready to go to the office. 

"Errr...what is she trying to do? Wann, are you sure with that posed?"


Allah knows the best!

Today, I masak sweet and sour fish, kailan ikan main and telur dadar.. Perut Melayu sangat! Looking forward for tomorrow!

Outfit for today:
Shawl : Naelofarhijab
Top : Kenneth Cole Reaction
Jeans : ZARA

Back to 70s

Salam and hi!

Mini skirts, caftan, tank tops, disco fashion, checkers, polka-dots, and many more. So many things I can relate to 70s fashion. I'll try to mix and match for 'Majlis Sireh Pulang ke Gagang' organised by Kelab UMNO Lancaster, Lancaster University Malaysian Society and HELWA Lancaster. Sometimes, I realised one frequently worn style was my mom dress with a high lace trimmed neck and floral print design skirt. Typical short pants and mini skirt and a maxi dress. I wonder  how can I translate my wardrobe into 70s to fit with the farewell dinner theme. Aiyayayayaya. Blank!

70s aren't my favourite fashion decades though until I googled few information about be retro chic with 70s style! The lively, disco-infused with mainstream fashion, platform wedges, glitter and anything to do with polyester made the 70s apparel so much funky! So many styles for 70s fashion such as punk, disco, hippies, flower child and this style is too extreme to be worn on the everyday. 

Got a wardrobe crammed full of clothes but I still have nothing to wear. I chunk the lot out and I feel a lot better - I thought I would never have gorgeous tops and skirts huhuhu. But finally, I decided to mix and match; flared skirt, polka-dots blouse and a belt! I have been doing research about 70s fashion for a couple weeks but a couple hours before the dinner, after having tried on every item of clothing I owned, I managed to go back to basics. Simple polka-dots top and a plain skirt by Syomir Izwa. 

I wore:

Top : H&M

Skirt : Syomir Izwa

Clutch : Miss Selfridge

Glasses : Rayban

Necklace : Dorothy Perkins

Lancaster was sunny but strong winds!

Good day in Lancaster

Salam and hi...

I don't regret what I've been through lately. I've learned a lot. I've had ups and downs and sometimes it gets really highs and sometimes really low. I've been so blessed that I realised my mistakes that I've done. Sometimes I wish "this didn't happen". But I know I can't let myself be beat because of mistakes I've done. Allah loves me because He gave me guts to admit my mistakes and realised that my actions were wrong.

But we learn from the biggest disappointments right? I am trying to learn how to be humble to myself and to be humble to others. Either you can knocked down by the negative things or you can take it in a positive way and learn from it.

I've been belted into that roller coaster a thousands times and the tough deals that I went through define who I am. 

I wore:

Jacket : New Look

Tops : Topshop

Jeans : Armani Exchange

Boots : Nine West

Shawl : Cortesia Kul by Sue

Why being so JUDGMENTAL?

Salam...

Allahuakbar. 

Sometimes I wonder, what is wrong with people nowadays? Why people become more judgmental just by what they see from the outside. 

Being an Internet trolling, spreading rumours, double standard...

At the risk of shooting myself in the foot and having no-one from the list ever talk to me everywhere. I think I have made a point -- I believe the criticism of behaviour on Facebook, Twitter, etc is more towards a personal attack and that such criticism of behaviour is not valid, irrespective of the way is delivered. 

Well, from my previous tweet I wrote, "It is not easy to please everyone even though you are a NUTELLA!" You are a human being. Nobody is perfect. Remember, you can't make everyone happy. 

My two cents.

Wallahualam.

It's spring in Lancaster

Salam..

Weather in England is extremely unpredictable – typical British springtime (difficult to predict though). But only that I care now is… it’s MAY – Spring! It is not really Spring in Lancaster anyway. But today, I can see out the window some sunshine, green leaves and flowers everywhere.

Pack my camera, clear out all problems and start taking pictures.

Hello daffodils! Hello tulips!

*put shades on.

p/s: Some people asked. So here it is.
Leather jacket : Topshop
Gloves : H&M
Shawl : (Bought it at Jalan TAR)


Till next time!

Carly Rae Jepsen - I Really Like You

Am I the only one who didn't notice Justin even after I watched the video like 3 times? But who cares anyway! Tom Hanks is in it! Soooo cute!