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