One of my site were consistently redirected to a crypto site, apparently based in Middle East. It has been like that for three weeks, and I couldn’t block some time to deal with it. The traffic drops with a massive margin, so on the second week, I logged in to cPanel and redirect the site to another. That would cause my loss in Google ranking. Another weeks passed as I was busy with work commitment and final exam.

So, today I spend about half a day trying to figure what is the problem.

Solving problem

First, I looked into File Manager in cPanel and identify folders or files that considered foreign and/or obsolete. Over the time, i installed and uninstalled some plugins, so many of the files generated by those plugins left rotten in my site. I had to download fresh WordPress and opened in local server to compare and identify foreign files. But this took me around an hour to dealt with, and honestly, I thought it was a waste of time.

Second, i logged in to WordPress, and do the usual; update theme, update plugin, delete unused plugin, delete unused theme. I looked into Comment section to see if there’s any sign. Finally, i looked into User list. In the past, I had some issue with my site, and it was because some people registered as user in my website, and able to make himself Admin. Obviously, my site password no longer safe. So, I reset the WordPress login password, cPanel password and install WP Bulk Delete plugin. Anyway, i reckoned there was about 4,000 users of my website, mostly with email based in Europe. So the plugin able to delete all of them in one click, but the more you tried to delete, the longer it took to complete. But it gets the job done.

Now, with the site password reset, and all user deleted, leaving only Admin user access, I suppose i can start looking for the malware. I went to cPanel again to look in the File Manager, combing hundreds of files, looking for any sign (example, search the redirect site url “ushortdev” in any files), but couldn’t find any. Before long, I realised I’d spent about an hour doing this. Surely there’s more effective way to do this.

The issue is the website redirects to that crypto site every time I go tried going to the main page. Somehow something clicks, there must be something on the main page that automatically reroute the traffic. Few Google search later, I found WhereGoes, that help to identify what cause the reroute. I just typed in my site url, and WhereGoes processed and showed the Java script of the main page. It was long, so I copy pasted the codes to Note app and looked for any indicator or trace of ushortdev url. Apparently, it’s there on the main page.

To confirm, I went back to WordPress, and clicked the Template page. I found the code sitting there in HTML widget, placed on my site body and footer. I simple action of deleting the widget solved the problem.

Lesson learned.

Constantly housekeep your file and website element, and change password monthly, if your website traffic is high.

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I think I did write about wanting to post more in my blog (same time last year), but apparently I like to journal more on paper. It’s more of a self-reflection, of my ups and downs, my thoughts on life and people, that I prefer to keep private. The thought of how easly people misunderstood a simple context these days are worrying. Could it be from a prolonged use of social media that affects people’s critical thinking or comprehension? Harvard did a study on these (Link: Doomscrolling dangers)

Currently, I’m on my part two of my bachelor degree study. I scored well (in fact, excellent) during my first semester. I studied well, in the morning, and in the evening, while holding a job that constantly requires my professionalism, and sometimes, late night stay back. Studying is a therapy for me. It used to be reading books, but now I have smarter people to validate my knowledge and thoughts.

Some of my classmates surprised that at this age I’m still thinking of pursuing education. I am also surprised to know some people my age are surprised that I decided to go back to study. It’s all surprises. Apparently, education is something that some people perceive as a phase of life before becoming an adult. I didn’t have that privilege back then. But I am glad I chose this path. Education is a goal I want to pursue until I have no means to do so.

Career-wise, I had my ups and downs. I tried my best to just deal with every opportunities and challenges. Everything happens for a reason, I just need to take the best out of it. Buang yang keruh, ambil yang jernih. Certain events definitely made me questions my values and worth, and I hope to rectify it this year.

I don’t want to put too much hope and plans for this year. I think this is the year I should relax and let life steer my journey.

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I ended the meeting and excuse myself to get ready for my result. I wasn’t anxious, but I’ve learned that sometimes what we get is not what we want, despite the mountain of efforts we pour in. So I decided to take a moment to relax, breathe deeply and wait. After many years of building careers and witnessing ups and downs in both myself and other, I think I have become more ready for failure. I’ve learned to taste the bittersweet of life. That is what helps you grow.

At 11.00 am, I tried logging in to the Student Portal. As expected, the server was busy. I hit refresh, but nothing changed. I put down my phone, and check on any task pending my attention. None. I look at my planner, looking for anything that I need to do for days ahead. Again, none; all sorted.

10 minutes passed, I tried logging in again. Success. Patiently, I navigated the Student Portal. Apparently I needed to update my financial information before I could view my results. It didn’t take long, it’s just confirming all details I’d filled in at the start of the semester. So, the moment of truth is here. I clicked the button, and there it was..

GPA3.95 , CGPA 3.95

I let out a huge sigh of relief.

1 A+, 3 A and 1 A-.

Excellent.

I wanted to call my wife, but I knew she was busy, so I texted her instead. Then i texted my family and few close friends whom always prayed for my success. Finally, I shared the news with my colleagues, who had kindly endured my absences on Fridays and Mondays while I travelled for weekend classes. I was deeply grateful that the results turned out so well.

