Mid - Autumn Festival

Hello there,
Today Chinese all over the world celebrate Mid - Autumn Festival or Winter Solstice. To commemorate the occasion, they will make small round white pebble like dumplings. These small pebble-like dumplings are made from wet rice flour and we only need to pinch a little bit of the dough and rubbed it into a marble size. These are then cooked in a pot of boiling water. When cooked, these small marbles are mixed with peanut powder and sugar...I have yet to ask the elderly about the significance of these marbles...

It is also believed that the weather on this Mid - Autumn Festival will decide the weather of the First Day of Chinese New Year. It is said that if it rains on Mid - Autumn Festival, then it will not rain on the First Day of the Chinese New Year or vice-versa.

Time really flies, another day has gone and another year will pass...I think all of us need to use these remaining few days to reflect on resolutions: what we have achieved and what we have failed to achieve...then life will be more meaningful...

See you all again...
adeline

Jingle bells 3X....

Hai everybody,
It has been quite a while since I last wrote. I came back from KL about 10 days ago. Nothing much except this time I was unable to go shopping due to my inability to walk. I have consumed too much 'Buah Dabai', a kind of black skin olives and this increases my uric acid. As a result I suffer from a gout attack on my left ankle. At the moment, the swelling has subsided but still a slight swell can be seen.

Last weekend, my niece and nephew were down in Sibu for a visit. I am just amazed how much they have grown. Sophie will be going to pre-school next year. Comparatively, I noticed that she is a bit slow in speech. Bryan or better known as "boy" is able to walk and climb as well. He is a very hyperactive boy.

This weekend will be Christmas Day. Last Saturday, I joined my friends in watching the X'mas procession which was an annual event. It was a wet one... and I was very surprised to see the SIB church grow in numbers. Another strong to be reackoned is the Methodist Church. Many young ones brave the rain to participate in the procession.

I am also sure may Form 3 students will be waiting anxiously for their results this coming Thursday. So 'Good Luck' to you Kelvin Ling. I am sure you cannot sleep on Wednesday night. Hahahaha...

To all my Christian friends, have a "Blessed Christmas" and a "Happy New Year".

Adeline.

Latest update...

Hai everybody,
I know I have not updated my blog for quite sometime and it is due to gthe fact that I have been busy playing Facebook Games...I somehow got addicted to it when my ex-coursemate introduced it to me..

School holidays have started and I am enjoying the long break. I attended a wedding of my ex-students, Dr. Jesse Ting and Leh Liong on 27 Nov 2009 and coming to think of it, I am surely getting older because when I first taught Jesse, he was a chubby little boy always seeking out his mum in the staffroom. Now Ah Nong has grown to a big size man...

At the present moment, I m in KL doing my medical follow-up. I had my mamogram done yesterday at 2 pm and I was a bit anxious when the doctor asked to do another ultrasound. I was glad that the radiologists said that my surgical wound had healed nicely. However, I have to keep watch of the fibriotic tissue on my right breast. The only good thing is that it has not increased in size.

I was very happy to meet two of my former students who are doing medicine in University Malaya. They are Chieng Siaw Sii and Josephine Tiong. Josephine by nature is very well-mannered and quiet while Siaw Sii as usual is very chatty. Siaw Sii has finally grown up only to discover that he has a cocky face and earns the title, Mr. Cocky in UM...Hahaha...My advice to him is to strive for academic excellence and do something that satisfies yourself personally...Be honest to yourself and the community that you are about to serve. To Josephine, I hope you don't give up so that at the end of the day you wouldn't live a life of regrets...You don't have to be the best to show everybody but you have to be the best in youself...Reflect on that and you will find that true meaning of life...

Apart from keeping up with my medical appointments, I also had to the face the ultimate decision whether to continue my studies or not...So to avoid seeing Dr. Sharir Jamaluddin stretching his hand and asking me for my proposal, I spend two days to write one for him and I hope he will take some time to read...

Today, I also met my ex-coursemate, Halezza and my junior, Malalini. We talked and caych up on old times. Basically, we talked about factor analysis and Malalini shared her notes with me and this is probably something new to learn. I guess, coming to UM is always an enriching experience.

