Monday, June 30, 2008
A lesson on love and devotion !
This is a true story about a neighbour of mine. He is in the early or mid 70s.
He is staying with his wife and I imagined their children must have settled down on their own.
From my window , I used to see them coming back from the market in their little Proton Tiara. They would collect all their provision from the boot of the car and the husband would packed everything in their basket. The wife would always 'boss' him around.
She would tell him to do a few other chores like picking up things, carry the stuff and so on. You can tell that she was the authority in their relationship. Sometimes after walking a few paces from the car, the wife would stopped and asked him to go back to the car to check if the doors were locked. And , with both hands carrying the marketing baskets, he would trudge back to the car to obey the wife, and walked back to the wife.
Without fail this would continue everytime they come back from an outing.
Whenever he is cleaning or dusting his Tiara, his wife would be there with him. But whenever they were leaving the car , the husband would be told to second-check that the doors are locked....and he would walk back and forth following the instruction of his wife.
I told myself--what a patient man !
Then one day I heard a new 'choot-choot' sound of the central locking system of a car. .I didn't pay much notice. After a few seconds, a single 'choot' sounded. A few seconds later , a double 'choot-choot' sound. This went on a few more times.
I had to see who that idiot was playing with the central-locking alarm.
Yes , it was him. HE HAD FINALLY FITTED THE CENTRAL-LOCKING SYSTEM TO HIS CAR. That would save him a lot of walking for him.
Good for him ! ( you might say )--- BUT HELL FOR ME !. Have you tried listening to that 'choot' - 'choot-choot' a million times everytime they came back from an outing. I was on the verge of pulling my hair with both hands !aarrgghh!!!! And 3 out 10 times , he would set off the alarm by mistake. " eeeyaw - eeeyaw - eeyaw................etc" OHHHH my poor ears.
Then one day, everything stopped. No 'choot' or 'choot-choot' or ' eeyow-eeyow-eeyow-...' I didn't even see the couple any more.
The wife had passed away. I didn't know what to say.
Later, I started seeing the man again--coming back from an outing -- alone.
He just 'choot' once to lock the car and never had to come back or check the alarm again.
Now --the real part. It was only recently that I found out from the residents that for the last two years or so, he has been going to his wife's grave with a bottle of water EVERY MORNING EVERYDAY , sometimes with flowers to recite the surah Yasin .
Everyday--he has been doing this , unless it rained heavily, then he would go in the afternoon with an umbrella to shelter from the sun.
How about that --for love and devotion !!!!
He is staying with his wife and I imagined their children must have settled down on their own.
From my window , I used to see them coming back from the market in their little Proton Tiara. They would collect all their provision from the boot of the car and the husband would packed everything in their basket. The wife would always 'boss' him around.
She would tell him to do a few other chores like picking up things, carry the stuff and so on. You can tell that she was the authority in their relationship. Sometimes after walking a few paces from the car, the wife would stopped and asked him to go back to the car to check if the doors were locked. And , with both hands carrying the marketing baskets, he would trudge back to the car to obey the wife, and walked back to the wife.
Without fail this would continue everytime they come back from an outing.
Whenever he is cleaning or dusting his Tiara, his wife would be there with him. But whenever they were leaving the car , the husband would be told to second-check that the doors are locked....and he would walk back and forth following the instruction of his wife.
I told myself--what a patient man !
Then one day I heard a new 'choot-choot' sound of the central locking system of a car. .I didn't pay much notice. After a few seconds, a single 'choot' sounded. A few seconds later , a double 'choot-choot' sound. This went on a few more times.
I had to see who that idiot was playing with the central-locking alarm.
Yes , it was him. HE HAD FINALLY FITTED THE CENTRAL-LOCKING SYSTEM TO HIS CAR. That would save him a lot of walking for him.
Good for him ! ( you might say )--- BUT HELL FOR ME !. Have you tried listening to that 'choot' - 'choot-choot' a million times everytime they came back from an outing. I was on the verge of pulling my hair with both hands !aarrgghh!!!! And 3 out 10 times , he would set off the alarm by mistake. " eeeyaw - eeeyaw - eeyaw................etc" OHHHH my poor ears.
Then one day, everything stopped. No 'choot' or 'choot-choot' or ' eeyow-eeyow-eeyow-...' I didn't even see the couple any more.
The wife had passed away. I didn't know what to say.
Later, I started seeing the man again--coming back from an outing -- alone.
He just 'choot' once to lock the car and never had to come back or check the alarm again.
Now --the real part. It was only recently that I found out from the residents that for the last two years or so, he has been going to his wife's grave with a bottle of water EVERY MORNING EVERYDAY , sometimes with flowers to recite the surah Yasin .
Everyday--he has been doing this , unless it rained heavily, then he would go in the afternoon with an umbrella to shelter from the sun.
How about that --for love and devotion !!!!
FIRST THOUSAND !
YEA!!! THIS BLOG IS A " THOUSANDAIRE " !!!
THANKS FOR THE SUPPORT GUYS !
SNIPPETS, BITS AND PIECES, – exam hints.. gossips (well-not really)..
1.
Do you know that in our midst, we have a lecturer who is doing 37 hours a week? The average load is 20 – 24 hours per week.
Doing 24 – 29 hours is desperate level as it doesn’t really leave much for the lecturer to cope with the marking and preparation.
Doing 30 – 33 hours is critical. There are times when you don’t know whether you’re coming or going.
33 -36 hours ---I just cannot imagine –and I don’t want to !
37 HOURS? -- THAT IS NOT OVER-LOAD BUT OVER-FLOW. –TO THE BRINK OF SUICIDAL!
The person? Here are the clues. *Female. *New lecturer. (Doesn’t help does it –because it can refer to a few? Well you figure it out.)
2.
Ok –here are hints –but they are only as good as any hints ya.
501---
Questionnaires
Recommendations based on given problems
Describing a chart
Terms of reference
401 ---
1. . Notice
2. Agenda
3. Responsibilities of office –bearers
4. Minutes of meetings
301---
1. letters of enquiry
2. e-mails
3. memo
4. job application letter
5. complaint letter
3
Do you know that a male member of the staff is seriously trying to get rid of his excess belly by joining a gym at the Sentral Station? So far he has been faithfully following this ritual everyday.
