Insulting in public doesn't lift you up. It defines who you are.

End of the year 2016 - matte lipstick trend - dark color.

I love makeup since my teenager's life. I have tried multiple brands and various makeup tools and ways. Pink - soft pink is way too safe - looks young, natural, fresh and match in most of the occasions. These are reasons why every woman will have at least one pink lipstick. As a frequent lipstick user, until when I have to play safe? I can use this color until I reach 80 years old.

This year, I try one step ahead with dark maroon lipstick. It is kind of bold step for me. By using this lipstick, I have to be very careful on my makeup and outfit including my shawl. Know how to balance it.

This 'culture' or 'view' is still awkward for some people. I may look crazy or psycho for them. Some people cannot accept it.. because they are not used to it. It is okay with me.

Because of some people cannot accept this new changes, I was insulted by them on my face and in front of public.
"You look like conjuring."
"You look like hantu."
"You look like orang tua."
"You look like hantu kak limah."

I just afford to reply, this is a new trend.

Some of you may think why I didn't respond back in harsh words? It is because they can't accept it. No matter what I say, they will just refuse to try to understand. They can't accept that this is different from what they used to see.

But...
What is their right to say those harsh words to me?
What is their right to hurt my feeling for the things that their mind can't accept it?
What is their right to humiliate me in public?

Because they are older than me?

"Biasalah.. orang tua". No. This perception should stop. No matter how old you are, you should respect everyone.

I am still young, and I should try this color. Later, when I reach their age, I am not going to use this color anymore - later jadi orang tua tak sedar diri pula. At least I have tried this bold color.

I am the same Shakirah no matter what lipstick color that I am using.

ITEX2016 – Silver Medal

May 2^nd, 2016, marks the 4^th year of my servicing in UNITEN as a lecturer. There are up and down in my career. From there I learnt many things.  My latest achievement is the participation in ITEX2016. This exhibition was held at Hall 1-5, Kuala Lumpur Convention Center (KLCC). My and my undergraduate students, Naurah, Thiru, Faris won a Silver Medal in ITEX2016 under ICT & Multimedia category. We propose an invention entitle “An Integrated System of a Theme Park Crowd Density Detector”.

Naurah, Thiru, and Faris were my Final Year Project students supervised by me (but there are 3 more examiners to evaluate their work of course). When I propose this project to them, I clearly stated I will push them towards their limit and most of the tools are not taught in Course Content. They accepted my challenge. Finally, they managed to deliver the prototype. Here comes my responsibility to bring this project to the higher level.

When I received an email from iRMC UNITEN regarding ITEX2016, I immediately nominate this project. Alhamdulillah, it has been accepted to proceed to join the exhibition. We have about 2 weeks for preparation of the exhibition materials. Finally, I came out with a poster and a video.

UNITEN sent 24 participations. During the exhibition day, my students cannot be there due to other commitments. I was all by myself. My role as a lecturer and a marketer are a bonus. I am selling OUR IDEA. This is OUR PRODUCT. I was the first booth to be evaluated at our booth if I am not mistaken. All settle before noon. I have set my mind, I have delivered my best, and I let others to Allah. When others are targeting for the Gold Medal and the special awards, my target is to unlock the participation in an international exhibition.  When I have the chance to join this invention exhibition is already a huge achievement in my career. I am thankful. If I can unlock more than that, it is a bonus.

On the next morning when I was on the way to KLCC, I read many congratulations notes from a Whatsapp group. That includes my name. I was shocked. Do they congratulate me for the Silver Medal? To confirm, I checked on the website. Yes, it is. My team won a Silver Medal. I was smiling along my way to KLCC. My mental state still accepting the fact that my team won a silver medal. UNITEN won 10 Gold, 12 Silver and 2 Bronze medals.

Alhamdulillah.

Thank you to my team.

Thank you to my family.

Thank you to iRMC.

For the effort, opportunity and support.

I do not compete others. I compete myself.