Next, I think I am going to finish up my Action Research and wait for any good news that this Christmas might bring...I was told that 2 JPN Sarawak officers called up my school and dig on my background...investigation...hahahaha...

I am also going to update my blog on PTK...Don't worry...

That's all...
adeline

Hai! I am back...

Hai everyone,
It has been almost a month since I last logged in. Been pretty busy...After the school holidays, I struggled with the PIBG Food Fair which was a success. My principal's last project before her retirement. I will try to upload some photos later, better late than never!!!

Then, I have to take care of the presentation for my principal's retirement assembly...Those last few days have been hectic. Things were fine except for the weather and some technical glitches...I was so amazed by the appreciation shown by the students despite the fact that she was very strict and given the short duration that she was here. One touching moment was when all the students sang the "Happy Birthday" song for her. Well, I amsure she is enjoying all the time she has now...

Now we are back to the routine of marking test papers and getting the marks ready for the Annual Prize Giving day...

Just two days ago, I got my PTK result and I am glad that despite not having the time to study, I managed to get BB for both papers. This means that I have another chance in March 2010. Thanks to Kuok Ai who said that I must not get AA or else I will never update my PTK blog. Don,t worry. I will do it at my own time.

Now I am also doing an Action Research on the Nilam Reading Program. Hopefully, I will be able to present...

That's all for now...
Adeline

Tomorrow another working day

Tomorrow is the day everyone dreads as everybody goes back to work after a week long of holidays.To all Muslim friends, I sent my belated Raya greetings. It is not on purpose I did not update my blog but something on face book catches my attention. I enjoy playing Farmville...during this one week couple with the visit from my sister and her family. It was a short visit though it was enjoyable company with my niece and nephew...tiring at times...

Tomorrow is a new day and Sibu is gearing up for the Mooncake Festival. The centre of the town is being light up with lanterns...It is a week of festivites.Yesterday, the champion of Akademi Fantasia 5 Mila came to Sibu and joined in Raya celebrations at Farley...

I did my fair share of visiting during Raya. i enjoyed myself very much and now i am counting the next 50 days before the school ends for the year...

Cheerio...Adeline

Yipee!!! The Holidays are here!!!

Hai everybody,
I think today is the day that everybody is waiting for...The Raya Holidays are here... It is a nice break for me and now I have to plan on my next project.For those of you who do not know, I have started a new blog called Ulangkaji PTK at www.ulangkajiptk.blogspot.com. The reason for starting this blog is to enable me to revise my PTK with all my fellow friends for the next session as I have only one more chance to pass.

Halezza, I hope that fulfills your request. I also invite fellow readers and followers of my blog to give comments or share with us the latest issues within the PTK scope. For the time being, I just provide the syllabus of the test for teachers on the DG41 and DG44. I am sure teachers from other scale can also benefit from it.

To all my Muslim friends, Selamat Hari Raya... To the Non-Muslims, Happy Holidays...
Adeline

Long break but I m still alive...

Hai everyone,
So sorry for not keeping you all informed but I have been very busy. Last Saturday, I have to attend another LDP called "Integrity" which was delivered by my boss and my PK (HEM). It was an interesting presentation with lots of video clips to keep us awake...

I was tickled by the clip called Friday to Monday. On Friday, we are like the penguins jumping hyper actively because we are happy the weekend is here, speaking of which everyone is looking towards this weekend as Hari Raya Aidil Fitri is here. However, on Monday we are the polar bears because we are moving very slow like them...Hahaha...

Another interesting cariculture was about the traffic flow. Sometimes if we are too law-abiding , we also get caught...in the jam...

Looking back, I cannot believe that I have been back to work since November 16th 2008. I sometimes still wish that I am still on leave studying... something I love to do. I just wonder whether I still have that opportunity but I think I am way past the age limit...

Well, I just have to make the best of what I have and take each day as it comes...
Adeline

Are you the carrots, the eggs or the coffee bean?