We are still waiting for the results. heheheh
Do you know that in our midst, we have a lecturer who is doing 37 hours a week? The average load is 20 – 24 hours per week.
Doing 24 – 29 hours is desperate level as it doesn’t really leave much for the lecturer to cope with the marking and preparation.
Doing 30 – 33 hours is critical. There are times when you don’t know whether you’re coming or going.
33 -36 hours ---I just cannot imagine –and I don’t want to !
37 HOURS? -- THAT IS NOT OVER-LOAD BUT OVER-FLOW. –TO THE BRINK OF SUICIDAL!
The person? Here are the clues. *Female. *New lecturer. (Doesn’t help does it –because it can refer to a few? Well you figure it out.)
2.
Ok –here are hints –but they are only as good as any hints ya.
501---
Questionnaires
Recommendations based on given problems
Describing a chart
Terms of reference
401 ---
1. . Notice
2. Agenda
3. Responsibilities of office –bearers
4. Minutes of meetings
301---
1. letters of enquiry
2. e-mails
3. memo
4. job application letter
5. complaint letter
3
Do you know that a male member of the staff is seriously trying to get rid of his excess belly by joining a gym at the Sentral Station? So far he has been faithfully following this ritual everyday.
We are still waiting for the results. heheheh
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Thanks Lady Ethel
I've added playlist.com to my side-bar, but is too wide for it , so 've moved it to above. Shoot ! Thanks Lady Ethel, for the site. Will add on more as i remember them.
Sunday Morning
10.00am in my neighbourhood
Sunday Morning. Overcast sky. 9.00am.---and still dark—almost like 6.30am or 7.00am Its beautiful. Could feel the rain coming. In fact –very fine drizzle.
Decided to go out . So off to Wangsa Maju. Nice and cool.I have always loved rain – especially when it gets very dark – the wet roads, and the yellow street lights reflecting its lights on the roads. Just love it.
But for this morning, I just have to be contented with the coolness, the very fine light drizzle, the dark clouds AND the deserted roads.
Anyway the lyrics of a song came to my mind. Here is the pre-selected portion of the song.
Well I woke up Sunday morning,
With no way to hold my head that didn't hurt.
And the **** I had for breakfast wasn't bad,
So I had one more for dessert.
Then I fumbled through my closet for my clothes,
And found my cleanest dirty shirt.
An' I shaved my face and combed my hair,
An' stumbled down the stairs to meet the day.
Then I crossed the empty street,
'n caught the Sunday smell of someone fryin' chicken.
And it took me back to somethin',
That I'd lost somehow, somewhere along the way.
On the Sunday morning sidewalk,
Wishing, Lord, that I was stoned.
'Cos there's something in a Sunday,
Makes a body feel alone.
And there's nothin' short of dyin',
Half as lonesome as the sound,
On the sleepin' city sidewalks:
Sunday mornin' comin' down.
Then I headed back for home,
And somewhere far away a lonely bell was ringin'.
And it echoed through the canyons,
Like the disappearing dreams of yesterday.
With no way to hold my head that didn't hurt.
And the **** I had for breakfast wasn't bad,
So I had one more for dessert.
Then I fumbled through my closet for my clothes,
And found my cleanest dirty shirt.
An' I shaved my face and combed my hair,
An' stumbled down the stairs to meet the day.
Then I crossed the empty street,
'n caught the Sunday smell of someone fryin' chicken.
And it took me back to somethin',
That I'd lost somehow, somewhere along the way.
On the Sunday morning sidewalk,
Wishing, Lord, that I was stoned.
'Cos there's something in a Sunday,
Makes a body feel alone.
And there's nothin' short of dyin',
Half as lonesome as the sound,
On the sleepin' city sidewalks:
Sunday mornin' comin' down.
Then I headed back for home,
And somewhere far away a lonely bell was ringin'.
And it echoed through the canyons,
Like the disappearing dreams of yesterday.
OH ..BY THE WAY....
Just something for the bowling fans among us, have a look at this !! heheheh
Wonder who belonged to that score ya ? Could make out the spelling as 'M...U.....S'. hmmmm.......must have been his bad day. Can't imagine what his good day score would be ... hahahahah.
(iisshhh...the evil in me...)
Friday, June 27, 2008
ITS THAT TIME AGAIN....
TO ALL THOSE TAKING THE EXAMS NEXT WEEK----I WISH YOU WELL !!
REMEMBER - LUCK ONLY
PLAYS A SMALL PART.
ITS HARD WORK AND PERSPIRATION THAT GETS YOU THERE.
NOW, GO GET 'EM TIGER !!
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
My late Father and my English language…
To be honest, I do not remember exactly at what age I started using the English Language. All I know is that I was blessed to have my late Father (God Bless his soul).
The Music
He is the biggest influence on my English proficiency. In his younger days, he was the fortunate few who attended the English stream school. I remember how proudly he would talk about Victoria Institution. As a student, he was an active member of the school band. He played the fife then. On his own he picked up playing the piano although he could never afford to buy one for himself. – not until the day he retired from his job, and with his gratuity money, he bought himself one. I was a College student already when he retired..
I remember listening to him on the piano every morning and evening, playing a few Malay traditional songs and mostly English pop songs of his time. I could name the titles of his favourite tunes, but readers would never know them. So I’ll spare you that.
So my interest for English songs was ignited by him . I can recall when I was as young as 5 years old, my three siblings and I would be awakened at 6.00am in the morning when he would switched on Radio Australia on the short-wave radio and we had to listen to the kookaburra (Australian bird- I think) cry as the signature of the Australian Radio . After that it would be followed by strings of English pop songs of the period.
He would buy all the latest records (vinyl discs) of the pop scene. We would listened to the foxtrots, waltzes, tangos and the beguines (all song rhythms and dances at that time.) As a kid I would sing the songs with correct lyrics and pronunciation, although without actually understanding the meanings
My love for songs continued through out my schooldays following the music of my period. I went through the era of all the genres of music as they came along. This has not stopped – even up to now.