Looking back, I know I need to change my approach to learning for the next semester. I have to admit, my first semester was not great. I struggled to digest everything. Although the course I am taking is related to my job, my studies and work still need a bridge to connect them. Without that connection, I couldn’t progress to a deeper understanding or apply it effectively to my job and the finance industry in general. Learning is fun, and with all these fundamental knowledges, I believe I am building a stronger foundation for a better career. Definitely, something needs to change, so that I can achieve good result again next semester. Honestly, my target was at least a 3.5 GPA. But this, 3.95, was beyond my expectation.

That day, it was pure happiness.

Looking back at. my efforts and sacrifices for the past few months of classes, I believe I truly deserved this result. I’m not being dramatic, merely acknowledging the time and money I’ve invested on attending classes (4 hours travelling time from Labuan to my home in Sabah, then 2 hours for each day of weekend travelling from home to the campus, and another 4 hours travel back to Labuan – twice a month). The journey has not been easy, yet I felt I’ve redeemed all those times and money I’d spent. I believe my classmates spent more than me, with some of them travelling by flights and spent their nights at hotels, transports and meal for our weekend classes bi-monthly. Everyone carries their own struggles. Yet we all strive for excellence and better quality of living through education.

May we all be blessed, and may our journeys be made easier.

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My kids were so keen to go to this event. They knew one of the car group from Kota Kinabalu coming to Labuan. They showed me the group’s Tik Tok video. Plenty of exotic Honda’s like the Integras, EGs and CRXs. And there were more groups that joined this autoshow. My son particularly enjoy and admire the Borneo Style mods. My daughter is more into Continentals.

My son would go to each car and photograph all of them, especially the parts which he think was unique. However, we went there in the afternoon, so the lighting was hard. Should have come later in the evening but i have things to do on that day.

It was fun for the kids. I enjoyed watching them look at those engine bays and then try to figure out the components. They will cover more auto event I guess.

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With that, I thought my semester break had officially begun. But not quite. We still had to wrap up final assessment for a few subjects. Here is a thing. All my semester 1 papers have no final exam. Just final test and final assessment. Hence, the semester still on going at the time our group managed to submit the paperwork and the necessary assessment. Finally, I can call 20th July as the true beginning of my semester break.

Our first classroom session kicked off with an ice-breaking session between students and the lecturers. The question commonly asked was: Why did you choose to pursue your degree? The answer varied; some were aiming for career progression, some set their personal goals to have a degree, and some were fresh off their diplomas and joining weekend class while holding down jobs.

As for me, my kids all grown up, and I think I am ready to continue my education two decades after my diploma. That question was meant to remind us that we made the choice to pursue our study while working, so we all should be aware of the sacrifices (time and money spent) we will make throughout all the coming years until we graduate.

Personally, I believe I can manage this lifestyle. After all, I believe in lifelong learning. One should never stop just because they age. With age, comes wisdom. I could be the best for myself or be the one to lead those in need. Or I could do both. There is nothing wrong on being kind.

The classes were great. I have no problem understanding the lesson. If I do, I will just take note and do some research on weekdays. The problems are not that hard. Either you start from understanding the terms (literally) or work backwards from the result to conception of the idea to understand what, why and how it happens. There are no mandatory textbook, only few references textbook that recommended by the lecturer. And those textbooks are in subscription mode, which is consider affordable. Pay RM50.00 to access the textbook for a year. The rest of the learning materials shared to us in Whatsapp group or uploaded to student online portal. However, I do buy some books from Shopee as extra reference.

The challenge would be on group assignment. Since we were all working on weekdays, and live in different places, coordinating tasks may be a bit difficult. We usually pool resources and drafts ideas on a share Google Drive, set access, and do all the planning and feedback there. Practical, but again, we were all busy with work and family, so there would be some issue here and there. But as an adult, it can be settled without fuss. We just need to dedicate at least 10 minutes on the task and keep doing it. This part requires a lot of patience. No one knows anyone struggle, so the best we can all do is to be supportive all the way.

Personally, I enjoy this student life. It helps me cope with whatever void I feel with my career. As a student, we are on equal footing. No office politics, no egos, just students enjoying the journey in learning and grow together.

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Easily a tear jerking movie.

The hall was sobbing. The story telling is amazing, it didn’t let you wander off. Until the last 15 minutes of the movie, the pace pick up (when they decided to fight for Hendro and Linda custody right of Kartika in court). Definitely a different mood; earlier you feel wrapped by all kind of nice loving feeling to witness Kartika’s relationship with all her father’s friends, now you fired up you want to fight for justice.

It ends with our victory (of course, we are to invested in this family) and to end this, the atmosphere turn melancholic again, with Kartika’s imagining of “meeting” her late parent in a “last send off”. The hall is again weeping. I watched this last month, so I dont remember if this is where Mahalini’s rendition of Mencintaimu is playing. But that song is what triggered everyone tear glands to break

It’s a nice feeling movie for easy watching. It’s the second movie, but it will be easy to understand if you didn’t watch the first. Maybe life is too hard these days people cry over the sight of loving parents to their child.

It is ok to cry, we are human with feelings.

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