Raya moments: the past and present

Back to work. The office is still quite empty. A few of the staffs are still on holidays. Same goes to the students I guess since nearly half of each them failed to attend the morning class and most them who actually managed to come were at least 20 minutes late and as for the afternoon class, zero attendance. Not a great start for the second half of this term my dear students! Hopefully I can fail a few students just to make it clear that although I'm nice, I can be nasty as well.

Now let's talk about Hari Raya. For this year, it was okay for me. Same old same old. Well, here's the thing about Hari Raya. As you get older, celebrating it becomes less and less thrilling. The total opposite of how we feel when we were kids. Totally different.

Clothes. Most man are are not no so keen of buying a new Baju Melayu. I am with the majority because I know the only time I'll be wearing it is on Hari Raya. Either Aidilfitri or Aidiladha. And maybe on Fridays for the Friday prayer. But just the shirt with kain pelikat or slack or track bottom. Rarely with the pant and never with a samping. I do buy other clothes such as collared shirt or t-shirt or jeans. Just a pair or two of those. A pair of shoes or sandals every 3 or 4 years based on the needs. But when we were kids, everything must be new for Hari Raya. From head to toe. New songkok,  new Baju Melayu, new shirt, new pants, new socks, new shoes. New everything! It would be devastating to wear old or hand-me-down clothes during Hari Raya. That's is how big Hari Raya meant when we were kids.

Food. Ketupat, rendang and lemang are delicacies served by all only on Hari Raya. My mom's ketupat and rendang is definitely on top of my list during Hari Raya. Ketupat pulut or ketupat nasi, either one will do. But if both are available, it's even better. Hari Raya is basically meaningless to me without it. Nowadays, ketupat and lemang has lost its luxury. Just another typical food that you can get anytime, anywhere throughout the year. Because now we have ready made ketupat and lemang. The instant ones. No need to bother about getting the coconut leaves or bamboo to make the ketupat and lemang or even learn how to cook it. Everything is stated at the back of the package.

Drinks. I can't think of any special drinks served only during Hari Raya. But most common drinks available in all houses on Hari Raya are carbonated drinks. When I was a kid, my late grandfather would buy dozens of it. At that time it was in a glass bottle with an unknown brand sold for only 50 cent each. I think it's 1 ringgit now. Sunquick or Ribena are two common drinks too, I think. Haha.

Fireworks. One of the best thing about Hari Raya before it was banned due to the increasing number of injuries among the 'creative' lot. I remember going to the bazaar after Fardhu Ain class just to buy the fireworks in the evening and played with my friends at night. Ah, those good old times. But still you can get the banned fireworks today. I played a few recently. You just need to find the right guy at the right place, if you know what I mean. Hahaha.

Duit Raya! This is what all kids are looking forward to. Visiting neighbours' house and getting some serious cash! Eventhough we don't know them. Which makes it very exciting because everyone was nice to you. Great moments indeed. In the earliy 90's, 1 ringgit is a HUGE amount. But now, even 10 ringgit seems small to the kids. What has the world come to? Now, all grown up, it's my turn to give duit raya. I don't have any niece or nephew so I gave it to my cousins who are still in school. Which is great. And suprisingly enough, I still get duit raya from my aunts. Which is even greater!

We all had our moments. Remembering those moments certainly put a smile on our face. How we wish to be able to return to that time when everything fascinates us. But let's face it, it ain't never gonna happen. So, making new meaningful moments is all that we can do now, right? To everybody out there;

Sometimes we forget

Sometimes we forget

How lucky we are

To have what we have

When others don't

Sometimes we forget

How blessed we are

To still have our loved ones

When others have lost theirs'

Sometimes we forget

How fortunate we are

To still be alive

When others had left

Sometimes we forget

We are just mere humans

Living in a borrowed world

Chick Magnet

Chicks dig babies, regardless of its gender. That’s a fact! And this is agreed by all, I’m sure. Earlier this morning, the kakak who sits next to my table, Kak Anne, brought her 4 months old baby daughter, Hana, to the office. The moment that cute little thing was spotted by the other female staffs, single or married, they came swarming towards her. Surrounding the mother, trying to get a closer look at the baby. They soft-pinched her cute face, and doing baby talk. Every one of them wanted to get their hands on little Hana. She’s so adorable. Every time these people make funny faces or doing peekaboo, she smiles and laughs. Unfortunately, my phone doesn’t carry any photo-snapping function due to its ‘advance’ technology. So, no pictures, people!