You may ask me what has all this got to do with English Language. A lot. The melodies motivated me to know the lyrics which made me sing along with the song, which taught me to appreciate the meanings of words and which I would proudly use in my studies and conversations.
The Reading
Comics – I grew up with them. Be it cartoons or space adventures, or detectives . But most of all, there was a series of comics called Classics Illustrated. I have benefitted from these comics which stories arre always based on classic novels. It had been simplified and made easier to read . But the English language was ver good.
The newspaper was another source of reading. I remember fighting and quarellng with my sisters as we rushed for the newspaper every morning. I used to get so addicted to the daily cartoon strip
Story books --- I remember starting with children’s books like Noddy. Then I went on to Enid Blyton's series like Secret Seven and Famous Five series. Oh and of course , The Readers’ Digest too played a part for me.There were so many more but suffice to say that I gew up with books.
The Library – We could not afford the fees to join the National Library, but my siblings and I did ---we joined a free Lbrary called USIS or the United States Information Services. Of course the books will be about the American way of life, their history, legends and so on. I could still remember charaters from their books like Johnny Appleseed, the Wright Brothers, their declaration of Independence, Davy Crockett, the Alamo, and many more . But who cares ! I only wanted to read.
So now , even in my present job, I wanted so much to give my students what I have gained in my life –the way I know that has worked for me.
The Music
He is the biggest influence on my English proficiency. In his younger days, he was the fortunate few who attended the English stream school. I remember how proudly he would talk about Victoria Institution. As a student, he was an active member of the school band. He played the fife then. On his own he picked up playing the piano although he could never afford to buy one for himself. – not until the day he retired from his job, and with his gratuity money, he bought himself one. I was a College student already when he retired..
I remember listening to him on the piano every morning and evening, playing a few Malay traditional songs and mostly English pop songs of his time. I could name the titles of his favourite tunes, but readers would never know them. So I’ll spare you that.
So my interest for English songs was ignited by him . I can recall when I was as young as 5 years old, my three siblings and I would be awakened at 6.00am in the morning when he would switched on Radio Australia on the short-wave radio and we had to listen to the kookaburra (Australian bird- I think) cry as the signature of the Australian Radio . After that it would be followed by strings of English pop songs of the period.
He would buy all the latest records (vinyl discs) of the pop scene. We would listened to the foxtrots, waltzes, tangos and the beguines (all song rhythms and dances at that time.) As a kid I would sing the songs with correct lyrics and pronunciation, although without actually understanding the meanings
My love for songs continued through out my schooldays following the music of my period. I went through the era of all the genres of music as they came along. This has not stopped – even up to now.
You may ask me what has all this got to do with English Language. A lot. The melodies motivated me to know the lyrics which made me sing along with the song, which taught me to appreciate the meanings of words and which I would proudly use in my studies and conversations.
The Reading
Comics – I grew up with them. Be it cartoons or space adventures, or detectives . But most of all, there was a series of comics called Classics Illustrated. I have benefitted from these comics which stories arre always based on classic novels. It had been simplified and made easier to read . But the English language was ver good.
The newspaper was another source of reading. I remember fighting and quarellng with my sisters as we rushed for the newspaper every morning. I used to get so addicted to the daily cartoon strip
Story books --- I remember starting with children’s books like Noddy. Then I went on to Enid Blyton's series like Secret Seven and Famous Five series. Oh and of course , The Readers’ Digest too played a part for me.There were so many more but suffice to say that I gew up with books.
The Library – We could not afford the fees to join the National Library, but my siblings and I did ---we joined a free Lbrary called USIS or the United States Information Services. Of course the books will be about the American way of life, their history, legends and so on. I could still remember charaters from their books like Johnny Appleseed, the Wright Brothers, their declaration of Independence, Davy Crockett, the Alamo, and many more . But who cares ! I only wanted to read.
So now , even in my present job, I wanted so much to give my students what I have gained in my life –the way I know that has worked for me.
The devil in the dodol ????
OK ! This is absolutely weird and eerie. I would call it the dodol bogey-man ! You see my first three paragraphs of my posting “ Is dodol a dangerous item in Singapore” kept disappearing---even though I edited it like a million times. It just wouldn’t appear in the correct readable size.
So I have retype those paragraphs and reposted it separately. So read this first and continue on to the “ Is dodol a dangerous item in Singapore” posting. Brrrrrrr…its r.e.a.l.l.y. w.e.i.r.d..!!!
“ I guess next time you’re going to Singapore, don’t waste your money buying dodols here to bring into the island state.
You see, relatives from New Zealand were going back via Singapore. While they were here, my daughter had bought some dodols for them to bring back to New Zealand
Can you imagine how sick we were when we received an e-mail telling us that all the dodols were confiscated by the Singapore Customs. The reason? ---They were considered as “paste”. “
So I have retype those paragraphs and reposted it separately. So read this first and continue on to the “ Is dodol a dangerous item in Singapore” posting. Brrrrrrr…its r.e.a.l.l.y. w.e.i.r.d..!!!
“ I guess next time you’re going to Singapore, don’t waste your money buying dodols here to bring into the island state.
You see, relatives from New Zealand were going back via Singapore. While they were here, my daughter had bought some dodols for them to bring back to New Zealand
Can you imagine how sick we were when we received an e-mail telling us that all the dodols were confiscated by the Singapore Customs. The reason? ---They were considered as “paste”. “
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Is 'dodol' a dangerous item in Singapore ??
Now just what is that ? Gunpowder paste ? explosive paste? drug paste ? How dangerous can it be ?
We were so p****d off
I would understand it if it is the New Zealand Customs ! They might not know what it is - although my son used to bring in dodol into Switzerland so many times and not once were they confiscated !
But Singaporeans ? Don't know what dodol is ? I have many Singaporean Chinese friends who would come all the way to Malacca ---- just to buy DODOL !!
I bet you that day those customs officers must have dodol for their tea---considering how crazy they are for durian dodols !