Hai everybody,
Today I attended the LDP (Latihan Dalam Perkhidmatan) in the school. The first talk was about Memartabatkan Profesyen Perguruan. This talk was conducted by Mr. Charles Tiong, the only Pengetua Cemerlang DG54 in Sibu. He was formerly the PPG of Sibu.

He provided us with an insight of what happens if we are teachers not by choice, but because of the long holidays and secure job. He also compares teachers who are passionate about their work and those who becomes teachers and wait for their salaries at the end of the month.

I was very tickled by the last few slides that he showed us. He said that we can be either the carrots, the eggs or the coffee beans, all of which undergoes boiling for 15 minutes. The carrots were hard, after boiling became soft. The eggs were soft but came out hard while the coffee beans dissolved in the hot water and have a nice aroma. He concluded that some teachers were full of zest when they started teaching, but withers away due to the challenges in the teaching profession and he likened these teachers as the carrots. The eggs category are teachers who are soft but eventually toughens up due to the trying students. The coffee beans refers to teachers who are able to provide the aroma and warm that they are able to change the students' behaviour. That is why the boiling water changes from white to black!!!

So which category do you belong? Think and ponder...

The value of friendship...

Today is the first day of school after a week long break...The day started with Merdeka day celebration at the school level. Normal lessons resume after hour long celebration.

As I was in one of the class today, I posed a question to the students..."Why do you come to school?" The answer was to meet with friends...

There is little doubt that friends play an important role in our lives. As I browse through the convocation photos, that I have taken, none of those who supported me through the years were missing although there are some who are too shy because they are too photogenic!!!

I came to the conclusion that friends are equally as important as food, clothing and shelter and good friends are hard to come by. So, please treasure your friends and friendship is two -way process, give and take...Am I right, Halezza?

There were some suggestions that I write a blog for PTK revisions...hahaha... I laugh my head off first...it's a good idea, maybe I get to revise my PTK online with everyone...hehehe...

Adeline

Merdeka!!!

Independence Day or Merdeka is being celebrated through the country today on a moderate scale owing to the fact that we are actually in the holy month of Ramadhan. As I go through the day with an independence day mass at the SHS Cathedreal, I started to ponder the word independence. Are we really independent?

The answer is a definite "No". There are a few reasons for this. Firstly, the birth of this country is as a result of a series of negiotiations with our colonial masters. Until today, we can still say that we may be independent as a country but our way of life, our thinking is very much colonised by the west. We always have this impression that anything that is produced by the west is definitely better than local production.

When the first Proton Saga made it to the streets in Malaysia, we are all so proud that we never imagine a country like Malaysia can produced her own car. But as usual, skeptism arise and we start questioning about the production. A question like "how may percent of the car is produced locally?' started to play in the minds of Malaysians.

Secondly, there is no doubt that Malaysia has prosper all through the years. Our lives are made easier with the electric rice cooker, the washing machine, the mobile phone and the computer. Again we can see that these products are all branded in foreign countries like Japan, Sweden or even Taiwan. We use to buy perfumes that have brands like Christion Dior, Versace etc but when are we going to have a perfume that smells equally nice but taking up a Malaysian brand? So once again, we can see that our lives are being colonised by the things we use.

Thirdly, as we move through the era of a borderless world, we have to take heed of our leader's advice that even we may enjoy the fruits of colonism, we must never let go of the values that we hold true for ourselves...

Bing-Bing Bang-bang goes the fire crackers...

In another 7 minutes time, we will be celebrating the nation's 52nd birthday...but now Sibu is welcoming the independence day with sounds of fireworks in the sky...

So, Happy Birthday Malaysia...

National Day celebration in 3 days time...

As the National Day celebration draws near, I would miss one person very much this year. She is none other than Yasmin Ahmad. All through the years, I enjoy her National Day Advertisments. All her films also transcend the cross culture borders that we have. Sepet, Gubra, Mukhsin...are not merely entertainment but they taught us the values of a multi cultural society. If there is an award for an 1 Malaysia icon, I feel that she deserved it more than anybody...

Can we have another Yasmin Ahmad, who can produced "thought-provoking" masterpieces? The answer is definitely "NO". She is a legend in her own right...

