Saturday, November 28, 2009

I've learned

As I was decluttering and sorting out my stuff in the store this morning,I found this piece below.I guess it has remained unopen in my file for more than ten years.The pages have turned slightly yellow.I don't remember the actual source of it but I must have downloaded from the net.

Reading it now at a very ripe age ,I found that there is a sense of truth in these printed words.Here I am sharing it with you my friends.For some I have edited and adapted them to my own experience.


I've learned-
that you cannot make someone love you,
no matter how hard you tried.
All you can do is
be someone who can be loved.
The rest is up to them.

I've learned-
that no matter how much I care
some people just don't care back
so I don't give a damn

I've learned-
that it takes years to build up trust,
and only seconds to destroy it.
Once destroyed difficult to retrieve.

I've learned-
that it's not what you have in your life
but who you have in your life that counts

I've learned-
that no matter how bad
your heart is broken
the world doesn't stop for your grief
so wake up
rebuild the broken pieces

I've learned-
that our background and circumstances
may have influenced who we are
but we are responsible for who we became

I've learned-
that your family won't always
be there for you.It may seem funny,
but people you aren't related to
can take care of you and love you.

I've learned-
that maturity has more to do with
what types of experiences you've had
and what you've learned from them
and less to do with how many
birthday you've celebrated

I've learned-
that just because two people argue,
it doesn't mean they don't love each other
And just because they don't argue,
it doesn't mean they do,

I've learned-
that you shouldn't be so
eager to find out a secret
It could change your life forever
Remain ignorant is the best sometimes!

I've learned-
that you can do something in an instant
that will give you heartache for life.

I've learned-
that it's not what happens to people
that's important.It's what they do about it.

I've learned-
that you shouldn't compare
yourself to the best of others can do
but to the best you can do

I've learned-
that credentials on the wall
do not make you a decent human being

I've learned-
that no matter how good a friend is,
they're going to hurt you
every once in a while
and you must forgive that

I've learned-
that regardless of how hot and steamy
a relationship is at first,
the passion fades and there had better be
something else to take its place.

Enjoy reading.....

Friday, November 27, 2009

Our last raya here

Since this Hari Raya Qurban is going to be our last hari raya in negeri Cik Siti Wan Kembang,we decided not to go back celebrating it at our home town.Besides, Along is in his mid SPM exam. I rather not leave him here struggling on his own.There is a four-day break before the next paper which is Biology.He came back and took the opportunity to join extra class at my school.

Whether we are celebrating hari raya at home or di perantauan,I will always cook my mom's Johor delicacies.So yesterday morning I spent time looking for the ingredients and in the evening I used my time to the fullest cooking nasi empit,kuah kacang,kari daging and rendang ayam.For kuah lodeh I always cook in the morning of hari raya.At first I wanted to leave curry daging for my other half because that is his speciality.But after discovering he was still in Bentong at 4:00 pm and the road was packed with vehicles ,so I decided not to wait for him.I cooked the Johor version of kari daging.Dear hubby,please accept my apology if my curry is not up to your expectation,your kari utara!

He reached home at 3:40 this morning.The journey from KL to KB took more than twelve hours!It seems anak-anak Kelantan di perantauan would not want to miss the chance of celebrating Hari Raya and doing the Qurban at their home sweet home.

Since the amount of food I cooked could last for few days,so today after solat hari raya, we spent time eating and sleeping alternately.We did our Qurban at home so we were left with nothing to do all day.By Asar, we were bored to death so I suggested that we go somewhere.There is no relative to visit here.Friends' invitations are mostly for tomorrow,so we just headed for KB.Angah suggested we go bowling but when we reached KB town everything is closed.Even the biggest shopping mall in KB stops its operation today.So, how to bowl kids???

Even at this traffic lights there aren't many cars.
On normal days this road which leads to hospital is very busy.Today it is lonely and almost deserted.

A lonely drive here.Maidin and Pantai Timur Supermarket are located along this road.On other days this road will be packed with vehicles moving at snail pace.

Where are those anak-anak Kelantan pulang dari perantauan.They surely aren't patronizing the streets of KB.Maybe busy in their backyard slaughtering cows and preparing for bekwah
It seems only us on this road.




