With a humble heart, I would like to share that I finally finished my PhD
Alhamdulillah with this blessing
I never imagine that this will come true
I can still remember 4 years ago when I step on Arizona soil, a very foreign land for me
I cried for almost a week because of homesick
Now I'm done
I can go home!!!
Not alone but with a Ph.D., a husband, and insyaAllah a baby boy
Alhamdulillah with all the blessing that I have now
So the defense went very smooth
I manage to answer every single question that asked by audience and my committee members
I am so glad that reading and prepared myself to write the book chapter was worth it
All the questions were general questions that related to my field
If I read enough, then I will not have the problem to answer that
Now I'm waiting for my graduation ceremony that will be on December 17 this year
After that, I have to deliver my baby here because that time will be too late for me to leave
I will be almost full-term by that time
So I can only leave after confinement here
That's okay
At least my mom and my sister are coming on January to take care of me and my baby
I wish I will be able to take them somewhere near especially to taste the snow up north Arizona
We will see
But after all, it's such a big relief that I am finally done with my study
It feels so surreal and I still couldn't believe that I'm a doctor now
When I passed the defense yesterday, my Professor called me Dr. Kamarudin (they call by last/family name here)
I feel like I want to cry
I wish my dad is still alive to see what have I achieved
He would be so proud to see me holding the degree
But it's okay, I believe that he is watching me now from the other side
At least my mom is still here to celebrate this important mile of my life with me
I am very very grateful to be surrounded with people that always support me
Without them, I don't know how I can survive this journey
I almost quit this 2 years ago but I never did
I keep going, keep pushing myself
Countless sad and angry moments
I can't even remember how many times I cried and even ask myself why I do this, why I'm doing phd
But alhamdulillah I still make sure to keep on striving
And it's worth it
I am looking forward to moving to Malaysia and start teaching
COntribute my knowledge, what I have learned here with my future students
