MERDEKA!!!!

Today was a special day at work. Why special? Simply because a celebration was held at my workplace to commemorate Malaysia’s Independence Day.

Being in a secondary school allows me to experience the Merdeka celebration with the younger generation i.e my students. It’s wonderful to see how everyone came together to make this occasion a memorable one…and why shouldn’t it be memorable…it is after all our 50th year of Independence. Kudos to all (the administrators, teachers and students) who’ve worked hard in ensuring today’s celebration was a success. And indeed a success it was.

The early morning showers did little to dampen our spirits this morning. We waited anxiously and prayed the sky would lift up soon. God must have heard our prayers coz just little after 8am the light drizzle stopped and we were able to congregate at the assembly ground to begin our celebration.

I’ve never been much of a cameraman/woman. But this time around, with my husband's camera in hand, I made a point to go all out and took as many photos as possible. I have to admit, it wasn't easy running around the school taking shots of the celebration in my formal batik baju kurung. It didn't help either that my inappropriate footwear i.e my high heels got stuck in the earth when I ventured into the water-bogged field, all for the sake of capturing that one in a million shot. Ha! Ha!( Mental note.. high heels and school field certainly don't go together!).

Anyway, they say a picure is worth a thousand words and I can't agree more. I don't think I'll go into much detail as I feel the photos I've taken speak for themselves. So enjoy viewing.

Raising the Jalur Gemilang

Colourful Malaysia

Guess who? Yes none other than Dato Jamali Shahadat, our guest of honour

"Atan" in a light banter with one of the students

The cast of our school's Merdeka sketch

Er..recognise our human Tugu Negara at the back?

MERDEKA!!

A special needs student belting out " ..Inilah Barisan Kita.."

Oh yes! During the sketch our "Tunku Abdul Rahman" had a monologue, as he stood infront of the Tugu Negara.

It was pretty moving and I thought I'd share it with you here;

" WAHAI PAHLAWAN NEGARA,

BANGUNLAH...BANGUNLAH,

50 TAHUN TANAH MELAYU SUDAH MERDEKA,

LIHATLAH WARISAN KITA,

ANAK-ANAK DIPERSIMPANGAN JALAN...MEMBUANG MASA,

MEMBUANG TENAGA...MEMBUANG NYAWA,

BERTELINGKAH TAK SEMENA-MENA.

WAHAI PAHLAWAN NEGARA,

BUMI INI JADI SAKSI,

DARAH KITA YANG TUMPAH KE BUMI,

SEMERAH KELOPAK MAWAR,

SEHARUM BUNGA KASTURI,

DEMI MENYAHUT SERUAN PERTIWI.

WAHAI PAHLAWAN NEGARA,

BUMI INI JADI SAKSI,

AIRMATA YANG GUGUR KEBUMI,

PARA ISTERI MENJADI BALU,

ANAK-ANAK MENJADI PIATU,

IBU-IBU HIBA...ANAKNYA PERGI DAHULU,

MENYAHUT SERUAN TUHAN YANG SATU.

WAHAI PAHLAWAN NEGARA,

ADAKAH PENGORBANAN KITA SIA-SIA?

KITA MEDEKA UNTUK SIAPA?

KITA MERDEKA UNTUK APA?

WARISANKU...SEDARLAH,

SEDARLAH DARI TIDURMU YANG LENA,

ESOK HARI KAU MAHU JADI APA?

ESOK HARI KAU BERADA DI MANA?

ESOK HARI...ADAKAH KAU MASIH BERNYAWA.

WARISANKU...MASA TIDAK MENUNGGU KITA,

REBUTLAH PELUANG YANG ADA,

JADILAH INSAN YANG BERGUNA,

UNTUK AGAMA, BANGSA DAN NEGARA.

WARISANKU...PERJUANGAN INI BELUM SELESAI,

TANAMKANLAH AZAM DAN TEKAD,

PESANAN GURU JADIKANLAH AZIMAT,

BUANGKANLAH DENDAM KESUMAT,

HIDUP SEPAKAT MEMBAWA BERKAT,

MOGA HIDUPMU DILIMPAHI RAHMAT,

HINGGA KE AKHIR HAYAT..."