Merdeka!Merdeka!Merdeka!

Merdeka! Merdeka! Merdeka! Today is really freedom for those teachers who sat for the PTK. We can hear all kinds of comments, some said that they wish they did not waste time to study... bla...bla...bla...

As for me, I have to mark another 22 more scripts before I can call it a day. I have just completed my lesson plans for next week. Enough of routine school work...

Let us talk about our Merdeka Day celebration. It seems a little cold this year, probably due to the Holy month of Ramadhan. Or could it be due to the fact of the economic slowdown? Ten years ago when we urshered into the month of August, we can proudly see Malaysians adorning the National Flag on their cars. This can no longer be seen as free flags are no longer provided. Perhaps this is a test of our patriotism to our country. Are we willing to spend a few ringgit to fly our Jalur Gemilang on our cars?

The recent economic slowdown has also caused a lot of hardships to the people. Beginning of 2009, Sibu was constantly flooded due to the King Tide. It is true, we cannot control Nature, but at least the authorities can help to alleviate the sufferings of the people by taking certain actions like dredging the Rejang River. Raising the level of the roads is not enough as houses in the low lying areas are subjected to deeper flooding...

Towards the middle of 2009, we are haunted by the H1N1 virus. Again, the authorities should have taken more precautions to contain the spread of the virus. I was in KL recently and sad to say that not all the entry points are equipped with thermal scanners. Some Malaysians are also very stubborn whn they refused to use the face mask when they are coughing or sneezing. I bet they never hear of the phrase, "Prevention is better than cure".

Likewise coming back to my jottings today; in black and white we are independent for 52 years but are we really independent of our bad habits and sufferings? Think and ponder...Merdeka!!!

Bye-bye PTK August 2009

Finally, it's over.... Can't wait to be free. Now the next thing to do is to mark my exam scripts... Apparently, u can't do what you really want to do these days during the holidays...Where is the so call leisure time? After I complete the marking, the next thing you know is that you need to prepare for the lessons for the coming week and we are back to square one. The only consolation is that I don't have to wake up at 5.00am ...

Hafizah's having her vetting today and I wish her "Best of Luck". She will also be sitting for her PTK on Thursday. So does Halezza...Good luck to both of you.

So long. I m off to the Ramadhan stalls...as if I puasa...hehehe...
Adeline

2 days to study for PTK...

Hai everyone,
You all must be thinking I must be nuts, sitting in front of my desktop at 1257am on 23 August...

Well, to tell you the truth, I m stressed out coz of the PTK exams, an exam which I think is so wrongly timed for teachers as they have to struggle with marking the test papers...When I am in front of my book, I dazed away, feeling bored. In fact, when I was asked to register for this sitting, I was quite reluctant as I knew this is not a good time. However, I was forced to do so as the current system gives everyone 2 chances to get a 4-4. If I did not register, I will forgo this chance. So what can I do ? Make the best of what I can do and let the Good Lord help me...

Today, I am especially happy that my niece, Sophie Chong turned three. She is a mischievious girl and I hope she can talk very soon...Happy Birthday "Wow-wow"...

Cheerio for now...

It is the holidays...

Hurray, huray, it's the holidays...This is part of the lyrics that I used to remember the Boney M's song...Well, personally this holiday is not something to shout about...It is not a time to enjoy and party and to shout about but a time to mark test papers, sit for the PTK and if you are teaching examination classes, it is also a time to conduct extra classes...As for me, it also mean that I must plan my teaching for the remaining semester, preparing the LDP, the PIBG food fair as well as my follow-up in UH, KL in Nov.

The only consolation is that I don't have to get up at 5am and drive to school by 6 am.

I was also shocked by the weekly briefing that teachers like me, coming from the ExPPLD can get their time-based promotion to only DG44. Hence, I must make an effort to move out of school and go to IPG, IAB or Mat. College or else I will retire at DG 44.

I wish all my acquaintances from the teaching fraternity "Happy Holidays" and all those PTK candidates, "Good Luck".

Bye...

