If I was NOT doing architecture,

If I was NOT doing architecture,

I would have been in a culinary school. I have to admit that I did not make it through my first application to be in the architecture program, hmm, 7 years ago!! I almost gave up architecture. And so I said to my mom I dont want to do this anymore, I want to be a chef and apply to get into UiTM. I was already looking up for the forms and such when my mom gave me a definite no, go through this and finish it.

Haa well you see, I guess they were tired of me not finishing what I started. I went to boarding school when I was in form 4 and boy I hated it so much I made my parents came every weekend, on Saturday and Sunday just to visit me and made them listen to how bad it was for me with a hope that they will pity me and transfer me back to my old school. Naaah didnt work out. Had to stay till the year was over and was transferred back to old school in the fifth form.

And when I get an offer to go to Matriculation in Melaka, I immediately said yes and packed my bags. Although it wasnt for long because a couple of months was enough to make me realize my brain does not work for science. I suck at science (pity my parents, dad is physics experts and mom teaches chemistry but daughter is a dumb ass).

So I plead my parents to get me out of that science bootcamp hell haha exaggeration but yeah got a place to do architecture foundation in MCIIUM. Managed to stay for a year and finish the cert but when things didnt turn out quite like what I expected and got offered to do Urban Planning, I wanted to quit architecture school and do culinary instead. And this is when my mom said buckle up young lady appeal the course or just finish what you've started for once. Haha yeah I appealed and got accepted :D

If I was NOT doing architecture,

I would have not be as outspoken as I am today. I was never a fan of public speaking and hell yeah thank you for all the individual presentations, I managed to gather a bit of confidence to speak in front of a crowd. And voice out my opinion. Architecture is all about opinion and ideas so being reserve is not an option. Blerghh.

If I was NOT doing architecture,

I would have not know that I have speech dyslexic. Yeah no kidding. I suck at debating because my mind thinks slower than my mouth. And I always have to assemble words in my head that when I have finally gathered what I wanted to say in a proper sentence, the moment have passed and the group discussion have moved on to another topic. That is why I was always a bit reserve in a crowd, especially when Im with new faces.

If I was NOT doing architecture,

I would have not known that I can sketch. Or, I would have not learn how to sketch and my handwriting would be doctor-like cursiv, except that this is a no brainer doc-handwriting. Yes architecture have taught me to write nicely and I still remember the wordings that I had to write in my foundation years; we had to write within the four lines like in primary school book these words- A good designer is the one who can control their handwriting. Okay tipu. Had to write this in malay and translated it but hell yeah had to write a lot of those words until my handwriting improved.

If I was NOT doing architecture,

I would not be so good at team work. Because, I am a bit, well tipu, I am sangat gila kuasa that I didnt want to listen to other people and that I am always right. (Still am. What the heck??) But architecture is all about team work and you have to work as a team. And somehow it develops your leadership skill. And architects are the leader in the construction industry. When I was working at AMB, my boss used to take me to the site (mainly because I tendered my resignation because they didnt take me out. So they did) and they took me to attend site meeting and such (which I was struggling not to fall asleep pastu menyesal mintak ikut pegi site hahah padan muke aku). But I really enjoyed the fact that all the people on the site know you are from the architect's office and look up at you. And even I was only a Part 1 assistant, whenever I went to the site, Mr Song the site manager always treat me as if I was their boss too. So you see, I am a leader thanks to architecture. Back into the reign the team that I will be working with will suffer so much because I am so gila kuasa as a leader their team work is going to be to satisfy my orders. Muahahaa. Pastu bisnes aku pon lingkup memang terbaik lah!

If I was NOT doing architecture,

I would not have appreciate the heritage buildings and our unique vernacular architectures. Dont they get it, all those people promoting eco sustainable buildings that buildings are suppose to respond to the climate and big glazing does not help at all and they call those buildings eco-sustainable friendly buildings but provided ac outlet for each room. What the heck is that?? Seriously, if I do not know what that means, I would have bought the ideology that theyre selling but hank you architecture for educating me how precious our heritage vernacular buildings are.

If I was NOT doing architecture,

I would have not travelled so much. Architecture have taken me to places that I have not dreamt of. Well tipu. Memang selalu gila mimpi nak melancong luar negara macam kawan2 yang anak anak orang kaya semua tu tapi aku kan tak mampu. So alasan terbaik was always, I want to go there because I want to learn their culture and architecture, it fascinates me how people live and respond to their environment. It fascinates me how the built environment had to make peace and sit in the environment to cater the people and often the debate is how can these elements be happy hand in hand. Yeah more questions but no kidding, different cultures have their own ways of responding to the environment and how do you know this, travel and see these places!

If I was NOT doing architecture,

I would not have come to London at the very first place. Kah kah okay maybe ade sebab lain but hell yeah architecture was a concrete reason to get my visa ready and makes me fly away. Yeah. I would have not known so much and would have not open my eyes like today. I would have viewed things the way I have always do because living abroad have really opened my eyes wide. And I love London just have a look at how all these modern building made peace with the older ones and being able to keep their heritage buildings. Look at Malaysia, they knock down all the old heritage buildings and what do we have left? Hmm very few. Shame on you really. Save the old buildings and conserve them!! Old buildings could really work well in a city, look at London people!

If I was NOT doing architecture,

I would not have come to London and go to the Potters Field where they had malaysian carnival. It was my first month in London. And I would have not seek shelter under Mofaz's tent at the carnival when it was raining. Anddd.... I would have not known Jefriman Johari, the oversea representative (well, that was what written on his card haha).

If I was NOT doing architecture,

I would have not known Jefriman Johari. And would have not get the chance to get to know him personally. And would not have found my soulmate. Yes, THANK YOU ARCHITECTURE.

THANK YOU ARCHITECTURE.

For without you, I would have not found my love. Mwah! I love you architecture!!