Life's Chapters

Friday, March 16, 2007

Mother

I'm ALWAYS like this...

Each time, I'm about to leave home, I'll definitely get into a poignant frame of mind... Of course I make it a point to come home every now and then and my Mum is coming over too, but still... the thoughts of being away...

My Mum is very understanding about my job, she's especially supportive and make lots of effort to be aware of the circumstances, and I really, really appreciate all of it. That is why I'm driven to provide the best and work hard for my family. If you usually listen to parents pampering their children, I pander to my Mum a lot... heheee...

Anyway, we tried to make the most out of this one week break. I'm glad I was home. I get to meet up with friends and ex-colleagues. Short yet still meaningful. And I've been pestering everyone to pay me a visit this year. heheheee...

Bulan Mei mari Candat Sotong... =)

Thursday, March 15, 2007

My Job

In my last appraisal, I received a comment that my teaching is very student-centered; which was encouraging. Of course there are various other comments I need to improve on, and despite having said that 'wonderful' comment I still don't quite like our HoD. heheheee...

In spite of all the surroundings, I've met several amazing colleagues, I have wonderful students, I am passionate about my job, I love the road my life is taking on, and well, is the calm sea an indication to a looming storm? Let's hope not.

Been there done that, puts me in a slightly better position to provide, and guide my students with what needed to be taken care off. I am very careful not to spoon feed them, nor decide anything for them, but in some sense they had someone to refer to, unlike my younger days I had to do a little struggle on my own in terms of choices especially for my university education. I have lots of interests and was easily swayed and had no one to really explain what I wanted to know. I was thankful nevertheless Allah has given me lots of tips somehow, and this is where I am today.

I enjoy giving students the freedom to choose for themselves. The last project we initiated, I financed them to kick start a small scale business, and all the decision making was done by them. From time to time, they'll come up with reports and seek for my opinion (I kan their investor..hehehe) and well, I'm just proud that their 'business' has flourished. You see, this sort of support is what I meant.

The system I grew up in school did not provide 'official' platform to nurture articulate verbal communication. There were lots of 'unofficial' means of course, eg if you're a debator, prefect, president/chairperson/secretary of so-and-so persatuan/kelab/badan because you will have a chance to stand out in the crowd. What if you were never given the chance? Being a true blood Marian, I'll still say the 'products' of my alma mater are still a pride. <--spoken like a true Marian (read:agak kerek) hehee..

Classroom is the best medium to experiment with different approaches with the students. My priority would of course be to spark their interest for the language. Lots of them can write very well, but in terms of spoken language, there are lots of rooms for improvement. Their confidence level need a BIG boost! hhmmm...I always feel teachers have to dig in deep into the meaning of education and to educate.

I try to come up with creative teaching materials but I often have to stick to the syllabus which is sometimes a restraint. I want to do more reading in class since the new stock of books have arrived and can be used for the lesson. I'm pretty excited with the new stock of books. The students just simply don't read enough. I did plan to make use of the Internet, and I'm still browsing on for suitable blogs to be introduced. I want students to have guts, be critical, expressive and open to discussion. To be aware and find their feet. I do sound like I have high hopes for my students but I am not in any ways demanding. I know what's possible and achieveable. I know the heights they're able to reach for. I try to instill that all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. I had great schooling years and I hope my students will have it too. Masa study kita study (and I'm one strict&fussy teacher at that) then masa main kita main. I guess after several months, the students I teach have adapted to my style and they've not let me down... so far.

Of course, kids being kids would need a little 'spanking' now and then but that's normal, rite? I am very particular about punctuality and time management and I remember one time I scolded a student for being late to my class, and the day after when I asked them to pass up their files; he inserted a flower in it and a sorry note. Cute ay.

I can go on and on for hours about the various issues revolving around education. Wait. Tak payah education on a whole, what's in the sch itself can keep my brain working around the clock. heheeeee... I just hope the passion doesn't die and I'll be able to be in a position to do more in the future. Majulah Pendidikan untuk Negara. =)

Wednesday, March 14, 2007

Happy Holidays

Touched down in Kch last Sunday night...and it's been one happy, happy holiday so far... =)

I had quite a headspin post-flight. The take-off from Langkawi was pretty rough. However, the pilot for the KL-Kch route was great. Thing is, I easily get air-sick(?) so, I'm quite aware to taking-offs and landings. If it's not a smooth departure/arrival it'll affect my head badly. =P

Kudos to AirAsia for departing on time and as a matter a fact, we departed 10mins earlier from Langkawi and boarded the plane almost 30mins earlier in LCCT.

Before coming home, I had a detour to Alor Setar & Langkawi to attend two kenduri, and was dragged to another in Jitra. It was a beautiful ceremony on all occasions, and I've yet to upload pics from my camera. Soon perhaps.

I don't think I'll narrate what I've been up to day-to-day. Suffice to say I've not had the chance to watch any TV. I'm suppose to be on holiday yet at the back of my mind, there are tonnes of errands and pending works accumulating. I'm not complaining though because it's still better to do all the catching ups rather than lazing around. There are still some 'junks' at home that I've not disposed to their rightful possessors-tudung, keropok, serunding, chocs etc. heheee...

We had a little makan-makan in Magenta last night. I so love this place. If I'm giving u a treat to this place means I love you very, very much. lol... It was a post-wedding dinner for Syl. I was not around for her wedding so we decided on this dinner. The best part was desserts were on the house. Food were all great. Tiada kata-kata yang mampu mengungkapkannya... heheheee. I can't remember the names of our main course (read: panjang gile) but for desserts we had apple cinnamon crumble+ice cream, white choc pistachio cheese, and panna cota with slices of peach(+pe ntah sauce) yang memang sedap tak terkira. =D

Sesambil online am looking for good short stories for our school's representatives to the zone level...

And am feeling a slight pang of hunger... hahaa...

I guess it's... Toodles... and I promise to blog more than once a month.

I'll perk up. hehehee... *cross my heart*