School exams...

Holidays are coming and students have to endure the school exams before they can enjoy the holidays...For teachers, it is a time to mark the test papers and to sit for their PTK. In my opinion, I think primary school teachers really get to enjoy their holidays as compared to secondary school teachers as their marking are less tedious as compared to the secondary school counterparts.

Hence, when is the chance for teachers to take a breather? End of the year? I don't think so. Some teachers are also marking for the exam syndicate. There are teachers who are willing to sacrifice their holidays for the sake of knowing the marking scheme and there would be others who are forced to do it as they are considered as experienced markers...

No wonder many teachers in school are now so sick and depressed for they are consistantly overburdened with unnecessary paperwork. Reflecting on yester years, I still remember that we can still achieved excellence despite not having to do so much paper work. Now the following questions arise:
(a) by having all the paper work, does it spell achievement or improvement?
(b) is paper work all that important or is the teaching and learning process that transpired in the classroom more important?
(c) sometimes we plan our lessons very well, but does it mean we are able to achieve satisfaction in our teaching?
(d) do we need to modify our plans to suit the changing situation in the classroom?

Think and ponder...

The next major project - PTK on 25 August 2009

After convo, my next major project will be sitting for my PTK exam on 25 August 2009. This time I believe the PTK will be tougher as I heard a lot of application question were being asked in the previous sittings. Candidates were given 2 chances to get a 4-4. Before we can try as many times as we can...

I hope that I can get through in one sitting but fat chance!!!I need divine intervention!!!So God Almighty, please help me...

Convo 2009

Hai everyone,
I' m back from KL after convocating in UM on Tuesday 11.8.2009. For me it is a sigh of relief for me because after two years of hard work and overcoming all obstacles, I manage to graduate with a Master degree.

Thank you very much to all my friends who render their support to me in my journey of intellectualism. To my ex-boss, Mr. Yong who supported my application for a scholarship and allowing me to further my studies...Friends who support me morally like Ivy, Patricia, Agnes, Catherine and all my ex-colleagues of SMK Methodist. Words cannot express how much I am indebted to all of you. A special token of appreciation to all the MUET teachers Chui Jie, Endia, William and Keng Chew who helped me in my data collection... To Lily for helping me to see things in a different perspective, Annette and Deborah, who help to do proof reading, thank you all so much. I couldn't not have done it without you all...

For my coursemate, Halezza who encourages me in my difficult moments. I think we complement each other...Dr. Sharir Jamaluddin, my supervisor and I think he makes my learning not stressful at all...Profesor Zulkipli Abdul Manan,Professor Akhbar Husein,Dr. Loh Sau Cheong, Dr. Naimah Ishak, En. Jamaluddin Tubah, En. Norjuhanuddin,Kak Sujinah , Puan Fiza and all those who have helped in one way or another... Thank you so much...

Convo...

Hai everyone,
Despite my ups and downs, I really need to find time to oversee the preparations for my convo in UM this coming August. Admist all the bustle is my preparation to sit for the PTK which I think is being upset by the tons of paperwork we need to do for the school...

The PTK is the one thing that I would like to postponed until next year. How ever, I have been advised to sit for it as everyone who scored Band 3 has one more chance. So, I was told if I do not sit for it, I have one less chance...

Coming to think and reflect on what my colleague said that owing to the fact that the government is facing eco. problems, there is a chance that less people will have the opportunity to get 4-4. If not, they will have to pay higher salaries and incur more expenditure. So how do we know that we are actually getting 4-4 since the results announced are not transparent?

Waiting for my convo...

I m waiting for my convo...The letter has not arrived...and I cannot apply for my leave...
Adeline...

School Badminton Competition...

Hai everybody,
I am sitting in the school hall with my colleagues, T. Siok Khim and S. Siew Ling overseeing the Badminton competition. I admit as age cataches up with me, sport event is no longer interesting to me. I just hope that somebody does not appear in the school hall and catch me and SSL. Won't tell you all what she is doing, well as for me, you all should know what I am doing...
To Huey Juin, Siew Wei and gang, have a nice honeymoon at Paramount...Siaw Wei, make sure you put on weight!!!After all food and lodging is free. Eat all you can!!!
Tiong ZZ, congrats for completing your honeymoon twice, once in Mega Hotel and once in Siar Beach, Lundu...
Hu Kuok Ai, make sure you eat and sleep. Don't complain too much...
Kudos...
Adeline...