This whole situation kind of reminded me of an episode in How I Met your Mother (can’t quite remember from which season) where beautiful ladies were attracted to Barney’s gay brother’s little baby. And he used the baby to get laid. Like most people, I like babies. Who doesn’t, right? Only when they are clean of course. If they are carrying yellowish brown gooey thingy in their diaper, l wouldn’t even get close to it. But I would not go to the extent of using a baby to hook up with chick. That’s just way too much, bro. Maybe it could be consider as a last resort to some. But it ain’t gonna be me. I’m too proud to use such approach. Haha.

Expectations

                

            Living to the expectations of others, that’s pretty much what we have all been doing throughout our lives. We are expected to meet all these expectations from every single people that exist around us. Our family, friends or even stranger that we stumble upon while taking a sip of teh tarik during breakfast at a Mamak restaurant. Few viewed it as a blessing, a purpose that gives meaning to life. But for some, it’s a burden, or even a curse, placed on their very own shoulders the very first moment they breath-in the air.

A hope is what the people like to call it. A word with a positive meaning, aura and vibes meant for a positive effect. But there are always two sides of a coin. And positive is not the only outcome. Failing to reach one of these so called ‘hope’ is like the end of the world to some, viewing themselves as a disgraceful, pathetic being, unworthy of walking on the face of the earth. Such devastating effect is expected, of course, when too much ‘hope’ is being cast on them. Especially, ‘hope’ that the previous failed to meet when they are expected to.

But all is not lost, when one is unable to fulfill what is expected of them. ‘Hope’ is still a hope. It’s always darkest before dawn as they say. You just need to find the silver lining in it. Aim your arrow for the moon. Even if you failed to reach it, you’ll land among the stars. And being among the stars is probably way better than trying to reach for the moon. Never lose hope, for it is the thing that will help you to live to YOUR expectations.

Thanks, and farewell...

3 months. Time sure flew fast. I'm coming to a close on another blessed chapter of my life. It's a pity that it has to end. Being here, I learned a lot and I'm sure as hell that I lost nothing. A million thanks to all members of SCC especially GSU staffs, the one that I think, opened the door for me to gain such experience.

Going to class, interacting with students, mingling with fellow colleagues, participating in events, kind of reminded me what it actually means to be working in the education field. With the bunch of students here, the challenges are different, the approaches are different. But through it, my perspective is much wider now.

Indeed, it's an experience that I'll forever treasure. Sincerely from the deepest part of my heart, I thank you, and you, and you, and all of you.

*Hoping for a new chapter to begin soon.

Today's torture?

Safe!!! Thank God! I've just endured hell. Was it really hell? Nah...It was quite okay, I guess. Considering it was my first time. What the heck am I talking about, you say? Well, actually, I've just handle a one hour English class for lecturers and staffs. No joke. Can you imagine a fresh graduate teaching experienced lecturers English?

Scary, that's what I thought when I was first told by Awer about it 2 days ago.Since I've only have experience in teaching children and college students, it's kinda a big thing for me. So yesterday I started searching for materials and prepping. As a former English Language student, I looked for materials at bbclearningenglish.com. 

I found one interesting activity on listening called Vocabulary Bingo. It might take some time for me to explain, for more details of the game please visit bbclearningenglish.com. The game is quite risky because if the students or in my case, the lecturer and staffs, were able to hear all the words, game over. So I made a second activity.

Applying my past experience working as a translator, the second activity was on translation. The easiest, most enjoyable way to do it is by translating a song. A famous malay soundtrack: Ombak Rindu. And it took almost half an hour for them to finished it and I made them sing it. It was hilarious! Below is the translation for that song. You can try singing it if you'd like. Mind the grammatical errors and the awkward words choice. Hahaha.

WAVE OF MISS

God please soften his heart

To accept me as I am

Because I could not bear

Because I can't afford

Living without him by my side

God I know I'm so sinful

Only remember You when I'm sad

Though only You are able to open

The door of his heart for my love

Night take my miss

For him that is away from me

So he won't be lonely

Always feel there is love 

Rain take away my tears

That flows washing my wound

So that he knows I'm suffering

May light come later

God please soften her heart

To accept me as I am

Because I could not bear

Because I can't afford

Living without him by my side

After that, I ended the class. It wasn't so hard actually. I realised that they just wanna have some fun. No formal class where I babble about grammar and stuffs. Activities where they can unleashed the child in them. So, for future classes, I might used some activities from the English camp during my diploma and have some fun along with them. Oh my! I think there's a pair of horns on my head. Muahahaha!

