Doggy Days

It's been hell in the staff room. Not because of any arguments, but because due to some problems in the electrical wiring thingy, we had to spend 2 days without any fan (let alone air conditioning). It was a small miracle that Le Skunk was taking MC. If not, Hell would be complete. It would have caused a total assault of the senses.
However bad thing was in the staff room, it was still by far much better than the administration office. The administration office was pitch black and all the staff had to sit very near to the door or to sit outside. At least in the staff room it is bright and rather airy (albeit with the unpleasant aroma from the student's washroom).
I kind of ignored one of my upper six class today. Just entered the class, delivered my lesson, discussed and left. No jokes. No smiles. Let them experience the mean me. They were quiet today. They probably guessed why I behaved this way. Let them know how frustrating it was if they are ignored. (Baru korang tau macam mana susah nya nak ajar kepala batu ais korang tu tapi korang jahanam buat derk aje. Padan muka...)

A short conversation on my way to the staff room.

Mwis: Nama ga pejalai nuan baka nya wai?
(Why are you walking like that?)
Me : Pedis kaki aku tu ah. Nda nyamai ngena kasut tu.
(My feet hurt. So uncomfortable wearing these heels)
Mwis: Kasih amat neh.
(Poor you)
Me : Mwis, aram tukar kasut tua. Nuan ngena kasut aku. Ka?
(Mwis, let's exchange shoes. You wear mine. Can?)
Mwis: ....

Hahahahah
My feet also hurt today. Padan muka lagi. I wore the new slip on heels again today, and it almost killed my feet. Come end of school time, I was (almost) hobbling horribly from the pain. Thankfully there were no blisters. Taubat dah. Tak nak pakai kasut tu lagi. How Iwish I could wear those comfy slippers to class. Hehehe...

Sleepy whatever

For the past week I've been going to bed far earlier than usual. Come 9.00 pm I would be yawning and wanted to do nothing else other than curling up in bed.
It could be due to me staying back at school almost every day for the past two weeks because I had to be the slave person responsible for preparing the athlete's bibs for the School's Sports Day (All because of the ketua rumah is almost useless. Satuhapapuntaktau).
It's kind of a rite of passage for ALL new teachers. We're NOT supposed to have a life and we're WAAAYYY down in the pecking order. New teachers will be given mountains of things to do and once we've been through it somehow, come next year, when the new batch of teachers come, we will move up one step in the pecking order.
Ooooh. I can't wait. Not.
I do think that this rite of passage thing is kind of good as in preparing us to the challenges (believe me, there's A LOT of challenges) we will face in our careers but where is the line that separates it from bullying? Although I did not experience this, but this is what is happening tp some of my friends. It's little wonder that they've learnt to hate their profession. And it's not just happening to the teachers. Name any jobs in the public service and you'll hear almost similar stories. Of new staff being assigned the jobs nobody wanted and expected to smile graciously and accept it as their fate. And God forbid if they should shine early in their career. That's probably the greatest sin a new staff can ever commit.
Do not outshine thy seniors. Period.
Bull$hit!
I believe in earning credits when it is due. But sadly, the workplace is plagued by politics. Even the mak cik dinings have politics amongst them. The normal workplace would be swarmed by at least one batu api, puppeteer, drama queen, resident biatch/jerk and tale-spinner. If I could get a dollar for every a$$kisser in every office, I'd be a multi-billionaire by now baby. But that's a reality in the workplace. Learn to live with it (and never to succumb to the urge to shoot the listed people) and pray that sanity will remain intact.

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I am in some slight discomfort. Muscles aching. Try sprinting 100m dash. You'll know what I mean.

Conversations with my Uncle

I am not sure what made me recall this conversation I had with my Dad and my Uncle. We had this short exchange while on our way back from Shah Alam to USJ, sometime in November last year. My uncle was driving and my parents, eldest bro, sis-in-law and my niece was also in the car we were traveling in.

This uncle is the same person who ranted all the way from KLIA to Nilai about my decision to quit my job and to be a teacher. Until today, I guess he still couldn't figure that out.

Uncle : So, you want to work in S'pore? I am sure there's an opening for you there.

Me : I don't think so. I'm coming back to Sarawak.