Long sabatical...

Hai everyone,
I guess I have taken a long sabatical from my blogging activities. Cannot help it... toooo busy with official work. Sport day has just ended and during the school holidays, I drove all the way from Sibu to Miri and spent about 10 days with the little niece and nephew. Well counldn't get enough of my nephew although my niece sometimes tries my patience!!!

Today I also want to congratulate Halezza for completing her project paper. Now, finally you are graduating with me!!! S0 Mala and Vasuki, please hurry up!!!

The Borneo Cultural Fest is ongoing in Sibu and was just declared open by the PM by firing fireworks into the sky...So if you happen to be in Sibu, come and try our FOOCHOW food.

Two weeks ago, when I was driving to work, I listened to Radio 4 reporting about the Year of the Priests, the Pope asking Catholics to pray for the priests. I agree that our priests really need our fervent prayers as they are the dying species on earth. Pope Benedict also condemned priests who leave their vocation to get married. It cannot be denied that priests are also human beings who are also subjected to temptations of the devils. As Christ manifested in many forms, so can Lucifer, the devil. The worst temptation come from all the Eves of the Church. I also cannot understand why most of the ladies in the church like to establish close proximity with our priests, especially the married ones? I salute those ladies who contribute voluntary services to the church as lay leaders and at the same time maintain a distance with our priest for the santity of the priesthood as well as their marriage. Kudos to all of you!!!

To all those Catholics, please reflect on what you do for Christ and your salvation!!!

Hai! I'm back...

It has been a long week despite the fact it was the mid term hols. Having to cope with the marking and sitting for the PTK, I m now on a roller coaster.

Tomorrow, I shall be flying to Kuching for an interview and this coming Saturday we shall have the Hari Pemuafakatan cum PIBG AGM. So it's another long week...

Who says life is easy...it's never easy. If it's easy, we will be six feet down...Well, got to go and prepare for my interview...

Cheerio...

What a disappointment...

I was marking the mid term test papers for the past two days and currently taking a breather...It can be very depressing when you find the answer scripts are not what you are expecting...Furthermore, the handwriting can be so trying on the eyes!!!



Today, I want to talk about getting our priorities right. I think some of us do not have proper time mangement. This involves those of the higher management group. When they want something immediately, then it will be classify as "URGENT". They also have to remember that their subordinates are also human beings who really take time to do certain things.



On the other hand, there are subordinates who really take their time in doing certain things. For example, if we are involved in marking testpapers, then we should be involved in marking testpapers and put aside our leisure for the sake of completing the marking. For example, we nap for 10 to 15 minutes instead of sleeping the whole afternoon, unless you are terribly sick and bed bound. I always remember my supervisor's words, "Mind over matter". He said these to me on a number of occasions when I first discovered a lump on my left breast. I take his words as having the control of our mind over the problems that we faced. This is quite true because if we think positively and not using the excuse of being sick, we will be able to be more productive. As a result, after my surgery, I was able to block all my problems and complete my research project.



Recently, I met a former friend who is working in my school. She was lamenting away with me about the boss who always pick on her for being late. As a friend, I told her that being early for work is a virtue. She says that I do not understand her status as a single mother of having to cook for her children. My reply is that her children are all adolescent and not babies who need to be given the milk bottle. I even told her that she should not use her single mother status as a reason for being late for work because it was her single mother status, the authorities give her a job!!! She should try to appreciate her work more!



Think and ponder...

One long hectic week!!!

Hello everybody,
Sorry for keeping those who reads my blog regularly waiting for my jottings. This past week had been hectic ranging from setting test papers to discplining students.

Today is the start of the the first mid-term examination. So I am a little free, not really so free with the lentern season going on.

