Please tell us a little bit about yourself.
My name is Kira. I come from a huge family and they're my raison d'etre.
When did you decide that you wanted to become a doctor?
When I saw McDreamy on the tele. Just kidding! I was always intrigued by medical knowledge since high school, because I believe the human body has so many life lessons to learn from. Then in medical school I met some of the most inspiring humans who happened to be my professors, & when I started working, I was blessed to have worked with some of the most selfless ones too. Only then, I decided to continue working as a doctor. Haha
What motivates you everyday to do what you do?
Accepting the fact that life is a cycle of ups and downs and I believe that by helping others, I know that God will send the help I need when the table is turned, inshaAllah. What goes around comes around, no? On a lighter note, I practice celebrating small wins and making small goals to reach my ultimate one.
How do you find the time to make time for and take care of yourself?
I prioritise making time for things that bring me joy like spending time with my loved ones, outdoor activities and I always squeeze in some ‘quiet time’ alone or with company in nature while reading, writing or painting. I believe that I need to fill up my cup in order to fill up others’.
What advice would you give your 21-year-old self?
Hey me, please practice the languages you have picked up more often. Cause future you ain’t gon’ remember it. Also remember that you will not be who you are right now if it wasn’t for your family, the people you meet and the experiences you go through, the good and the bad. Everything happens to teach you something, so learn from it. Embrace it all, especially the pain and remember that the only way out is through.
A habit that has changed your life?
Journalling. It’s one of the ways I connect with myself. I think one of the relationships we often take for granted is our relationships with ourselves. I find it’s such a good way to detangle my thoughts. Things become clearer when it’s on paper. Part of the journalling habit I’d encourage everyone to do is the gratitude journal. Life’s so much more beautiful when we count our blessings.
If you could master any skill (that isn't related to your current job), what would it be and why?
Sailing. I’ve always wanted to travel the world in unconventional ways. I’ve always had this dream of cycling around the world. But I discovered that I don’t actually enjoy cycling. So maybe sailing would be a nice way too, there are so many useful skills I’d like to master like navigation, technical, tactical, the laws of the ocean and ship husbandry. Not sure if I’ll ever find the courage to take it up, but one can always dream.
Person you wouldn't mind being trapped in an elevator with?
Thom Yorke. I think he's a genius. But I don't mind Justin Vernon either. Anyone who makes good music really, to keep us entertained.
Who's your everyday hero... and why?
Since primary school, we’ve always been asked to write essays on this question. Yet time and time again my answer is still, my mother. Because of her selflessness, her sincere will to help others (she’d always go all out to help anyone, even strangers), her “when you do something, always give your best” attitude and her spirit of ‘learning has no boundaries’ cause even at the age of 70 she’s still taking up university certifications. I definitely see the repercussions of these, her good karma doesn’t only fall back on her, even to those around her.
What are you working on right now that excites you?
I’ve been deployed to work in a makeshift hospital for COVID-19 and it’s been super exciting! To see both governmental bodies and NGOs working together to curb this pandemic has been very inspiring. Even at overwhelming times by the surprises of massive admissions, the teamwork that we have makes it such a humbling experience. Despite the different backgrounds of skills that we possess, we're all united to serve the nation as one body, and this truly made me a proud Malaysian.
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