Literature Review

Hi All/ Assalamualaikum,

Starting literature review can be confusing and difficult in the first year of PhD especially when our Master degree was by course work. But trust me, as you go along this PhD journey, doing literature review is one of the easiest task. 


In regards to the sharing of knowledge in DSG FB about managing references; I totally agree on the superb benefits from Endnotes, Mendeley and other softwares. I personally an Endnotes user. 

However, on top of the softwares, I use the conventional Excel and MWords to keep track of the articles I've read and summarised. But first I must mention that this tip is not entirely my idea, it was shared by my sister in law, Dr Elyna Myda (she has passed her phd from UCL early this year Alhamdulillah).

By updating these templates, I have a quick check on the number of articles I've read, the important points from each article and most important is practice to write at least 500 words/day.

Enclosed are samples of my templates.

(1) Excel Masterlist

file:///Users/norkasihanibrahim/Dropbox/AIYOO!!/Articles_active/Articles_SUMMARY/MASTERLIST.htm

Follow the link above and open sheet 'Masterlist' - the compilation of all the articles that have been read & summarised.

In the 2nd column 'Ref no', I labelled different types of Ref no. to indicate different topics of discussion. For example Ref No. A is about PKPD (pls see the Mwords doc enclosed for sample on article summary, below)

(2) Article summaries (ex: A-GFR PKPD)
file:///Users/norkasihanibrahim/Dropbox/AIYOO!!/Articles_active/Articles_SUMMARY/A%20-%20GFR%20PKPD%20Paeds.htm

For the summary of articles (in MWords doc), I merely spelled out what I have in mind in regards to the article, sometimes I cross reference points from other articles pertaining to similar discussion. 

(3) Sample of Literature Review report

file:///Users/norkasihanibrahim/Dropbox/AIYOO!!/TheSis/Chapter%202/Chapter%20Two_28Feb%20proofread.htm

This is not the best example but good enough to give an overview.

As I am now in the stage of finishing up my thesis, I find these short notes in Excel and Mwords very helpful.  This works for me and I hope you'll find your magic somewhere in between. Good luck in your journey and please make doa for the success of my viva early next year :)

If you are interested, there are also several entries about surviving 1st year Phd in this blog for sharing.

Wassalam. 
Norkasihan

Masalah Jarak 7 Jam

wahai malam cepatlah datang

supaya mentari berlabuh, kesibukkan pun tenang

baru rasa lapang dan hati pun senang

boleh bergayut telefon sampai ke siang

wahai malam cepatlah datang

supaya bila dail tak banyak miss call

bila facetime pun interference kurang

bercakap takde pause like talking to the wall 

wahai malam cepatlah datang

supaya bila lelap boleh berjumpa

sambung cerita yang sebelah petang

sekejap pun takpe, terlepas subuh nanti Allah murka

An old man's love story

"An old man sat on a chair in silence. The crowd just cleared the house. It was a tiring and emotional day...the funeral of his beloved wife"

Are we still in love with each other?
Like the days we promised to grow old together
Owh...Those wonderful years,
Do you remember?
I do...don't you? I know you did too
Those days when you whispered 'Beside you, nothing else matter'
And I swore 'I'll love you forever'
I still do...but HE loves you more
When I kissed you for the last time just now
I fought back the tears
Thank you God, for all those wonderful years

What am I to do with our precious memories?
Our story are for dreamers they say
For people who believe in fantasies
Clinging to old tales, common history
No body would even care
I am already missing you dear, wish you are still here

Please let me speak to share
Our lovely story give hopes to young pairs
Don't you have a minute to spare?