The week began with the sad news about the demise of my former parish priest, Rev. Father James Meuhren. He died at the age of 82 in Holland. Last night, I attended the requiem mass for him held at the church beside my house. Due to his unceasing love for the Catholic parishioners in the Melanau neighbourhood, the church was fully packed. I am sure many parishioners love him for his dedication, compassion and his holiness. That is why I always believe that if we are nice to people, they will reciprocrate. However, in this modern day we must also be careful as there are always certain quarters who take advantage of our "niceness".

On the evening of the second day, I learned that my former coursemate Vasuki had delivered a healthy 3 kg baby boy despite a long labour. Congrats! You just delivered a "Master" baby!!!Whatever, it is I am sure this baby is as intelligent as his mama.

I have to say kudos for the time being as tomorrow is another working day. See you all next time...

The value of the ringgit!!!

Nowadays, the value of our currency is small. When I was 5 years old. you can buy a lot of titbits with 5 cents. Now what can you get for 5 cents? When irefelct back to the time when I was 5, I remember my grandmother who used to but sweets for me. Going to school at that time with a pocket money of 10 cents was a norm.

Yesterday was pay day. I am sure our salaries to to our loans, credit card payments, insurance etc. With the rising cost of food, we really feel the pinch. I went to the school canteen the other day and I learned that on an average the students spent RM2.00 for food perday. So the increase was 200%. This is Sibu. What about students in KL? I bet they even spend more!

Thank God the season of Lent has started. I think most Catholics will use the season to pray and fast for forty days and abstain from meat. Fasting in the Catholic faith is different from the Muslim. Catholics are required to forgo the things that they love most during the Lentern season. For example, eating half of the portion of what you normally eat, forgoing the best movie and most important is to pray. I remember that when I was younger, I used to get angry quickly on a Friday because my family abstain from meat on every Friday. The reason being the fact that when we eat only vegetables, we tend to feel hungry faster. But now, I am quite ok since I have to take care of my diet after a recent surgical procedure.

Today, I am a little bit under the weather since it is raining heavily now. I am a little allegic to the change in environmental climate and I tend to cough, which somehow has become my signature!!!

To all my friends who are still doing their Masters : Halezza, Malalini and Vasuki, all the best to you all. Enjoy the research work. The labour is hard but the fruits are definitely sweet!!!

To Foziah, thank you for your encouragement, your advice and your care and concern. I would like to say "Jia Yew" to you on your journey to become DR. Foziah!!!

A long week...

The past week was a long week for me, having to teach for 6 days with Saturday as a replacement for the 12th January 2009 when "the flood waters visited my school". Later, in the night, we had a farewell cum welcoming dinner with the ex-boss and the new boss.

Having to go through the routine of school work like conducting PLBS, checking the students' NILAM record and conducting PROBIM makes me ponder the fact that teachers now have a lot of paper work. Twenty years ago, teachers also produce very successful personalities in our society but they do not have that much paper work. I remembered my aunty, who was a former English teacher telling me that she asked her students to write an English essay every week and they did. That is how her students who were well-versed in Mandarin were able to master the language. These students were quite independent, not like students nowadays who are spoilt and "spoon fed". By right, students of today should be more language inclined as they have access to the internet and so on. Thus, my aunty's students are now successful businessmen who make their millions while their teacher is not as well off as them. But, she is rich academically, studying in the States until she earned her PHd.

Last week, we hear of cases that our Education Minister being sued for the PPSMI. Personally, I think we should be proud if our people are conversant in English. If we make it to the international arena, we do not need to exploy translators and can stand on our own. Few politicians claim that the rural students suffer. After spending billions to train teachers to teach Maths and Science in Mathematics, I feel it is a waste of money to stop. Like the saying goes, "If there is a will, there is a way" or in Malay, "Hendak seribu daya, Tak hendak, seribu dalih." Rural school teachers should take the initiative to use English to teach these two subjects, using teahing aids like pictures, realia especially if they are teaching primary school students. Do not use Bahasa Melayu (BM) to translate or explain to them. The rational is if you used BM to explain, they will be forever waiting for the BM explanation and thus, the PPSMI will fail. Researchers should look into the fact that if the English educated twenty years ago can master BM, why not the generation of today?

