Interesting wall decoration in one of the form 3 classes in LB
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Sunday, April 17, 2011
SPEAKING - MY STORY
Dear students,
It is a universal truth that todays will be yesterdays.And today's jobs-well-done will be etched as memories worthy to recollect,otherwise worthy to reflect. Thus spur our ever fluctuating confidence to face challenges unsurmountable to many but not to us.The first time as my memory could dive deeper into the past was when i was at a matriculation at the then IIUMC Lembah Pantai campus. I was unanimously selected to emcee a farewell party with lecturers.To me, just a speech then was a tall order. Knowing that a few of my colleagues especially from KL and Selangor were well-verse in English. I just took up the challenge as i told myself that at least i would know how to speak English in front.
My friend,named Abdul Rahman Koya Kuti,from mamak descent was assigned to draft a text for me. To see him speaking and reading with ease and confidence like a magic then. He was just lying on the bed when he without much effort verbally translated into English every single word and phrase of the text. i scribbled fast every word that my ear could catch without putting much thought of grammatical structures and spelling. Then i memorize key words to help me look spontaneous while emceeing the farewell party. I did not write long as i just need to memorise them as fast as possible, let alone ..i was so scared then that my knee turned weak thinking of emceeing the party in English
I memorise almost every sentence ,a half page length of text,to be familiar with correct accent and intonation. The farewell party went smoothly and classmates and teachers alike heaped praises onto me though deep in my heart i knew i did not deserve them.
It has been 13 years since i memorised a few phrases.Nevertheless, i still could remember the phrases. The phrase sounded simple but...
Sir
It is a universal truth that todays will be yesterdays.And today's jobs-well-done will be etched as memories worthy to recollect,otherwise worthy to reflect. Thus spur our ever fluctuating confidence to face challenges unsurmountable to many but not to us.The first time as my memory could dive deeper into the past was when i was at a matriculation at the then IIUMC Lembah Pantai campus. I was unanimously selected to emcee a farewell party with lecturers.To me, just a speech then was a tall order. Knowing that a few of my colleagues especially from KL and Selangor were well-verse in English. I just took up the challenge as i told myself that at least i would know how to speak English in front.
My friend,named Abdul Rahman Koya Kuti,from mamak descent was assigned to draft a text for me. To see him speaking and reading with ease and confidence like a magic then. He was just lying on the bed when he without much effort verbally translated into English every single word and phrase of the text. i scribbled fast every word that my ear could catch without putting much thought of grammatical structures and spelling. Then i memorize key words to help me look spontaneous while emceeing the farewell party. I did not write long as i just need to memorise them as fast as possible, let alone ..i was so scared then that my knee turned weak thinking of emceeing the party in English
I memorise almost every sentence ,a half page length of text,to be familiar with correct accent and intonation. The farewell party went smoothly and classmates and teachers alike heaped praises onto me though deep in my heart i knew i did not deserve them.
It has been 13 years since i memorised a few phrases.Nevertheless, i still could remember the phrases. The phrase sounded simple but...
Sir
Monday, March 14, 2011
..AND THEY WILL THINK SOMEDAY
Dear students,
Gone are the days when our spirits were united, so high that we managed to face hurdles unsurmountable to many especially those without dreams.We have already passed a quarter of this year yet i still fail to spread any well-thought plans without which we are no different from those counting on soothsayer's wishes. i wonder why the spirit has been diminishing as if so far i have fought something transient which has already eclipsed. They say true power lies within. It feels like now, true power is never truer without Him granting to a person of His choice. Again, they claim two heads is always better than one. This will be true if two mutually complement each other lest failures await as there shouldn't be two lions on a mountain.
Sometimes, having spent a considerable time reflecting on things i shouldn't have done the first time eats my sinew and brain that result in poor work performance.After all, it is not advisable.It dragged me days and even weeks to naught. This is very unfair to my innocent students whose teachers embroiled in incessant woes. They, like those in elite schools, deserve the best learning experience though having to settle with mediocre minds whose teaching exercise is treated as nothing more than a dull routine.And i am no exception though i regret at times but there is very little change thus far. I am tickled and feel guilty by the memory of marking papers for three classes in just one hour after being alerted by PK1 . No wonder some students did not put much thought to answer their papers well or resorted to cheating seemingly knowing full well of their teacher's attitude.