I am tempted to put something in some dodol , and bring it to Singapore so that the Customs can confiscate them. Then --eat those dodols (and whatever I put inside it ) and enjoy them !
Anyone for dodol ?
Monday, June 23, 2008
A SHOUT-OUT TO HASE' and other music freaks !!
You asked me if I have any French songs in my collection. Well I do, but not as many as I would like to . But I have added my favourite song in the video section of the side bar. Listen to it and tell write me your comments. It is by Lara Fabian singing J'y Crois Encore--an excellent singer, she is soo captivating ! !
I fell in love with this song a couple of years back and I used to play the music video EVERY MORNING for a few months while having my breakfast at home.
And I still play and watch her video in my office whenever I feel in the mood for it---and that is not far in-between. Her other song which i like and still listen to quite often is Jetaime.
Don't you wish you know what the song is about ? Enjoy !... and, heres the lyric....
Artist: Lara Fabian
Song: J'y Crois Encore
Album: En Toute Intimité
I fell in love with this song a couple of years back and I used to play the music video EVERY MORNING for a few months while having my breakfast at home.
And I still play and watch her video in my office whenever I feel in the mood for it---and that is not far in-between. Her other song which i like and still listen to quite often is Jetaime.
Don't you wish you know what the song is about ? Enjoy !... and, heres the lyric....
Artist: Lara Fabian
Song: J'y Crois Encore
Album: En Toute Intimité
D'ici rien ne parle, rien ne bouge
Arrêt sur écran vivant
Isolée et vaincue sans doute aliénée
Pas même un battement
J'aimerais qu'on me ramène
Je ne reconnais plus les gens
Seule tout au fond de ma haine
La peine est mon dernier amant
Il faudrait que je me lève
Respire et marche vers l'avant
Bâtisse à nouveau la grève enterrée
Par mes sables mouvants
Et me souvenir de celle
Qui n'existe plus vraiment
Redevenir la rebelle
Et la bête vaincue par l'enfant
Refrain:
J'y crois encore
On est vivant tant qu'on est fort
On a la foi tant qu'on s'endort
La rage au ventre
J'y crois encore
A tout jamais, jusqu'à la mort
Le silence a eu tort
J'y crois encore
Et que l'espace où j'en crève
Devienne un autre néant
Quand le ciel dévoilé soulève en moi
L'àme et l'émoi d'un géant
Me retourner sans un geste
Passer mon passé vraiment
Cracher sur tout ce qui blesse
Ramener le futur au présent
Refrain:
J'y crois encore
On est vivant tant qu'on est fort
On a la foi tant qu'on s'endort
La rage au ventre
J'y crois encore
À tout jamais, jusqu'à la mort
Le silence a eu tort
J'y crois encore
J'y crois encore
À tout jamais encore plus fort
Le silence a eu tort
J'y crois encore
Arrêt sur écran vivant
Isolée et vaincue sans doute aliénée
Pas même un battement
J'aimerais qu'on me ramène
Je ne reconnais plus les gens
Seule tout au fond de ma haine
La peine est mon dernier amant
Il faudrait que je me lève
Respire et marche vers l'avant
Bâtisse à nouveau la grève enterrée
Par mes sables mouvants
Et me souvenir de celle
Qui n'existe plus vraiment
Redevenir la rebelle
Et la bête vaincue par l'enfant
Refrain:
J'y crois encore
On est vivant tant qu'on est fort
On a la foi tant qu'on s'endort
La rage au ventre
J'y crois encore
A tout jamais, jusqu'à la mort
Le silence a eu tort
J'y crois encore
Et que l'espace où j'en crève
Devienne un autre néant
Quand le ciel dévoilé soulève en moi
L'àme et l'émoi d'un géant
Me retourner sans un geste
Passer mon passé vraiment
Cracher sur tout ce qui blesse
Ramener le futur au présent
Refrain:
J'y crois encore
On est vivant tant qu'on est fort
On a la foi tant qu'on s'endort
La rage au ventre
J'y crois encore
À tout jamais, jusqu'à la mort
Le silence a eu tort
J'y crois encore
J'y crois encore
À tout jamais encore plus fort
Le silence a eu tort
J'y crois encore
From the ezine @rticles website :
J'y Crois Encore (English: I Believe It Again).
"On her album "A Wonderful Life", Lara wrote an English version of this song entitled: "I've Cried Enough". Lara is an amazing songwriter. When you compare the lyrics of the French version to the English version, you will see that the content of both songs are identical even if the lyrics are not a literal translation of each other. The song speaks of pain and despair and dealing with it through faith and endurance. The song brings you to the realization that you cannot change what happened in the past. Lara sums it up beautifully in the English version of the song when she sings: "Though I believe in the future, I keep in mind all the past, now that I live in the present I don't care about the rest..."
J'y Crois Encore (English: I Believe It Again).
"On her album "A Wonderful Life", Lara wrote an English version of this song entitled: "I've Cried Enough". Lara is an amazing songwriter. When you compare the lyrics of the French version to the English version, you will see that the content of both songs are identical even if the lyrics are not a literal translation of each other. The song speaks of pain and despair and dealing with it through faith and endurance. The song brings you to the realization that you cannot change what happened in the past. Lara sums it up beautifully in the English version of the song when she sings: "Though I believe in the future, I keep in mind all the past, now that I live in the present I don't care about the rest..."
Lara Fabian » I've Cried Enough Lyrics
All of my tears have been frozen
After these years in this pain
My heart has finally chosen
To beat a bit faster again
Now I feel the awakening
I don't look back anymore
I am mysteriously standing on the good side of my soul
All I recall is the moment
Sadness is fading away
It is for passion I'm falling but now I'm back on my feet again
I wanna rewrite the story
Not even what seemed insane
How could I ever feel sorry for being stronger than I am?
I've cried enough
Over the priceless time I've lost
I've learned the going gets too tough
Now you regret love
I've cried enough
What you'll see on my face again
Is nothing but the rain
I've cried enough
Why would I try to deny it?