Next Blog»

Bloghopping. Is it an actual word? Yes? No? Maybe? I don't know? According to http://oxforddictionaries.com, that word don't exist. But according to http://urbandictionary.com, it's defined as "Following links from one blog to another, reading about the lives of people I have absolutely nothing to do with." Now, this definition was made by a guy name Nick, a common netizen, just like you and me who has no specific qualification whatsoever. So, I don't encourage you to quote from that site for any academic reports or purposes.

By and large, bloggers and blog readers are the one who love to bloghop. Mostly visiting blogs of their deary friends and families (in contrast with the definition from urbandictionary.com) or famous people. And sometimes their enemy(s). I myself rarely bloghop. Never really got the interest to read about the lives of people I have absolutely nothing to do with.

Only when my boredom has reached its boiling point, will I do some bloghopping. Just for the sake of easing my suffering. I bloghop randomly using a certain method, by clicking [Next Blog»]. You know, the small button at the top of the blog. But based on my past experience, certain templates deny this function.

Since reading is not my key feature due to my own trait for being selective when it comes to the type of materials I'd read, I don't really know where to go to get those so called up-to-date posts or the latest news and gossips. But I know exactly where to go when it comes to comic. Manga to be precise. Haha.

Now, some of you may be using the same method to bloghop and some of you may have other ways but to those who had just realised about this and those who wants to have a go, by all means, be my guest. But I'd like to give you a heads up. Be ready! Because you don't know what kind of blog you'll end up at. I could give you some examples. Some are good and some are nasty. But where's the fun in it, right?

Gooooooo Greeeeeeeeeeeeeen!

Wow! I've been updating my blog quite frequent for the past few days. Got nothing to do? Not really. In fact, it's the other way around. It's kinda boring being in the office, because I act like I got nothing to do when there is "a bundle of joy" stacked on my table.

Anyway, my college is organizing an event this week called Go Green! Yeah, it's about recycling and all that stuff. Yesterday, in the morning, there was a talk by a representative from SWF (Southern Waste Management), one of the company that collect the rubbish from houses in Johor, I think, talking about the 3R and poor self conscience of Malaysian when it comes to waste management. Since my students were required to attend the talk, so was I. And my God, it was freaking boring! I nearly fell asleep! But thankfully, I managed to endure the suffering of listening to that talk. Hahaha. Later that evening, the staffs and students gathered recyclable materials as much as they can and sold it. The money that they received from the sale will be donated to Tabung Wira Lahad Datu.

For today, I think there will be a presentation by students who signed up for the 3D poster contest where they create a poster using recyclable materials. I was planning to go and watch but unfortunately, I got class to teach. There's also another contest but I can't seem to remember what it is. Hahaha. I don't know why I'm so not interested with all the things in this college. Seriously!

Volleyballing? Not today!

Now the rain is falling down,
falling down,
falling down.
Now the rain is falling down,
so no volleyballing...

Volleyballing.

According to my schedule, yesterday, my class was suppose to end at 6.15 pm. But I ended the class around 5.45. But still, I have to thumb out at 6.15. Just following the procedure, okay? After I clocked out, as I was heading to my motorcycle, I saw a bunch of students doing warm up at the volleyball court. Since it has been quite a while since the last time I played the game, I decided to go to the court to watch them.

From just wanting to watch, I ended up playing with them, wearing my office attire. Cool, don't you think? No, it's not cool. It ain't easy playing a game where you need to move a lot wearing leather shoes. Try it, and you'll know what I mean. But yesterday was fun. I played with them until azan maghrib. Kinda brings back old memories.

So today, I'm going to play with them again. But with proper attire. And maybe show some skills for them to learn. (Macam bagus sangat nak ajar orang). Haha. Ini semua POYO! Anyway, right now, I'm just waiting for the clock to struck 5.15 so I can thumb out, go home, take a quick bath, pray, get ready and come back to college. Jyeah!!!

Monday mourning.

