I'm a programming-addict; well, most of the time. I enjoy discovering new language, writing new codes and brainstorming on new projects.

My Little Programming Experience
When I was a little kid, I thought that languages were simply html. I created the SailorMoon websites - with pictures and biographies of each main characters in SailorMoon. I was only 7 or 8 back then and I thought that I have done the most amazing thing ever - until I discovered JavaScript and Guestbook a few weeks later. Of course, I became so excited and created popups with JavaScript. "Please enter your name: " and when they entered it, I would say, "Welcome, *the name*!" I thought that websites just got better and better.

I've always loved programming. But it has never came across me that it would be my career path. I was brought up with the thought - the best career ever is the doctor.

My Life-Changing Decision
Programming is not just a job; for me, it’s my hobby – my favorite hobby in fact. I’ve never thought I would pursue my career in this field – until 4 years ago, after my high school graduation. I was so into chic lit novels back then; bugged my dad multiple times a week to buy me new books. One day, he turned to me and said, “Aisya, you’re only going to be reading this once in your lifetime and leave it in your cardboard. So, can’t you just read them from the library?” I told him I am just too lazy to go to the library; plus, none of the library books seems to give me much interest. Then, he said, “Okay. I have an after-high-school project for you.” I was immediately interested. Life was boring. “How about.. creating a platform for teenagers like you to trade books?” And I accepted the project.

I didn’t know anything but HTML, CSS and JavaScript (knew them because I made some SailorMoon website when I was a little kid; perhaps, 7 years old?) – even that, after going deeper into them now, the CSS and JavaScript I knew back then was very limited. Hence, I thought this would take me more than a year; and it would be my college-life project. Turned out, I managed to learn ASP Classic and SQL within a week! I was proud of myself because I was able to make a functioning prototype within 2 weeks with the knowledge I just learned.

After having a fun month of exploring the new perspective of life, it was time for me to fill in forms for scholarship and college applications. My childhood career dream was to be a doctor – but I knew deep inside, it never suit me. It’s like everyone in the class said they love peanut butter and jelly, and your mom said, you should love them, too – so, you told people you love them, but it has never felt right. My mom has always put high hopes on me in becoming a doctor; and I was scared to crush her dreams. However, one day, I turned to my dad and said, “I think.. I wanna do something like this. I wanna do programming. What’s the major for this?” And he said, “Computer Science.” Til now, he’s proud because he was the one who lighted my path towards becoming a programmer. I told my mom that evening – she said, “I hope you would become a doctor. But, I love you. So, I’ll support anything you want to do. As my proof of support, I’ll buy you your very first laptop this weekend.” I couldn’t express my happiness at that moment. I wouldn’t know if I would like being a doctor – but I know for sure that I LOVE THIS!


Other Little Things I Love
I l.o.v.e travelling! If only it doesn't cost much money, I would have travelled all over the world! Getting a scholarship to study in the States is a blessing. How else would I have enough time and money to travel around the States? Until now, I wouldn't know for sure if I would be able to visit all the places. But I've been to most places I wanted to go - New York, Washington DC (I'm living 20 minutes away from DC! Can you believe it?), FLORIDA and Chicago! All of the places were amazing - and I could turn on the TV in Malaysia and say, "Hey, I've been there!" or "I sat right over there!" or anything. And the visit to the DisneyWorld was the best - I've always wanted to go to DisneyWorld since I was small. It was a magical place and it still is. And currently, when I'm writing this, we are planning on a roadtrip within California! Best thing ever. I will actually go to Hollywood! Dreams come true, people! So, yes, I'm THAT excited.

And you would think a Computer Science major wouldn't spend any time on the field? Well, you are obviously wrong. :) I love love love basketball! Okay. So, the sports I love the most is actually Netball - but they don't really have it here in the States, so, I'm left with basketball. The only thing I like about Netball better than basketball is because it has less movement. (That probably would put me right back at being a geek of a Computer Science major. Haha) I've actually represented my school in Netball and Handball. I'm usually at the Goal Attack position - and I only discovered that when I got really mad that we didn't score any goal and I, without hestitation, asked for the GA position - and I scored several goals! (Ting! I discovered my talent!)

So back to being a nerd, I love puzzles. I love solving puzzles. I love things that trigger my mind - it's like, so, unbelievably enjoyable. The only puzzle competition I've ever joined was the Microsoft Puzzle Challenge. And believe me, since then, I won't want to miss any other puzzle challenge. I'm waiting restlessly for this year's!

And I love doing marketing! I actually went to several exhibitions marketing Authentic Venture's products. I love it to bits. I love how we have to know our customers well and read their movement. Not to spend countless hours on people who aren't interested - but if there's possibilities that they will be (or they need the products), we need to find ways to MAKE them interested. When they look interested, make them look even more interested when we started talking. I love their responds - and how their responds could help us improving our products. A customer once said to me, "You are one great marketer. I was interested in you right after I heard the way you were talking to the other customers. I know you have other people in the company, but, I want you to be the one who market the products for me. And I waited for you right over there til you're done. And believe me, you didn't dissappoint me." I couldn't stop remembering those words. After the exhibitions ended, my dad said, "You are good in combining both the technical strength and the people strength in one body." - which made me a good technology marketer. I love how marketing looks so simple yet very challenging!

I love my country, Malaysia! ♥ Yes, there's no place like home. I love the traditional dance (I danced a lot back in my country. I participated in the school and even national events!), I love the music, I love the foods, I love the companies, I love my family. The most challenging part in being in other people's country is of course, leaving my family behind. They are the music to my soul, the colors to my rainbow.


And this is how I would want to end my biography - the little things about me.