We finally end up at Pizza Hut.
Since the nasi kerabu stall,nasi dagang stall,nasi air stall etc..etc..are closed,so the crowd at Pizza Hut is bigger than usual.The waiting is extraordinary long,we kill the time by snapping a few pic.

Mommy and daughter

Father and daughter
We left KB after performing our maghrib at Muhammadi mosque.On the way back we wanted to stop at TESCO to do our groceries.But TESCO is closed too.

Looks like this hypermarket is receiving a different set of guests for hari raya aidil adha...

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

This and that

Today is the fifth day of our SPM examination.Many unexpected incidents have occurred since the first day.

Due to continuous rain,many students turned up late for the first paper,Bahasa Melayu.When I asked why,their response was they couldn't get out from their house since it was raining quite heavily that morning.They came in damp clothes and wet shoes.Pity them.They had no choice but to answer questions in cold and wet clothes.

Then in the afternoon, one of the students,Hazizul,was involved in an accident.While he was riding on his motorcycle on a wet and slippery road,a car came from behind and knocked him down.He was brought to the clinic.We thought that he was going to miss his BM paper 2.However, God is the most merciful and the best planer.That afternoon when the chief invigilator opened up the question package,it was found that English 1119 Paper was inside the BM package .The chief quickly put back the questions and sealed.He didn't open the question or else he would have to be quarantined for the whole night.As for the students they were quarantined for one hour in the hall,waiting for the set of BM paper 2 to arrive from JPN which is 25 km away.

As for Hazizul, he managed to be brought back to school after treatment, just in time for BM paper 2 to start.The paper started at 3:00 pm,an hour later.So Hazizul,despite the accident you are still considered lucky.You still can sit for the paper,in pain though.

On the fourth day,which was yesterday,again some of the students could not reach school on time.Certain kampungs were flooded.Some came in ordinary clothing and slippers and changed into school uniform once they reached school.

To play safe and to avoid from getting stranded,some of them decided to take shelter from their friends' houses.My sympathy is for them .What if they were my children,I would be worried to death.These students are considered strong, mentally and physically,able to endure the rain and the flood to fulfill their parents' hopes and realize their dreams.Bravo kids!

Should the school administrators have opened up the hostel at this time ,these difficulties could be reduced and any misfortune could be avoided.I am just an ordinary teacher who does not have a say on this matter but could only give my helping hand when needed.I hope these misfortunes will serve as a guidance on how to act and what to plan for next year.

Saturday, November 21, 2009

Rain...rain ..misty rain...

It has been raining intermittently for the past few days.Sometimes it is only a drizzle and at other times its a downpour.Everything is wet and cold.The black clouds are still looming in the sky.My judgement is,after being in the east coast for more than 7 years,there is going to be more rain this week.After all it is monsoon season.

And as much as I would like to curl up on the sofa and watch TV all day long,I still could not disappoint Along.Time to visit him today.I haven't met him since he started his exam last Wednesday.So, I have to get up ,do marketing ,cook and drive to Kuala Krai to have lunch with him.Luckily,the father is around this weekend, so he does the driving.What a relief!

Again it is raining through out the journey.I manage to snap a few scenes of flooded areas.
The oil palm trees are soaked too

Wet slippery road



Paddy fields turn into a lake
The mosque where we usually stop for Asar is flooded too.
Some of the houses
Rain rain misty rain

Finding refuge

Sometimes rain brings disaster.It destroys not only properties but lives too.On the other hand,livelihood flourishes during rainy season.Like this Mak Cik below,rain is a blessing to her.Rain brings in good income.


You can get all kinds of ubi at this Mak Cik's stall.I do not even know the name of some ubi here.So I take time to learn from her.

This is called Ubi Badak.Maybe because it resembles rhino's foot


I am familiar with this one...ubi keledek
I forgot this one...Do you know?

This is called ubi itik.
Ubi kayu.
Pumpkins...
There are many other stalls selling various kinds of ubi too.


Other half buying ubi kayu and ubi keledek.So our dinner tonight is ubi rebus with sambal tumis.No complain kids!