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Yesterday 22nd August, was my husband’s birthday and every birthday since we've been married, I'd notice how he would become very reflective indeed. Being the curious me or for want of a more accurate word…“kaypo”… I'd discover the same thing year in year out. Without fail on his birthday, dear husband would be asking himself “What have I achieved so far to date?"

I think it’s great that he does this. A self-check is always good as it helps us to keep tabs on what we have done, what we’re doing now and where we are heading. It reminds us of the things that we need to improve on or perhaps consider doing in life. Without these self-checks, our birthdays would just be another day…another day of an added number to our age.

So when my husband turned 40 yesterday…yes the B.I.G 40.. I felt compelled to remind him what he has achieved so far to this day and to consider the many blessings that ALLAH has bestowed on him and the family. This of course brought a smile to his face. It also brought a cheeky response from him… an impromptu - off the cuff- amateur attempt at a rhyming couplet which sounded something like this ;

“You are my strength, You are my pillar,
If I go astray, you are my KILLER”

And this of course brought a smile to MY face.
So to dear husband….H.A.P.P.Y B.I.R.T.H.D.A.Y

and may you have many more ahead.

the towering inferno we had for lunch

the aftermath...a meal feat for Mr Tompang

a spidey inspired birthday cake

little V.I.Ps graced our small birthday party

Hannan and her compulsory birthday card for ayah

NEGARAKU

Come 31st August, Malaysia will be celebrating her 50th year of independence. So much has been achieved since 1957 when the late Tunku Abdul Rahman led thousands of other Malaysians to the 7 cheers of MERDEKA! The famous Merdeka cheers signalled the end of the colonialist British rule and a new beginning for the people of this country.

Going around the Klang valley these days, one can’t help but notice the many flags that have been put up. Schools, government buildings, shopping malls have all gone to great lengths to get the Malaysian people into the Merdeka spirit. Heck! Even I have not been spared. My daughter came home one day from school and asked if she could buy this really fancy merdeka visor/cap. She said it was a-must-have as it had a mini flag attached at the side and sunglasses that can come down or go up whichever way you want it to be. She has a lot of hats and I wasn’t very keen on her buying another one. But I had to make an exception to this one, after all it is the Merdeka month.

Anyway, I’m glad my daughter managed to coax me into departing with my Rm24...coz the colourful visors/caps were indeed supercool. Perhaps my young kids may not know the real historical significance of celebrating Independence day but that’s okay. They will learn in time I hope. At least for the moment, the spirit is there and that’s important I think.

Gearing up for 31st August

Moving along on the topic of Merdeka spirit, I have to admit feeling puzzled by the recent act of a Malaysian who came up with an infamous 6 minute video clip called Negarakuku.

He wrote the song in conjunction with the country’s 50th anniversary of independence and it was his gift to the country. He also claimed that he did not mean to offend anyone by producing such a video clip. How can that be? I find it puzzling because the content of the video clip did not reflect his good intentions. Infact, I was very much offended by the lyrics which I felt mocked my religion.

I find it hard to accept that even after many, many years of co-existing with one another, there is still lack of understanding among the races. Living in a multiracial country we have to learn and respect each other’s customs and religions. That goes without saying. We are special in the eyes of the world not only because of the many similarities that we share but also because of our many differences. That is why Malaysia is so unique.

So in view of the coming Independence Day, let's be more understanding and tolerant of each other…only then can we truly embrace the spirit of MERDEKA!

Err...sorry, this space is not for you!

When you go out to shopping malls, finding parking spaces at the carpark can sometimes be a headache, if not most of the times. This is especially true if it’s the weekend or a public holiday. Some may decide to leave their houses early just so they can secure a parking space, often times reaching the malls 15 – 30 mins before they are open ( I admit having done this on several of my Ikea outings). Others on the other hand, decide to leave it to God and simply cruise the parking lot until they find a spot somewhere...hopefully before their petrol runs out!

On some of the occasions when hubby and I chose the latter, he would jokingly ask me if I would mind pretending to be an OKU or a handicapped. We could then easily zero in on the designated parking spaces for the handicapped which are often near to the entrances. This would of course be met with a death stare from yours truly.