This proved that i failed to uphold the values that may have far reaching effects to my subjects.How should i expect them to raise and improve their performance to a satisfactory level if values of my own are questionable.I love my students but as far as i remember i hardly tell them as to me is unbecoming to eagerly express affection. Yet,i know they knew.i tried to be stickler for time, but to expect overnight change from students is not on the card as this is sort of culture,it takes time.At least enough to me if i can make them think. To borrow a quote from Socrates ' i cannot teach anybody anything , i can only make them think'. This hopefully will give my unbecoming deeds a justice as above all i want them to think and be a man.
Sir
Gone are the days when our spirits were united, so high that we managed to face hurdles unsurmountable to many especially those without dreams.We have already passed a quarter of this year yet i still fail to spread any well-thought plans without which we are no different from those counting on soothsayer's wishes. i wonder why the spirit has been diminishing as if so far i have fought something transient which has already eclipsed. They say true power lies within. It feels like now, true power is never truer without Him granting to a person of His choice. Again, they claim two heads is always better than one. This will be true if two mutually complement each other lest failures await as there shouldn't be two lions on a mountain.
Sometimes, having spent a considerable time reflecting on things i shouldn't have done the first time eats my sinew and brain that result in poor work performance.After all, it is not advisable.It dragged me days and even weeks to naught. This is very unfair to my innocent students whose teachers embroiled in incessant woes. They, like those in elite schools, deserve the best learning experience though having to settle with mediocre minds whose teaching exercise is treated as nothing more than a dull routine.And i am no exception though i regret at times but there is very little change thus far. I am tickled and feel guilty by the memory of marking papers for three classes in just one hour after being alerted by PK1 . No wonder some students did not put much thought to answer their papers well or resorted to cheating seemingly knowing full well of their teacher's attitude.
This proved that i failed to uphold the values that may have far reaching effects to my subjects.How should i expect them to raise and improve their performance to a satisfactory level if values of my own are questionable.I love my students but as far as i remember i hardly tell them as to me is unbecoming to eagerly express affection. Yet,i know they knew.i tried to be stickler for time, but to expect overnight change from students is not on the card as this is sort of culture,it takes time.At least enough to me if i can make them think. To borrow a quote from Socrates ' i cannot teach anybody anything , i can only make them think'. This hopefully will give my unbecoming deeds a justice as above all i want them to think and be a man.
Sir
Sunday, March 6, 2011
THERE IS ONLY ONE REVOLUTION
dear students,
It seems ages i last wrote for this blog as i found so hard to string even a simple sentence that matters. Compared to previous years, i have a thousand and one reason for doing reflection via this blog. It once felt therapeutic after even an entry as it related my teaching world in particular that involved a great deal of stuff that i couldn't help but hate, yet love to share and comment.
And, being able to squeeze my brain with lingering ideas of the likes and dislikes in it into a so called canvass was sort of healing exercise.This besides knowing my former teaching colleague would sometimes have a peek to this blog that we once created in the name of revolution.Thank God as though a small scale given our students' background,we managed to help them make English revolution a reality.I don't care if this claim sort of bragging. And this is past glory and like other massive revolutions the like of Islamic Revolution in Iran, French Revolution, and lately the much talked about Tunisian and Egypt Revolution, all happened just once.It did not drag time to two or three years or even more.The years that followed just to maintained the revolution that once broke out.
The same holds true to our 'once' English Revolution that churned out the warriors like The Sword, Syamil Basayev, Aidil the Cop. and 'Monkey'(i think he likes it) the ever-creative guy.Last year, a few great girls with one big boy followed suit, but the sad part the previous year's shadow too big that overwhelmed them from the limelight. I knew i should be pleased as they don't like the limelight which brings more harm than good in the long run.To my great colleague of late,a thousand thanks to Miss Farah,the trigger, as without her the 2009 revolution would just remain in blogsphere. After all, as world tradition testifies,revolution happened but once.