Ubi...
bermacam
ubi...
ada
ubi kayu,ubi keledek,ubi badak,ubi itik.......

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Congratulations!

It was around 11:00 am this morning.I was still trapped in the meeting room at JPN.My hand phone suddenly rang.A glance at the number, I knew it was from my big baby.I promised him earlier that I would be in his school for the announcement of the UPSR results.The school had invited the parents to give away the results to the children

Mama datang tak?Cikgu nak announce dah result.

Mama tak boleh datang.Kerja mama tak settle lagi.

Emmm.. tak pe lah.He sounded sad.

OK dapat result call mama nanti.

But I didnt wait for his call.Everybody in the family was so eager to know his results.The father called twice,his auntie and uncle smsed me,even his tok wan was interested and excited to know.

So,I gave his teacher a call...

At around 12:00, big baby called again.

Ma, dapat dah result.He sounded excited.

Oh yeah...so how is it?

I pretended not knowing his results yet.Actually I wanted to make him happy by being the first person to deliver the good news.

5 As mama.

Alhamdulillah...

Siapa sampaikan results pada ijat?

Gurubesarlah...dah mama tak datang.Orang lain seronok kena peluk dengan mama dia.

Nevermind...nanti balik rumah mama give you a hug ok.

Ok , bye.

I reached his school at 2:30 pm.He was already waiting for me in the canteen.I looked at him, to see if there was any sign of frustration on his face.

No..no..he looked very happy and contented.

Mommy dearest felt happy and the guilty feeling slowly disappeared...

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Best of luck!




To all SPM candidates,I wish you all the very best of luck,especially to all my students and not forgetting my Along.Semoga ditenangkan fikian dan dilapangkan dada serta dapat menjawab dengan cemerlang dan mengikut skema.

So , tonight I am going to miss my line dancing class for the second time.No...no.. I am not going to sit down with Along to do last minute revision.In fact, he is not at home but safe and sound at his hostel.Let us just say tonight mommy dearest has to do what a mommy got to do.


Finally ....the last exam in the family this year.The last count down...May Allah bless us all.

Saturday, November 14, 2009

Three in one

I have a function to attend today.It is our annual lunch, for the teachers and staff of SMK ....It is also a farewell lunch for those who have transfered this year and those who are going on transfer next year.And another event is a birthday celebration for one of the teachers.All in one function...

So that means I have to cook something for big baby and daughter Ifah before leaving home sweet home.Besides,I can enjoy my lunch without any feeling of guilt and thinking of my starving kids at home.

For Big baby,I hope you will enjoy your lunch of nasi lemak,ayam pedas and sambal telur.


Ifah , since your taste bud is like "Mat Salleh's", mommy dearest cook Spaghetti and meat sauce for you.


Registration...


The arrival of our Principal,Pn Che Natrah Che Ishak.

Ladies from the labs

The Principal giving a speech...panjang jugak we...since she has been out of school for a week.

These two ladies,K Zah and Mdm Tong have been eating non-stop
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Who is the story-teller here...everybody looks so serious..

Our chief clerk and warden kak ani

The two MCs, Pn Siti and Pn Kamariah


Before leaving,the ladies took a few shots

Yours truly with Madam Tong

Cheers ladies...all of you going home with ole-ole.We receive lots of hampers.

Pn.Azizah gets the title "The glamourest" lady.

With Pn Wan Norhayati


Happy Birthday Uztadz...

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Wrapping up



School term has come to its end.But the workload is increasing...like bullets flying from a machine gun attacking me from all sides...

Lessons to conclude...

Fees account to close...

Stocks to count...

Textbooks to collect...

Leaving certificates to type...

Language room to clean and keys to return...

Co-curricular grades to key in...

Register to close...

Library books to return

Name of debtors to type...

Panel files to update and return to its safe...

Next year's classes to allocate...

Next year's activities to plan,type and submit...

.....................

.....................

Before they can let me go

Back to... home sweet home down South

And this time round... it is for good

Hopefully!

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

It is just another ordinary day.....