I’ve often observed how many Malaysians ignore the signs reserved for the handicapped, and simply park their cars at spaces which are not meant for them. When reminded of this, some choose to feign ignorance whilst others claim that they’re just parking for a few minutes only. Whichever way, their actions are denying others who have the rightful claim to these limited spots.

So when I saw 2 cars being clamped this afternoon at a mall, for parking at spaces reserved for the handicapped, I have to admit feeling…how do I describe it ... somewhat pleased?? Finally…somebody is doing something. We need to be sensitive of others and not just think of ourselves. We need to be less selfish and more civic conscious. Lets champion the rights of the handicapped and be morally upright and caring citizens of Malaysia. It’s time we walk the walk and not just talk the talk!

I’m a teacher, hear me out

Of late, there is not a day that goes by without teachers being mentioned in the daily news. If you have followed the current events in Malaysia, you will definitely know what I’m talking about. But for those who are away from home or not a Malaysian, let me enlighten you. Teachers are making headlines for reasons such as below. Let these news clippings from the local dailies speak for themselves.

School head suspended for allegedly slapping 22 pupils
KOTA KINABALU: A primary school principal here was suspended with full pay for two months following complaints that she slapped 22 Year Four pupils for failing to turn in their homework. via The Star Online

Student (slapped by teacher) may lose his hearing
Penampang : A Form One student who was allegedly slapped by a female teacher on Friday may lose his hearing on the left ear forever. via Daily Express

These are just a few of the clippings that I found, but if you have time to scour the dailies you can indeed find more.

When parents send their children to school, they expect their children to be taught and nurtured by teachers and possibly along the way pick up good moral values from school. The last thing they expect is their children to be slapped or punched or anything of the sort by the very people who are supposed to be looking after them.

Being one in the teaching line and having to face hundreds of students each day, I feel that one should exercise the utmost restraint when dealing with school children. Patience and tolerance are prerequisites, if one wishes to survive in the teaching world. This is especially important if one is teaching in a primary or secondary school. Without these qualities one can easily succumb to the pressures at the workplace and end up doing harm not only to the students but to one’s career as well.

I often hear people say that those who end up as teachers are those who have failed to secure any other jobs. I don’t know about that, but I do know that there are many who choose teaching as their vocation and do so because they feel they can be good if not great teachers. One who inspires the minds of the young ones to lead less ordinary lives. Perhaps in the light of these events, we should, as a friend would put it...pause to reflect...and ask ourselves where do we go from here? Aside from teachers adhering to the clear guidelines set by the Minstry on what is deemed as acceptable forms of punishments, I feel that parents should play a more active role in bringing up their children. You’d be surprised that many parents have no inkling whatsoever on what their children are up to when they are busy at work, the people they consort with etc etc. Some children are so good at masking their true selves, playing both Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. Perhaps they are little angels at home. But sometimes these kids can be very different when at school, with the way they behave and the foul language used. And in many instances it is the teachers who bear the heavy responsibility of disciplining these kids.

Another thing to look at is the Malaysian education system’s emphasis on academic excellence. The way things are, we are trying to produce little professors. But children are not all academically inclined and why should they? There are students who find school a bore as they feel that the syllabus has no relevance to their lives. And when they are bored or find the lessons difficult to follow, these children may resort to mischief and cause discipline problems at school. I feel, we should make an effort to cater to the needs of such students i.e. vocational subjects should be made part of the mainstream schools. Instead of just Science and Arts, there should also be a vocational stream in all schools. Many of these kids may not be good in their studies but they’re good in other things. If we can tap this talent we will be helping them in the long run, by giving them something that they can actually do, skills that can be used after leaving school. And when students see the relevance of what they can be taught at school to their future needs, then perhaps they will find school / education indispensable. With some luck they’ll behave and appreciate what schools have to offer.

Teachers are in schools to help mould the future generations and if there is a need to punish, it pays to exercise good judgement. After all, we are not in schools to become punishers and the “teaching profession is not peopled by psychotic tyrants” ( I hope!) I’m optimistic that things will get better.

WHEN THE OTHER HALF IS AWAY

My other half goes away every 2 – 3 months for about a week or so. Usually to conferences, either as a participant or speaker, or at other times for business pusposes.