True love stories are magic
Even those that were tragic
To the players, they are therapeutic
To the listeners, they show morals of respect and patience
They give examples of sacrifices in many situations
These stories mature with time
And plays musics of beautiful chime
When one lover dies
The other half silently cries
No body understands
The emotion they have to comprehend
It is the magic of these stories
That takes away the sorrows and bring out smiles
So youngsters, when an elderly
shares a love story of their lifetime
Be nice, take a seat and listen
For all you know, your short attention
Takes away their sorrows and help them smile

Sigh...
I am already missing you dear, wish you are still here
My prayers will always be with you
May we meet again in thereafter

Care and Share

I do care
But I don't always share
So, if I'm not telling don't ask
Because I hate putting on mask
If you insist
I wouldn't resist
But I can't promise any truth exist
Because I don't always share
Eventhough I care

First Love

When I was young, I look up to you
Confident that everything will be fine

As long as I clung tight to you

Darkness will eventually shine

When I was a teenager

I fell in love with you

You were my hero, my boyfriend, my lover

Because I have you

There was no space for strangers

You were the best mentor, wise counsellor

My strong motivator

And

Whenever I screwed up, you were always my ever willing guarantor

When I entered adulthood,

You were on duty faaaaar away

I was so sad no words can say

Then Allah sent him, who seems to understand me like you do

I love him but not the same as how I love you

When you said I can marry him and still have your love in my life

You made me the happiest girl alive

Today,

No matter how scary life can be

When I hear your voice at the other end

I'm relieved...confident that everything will be okay
I love you Abah

Orang Kita

Orang kita senang diperdaya 

Cakap lah, reka lah apa saja

Angguk-angguk kena ketuk

Biarpun terang lagi bersuluh

Tak logik pun tetap terpengaruh

Ubat sihat serba manika

Ubat kuat jantan berlaga

Ubat langsing sihat bidara

Ubat janda jadi dara

Ubat buat-buat pun ada

Yang belum ada..Ubat mati hidup

semula

Sistolic 190

Asid urik bengkak menyengat

Gula darah 20

Jantung kembang nak putus urat

Takpa..Takpa

Ubat serba guna kan ada

Pilih saja ikut suka rasa

Satu adunan untuk semua

Untuk saya, dia, awak,  mereka..

Sama juga Pak Mat, Ah Chong dan Siva

Import dari nun sana

Semua orang dah cuba takkan tak percaya!

Macam-macam bukti dan testimoni

Nak tunggu apa lagi

Tak percaya..pergi tengok Mak Limah

Semalam merangkak, hari ni berlari

Habis kuat sendi yang lemah

Makan 3 pinggan pun menambah lagi

Lagi 6 bulan buah pinggang nak rosak 

Eh..Itu doktor yang kata

Cuba dulu Ubat Ajaib 3 kotak

Gerenti puluh sedia kala

Tak pasal, yang 6 bulan jadi esok lusa

Doktor nak cakap apa..geleng kepala

Adik-adik, kakak dan abang

Makcik dan Pakcik semua

Nak buat ubat bukannya senang

Jangan kita mudah percaya

Sebelum apa-apa ditelan

Semak dulu dengan yang berpengetahuan

Tanya doktor, ahli farmasi dan pakar pemakanan

Atau pakar kesihatan yang berkenaan

Tubuh badan kita amanah Tuhan

Hati-hati supaya tiada sesalan

Wahai Orang Lama

Wahai Orang Lama

Anaknda minta izin berbicara

Bukannya hendak mengadu domba

Sekadar nukilan meluah rasa 

Orang Lama sudah banyak pengalaman

Sekilas pandang sudah tepat tekaan

Belumpun akhir suatu cerita

Sudah pun tahu apa sudahnya

Anaknda pula selalu alpa

Maklumlah darah muda

Kadang-kadang ucapan tiada berbahasa

Sehingga terasa hati Orang Lama

Tingkah laku pula bersahaja

Seperti hilang budaya bangsa

Ampun...anaknda memang alpa

Tapi, Wahai Orang Lama

Janganlah mengata anaknda tiada syukur

Kerana erti syukur kita berlainan zaman

Janganlah mengata anaknda derhaka

Kerana akur kita berlainan tafsiran

Dan..

Janganlah mengata anaknda tiada hormat, mengambil mudah

Kerana yang sebenarnya...

Bila dilihat seperti tiada yang berubah

Dari dulu, kini dan mungkin selamanya

Hati anaknda mula gundah  

Kerana andai panjang nyawa

Yang derita, anaknda jualah

Dan yang sebenarnya juga..