Sir
It seems ages i last wrote for this blog as i found so hard to string even a simple sentence that matters. Compared to previous years, i have a thousand and one reason for doing reflection via this blog. It once felt therapeutic after even an entry as it related my teaching world in particular that involved a great deal of stuff that i couldn't help but hate, yet love to share and comment.
And, being able to squeeze my brain with lingering ideas of the likes and dislikes in it into a so called canvass was sort of healing exercise.This besides knowing my former teaching colleague would sometimes have a peek to this blog that we once created in the name of revolution.Thank God as though a small scale given our students' background,we managed to help them make English revolution a reality.I don't care if this claim sort of bragging. And this is past glory and like other massive revolutions the like of Islamic Revolution in Iran, French Revolution, and lately the much talked about Tunisian and Egypt Revolution, all happened just once.It did not drag time to two or three years or even more.The years that followed just to maintained the revolution that once broke out.
The same holds true to our 'once' English Revolution that churned out the warriors like The Sword, Syamil Basayev, Aidil the Cop. and 'Monkey'(i think he likes it) the ever-creative guy.Last year, a few great girls with one big boy followed suit, but the sad part the previous year's shadow too big that overwhelmed them from the limelight. I knew i should be pleased as they don't like the limelight which brings more harm than good in the long run.To my great colleague of late,a thousand thanks to Miss Farah,the trigger, as without her the 2009 revolution would just remain in blogsphere. After all, as world tradition testifies,revolution happened but once.
Sir
Sunday, February 27, 2011
ONCE A TEACHER, ALWAYS A TEACHER
I feel guilty for introducing my teacher who is now my colleague to a friend who came for a visit to school as 'my ex-teacher'. He never addresses me as 'my ex-student'. It is always 'she is my student', even to his students who are also now my students. This leads to a thinking that 'teacher-student' relationship, just like biological relationships, is forever. We can put and end to other types of relationships but never these two. We should never have the guts to call our teacher, our ex-teacher. Like they say, once a teacher, always a teacher. I even think, if it is true, that in paradise we will always address our teacher as teacher or whatever names they give as a symbol of respect.
I love my teachers.
And I love my students. They are the love of my life.
I love my teachers.
And I love my students. They are the love of my life.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
AS HERE BUSINESS AS USUAL
Dear students,
In the wake of the Egyptian revolution, there are some dissenting views of what the revolution is all about. Until now i am still in the dark of the real cause and the thing that trigger most leading to the revolution. I think i am in favour of my email friend when he doubt the act of google man seemingly trying to hijack the Egyptian revolution. Obama's giving-a-nod sign might be a last resort to associate the super power to the design of the modern era.
Here is the e-mail worthy to ponder,
Salaam Sdr!
Hope this finds you well.
No, I don't have a FB. Did you see how they sent a man from Google to hijack the Egyptian revolution? Well, he had a FB too and how he cried in front of the cameras.
Food is being hijacked now. What's more, the gap between the rich and the poor is widening in most countries in the world, Malaysia included. And that's a dangerous trend.
Someone called this the "hubris syndrome", when politicians stay too long and they begin to think that they and the country are one and the same. In Islam we believe that in the end time people will acquire vast amounts of wealth and still don't find it enough. Just look around us and see how many multi-billionaires there are. How many lifetimes do you need to finish the billions?
Sad isn't it. One dictator now enjoying the sights in Sharm el Shaik, and his shadows are still holding on to power. What next?
Best wishes,
- Wan A Hulaimi
-----Original Message-----
From: YUSRI SIDEK
To: elsewhere@columnist.com
Sent: Sun, Feb 13, 2011 11:25 am
Subject: WHAT A REVOLUTION
Here at smas, things are always at a snail pace and goes as usual that my dear friend of mine would always miss it. To smas inhabitants , we believe most of the things are much ado at nothing.Attached here is a poem worthy to ponder..i happened to have a look at my old article when i sort of cleaning up old papers beneath my table.