Most of my dreams are a mess
But what didn't kill me in fact has taught me
Life's a big game of test
Although in I believe in the future
I keep in mind all the past
Now that I live in the present
I don't care about the rest
I've cried enough
Over the priceless time I've lost
I've learn the going gets too tough
Now you regret love
I've cried enough
What you'll see on my face again
Is nothing but the rain
I've cried enough
I've cried enough
What you'll see on my face again
Is nothing but the rain
I've cried enough
All of my tears have been frozen
After these years in this pain
My heart has finally chosen
To beat a bit faster again
Now I feel the awakening
I don't look back anymore
I am mysteriously standing on the good side of my soul
All I recall is the moment
Sadness is fading away
It is for passion I'm falling but now I'm back on my feet again
I wanna rewrite the story
Not even what seemed insane
How could I ever feel sorry for being stronger than I am?
I've cried enough
Over the priceless time I've lost
I've learned the going gets too tough
Now you regret love
I've cried enough
What you'll see on my face again
Is nothing but the rain
I've cried enough
Why would I try to deny it?
Most of my dreams are a mess
But what didn't kill me in fact has taught me
Life's a big game of test
Although in I believe in the future
I keep in mind all the past
Now that I live in the present
I don't care about the rest
I've cried enough
Over the priceless time I've lost
I've learn the going gets too tough
Now you regret love
I've cried enough
What you'll see on my face again
Is nothing but the rain
I've cried enough
I've cried enough
What you'll see on my face again
Is nothing but the rain
I've cried enough
Sunday, June 22, 2008
..the sweet sound of music...
my world the new amp the new cd player
the old pre-amp the old power amp & the old cd player
dac
the same old speakers the cardas cable the spaghetti wires
I stand guilty. Guilty of procrastination !
I have put off my marking until better mood as I'm going to play with my toys --- tweaking my hi-fi sets, play-back all the forgotten cds, sit back and look for sound perfection in music ( as if there is perfection at all), give myself a pat on the back ( don't know what the heck for) and try hard to clean the dust that has been collecting on my hifi set through my own neglect.
Don't know why but I just decided to upload photos of my toys . Please ignore the dust when the photos were taken , but i've wiped them clean now.
those performed today - john mayall, guns and roses, tracy chapman,alan parson project,jennifer warnes,gloria gaynor,keb mo,natasha, phill colins, sting, robin williams,john lenon, dire straita, lighthouse family, jamiroquai, dave buback, christy baron,eva cassidy diana krull,bbking, rolling stones, willie nelson, creedance clearwater revival, U2, eric clapton, the savages, barenakedladies, the hollies, muddy waters, bee gees,whitesnake, etc etc etc etc..............
A BETTER WEEKEND THAN LAST...(2)
the guests of honour Ei ! where did this come from
How many cats can you see Imagine having these in your neighbourhood
2.
The next good thing was on Saturday night. My brother-in-law’s sister and husband, from New Zealand were here for a short visit. So my second sister organized a meal at her house . It was the first time meeting the couple for me.
From my eldest and second sisters’ and my own family, there were 20 adults and 7 children. It was quite a gathering and a good excuse to meet up just for chats, keeping up with news and getting to know the relatives.
To me, he is an amazing man who has travelled the world from Singapore , Beijing , the US, Peru and others which I couldn’t remember. More interestingly he is in the IT business where his system has been used all over the world. In fact he is presently working with fussy and choosy Singapore to use his system as well.
I was also intrigued when he told me stories about the pets that he has in New Zealand., and , would you believe he has PENGUINS living under his raised house.\
Hmmm….can just picture Happy Feet right at your door step.
Anyway , it has been a good weekend…….. (now back to marking exam papers…..sigghhhh........)
A BETTER WEEKEND THAN LAST...(1)
1.
Yes, so far this weekend has been good to me. Better than the last.
Follow-up to the so-unnecessary accident last Sunday, I went to the work-shop with my son. The visit was to negotiate the repair and repainting of the damage to my car. The repair was going to be about RM350. That was cool. because the compensation I got last week was RM 550..
Then my son pointed the other dents on the other parts of the car (certainly a trade mark of Kuala Lumpur cars). Adding the costs to minor repairs here and there—it would total up to quite a hefty sum.
So my son suggested (which makes sense and I agreed), why not respray the whole car? More calculations …results? Definitely worth it. I thought it would stop there. Nope, we didn’t.
Why not change for new rims? And we did. And we agreed. However the job is going to take two weeks, and without a car, I would be totally lost. So we decided to wait for my sister to return to England, then her car would be at my disposal. Well—looks like things have worked out fine although it would cost close to RM2400. Anyway the old basher deserves the make-over.
Yes, so far this weekend has been good to me. Better than the last.
Follow-up to the so-unnecessary accident last Sunday, I went to the work-shop with my son. The visit was to negotiate the repair and repainting of the damage to my car. The repair was going to be about RM350. That was cool. because the compensation I got last week was RM 550..
Then my son pointed the other dents on the other parts of the car (certainly a trade mark of Kuala Lumpur cars). Adding the costs to minor repairs here and there—it would total up to quite a hefty sum.
So my son suggested (which makes sense and I agreed), why not respray the whole car? More calculations …results? Definitely worth it. I thought it would stop there. Nope, we didn’t.
Why not change for new rims? And we did. And we agreed. However the job is going to take two weeks, and without a car, I would be totally lost. So we decided to wait for my sister to return to England, then her car would be at my disposal. Well—looks like things have worked out fine although it would cost close to RM2400. Anyway the old basher deserves the make-over.
Friday, June 20, 2008
" Family " - sent to me via e-mail
I ran into a stranger as he passed by,
"Oh excuse me please" was my reply.
He said, "Please excuse me too;
I wasn't watching for you."
We were very polite, this stranger and I.
We went on our way and we said good-bye.
But at home a different story is told,
How we treat our loved ones, young and old.
Later that day, cooking the evening meal,
My son stood beside me very still.
When I turned, I nearly knocked him down.
"Move out of the way," I said with a frown.
He walked away, his little heart broken.
I didn't realize how harshly I'd spoken.