Think and ponder???

New boss

I recently have a new lady boss in my school. My previous boss was a gentlemen and he is very popular among the staff and students. Being a lady boss, most people think that she is going to be a difficult person to work with.

Personally, I feel all bosses are the same. If we complete our task and carry out our duties with full responsibilities, I think we are going to be ok. The culprits are usually those who tend to slack...

My idea of an ideal boss is one who not only gives clear instruction to his subordinates on what to do, but one who also takes care of the staff's welfare. I personally dislike bosses who yells at his or her subordinates when things do not go well as they like. Secondly, bosses also have to respect their subordinates if they wish to be respected. Simple words of appreciation like " Thank you" and encouragement, for instance "Well done" or "Very Good" can be very effective in motivating the staff to work harder.

Bosses should always remember to whom they owe their position to? Definitely, their subordinates who slaved for them in order that they can move up the higher ranks of position. If their subordinates do not put in their efforts, do you think these bosses are at the top?

When recommending their subordinates for promotion, they should not make them feel that they owe their promotions to the bosses. In fact, the bosses should use this opportunity to make them feel appreciated due to their loyalty of service to the organizationthat they served.

It is sad that to hear that some bosses in corporate firms owned by some of the richest men in Malaysia yell at their staff to get a job done. As a result of this dehumanizing behaviour, the turnover for the staff is high. Who can stand that kind of pressure? I think if not for the money, the staff will wake up each morning dreading to go to work...

So bosses, if you are reading this piece, be a nicer person and you will see a change in your staff behaviour???

Spare the rod, spoil the child...

It has been a hectic week in school. Even Monday was an occasional holiday in the school due to Chap Goh Mei celebrations, many students came back with a talkative attitude. Were they talking about the celebrations itself or was it about the heavy floods that occur the Friday before?
What ever it is my observation are that students in my school are quite obedient except for a handful. The Iban students deserve my praise. Coming from a suburban area, they are quite different from the Iban students that I had from my former school. However, some of these Bumi students had an illness called "Laziness".

Coming to the title, "Spare the rod, spoil the child...". I think if teachers are able to exercise canning on problematic students, the school will be a better place. Parents nowadays spoil their children too much. In my previous school, I was told that when parents are called to the school because of their children's discipline problems, they got angry and shouted at the teachers. No wonder their children have so much problems in school as the saying goes, "Like Father Like Son".

Recalling an incident in a class of Bumi students, I jokingly told the students that the students whom I canned before make it to institutions of higher learning and that I met these students when I was studying my masters in UM, one Iban boy said to me " Cikgu, bawa rotan hari Jumaat ini. I nak Cikgu rotan saya supaya I boleh masuk universiti..." I had a good laugh and told him that if he really wants to go to the university, he must study hard. Those that I canned were lazy students whom I thought they could get good grades if they work hard. The pain that they endured as a result of the canning became a constant reminder that they should always do my homework. The chain result is that the constant homework is the practice that they need to do well in the exams. In return the good results in the public exam pushed them into the universities...

So what do you think, fellow teachers?...

Bali Trip

Bali was a picturesque journey. Eventhough I fell sick upon arrival, I was able to enjoy the wonderful view. I also pick up some customs and traditions along the way.



For example, the children in Bali have prefix titles before their names. The eldest is known as Wayan,...third child as Nyoman etc.



I also was told that people who died and buried at the volcanic hills do not have any odour despite not being covered. Cremation is part of theburial custom and poor people who cannot afford the cremation ceremony can bury their dead first, but the corpse must be cremated before the fifth year.



Spending 5 days in Bali tells me the Balinese are very religious, praying three times a day and the numerous temples in the island is a good example of their religiousity.



I also noticed that the elements of water, pandan leaves , colour and art are an important part of Balinese way of life.

Welcome to my jottings...

Hai everyone,
I m still new in this blogging era...Coming from Sibu, Sarawak, I just want to share with all of you my thoughts about the surroundings around me...
Adeline