Tunku Kurshiah College — 9600

Hola all!

It’s Lyan..and yes, finally gatal tangan nak post an entry here. And yes, reading abt the OGA day visit and batch song and facebook most of you girls…I am just overwhelmed.  This post will have the tendency to be melodramatic (because really, that is what Lyan does best! :P) but yes, I guess this is just an update cum outpouring of gratefulness for having gone through the gates of that prestigious school in Bkt Merbah.

First of all— I am currently doing my PhD in molecular virology, specifically trying this new method of cervical cancer therapy as cervical cancer is caused by the infection of the Human Papillomavirus. To those yang selalu buat Pap Smear, congrats girls! That is one of the prevention methods from getting cervical cancer and endometriosis and all the other bad stuffs that can happen to us women ‘down there’. Recently, there’s also the cervical cancer vaccine (GardasilTM) which prevents cervical cancer relatively well — and I am currently doing my research at the institute where this vaccine is discovered.  Are we anywhere near to curing cancer? NO, and that is the hard fact. But as cervical cancer is specifically caused by a viral infection– then we at least have a target to ‘play’ around with— and hopefully (hopeFULLY ) get nearer to treating cancer.

But off course, doing a PhD in itself is overwhelming– what more trying something that every other lab in the world is trying to do (i.e. cure cancer)– but I guess we need to take one step at a time and try our very best. To those who are thinking of pursuing postgraduate degree (and those who are doing it/have done it will agree)— it will test you more than what you bargain for, but it will definitely change you for the better and stronger emotionally and mentally.

Yes, why this entry right now? Well, I guess I was just reminded about our ‘connection’ as TKCians, not just in our batch, but the school in general and all the OGs that has passed through it. I went through a hard time recently–and in my desperate attempt to remain where I am and to stick through all the crazyness that PhD and life has challenged me with– the people who reached out to me were TKCians. And THAT just reminded me to be grateful, be grateful, be grateful for all of you girls and for having known all of you girls.

I am here, in Brisbane– if any of you girls ever want to take the AirAsia X package to visit the Gold Coast. And as the question “when will you finish your PhD?” is a very sensitive topic…I will not speculate when will I be back home..but I am in my 3rd year of studies. And there is A LOT to do; but I know that I will be able to finish this and to live life to the fullest, because I have known friends and tasted love..and for that, dears– I am grateful for having been a TKC 9600.

love from the land down under,

Lyan