While I lay awake in bed,
God's still small voice came to me and said,
"While dealing with a stranger,
common courtesy you use,
but the family you love, you seem to abuse.
Go and look on the kitchen floor,
You'll find some flowers there by the door.
Those are the flowers he brought for you.
He picked them himself: pink, yellow and blue.
He stood very quietly not to spoil the surprise,
you never saw the tears that filled his little eyes."
By this time, I felt very small,
And now my tears began to fall.
I quietly went and knelt by his bed;
"Wake up, little one, wake up," I said.
"Are these the flowers you picked for me?"
He smiled, "I found 'em, out by the tree.
I picked 'em because they're pretty like you.
I knew you'd like 'em, especially the blue."
I said, "Son, I'm very sorry for the way I acted today;
I shouldn't have yelled at you that way."
He said, "Oh, Mom, that's okay.
I love you anyway."
I said, "Son, I love you too,
and I do like the flowers, especially the blue."
"Oh excuse me please" was my reply.
He said, "Please excuse me too;
I wasn't watching for you."
We were very polite, this stranger and I.
We went on our way and we said good-bye.
But at home a different story is told,
How we treat our loved ones, young and old.
Later that day, cooking the evening meal,
My son stood beside me very still.
When I turned, I nearly knocked him down.
"Move out of the way," I said with a frown.
He walked away, his little heart broken.
I didn't realize how harshly I'd spoken.
While I lay awake in bed,
God's still small voice came to me and said,
"While dealing with a stranger,
common courtesy you use,
but the family you love, you seem to abuse.
Go and look on the kitchen floor,
You'll find some flowers there by the door.
Those are the flowers he brought for you.
He picked them himself: pink, yellow and blue.
He stood very quietly not to spoil the surprise,
you never saw the tears that filled his little eyes."
By this time, I felt very small,
And now my tears began to fall.
I quietly went and knelt by his bed;
"Wake up, little one, wake up," I said.
"Are these the flowers you picked for me?"
He smiled, "I found 'em, out by the tree.
I picked 'em because they're pretty like you.
I knew you'd like 'em, especially the blue."
I said, "Son, I'm very sorry for the way I acted today;
I shouldn't have yelled at you that way."
He said, "Oh, Mom, that's okay.
I love you anyway."
I said, "Son, I love you too,
and I do like the flowers, especially the blue."
LIVE AND LET LIVE !!
This is in response to the many disputes , misunderstandings and arguements that were brought up to me. I can only lend a sympathetic ear but I can never play the role of mediator.
This posting has NO REFERENCE TO ANY PARTY or incident which may have happened or happening. My writing can be applied to any other situation.
The title of this posting comes from an English idiom. An idiom is an expression that has a meaning apart from the meanings of its individual words. I search the web, with no particular site to go but found a few with the following quotation based on the idiom ‘Live and Let Live.” Allow me to quote from it:
• I do not judge anyone on how they live their lives, and in return expect the same courtesy.
• I will live the way I want to and I will let other people live the way that they want to.
• People who judge don't matter and people who matter don’t judge.
I can understand when all of you come from different background, states, experience, expectation, hopes, dreams, commitment, tastes and level of tolerance. This is made more complicated when all of you are put under one roof.
Can you imagine the concoction ( rojak) of personalities when about 16 of you are put under one roof for the last 8 months or so?? Something is bound to crack and give way! -- AND IT DID!
Even a newly married couple would perhaps take years to understand to live with each other. Can you imagine your situation here? It’s 16 times worse within a short period of time! I am sure there are problems in almost every hostel units as well. There will always be problems when compatibility is the issue.
So how DO we live in that situation? To me – just live and let live!
Anyway, in the circumstances, I do not wish to elaborate any further but just hope that common sense prevails whenever there are misunderstandings. Avoid but respect what you cannot accept . After all you will only be together for the next 6 months or so only.
Life is too good to be wasted on unnecessary problems.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
The Last days of Mana
Inspite of regular check-ups at the vet, Mana fell ill. The first time we took him to the vet for that particular illness, he was warded for a few days after an operation. Then we brought him home. and was told by the vet hat he would be ok.
Then after a few months, clearly he was down again. WE sent him for tests, x-ray, and was told again that he needed to be warded. By now he was very ill – not even eating well. We took him to the Animal Infirmary at Jalan Ipoh where he was warded for observation and treatment.
My family didn’t feel too good about it. Dr Siva was very caring. We have known him because of Mana for almost 12 years. He promised to do the best. All of us went back with a heavy heart. When we left him, Mana was too weak to protest.
The following day and everyday we received reports from the Infirmary. I cannot even begin to explain the sufferings of Mana.
Thus for the next 5 nights, I would go to the Infirmary to be with Mana. I would sit out side his cage, fed him, rub him and just to talk to him (Writing this is really hurting me and am still fighting back the tears.) he would only eat when I put his food on my palm. It hurts me so much because as much as he wanted to communicate with me—but he did not have the strength and voice...
My lunch hours were also spent with Mana every day. Something tells me that those days would be the days I had always feared. The passing on of Mana.
For five nights, I would be with him from 7.45pm to 9.45pm – and everytime I had to leave him, I had to tear myself from hugging Mana and carry him home. I was torn to pieces everytime I see him looking at me, just like the first time he looked at me in the kitchen when he was young and very sick, begging me to take him home. It was almost like he knew his time was near. And to this date I still regret for not bringing him home –where he belonged.
Every morning I would call Dr Siva to have his report. Two days before Mana passed on; DR Siva told me that Mana was improving. I couldn’t believe it. I was the happiest man. That night I spent my happiest time with him. He was standing and actually mewed and talking to me. He was kissing and licking my face. Only God knows my joy.
All this was short-lived as the next day, Dr Siva told me he has weakened again. I was shattered. The last night I spent with him will forever remain in my memory with love and regret. Love for my companion and regret for not taking him home to spend his last few hours with his family. When I tried to leave him, he was trying his level best to get up—and fell in his cage. I came back and sat with him again. Believed it or not I tried to leave him 3 times and I came back again each time. All that took nearly one hour. I do not know if I was imagining it , but I knew he was crying ( as I am right now – but I will continue as I always wanted to put this in writing.).