No New Year's Day to celebrate
No chocolate covered candy hearts to give away
No first of spring
No song to sing
In fact, here is just another ordinary day

No April rain
No flowers bloom
No wedding Saturday within the month of June
No summer's high
No warm July
No harvest moon to light one tender August night

No autumn breeze
No falling leaves
Not even time for birds to fly in Southern skies
No Libra sun
No Halloween
No giving thanks to all the Christmas joy you bring
But what it is,it s something true
Only that few words I receive in sms from you....


....Happy 18 th anniversary to my other half....

Good luck Ifah!

No dancing class tonight...no cha cha...no pocho pocho...no makarama...none..

Daughter Ifah is sitting for her finals tomorrow.The results will determine the class she will be in next year.

Tomorrow is her BM and Mathematics papers.

So tonight I am sitting with her coaching on her Mathematics,the topic on Polygon.

While she is doing the sums, I steal some time to update my blog.

Daughter Ifah has to do lots of practice since she is not feeling well lately and has missed her classes a few times.

Mommy understands..and mommy does not want to force you.

But because you show a bit of improvement these few days,mommy want you to study

I hope I am not torturing you, ok dear

Mommy dearest can only hope you try your best, and the greatest ONE up there will do the rest

Saturday, November 7, 2009

My Malaysia

Dear Angah,
Because you were so forgetful yesterday to bring along the choral speaking script for your inter-dorm competition,mommy dearest is posting the script here.Good luck...

My Malaysia

Malaysia?
Yes Malaysia
My Malaysia
A multi racial society
A land of many colorful festivals and celebrations
Malay,Chinese and Indians
Dayak,Dusun and Iban..to name a few
Islam,Buddhism and Christianity
Hinduism and others are the religions
All celebrate the big day ...at different times of the year
With vibrant festivals,traditional dances and drama

Hari Raya Aidil Fitri is celebrated by Muslims
Tick Tock..its 4:30 in the morning
Wake up..wake up...
Mum...yes dear
I'm sleepy
I don't want to wake up
Its the fasting month of Ramadhan

Dum dum dum
Hari Raya is coming
The balik kampong joy begins
Leaving the big cities empty...like ghost town
Starts the big day in the mosque
Performing the prayer
And visiting the graves of the departed
Colorful baju kebaya and baju melayu don the day
Rendang and ketupat fill the table ...and my stomach!

Ding Dong...Ding Dong...
Its Christmas in December
Its winter free here...but still as merry as ever
Ho ho ho...
Santa Clause is coming
With white beard and red robe
Christmas presents on his back
Little children are so happy
The presents they get.

Then comes the Chinese New Year
With various animals attached to its names
And the red angpow makes it so distinct
The cheongsam makes the ladies beautiful
Just like...the classic Chinese movies
Fire crackers???
No..no..no..its 1000 ringgit ine
Or a month's jail
Wow!!!

Deepavali is a show of saris
Just like in Bollywood or Mumbai
Also known as the festival of light
All the estates become bright
Muruku being the delight
A little India in Malaysia
With Malaysian taste and flavour
India made in Malaysia.

Next we have the Thaipusam
Celebrated on the 10th month of the Hindu calendar
Hindus believe that sins can be cleansed today
Thousands of devotees and visitors throng Batu Caves
'Kavadis'..on their shoulders or backs
Fresh coconuts were smashed...but not to be cooked!
A sight tourists will never forget

Banglow...no!
Semi-d...no!
Condo...NO!
Longhouse? yes..yes..
The Sarawak Dayaks live in longhouse
Gawai is their celebration
To celebrate the season of rice harvesting
And the new planting season
All through the days of this exotic festival
Are filled with laughter...ha..ha..ha..
Drinking..
Danicng..
And merry making

November and December
Its raining season in the east coast
But its fiesta time in Penang
A carnival-like Pesta Pulau Pinang
Songs..dances..cultural shows
Food stalls...
Games...roller-coaster
Handicraft..you name it
Pesta Pulau Pinang has everything to offer
Mini Malaysia in Pulau Pinang.

A two-week affair in September
Malaysia Fest offers Malaysian culture,craft and cuisine
A scene you will always remember
...and treasure.

Malaysia..
Beautiful Malaysia
Malaysia...truly Asia

Good luck also for your farewell dinner tonight!