Death and taxes. Nothing is as certain as death and taxes. But still, death is not something people talk a lot on compared to taxes, I think. Anyway, most people would prefer to avoid rather than talk about death. It's like a taboo to speak of such word that symbolise darkness, sadness and sorrow. But personally, refusing to speak of it is like denying the fact that sooner or later, we and other living creatures on the face of the earth will die.

What's with the sudden interest in death? Well, this morning, I was blogwalking while marking my students' papers and I stumbled upon a blog that talks about a young blogger by the name Yasmin Hunwick. Her blog is called http://misschronicz.blogspot.com. She died in June last year, at the age of 17 in an accident along with two friends. So what's so special about that? Nothing, if that is all to it. But what she experienced before her death is what caught my attention.

Now, I'm not really good in conveying thoughts into words. So, I'm sure my writing won't be good enough to touch the hearts of you people out there. But if you wanna know her story, just click the link and read her posts or just google her name and read what others have wrote about her. I'm pretty sure you'll get the clear view of her and maybe you can feel what I felt when I read her story.

And while I was reading blog posts and reports on her, two students of mine suddenly came to my table, asking for some donations to be given to one of their friend who has just lost his mother this morning due to cancer. I'm sure it's a great blow to him especially when the final exam is just in couple weeks time. 

These two things remind me of the thing that I've forgotten. Death is certain, indeed. But the why, when, where, what and how, remain a mystery. We just have to prepare for it. To both of them and those that we knew, who have left us, may their soul rest in peace. Al-Fatihah...

It's Friday!

In Malaysia, Friday is the long awaited day of the week for working people. In some states, that day would be Thursday. Why? Because it is the last day of working. The following day would be the weekend. Which means, time to relax. Time to be spent with family and friends. Time to take a break from all the workloads that has been piling up on the table for the past few weeks.

Yes, I like Friday. I really like Friday. Mainly because of the reasons above. But other than that, there are quite a few good things about Friday as a working man and working at SCC. First, (applying sequence connectors) less working hour. Thanks to Friday prayer, supposedly, were will leave for lunch hour at 12.15 but by then, almost half of the staffs have already left (typical government worker). And we have to be back at the office by 3.15.

Second, I have no class! Which is freaking awesome. I just sit at my table, wasting my time on Facebook or blogwalking or reading sports news (mainly on football). Ignoring all the tests and assignments of the students that I'm supposed to check. Sorry awer, when it's Friday, I'm in no mood to do any markings, okay? Sometimes, I listen to all the gossip from kakak-kakak in the SLS unit while they belek-belek some clothes that one of them is selling. What else can you expect when women gather around, right?

Third, which is a really really really good thing, is what they call Budaya Al-Quran. Now, I don't know whether it's something that was made compulsory by MOHE or is it something that only this college is doing. But to me, it's not something that I normally see. Every Friday morning, between 8.00 to 9.00, all staffs (lecturers + administration) will gather at the meeting room to read the Quran. We all would read it and one ustazah will recite the meaning.

Next, is something extra for last week and this week. Potluck. Yeah, the people around here loves to eat. They eat almost everything, all the time. Lots of free food on Friday. The organizer, which are the girls from General Studies Unit (my unit) prepared most of the food. When I said girls, I was referring to two young women (younger than me). One is a newly wed, the other is still single. They even bring the rice cooker and cook the rice in the pantry. Sangat gegeh! But they are a nice bunch of people.

Well, the food is ready. And my tummy is already singing the song of hunger. Time to eat. Later.

*Sigh*

Going back and forth from Muar to Segamat and Segamat to Muar every single day for work is freaking tiring!

Hello 2013!

We're now in 2013 people! Wohoo! Happy New Year! Lots of people went crazy last night. Doing countdown, partying I bet. How did I celebrate it? Well, when the clock stroke at 12 midnight, marking the end of a glorious chapter in one's life, I assume, and the beginning of another glorious one, I hope, I was already fast asleep. Too sleepy to stare at the clock, doing countdown. Besides, it seems pointless to do so when you're stuck at home. And I had a really good night sleep too. Woke up around 5 a.m. Which is, by the way, a new personal best. Never woke up as early as 5 a.m. ever since the fasting month. As for this new year, I got a few things up my list. Hopefully all can be achieved with flying colours by 31st December 2013. Too all, I wish that 2013 will be a great year and may all our dreams come true. Keep the spirit up, keep on working hard, be positive, and no regret! God bless us all! Happy new year!