I drove home that night fighting back the tears—half knowing that that was the probably the last I would see Mana alive.
The next day, at about 3.00 pm, I was teaching in my class when my phone rang. It was Dr Siva. I knew then. All I heard was ‘I am sorry…” and I just sat down and tears just flowed ---in front of my students.
I had to leave to be with my Mana – and I did. When I arrived at the hospital Dr Siva offered his condolence , saying “ WE did everything we could. But he went painlessly.”
I saw him on the table. Lifeless. Mana. That moment all my time with him flashed through my mind.
It was raining very heavily. I drove home to fetch my family , went back to the hospital to bring Mana home. It was already 8.00pm then. We put him on his favourite table and covered him with his favourite batik. The family was in tears.
Next day, all of us took him to the garden of my sister’s house and buried Mana with the greatest of respect and love. I know my son was consoling me as I was sobbing away uncontrollably. And was my son. So was my wife. So were my daughters.
We went home and suddenly the house is empty. Although he was in hospital the last five nights, it was only at that time that I realised I will not have Mana to wake me up, send me off to work, remind me of my bed-time and many oher habits which still haunt me.
I have indeed lost a companion I dearly loved and still do.
Then after a few months, clearly he was down again. WE sent him for tests, x-ray, and was told again that he needed to be warded. By now he was very ill – not even eating well. We took him to the Animal Infirmary at Jalan Ipoh where he was warded for observation and treatment.
My family didn’t feel too good about it. Dr Siva was very caring. We have known him because of Mana for almost 12 years. He promised to do the best. All of us went back with a heavy heart. When we left him, Mana was too weak to protest.
The following day and everyday we received reports from the Infirmary. I cannot even begin to explain the sufferings of Mana.
Thus for the next 5 nights, I would go to the Infirmary to be with Mana. I would sit out side his cage, fed him, rub him and just to talk to him (Writing this is really hurting me and am still fighting back the tears.) he would only eat when I put his food on my palm. It hurts me so much because as much as he wanted to communicate with me—but he did not have the strength and voice...
My lunch hours were also spent with Mana every day. Something tells me that those days would be the days I had always feared. The passing on of Mana.
For five nights, I would be with him from 7.45pm to 9.45pm – and everytime I had to leave him, I had to tear myself from hugging Mana and carry him home. I was torn to pieces everytime I see him looking at me, just like the first time he looked at me in the kitchen when he was young and very sick, begging me to take him home. It was almost like he knew his time was near. And to this date I still regret for not bringing him home –where he belonged.
Every morning I would call Dr Siva to have his report. Two days before Mana passed on; DR Siva told me that Mana was improving. I couldn’t believe it. I was the happiest man. That night I spent my happiest time with him. He was standing and actually mewed and talking to me. He was kissing and licking my face. Only God knows my joy.
All this was short-lived as the next day, Dr Siva told me he has weakened again. I was shattered. The last night I spent with him will forever remain in my memory with love and regret. Love for my companion and regret for not taking him home to spend his last few hours with his family. When I tried to leave him, he was trying his level best to get up—and fell in his cage. I came back and sat with him again. Believed it or not I tried to leave him 3 times and I came back again each time. All that took nearly one hour. I do not know if I was imagining it , but I knew he was crying ( as I am right now – but I will continue as I always wanted to put this in writing.).
I drove home that night fighting back the tears—half knowing that that was the probably the last I would see Mana alive.
The next day, at about 3.00 pm, I was teaching in my class when my phone rang. It was Dr Siva. I knew then. All I heard was ‘I am sorry…” and I just sat down and tears just flowed ---in front of my students.
I had to leave to be with my Mana – and I did. When I arrived at the hospital Dr Siva offered his condolence , saying “ WE did everything we could. But he went painlessly.”
I saw him on the table. Lifeless. Mana. That moment all my time with him flashed through my mind.
It was raining very heavily. I drove home to fetch my family , went back to the hospital to bring Mana home. It was already 8.00pm then. We put him on his favourite table and covered him with his favourite batik. The family was in tears.
Next day, all of us took him to the garden of my sister’s house and buried Mana with the greatest of respect and love. I know my son was consoling me as I was sobbing away uncontrollably. And was my son. So was my wife. So were my daughters.
We went home and suddenly the house is empty. Although he was in hospital the last five nights, it was only at that time that I realised I will not have Mana to wake me up, send me off to work, remind me of my bed-time and many oher habits which still haunt me.
I have indeed lost a companion I dearly loved and still do.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Did I really do all that ?????
I would like to relate my adventures or misadventures in my student-days. Such care-free days. The only worries we had then were assignments (familiar, right?), deadlines, rents and ---getting up early in the morning.
As a student in UK then, most, if not nearly all of my friends are the locals. I wanted to know their life, thinking and everything about them. In a way I was lucky to be able to live with families and to experience all that I wanted to know. I also realised that this opportunity would only come once in a life time. I must say I have no regrets.
Anyway I also experienced the most notorious part of my life at that time. Let me relate my adventure (only those which are ‘tellable’)
1) Anyone for fresh duck meat? (At 2.00 am in the morning?)
On weekends, we used to gather, usually staying overnight, at a Malaysian friend’s house, which happened to be in a park... There was a pond somewhere in the park with a small island in the middle. The pond was only knee-deep, that is, the water-level is up to the knees. One of the attractions of the park were the ducks . There were many , always swimming in the pond and being fed by visitors.
Anyway one of those nights, someone suggested cooking for a late supper. But there was nothing in my friend’s fridge (as usual). All we had was rice, chilli, curry-powder, some spices and NO fish or chicken or meat. So that plan was killed immediately.
Someone suggested catching the ducks at the pond. He was only joking. But another friend answered “ Why not ?”. Soon a plan was hatched.
Picture this. Five of us, on a very very cold morning (about 2.00am), stepped into the even colder pond, and walked in the water to the island looking for ducks.
WE were laughing and shouting hoping to find a duck or two be our supper. With a lot of laughing, and shivering and quacking, we managed to catch one. Like great hunters, we brought it back after wrapping it in one of our jackets.