Anaknda masih mencari-cari

Orang lama yang  punya inspirasi

Yang punya karisma dan berani berdiri
Teguh berdiri dengan yang benar walau dibenci

Yang nasihatnya ada hemat bahasa

Sehingga hati yang keras bertukar lembut mengikut kata

Wahai orang lama

Ya, anaknda tahu

Anaknda lah yang perlu punya inspirasi dan berani berdiri
Mengubah, mengolah, membuat inovasi
Meneruskan perjuangan orang lama supaya gemilang bersambung
Menjaga maruah agama, bangsa dan negara yang ulung
Mencipta kekitaan, satu masyarakat yang sepakat

Tapi...
Jika semuanya perlu mengikut cara lama...Bagaimana caranya?

Orang muda jangan angkuh

Wahai orang muda

Janganlah angkuh dengan pandai mu, azam mu yang kononnya berwawasan jauh

Apa yang kau rasa nikmatnya, tenaganya, sihatnya...semuanya telah lama kami rasa

Apa yang kau banggakan pangkatnya, mewahnya, segala nafsu dunia...semuanya lama sudah kami ada malah jemu pun iya

Jadi..bila kamu melihat yang tua

Tak perlulah engkau memandang jatuh

Bukan sahaja adabmu, malah rupa pun bertukar hodoh

Kerana bodohmu, lemahmu, kelirumu

Walaupun tidak engkau sedari

Sekali pandang sudah kami ketahui

*nasihat untuk diri sendiri dan para belia*

Bas, Durian dan Perempuan Cantik

Bas, Durian dan Perempuan Cantik 

Atas bas aku duduk sendirian

Mulut kunyah epal, fikiran serabut

Tetiba teringinya nak makan durian

Tgh hari tadi call mak mertua disebut-sebut

'Pokok berbuah lebat tahun ni'

'Dahla besaq, isi kuning lemak manis'

Ishhh dahla I tengah lapar ni

Aduhaiii sadis!!

Tetiba ada this one girl naik bas

Dari jauh..MasyaAllah cantik paras rupa

Pakai seluar jeans kasut kanvas

Jaket jeans, bag galas simple saja

Mata bulat iris kelabu

Rambut coklat paras bahu

Tak pakai make-up pun, mmg natural beauty

Bukan pure orang putih..kacukan kot ni

Muka bujur hidung manjung

Gigi perfect macam ex-braces

Rasa nak snap je gambar dia dgn iphone

Tapi alaa, bateri kong..totally useless!

Tinggi lebih kurang macan I je

Tapi slim la macam model

Heiii!! Am I having a crush on her??

Tak pasal-pasal buat pe-el

Dari tadi dok tengok dia tak berkelip

Eh eh..dia duduk sebelah la

Hehehe rasa excited pulak duduk sebelah perempuan cantik

Ni pandangan I...kalau pandangan lelaki lagilaa

Apalagi..buat keluar pen and nota

Nak describe rupa dia sementara sempat

Asyik-asyik pusing kepala pandang dia

Dia pelik kot...terus angkat punggung pindah tempat!

Anyway..sampai rumah masih teringat durian

Bukak peti ais nak tengok apa ada?

Hmm..macaroni kuah ikan?

Asal boleh makan, hantam saja 

So..kawan2 di London jika ada yang membaca

Hujung minggu ni kalau buat apa2 menu durian

Jemputla I..jangan lupa

3D screen

two hours passed midnight

dark and cold that i have to put on socks

how i wish to hear you breath by my side

rather than the annoying clock ticking tock

you must be busy starting a new day

im always behind, eight hours delay

as if there is a 3D screen

i can see you doing your morning routine

watch you move around the room

and even sense the smell your favourite perfume

i can guess which shirt you would choose

as i know the ones you definitely refuse

i pray that Allah guide you in whatever you do
as when youre guided, i'll be guided too
i hope to meet you in my sleep
that's the soonest as flight tickets arent cheap