The kids love it when he goes off …when the cat is away, the mouse comes out to play you’d think. Well maybe, but they love it as this would mean that ayah will come home with lots of goodies (read as presents@toys). Also, this would mean that the older two will take turns to sleep in my room together with me and the younger three. The excuse…well since ayah is away, mama might be needing help at night and it’s a boon if one of them is in the room to give a hand. They’ve even done a schedule on who gets to sleep first, carefully dividing the number of nights between the two of them. Not a day more, not a day less. Equal number of nights on my already cramped Kingsize bed!

On my part, I dread when my husband is away. Simply because I find myself having to do the stuff which used to be taken care off by my partner. The runarounds like paying bills and picking up stuff from this person and that person often leave me feeling like the dispatch boy/girl. But the one that I dread most is the morning run to send my eldest to school. You see, it’s his job to send my girl to school everyday. I on the other hand would send my number 4 and 5 to the babysitter and then send my number 2 to school on my way to work. This arrangement has worked out quite nicely. But when he is away, adjustments have to be made. I find my day starts 30 minutes earlier. Need to get myself ready for work, get 2 kids ready for school, other 3 kids ready to be sent to their babysitters. Make sure the TV is not switched on as kids would be watching it and not eating their breakfast. Get things in the car; laptop, schoolbags, bags for the sitters and the list goes on and on. Really! With me running around getting all these things done, there’s no need for any morning exercise. I think I’ve managed to have a full cardio workout even before stepping out of the house. By the time I arrive at work at 7.30am and plonk myself at my desk, I feel as if I’ve gone through the whole day already.

Dear hubby knows my feelings about his outstations. Often, a day or two before leaving he would try and “suck up” to me by taking me out for some nice dinner or lunch. This time around he didn’t get to do so. However, a few hours before he left, he managed to get me a box of Secret Recipe’s sinfully rich chocolate cake as a butter-me-up …before-I-leave-you present. Like they say, the best way to win a person’s heart is through the stomach …and that reminds me…I need to eat the cake with my kids before he returns tomorrow!

SCRATCHES - Part 2 (the C.S.I version)

Just like many successful movies that are later followed by sequels, my “Scratches” too has its own sequel but this time with a different set of cast and at an entirely unexpected location.

The setting:
Last Sunday at home, sometime in the late afternoon.

The plot :
I had just returned from the shop with my eldest son for our weekly grocery shopping and as we were busily lugging the grocery bags into the house, I noticed some scrawls on the passenger door of my husband’s car. Ohhhhhh! Are my eyes deceiving me or are these actually scratch marks!! And they’re on HIS car!! For those who have missed the earlier “Scratches”…the car that tends to get scratched has always been mine. Not his, but mine. Always at my workplace and NEVER at home. So imagine my horror!

Anyway, they were scrawls…imagine someone placing his hand (with long nails to boot) on the door and moving it in a circular motion over and over again…that’s what it looked like. I yelled for my son and daughter to come outside immediately, and when they saw what had happened they quickly announced that they had nothing to do with it. They even gave their alibis for me to check. By this time, my husband who was in the house, had heard the commotion and joined us at the porch. There was dead silence as he bended over to inspect the damage.

When he asked who had done it…my 3 year old son almost on cue declared “Pia” my youngest daughter, and insisted that he had been the sole witness to the crime. Both husband and I stood there puzzled. Yes, my youngest girl was in the vicinity at the time, but really…how much damage could this 1+ year old inflict with the egg carton she was holding. It was at this very moment our CSI skills kicked in. NO, we didn’t have any magnifying glasses lying around in the house to help us with our case, nor did we have any fingerprint dusting kit that would lead us to the perpetrator. All we had was the God given skill of using Reverse Psychology on a 3 year old. We realized that the only way to ever find out the truth was to get hold of the crime weapon. So we asked for our son to go and fetch the so called “weapon”. To our surprise he said…O.K...and darted into the house. We waited with baited breath. A few seconds later he returned. Lo and behold he was holding a packet of Chipsmore! And eating it too. Is it possible that my lil’ Princess had used a biscuit to scratch daddy’s car? Whatever it was, we were definitely losing sight of our evidence, as it slowly made its way into my son’s belly!

The Conclusion:

IF YOU CAN’T CONVICT, ACQUIT...(smiling!)