If you look to others for fulfillment,
you will never truly be fulfilled.
If you happiness depends on money,
you will never be happy with yourself.
Be content with what you have,
rejoice in the way things are.
When you realise there is nothing lacking,
The whole world belongs to you.
Lao Tzu
By courtesy of Chim Li Yen, nst, Tue, Jun 1, 2010
Sir
In the wake of the Egyptian revolution, there are some dissenting views of what the revolution is all about. Until now i am still in the dark of the real cause and the thing that trigger most leading to the revolution. I think i am in favour of my email friend when he doubt the act of google man seemingly trying to hijack the Egyptian revolution. Obama's giving-a-nod sign might be a last resort to associate the super power to the design of the modern era.
Here is the e-mail worthy to ponder,
Salaam Sdr!
Hope this finds you well.
No, I don't have a FB. Did you see how they sent a man from Google to hijack the Egyptian revolution? Well, he had a FB too and how he cried in front of the cameras.
Food is being hijacked now. What's more, the gap between the rich and the poor is widening in most countries in the world, Malaysia included. And that's a dangerous trend.
Someone called this the "hubris syndrome", when politicians stay too long and they begin to think that they and the country are one and the same. In Islam we believe that in the end time people will acquire vast amounts of wealth and still don't find it enough. Just look around us and see how many multi-billionaires there are. How many lifetimes do you need to finish the billions?
Sad isn't it. One dictator now enjoying the sights in Sharm el Shaik, and his shadows are still holding on to power. What next?
Best wishes,
- Wan A Hulaimi
-----Original Message-----
From: YUSRI SIDEK
To: elsewhere@columnist.com
Sent: Sun, Feb 13, 2011 11:25 am
Subject: WHAT A REVOLUTION
Here at smas, things are always at a snail pace and goes as usual that my dear friend of mine would always miss it. To smas inhabitants , we believe most of the things are much ado at nothing.Attached here is a poem worthy to ponder..i happened to have a look at my old article when i sort of cleaning up old papers beneath my table.
If you look to others for fulfillment,
you will never truly be fulfilled.
If you happiness depends on money,
you will never be happy with yourself.
Be content with what you have,
rejoice in the way things are.
When you realise there is nothing lacking,
The whole world belongs to you.
Lao Tzu
By courtesy of Chim Li Yen, nst, Tue, Jun 1, 2010
Sir
Monday, February 14, 2011
WHAT MAKES A PASSIONATE TEACHER?
Teachers across Malaysia complain about way too many clerical tasks and only now after being at this e school I understand their feelings. It's different from what I had experienced in a school which secures a special place in my heart. I thought it would be more intellectually stimulating, suffice to say it is not, I feel more like a clerk, a robot. It's true working at previous school is more relaxing, but it means more time can be spent on being with students, and do things which challenge our thinking but yet more fun and satisfying as the hours are dedicated for the students. Here, you are treated like a new teacher who just got posted to her first school. It's hard when you love to not to obey orders.
Well, there is also positive side. The joy of teaching here lies in the students. They are surprisingly active, enthusiastic and appreciative. If only I can enjoy more extra time with them, yet I am stucked with these what-ever documentations.
This in turn, leads me into thinking, what makes one entitled to be called a great teacher? Teachers who are systematic in their work is celebrated... I think that should not be the case as everyone has their own way of doing things. I am in no position to say I am right as I know I am myself confined in my own set of thinking which is dangerous and I know it is the time for me to embrace changes without sacrificing my ideals.
And at the end of the day, it's best to think 'quranically'.. this verse from the holy book miraculously saved myself from those negative energy that I ignite since the day when everything went against my will.
"Yes [on the contrary], whoever submits his face in Islam to Allah while being a doer of good will have his reward with his Lord. And no fear will there be concerning them, nor will they grieve (2:112)."
And I view things in a different light after that. Tq Allah
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