MEMBATU

di lobi hospital aku duduk membatu
senyap, diam terpaku
fikiranku penat dibelengu
perasaan serabut tanpa hala tuju
kulihat jejaka muda berwajah dungu
berjalan lesu mengheret sepatu
mungkinkah baru keluar melawat ICU?
dipeluk keluarga yg sedang menunggu
tetiba suasana menjadi pilu
siapalah agaknya yang sakit itu
mungkinkah anak, isteri atau ibu
aku hanya memerhati, masih membatu
ada dua warga tua
di kedai kopi duduk bersama
yang lelaki berkaki tiga
yang perempuan berkerusi roda
senyap saja tidak berkata
tangan mereka bertaut dibawah meja
siapa yg dijaga dan siapa yang menjaga
tetiba rasa terharu
aku hanya memerhati, masih membatu
habis aku.. apa sebab dlm belengu?
duduk memerhati saja, masih membatu?
entahlah aku pun tak tahu
serabut yang tiada huraian dalam kamus
ingin serabut ini dibungkus-bungkus
dibuang, dibakar, dikambus
tapi serabut ini spt toyol
makin dibuang makin datang...boleh biol!
sudah, sudah..cukup membatu
buat apa yang penting dulu
kemudian selesaikan satu persatu
Istighfar, Istighfar, Istighfar
biar hilang yang sukar
biar lapang, biar tenang
Ameen..Ameen

the beauty and he...who has 'heads' but no 'brains'

everything about you is beautiful
your nakedness is unbelievable
divine virgin untouched
your skin smell like the assence of the ripening fruits in the hot mid summer
so ripe that it is so inviting even from afar
lips so tender sweet as honey, every breathe exhale cool breeze
femine long fingers reaching up the horizon exposing every curve
the soft eyes hidden under the lashes
a drop of your tears would tame horrible beasts
who will beg to be touched, to be felt
as a single stroke of your bare skin send signals of desire
craving you for sweetness like a hypoglycaemic
your slender long legs dipped into the flowing river inbetween the thighs
mesmerising scene any strangers would not resist
hypnotised by your beauty
is this real, is it fake?
everything about you is beautiful
your nakedness is unbelievable
divine virgin untouched

but that was long ago before he sees you
he...who has 'heads' but no 'brains'
who also sees everything about you beautiful
but in the view of evil eyes

to him, you have to be touched, to be felt
but only for him and him alone
he...who has 'heads' but no 'brains'
torned every inch of your body with crooked hands
tossed you around, leaving bruises and scars
denying your rights to be shared, to be preserved for mother nature
he...who has 'heads' but no 'brains'
with greed to own, to posses
to control, to expose your body into cheap market
for moments of excitement
untill you are totally striped naked with open wounds
your slender long legs are now dipped into flowing red river
bare flat chest totally mastectomised
who is to blame?
your nakedness or your natural beauty that was once before ever charming?
no!
its him...who has 'heads' but no 'brains'
a little late...but, better late than never!

End

This is a song

Of a journey that is starting to feel abit too long

Trying to be and act strong

In a place far away from where I belong

In the process of making progression 

There were too many questions 

And too high expectations

Added tensions to the existing depressions

There were lots of discussions

Which led to so many suggestions

Sometimes overloaded with information

And...more confusions

Please end 

Without need to extend

With nothing significant to ammend

No mistakes too big to penned

Confident and sure to defend

All answers made to recommend

Understand and comprehend

Not an extra day to spend

Just end as how I dreamt

Eat cement, and harden up!

A two-day runaway from busy London to a peaceful and quiet snowy Liverpool was splendid. I enjoyed every second of that weekend (18-20 Jan 2013), especially play time with 2 year old plus Qalif, chit chatting with Abangchik and enjoying Lyn, my sister-in-law's cooking....hmmm marvelous! Not forgetting the delicious dinner at Al-Jazeera in Manchester with Kak Ina, Abang Zam and the kids. I purposely switched off the never ending 'to-do-list' to savour that short joyful moment. "It's weekend laa...I deserve a decent break before hopping on full gear again on Monday". That was the plan.



From left: Me, Mr Qalif, Lyn and Abangchik
(Queen Garden, Liverpool)

From left: Me, Lyn and Kak Ina
(Al JAzeera Parking lot)



 