Uncle : Aw, come on. In S'pore you can earn maybe around SD3K - 5K. U have your post grad qualifications etc.

Dad : She wants to come back to her people to help them.

Uncle : If she wants to help her people, work and earn lots of $ to help her people la.

Me : With the $ only, how many lives could be helped? I believe I will give more by teaching and educating my people. After all, it is my passion to teach.

Uncle : ... (shook his head)

Prior to taking the Dip.Ed, I was working in a hotel chain in Malaysia. I was about to be promoted when I received the offer from the University. I prayed for guidance and the image that I saw in my mind was of myself as a 5-year old girl sitting in my Dad's class and watching him teaching the schoolchildren. I recalled those moments I had playing 'cikgu' and 'school' with my cousins. I remembered the feelings I felt when I was teaching. All those made me realize that teaching is my passion. I resigned immediately despite my boss asking me to reconsider my resignation. I bought the next flight's ticket and now, I am a teacher. My journey may not be smooth and as sweet-smelling as a bed of roses, but that's just part of my journey in life.

When 3 Sarikei Bloggers Meet

Last Saturday had a pre-bloggers meet kinda thingy. Cat and theHornbill and my friend from DipEd days came and enjoyed the Balinese ambience in my backyard (according to Cat la, ya la tu) Haha.. Our activities? Mostly it was for us to meet and discuss our teaching methods.

Yeah. Right.

We had a good time, chatting and catching up on the latest updates in each others life. Bitch about Sing praises of our bosses and colleagues and a certain individual we dubbed as scan colour. Haha.. Actually we shared some funny stories about life, people and our students' antics.

Didn't have enough ingredients for my BBQ wings marinade, so have to make do with whatever that is available in the kitchen. But apparently not much of a difference, since they seemed to like it. Hmm... either that or they were starving so bedal je la. Ye ke? Cat, we are SO looking forward for your chinese turkey. heheh

On another note, my fellow blogger Cat seems to be targetted by an individual with rather questionable intent. Hmm... malicious intent? maybe. Jealousy? Could be. Well, we don't really know what is her problem with Cat, but to hit and hide, that's just beneath low. That's so sick and simply reeks of being a psycho. The world is such a scary place with people like this.

But Cat will not bow down and hide. She's a fighter. Catfight? You betcha. Bring it on! Meaooowwww!!!

p/s: Cat, whatever she said about your language, u did a good job because u r willing to learn. Keep it up girl!

Kinabalu, My Beauty

This is where I want to be. I want to watch the famous sunrise view from here. Feel the caress of cold cold air, smell the mountain air and listen to the sound of the wind. Savouring the taste of triumph in conquering life's adversity and to cleanse my system. Purging all the bad karma away and finding peace in nature. Refueling my soul with the fighting spirit to keep my chin up and face whatever life brings.

Kinabalu, of the Land below the Wind, I am coming.

Tomorow and Beyond

Preparing for my lecture tomorrow. Somehow, I misplaced my lecture notes from the previous lecture.
*sigh*
Will be having replacement schoolday tomorrow as well. After school ends, rush back home to pick up Mum & Dad and then to Sibu for my lecture.
I bought my 1st insurance policy already with EtiQa. More of a form of investment and savings for later use. Disciplining myself for good financial management.

Things I want to do in 2008:

1. Buy a car (to be used by Mum&Dad, I will use the trusty cute SLK).
2. Buy insurance *already done this*
3. Climb Mt.Kinabalu (and visit the Niah Caves the next year, etc. some sort of travel adventure at least once every year)
4. Exercise regularly (to achieve #3)
5. Save $$ (to achieve #3 also)
6. Complete my research

