Time after Time

It seemed like only yesterday that I was singing Cindy Lauper's Time after Time but it has been in reality a good 26 years ago! So much has happnened during that "short" span of time.

In January 1984 I thought hard about what I ought to be. Back then I was studying Chemistry in Manchester. Life was pretty mundane, wake up, rush through breakfast, brisk walk to campus to be in the lecture hall before the professors got in. Go through the lectures, try an grab a hot chocolate in between lectures. Grab a sandwich, a pint of milk and a bar of chocolate (the little luxury I allowed myself) before laboratory classes.

Laboratory classes were fun and full of action. We would get our own table with a full cupboard of glasswares. I still remembered doing the test with sodium. We would all get excited at the prospect that it burns in water. Remembered doing this synthesis in the third year. I thought I got it wrong as mine was different from the rest of the 68 people in the class. Hurray, for once I got it really right!

My most memorable time in the laboratory was when Dr. Fields reminded me "Ms Abdul Aziz the next time you forget your goggles, I'll ship you back to Malaysia!"

In the midst of all my rather hectic life I had to figure out what I wanted to do. I was partial towards an academic life. After all I did grow up surrounded by academia. My father was a lecturer in MPSI and we used to follow him to the Dewan Suluh Budiman. I thoroughly enjoyed growing up in Sultan Idris Training College which today is Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris. We attended plays, sports days, listened to lectures and played on the huge field. Yes! Indeed it was a stress free life.

Recently, all these memories came alive again after laying dormant. I had to deliver my inaugural lecture and had to go through many photographs for the exhibition. I am positive my growing up years gave me a sound background to where I am today. The school and SITC/MPSI/UPSI academic setting made it possible for me to see even then that I one fine day I'll stand infront of an audience and deliver a good lecture.

My family came in full force all 20 of them on that day grand day of 30th March 2011. After almost three years of intense writing and preparation it was time for me to give my lecture. So sweet of Zie and Lily to bring a bouquet of flowers for me. It was a proud moment when I walked into the Senate Room accompanied by all the senior professors in my department and my flowers. They too came out in full force to honour me.

In the Senate Room my Mama, Papa, son Muhammad Haziman, Fauzi, Adek, Talib, Idah, Yuz, Kam, Baby, Kak Ana, Sean and my friends, Fazlina, Azza, Harith, David, Afidah, Chrissette, and many others were there waiting anxiously perhaps.

I knew it would go well. The lecture began and my vision way back in 1970 as I stood in Dewan Suluh Budiman envisioning myself delivering the lecture has become a reality.

All too soon it was over. I did not cry and proudly presented the book "Struktur dan Kereaktifan Biologi Kompleks Organotimah, Penawar atau Racun" to UKM's Vice-Chancellor. My life as a professor has just begun.

For those who love Time is Eternity!