The heavy snow added an extra two hours to the usual two and half hour train from Liverpool Lime Street to Euston Station, London. I didn't mind the delay, it was so worth of every minute spent. Outside Euston station and along the way back to Baker Street, the road was all white. It was such a beautiful view to see the park in fluffy cotton. I dragged my travelling bag along the slippery pavement and enjoyed the slit.  My snickers was not helping at all, one clumsy step could send me down to kiss the ground. The wet socks gave a cold numb sensation to my feet. "Darn...Should have bought the Timberland!" I then regret for not taking Abangchik's advice in buying the snow boot. Too late now,  cant hope for 70% price drop from high street stores other than factory outlets. My iphone flashed 8:45 pm and it was running with 3% battery.  In a snowy cold and wet night like that, there was no happy thought other than to be back at my heated studio, a cup of warm chocolate drink and slide under the fresh warm linen after a hot shower. Aaahhh...3 minutes more..hurry, hurry! My growling tummy was already asking for roti jala that Lyn prepared for tonight's supper. I planned to hang on till midnight to dail a morning call to my sweetheart at the side of the globe; plenty of time to charge the phone. 





Euston Station

Sorry, you got to turn your head: Trail of the travelling bag.
Home down the street

Sadly that night, the last I step into the studio flat. I came home not to a the usual clean and neat place, but to a ran down ceiling and thick dust on my feet. "Ya Allah...biar betul! (Owh God, this cant be happening!)" I murmered, trying to believe what my eyes was seeing, and hoping that the place was not broken in by burglars. "Think Kasihan..Think fast, fast, fast! You are not dreaming" I urged myself. "Should I call him now...No, not until things are more settled". Suddenly all that I planned once reaching home melted like snow under scorching sunlight. I could not make any calls as the phone had dropped dead. I remembered seeing a power plug in the first floor and rushed downstairs to charged my phone. Waiting has never been a tolerable situation for me, so I had to bore dreadful minutes for the iphone battery to regain atleast 15%. As soon the battery was running, I ran upstairs to snap some pics of the ruined studio and called my immediate emergency contacts - Abangchik, Lyn and Kak Ina. Neither of them can do anything in particular becuase they are miles away outside London, but their comforting words gave a sense of relief. A few minutes later, my neigbouring tenant, Max  passed by.

He was like "Owh Gracious God, what  happened...are you injured?"

"I'm fine Max...I have no idea what had happened because I was away since Friday evening and just  arrived to this".

"Thank God you are not in here when it happened. Owh dear, I dare not imagine what could have happened to you...you poor thing" Suddenly I felt like a 10 year old girl missing daddy and a wife missing hubby! How I wish either one of them were with me ;'(

"You need a good shot of this place Nor. I have my camera with me now, shall I help you with the  photos?"

Then, he went on taking good shots of the disaster, searched for the state agent emergency number in his note book, offered me tea and showed great concern. I dailed the emergency number but left talking to an answering machine. So, Max was my first rescuer of the night.

Max Reed is in his 60's, we only spoke twice  since I moved in last six monthd and yet he was very helpful and concerned. Not untill Max asked about where I will spend the night that I realised I was homeless!!! Again...Think Kasihan..Think fast, fast, fast! I was tired and hungry, my clothes were damp and covered with dust, I was sure I stink too. It was almost 10:30pm and only three persons crossed my mind: Zaitul in White City,  Zone 2; Hadzliana in Edgeware, Zone 3 and last but not least, Sarah in Paddington, Zone 1! Yes Zone 1, only 15mins away from Baker Street. A quick call to Sarah did not give her chance to think twice but to say yes to my appeal to sleepover her place.  

Before leaving, I  hold my breath and went inside the ruined dusty studio to grab my passport and some cash. As I was turning away towards the door, I saw my wedding picture on the floor covered  in debris. I went out to take another deep breath and dashed in again to pick up the frame. At that instant I wish to fly back to my husband. Even though we were constantly on the phone throughout that night, it was nothing near to real emotional or physical comfort. At moments like that, words of my secondary school friend, Sharifah Aisyah  "Eat cement and harden up!" could have helped. No time for cry baby - face the problem and solve it woman!

Sarah Affendi was my second recuer that night. I arrived to a welcoming hug, a cup of hot drink, a long hot shower, fresh clean pyjamas and heated duvet to end a dreadful night. Owh...we also had a super late supper - thanks Lyn for the roti jala and gulai ayam! Alhamdulillah for the helping hands. Alhamdulillah for the hardship. Most of all, Alhamdulillah for I was not in the studio when the ceiling hit the ground especially the bed! Alhamdulillah for everything.

The days following that night hold a different story...to be continued