Teachers in my Life

At some point in our life, we will certainly meet people who will have a great impact on our life. These special people will shape our perspective and inspire us to be a better person.
We will call these people mentor, guardian angels and many other names, but it means the same thing. After meeting these people, you will never be the same again.
I always write that my Dad is my mentor, as he is the greatest influence in my life. In our life's journey, we will inevitably encounter some truly inspiring everyday heroes in some likely or unlikely places.
In 2007, I was blessed to meet another wonderful person who would become my mentor as well, Dr. Hyacinth Gaudart. I met her during my first class. At first, I was rather shy (for real) but as the class progressed, the coolness simply melted away. Such a warm and cheerful person. I could see that she genuinely likes teaching and is passionate about it.
I like her.
Being the chatterbox that I am, I really enjoyed her class. I never intentionally skipped her class (a surprising fact since I was the Queen of skipping class in uni). I can sit for hours in her class just to absorb in her wise and friendly advice.
I learn so much from her. How to be a good teacher and how I can make my students fall in love with language. She's like a fairy godmother who celebrated Easter Sunday with us and who will treat us to great food because our own families are so far away. She's there to listen to us and to encourage us.
When she shared her experiences as a teacher and then an academician, I start to understand what makes her such a great teacher and mentor. It is her passion for teaching running through her veins and every cells in her body. That is what drives her to use 'unconventional' ways to teach language.
That is what I want to emulate. I don't want to be someone who is jaded. I want the passion to teach keeps me strongly running towards my goal. I want to look back after 30 or 40 years and proudly smile and see that I have made a positive impact on my students' life.
Dr. Gaudart, thanks for the great lesson that you taught me.

This poem below reminds me of Dr. Gaudart.

by Kevin William Huff

Teachers
Paint their minds
and guide their thoughts
Share their achievements
and advise their faults

Inspire a Love
of knowledge and truth
As you light the path
Which leads our youth

For our future brightens
with each lesson you teach
Each smile you lengthen
Each goal you help reach

For the dawn of each poet
each philosopher and king
Begins with a Teacher
And the wisdom they bring

Then & Now

Many years ago (actually NOT that many..hehe. just figuratively), when i was in school, this is the usual scene on weeknights.

Dad : Na, have you completed your homework?

Now, when I am back in school, this is the scene...

Dad : Na, have you completed your lesson plans?

Things never really changed that much.

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note: Sorry I had to change my blog address (again).

Iban Bloggers Meet

Calling all Iban bloggers staying around the area of Sibu, Sarikei and Betong. Grace and I was thinking wouldn't it be nice for us to have a bloggers meeting to bring the Iban blogging society nearer.
Venue, Date and etc to be confirmed. Just testing-testing the water to see if more people are interested to join. Hehehe

p/s: Dunstan, join laaaa

Weekend Retreat

Ah! The weekend.

Time for us to stop and relax our frazzled nerves and enjoy the rest our body needs after a hard week's toil.
Time to stop and smell the flowers and enjoy the peace and serenity of a restful day. Went to my 'other workplace' for a meeting yesterday and to look at my working schedule. Wow, I get 2 slots of lectures and 30 students. 30 adult students! Now, I am going to have a lot of assignments to mark and an online discussion t facilitate and monitor. Thank goodness for the hi-speed internet at home. Must organize my time really well to juggle my 'daily bread job' and the 'road tax+insurance job'. Heheh

Yesterday my niece brought my cat, HRH Kechik out. On a leash. Read that, A LEASH... My neighbours were looking funnily at the scene of a cat on a leash. Maybe need to coin a new term as in 'walk the cat'. The reason, we never allow HRH Kechik out of the house since my previous cats were often kidnapped (catnapped?) and those were the normal 'kucing kampung' or local breed. Kechik is a siamese+local breed with BIG BLUE eyes and FAT (6 kg!) and so friendly that letting him out would be akin to putting a 'KIDNAP ME' tag around his neck.
He was enjoying the walk, taking time to smell the grass and flowers but he was quite freaked out by the sounds of the outdoors. Will bring him out for more walks more often in the future.

Grandma going back next Saturday. Am going to miss her a lot. This is my grandma from my Dad's side and I am close to her. She made a quilted blanket ('pua tampung seribu') for my youngest cousin and me. Hehe.. That is my favorite blanket and I always bring it everywhere with me.
I stayed with her in the village while waiting for my SPM results. Had so much fun. Kept her company after my grandpa died middle of the year 1996. After that, she went to stay with my aunties who were working in Kapit and maybe because she didn't walk around so much, she's having problems walking now. Not that she couldn't walk, but she can't walk for quite a distance and she needs a lot of assistance to climb up steps. Maybe being in a prolonged period of inactivity caused her leg muscles to lose mass. Am thinking of what therapy can be done to rehabilitate her legs so that she can walk better. Any suggestions?

