It's Not Just Another Internship

Some people might say, you'll have your whole life to work. Once you start working, you can never stop. The time will come. What do you even want from an internship anyways? They don't really pay you that well anyways. On the other hand, there'll be those people who are just naturally workaholic. Some might be doing internships just to boost their CVs. Well, everyone has their own reasons in making their own choice, either to do or not to do an internship.

My decision to proceed with an internship for 6 weeks wasn't planned months ago, it came along the way throughout my Summer holidays. It was when my cousin convinced me into applying at ZulRafique & Partners. Alhamdulillah, being accepted as an intern there, I could say, it's one of the best decisions I've made in my life (well, so far hehe). But why so ?

Beyond networking, you'll get great advice from others who has been in the legal field for a way longer time. Partners, legal associates or even the other chambies would probably give you a heads up on what you should expect in your career, what you should do to make yourself more prepared into the working life, and the most important part, is when they tell you the things they wished they had done or did not do to get them to how they are today. These advice that they give might be considered as a 'shortcut' to success in life or a 'cheat' for those who implement them I guess ;)

Then, the working life experience comes. You usually would get real working life experience if you've interned for a month at least. The longer the time of your intern, the more colleagues/seniors would be able to give more work to you, the more they trust you and the cycle of getting more work continues ! Beyond that, working 9-5 everyday isn't as easy as it seems; or as 'okay' as to many. It took me a week to get used to the idea that my life was going to be behind a computer from 9.30-6.30PM for 5 days a week. Not just that, there were times that I even had to come back from the office around midnight and miss a couple of lunch (not that I'm complaining) but that's the reality, work life is tough. Your 'movements' are somehow rather limited as well and you won't get as much freedom as you might have had in your uni years. You'll actually get the struggle how other people strive to make money for their living everyday.

Besides that, you'd probably enjoy the extra income (provided that the firm pays you for your internship!). You'd also most likely get a clearer view of what you'd want to expect out of yourself and how you'd aspire to be like in a few years time. You might enjoy studying the subject, but you might not enjoy the job scope of it, or using it in practice. Well, an internship is kinda the right time to find out ! Either if you prefer to use the knowledge and skills acquired from your degree into your working life. 

And after all that, you'll have a great time ! (Well, at least I did). Every experience is valuable hence, I don't see a harm as to, what not give it a try ? What is there to lose? Why not ? :)

Young Love

If you were to ask me, 'Do you love kids?', my answer would always be 'Depends'. Although I never knew why, but I was never fond of all the kids around me. Then a few nights ago at Kechara Soup Kitchen, I finally understood myself, why I've always said, 'Depends'.

It was when these kids surprised me by jumping on my back for a piggy back ride,  was when I knew why. That I've only loved kids who likes interacting with activities rather than what technology offers nowadays. It was a wonder to myself and many around, how I didn't mind that these kids from Chow Kit might be sick or not as clean. But they surprised me with the love they still have for people, that somehow it was alright to play with them, carefree.

"These kids have so much love for the people, even though the society might not have shown them much of it"

And they were just as happy (or maybe even happier) as how other 'wealthy' kids are, just that these kids were sharing the small toy cars and played it together.

I could say that all in one night, not only have I learnt that there was no boundaries to love, but that the littlest things can bring so much happiness in life. These kids have taught me so much and insyaAllah, I hope one day, I can give them the happiness they have given to me. 

Part 1 : The Skinny Bakers

My first attempt on starting a baking business started off when I was 12. Typically, it was during the Eid celebration and it was the season for biscuits 'kuih'. I sold a few pineapple tarts with my mum and gained about RM 200. Then, my pursue in my baking business stopped as I was busy pursuing other interests throughout highschool.

Only a few years ago (3 years ago to be exact), I started baking again. And it was for my friends and family. I never baked for myself, really. But surprisingly, the best 'turn-outs' for the many recipes I've tried are usually the ones based on what other people requests of me to bake for them. But the one recipe that really stayed was our 'Chocolate Chip Cookies' that some people would even say, that it tastes better than 'Famous Amous' !

Then it begins ! I started baking for my sister who was pregnant with our first niece when she craved for freshly baked chocolate chip cookies. Next thing you know, I started baking for my niece, nephews and even my own friends requested for orders. But I was still busy catching up with my A-Levels, so introducing the cookies into the main market was never part of the plan (especially since I was preparing to study abroad)

A year passed by and I've completed my 1st Year of my LLB Law studies, came back for my Raya Holidays and my family requested for the cookies again ! Even after a year away from home and baking, I came back with people still requesting for the cookies, especially my lovely niece and nephew. My mum started learning how to bake the cookies from me, since I was to go back to UK and continue pursuing my studies (at least ada la for someone to bake the cookies whilst I was away). And next thing you know, BAM ! The idea to start a business just came with the flow (Also due to much encouragement from others, which are most definitely much appreciated).  Our motives & plans for the future of the business you may ask ? We'll definitely keep you posted in the future blog posts. 

So, here it goes. To the first 3 weeks of pursuing our business, 'The Skinny Bakers'. With everything going well so far (alhamdulillah), much gratitude goes to those who have been supporting us from the very beginning. Cheers !

The Fault of the Youth

The least we or anyone can and should do is to stand up and actually tell ourselves that we are responsible for the society we live in today and the future generation. To live with our mistakes and correct it rather than blaming 'anyone else' (or the usual, other political bodies). Rather than being keyboard warriors behind the desks at home, we should be real activists and standing up for what we say or our opinions on social media. Volunteering in NGOs and supporting events or movements towards a better cause. I believe the youth has so much energy and spirit in them but it has been misdirected nowadays. The focus of the current generation has been too much on impressing each other materialistically, or even as simple as through social media. We spend the energy and drive on 'popularity' or the amount of 'likes' we get on each picture. Doing really cool and creative videos only to get that special attention when such energy and creativity could have been put into good purposes. We are capable of so much more than that. Than what the world expects of us. Imagine if things were done differently. The world could have been a better place. The change has to start from us, from the youth.