Day 3 (Along+Sports Diva?)

Today is Day 3 and I really need the weekend to organize my tasks as class teacher. Been swamped since day 1 with tasks and finishing unfinished business 'given' by my assistant class teacher. Still need to ask the students to pay the fees (he haven't collect it yet) and this is no easy task. Starting to feel like an 'along' now, chasing them around.

My class is for students taking vocational subject, so their level of proficiency is low. I don't have to have the ability to see the future to forecast a long and winding road upfront.
The kids are rather cheeky and naughty (just after PMR), and there are only 4 princesses in my class of 25. The rest? You guessed it. Kids of the XY-genetic makeup. At first glance they seem to be a rowdy bunch, but let's see if I can do something about that. Hehehe...
I want to instill R.E.D in them and create it as a class culture. God willing, it is possible.
On the co-curricular side. We're starting our sports practice for the upcoming School Sports Day on 26th January. I am one of the teachers-in-charge for 'Rumah Perdana'. Guess what, I have to train the students for 100 and 400 meters hurdles. (Again) not an event that I have any basics. But, it is waaaaay better than training the students for discus or javelin throw (imagine letting someone like me, who threw a discus into 'reban ayam' uncle depan sekolah. Luckily, no casualties among his chicken was reported. Haha). Mati la...
Next Saturday we will have a replacement school day. All for the sake of 'nak cuti awal'. Haha.. Will be having some "Aidiladha+Christmas Do", i guess.
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Going to pick up my module and attending a meeting at 'my other workplace' tomorrow. My other job will commence next week so will get extra 'moolah' le at the end of the semester. At least for me to pay my road tax+insurance la...
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Talking about insurance. Anyone know the best insurance policy that I could get?

My 1st Day (the start of my journey)

Reported myself to the school today. Got (almost) lost on the way to find the administration office. Walked almost half km to the office as I had to park waaaaayyy far from the school gates. Why? It's registration day and the whole she-bang is a circus.
Met some new friends, old friends, long lost friends.. Hehe..gonna talk about them sometimes.
So here's what I've got in store for 2008.
I am a form teacher.
Teaching English for Form 4 and 5 (Goodbye innocent lower form kids, welcome dazed, jaded and confused upper formers. Not to say about their raging (pher)hormons..)
Teaching MUET for Upper Six.
MUET?!
MUET???
What kind of animal is that?
Argh!!!!

A New Beginning

Tomorrow will mark a new beginning of me as a teacher. Posted to a school quite near to me was a blessing although I was secretly hoping to be posted at some rural school (Bario or Ba Kelalan, anyone?). Some of you must be thinking whether I am out of my freaking mind.
No, I'm not.
My sanity is very much intact, thank you very much.
So what possible reasons can I probably have for waning to be posted somewhere as remote as that?
I don't really know but I liked the idea of experiencing new places and culture. Bario and the Kelabit Highlands are majorly the home of the Kelabit and Lun Bawang (2 other ethnic groups in Sarawak).
Sarawak is home to many ethnic groups and as an Iban (I read somewhere that Iban itself means 'wanderers' in the Kenyah language. If I am not mistaken the book was written by Charles Hose. Forgot the title), I have this wanderlust spirit within me. Something reminiscent of the coming-of-age rites of 'bejalai' in the distant past. I want to experience the world and in the process, get to know more about the world, people and MYSELF.
Also living there seems so simple and much more peaceful (not that Bintangor is such a busy place la).
Alas, it was not meant to be. But I will still want to go visit Bario and Ba Kelalan one day. Mag, would u like to go? Heheh...
So tomorrow I am required to register at the school. Meeting new colleagues and students. Quite nervous actually but praying and hoping for the best in life. I have Dad, Bro and Sis as my advisors (they're all teachers, so I think I am ok) and I have Grace, Cuthess and Dunstan to share their experience with me as my fellow teachers.
Here's to 2008 and I hope to continue sharing my world as seen thru' ||in AnakApai's Eyes||.