Thus –after more than an hour of cooking we all sat down to our supper. BUT THE WORST PART IS THAT --- I DON’T EVEN EAT DUCK MEAT!!
2) Helping an English friend to pack for his Christmas ‘balik kampung’.
Two days before a Christmas, one of our house-mates, an English boy from Wales came home one night all drunk from celebrating. He asked us to help him pack his bag as he was leaving for his village by the early morning train
What we did was to pack all his forks, spoons, plates, cups, saucers and other kitchen utensils and wrapped them in his towel and one t-shirt. We stuffed everything into his back-pack.
Next morning, like good friends, we sent him off, carrying his back-pack for him. After hugging and wishing each other Merry Christmas, we packed him on the train wished him well.
As soon as the train moved, all four of us broke down and were laughing ourselves sick.
That night, we received a call from this friend. We couldn’t make out what he was saying, but we knew it wasn’t something nice. BUT, he was laughing as well. That is one thing I have to say about them—their great sense of humour.
3) Can you beat this hobby ?
I was walking home at about 11.00pm from a friend’s house when I met a class-mate also walking home. From his smell, I knew he had been drinkng – maybe a bit too much. Anyway when we reached a pedestrian crossing , he asked me to wait.
Next he ( his size is on the heavy side) was climbing the pedestrian light post . I was already quite used to his crazy behaviour before, but this really gave me the scare because usually at that time there were many police patrol cars doing their rounds.
I nearly fainted when I saw him unscrewing the big , round plastic lamp cover of the crossing. I was actually hiding behind a tree nervously. Soon he was walking to me , grinning from ear to ear carrying this big plastic globe. I have never seen him so happy.
On reaching his house he invited me in. Entering his room , he had about 10 of the same type of plastic globe pedestrian lamp cover. ! That was some hobby ! He told that he could never remember how he got each of them. Huh! I'm not surprised at all !
Anyway this posting is getting too long. More adventures in future and also about the places I visited and the customs I've seen.
As a student in UK then, most, if not nearly all of my friends are the locals. I wanted to know their life, thinking and everything about them. In a way I was lucky to be able to live with families and to experience all that I wanted to know. I also realised that this opportunity would only come once in a life time. I must say I have no regrets.
Anyway I also experienced the most notorious part of my life at that time. Let me relate my adventure (only those which are ‘tellable’)
1) Anyone for fresh duck meat? (At 2.00 am in the morning?)
On weekends, we used to gather, usually staying overnight, at a Malaysian friend’s house, which happened to be in a park... There was a pond somewhere in the park with a small island in the middle. The pond was only knee-deep, that is, the water-level is up to the knees. One of the attractions of the park were the ducks . There were many , always swimming in the pond and being fed by visitors.
Anyway one of those nights, someone suggested cooking for a late supper. But there was nothing in my friend’s fridge (as usual). All we had was rice, chilli, curry-powder, some spices and NO fish or chicken or meat. So that plan was killed immediately.
Someone suggested catching the ducks at the pond. He was only joking. But another friend answered “ Why not ?”. Soon a plan was hatched.
Picture this. Five of us, on a very very cold morning (about 2.00am), stepped into the even colder pond, and walked in the water to the island looking for ducks.
WE were laughing and shouting hoping to find a duck or two be our supper. With a lot of laughing, and shivering and quacking, we managed to catch one. Like great hunters, we brought it back after wrapping it in one of our jackets.
Thus –after more than an hour of cooking we all sat down to our supper. BUT THE WORST PART IS THAT --- I DON’T EVEN EAT DUCK MEAT!!
2) Helping an English friend to pack for his Christmas ‘balik kampung’.
Two days before a Christmas, one of our house-mates, an English boy from Wales came home one night all drunk from celebrating. He asked us to help him pack his bag as he was leaving for his village by the early morning train
What we did was to pack all his forks, spoons, plates, cups, saucers and other kitchen utensils and wrapped them in his towel and one t-shirt. We stuffed everything into his back-pack.
Next morning, like good friends, we sent him off, carrying his back-pack for him. After hugging and wishing each other Merry Christmas, we packed him on the train wished him well.
As soon as the train moved, all four of us broke down and were laughing ourselves sick.
That night, we received a call from this friend. We couldn’t make out what he was saying, but we knew it wasn’t something nice. BUT, he was laughing as well. That is one thing I have to say about them—their great sense of humour.
3) Can you beat this hobby ?
I was walking home at about 11.00pm from a friend’s house when I met a class-mate also walking home. From his smell, I knew he had been drinkng – maybe a bit too much. Anyway when we reached a pedestrian crossing , he asked me to wait.
Next he ( his size is on the heavy side) was climbing the pedestrian light post . I was already quite used to his crazy behaviour before, but this really gave me the scare because usually at that time there were many police patrol cars doing their rounds.
I nearly fainted when I saw him unscrewing the big , round plastic lamp cover of the crossing. I was actually hiding behind a tree nervously. Soon he was walking to me , grinning from ear to ear carrying this big plastic globe. I have never seen him so happy.
On reaching his house he invited me in. Entering his room , he had about 10 of the same type of plastic globe pedestrian lamp cover. ! That was some hobby ! He told that he could never remember how he got each of them. Huh! I'm not surprised at all !
Anyway this posting is getting too long. More adventures in future and also about the places I visited and the customs I've seen.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Its hard to stay cool when its so hot !!!!
OR
To readers who are complaining that the heat in the building is giving them a headache -- welcome to the club ! Thanks to the air-con, or the lack of it, we were sweating it out in a stuffy and hot room with about 25 people and heat emited from the computer monitors for nearly 2 hours this morning. So was it any wonder that all us ender with the mother of all headaches !
Even when the air-con has been partially restored, I still felt awful. Sticky body, shirt smelling of sweat, head heavy, throbbing and groggy were just some of the irritation we had to put up with now.
Going to my second class, at least one student noticed my other than usual composure. The person wondered and asked me if I am ok, adding that I looked exhausted and still wondered if I was feeling ok ! It certainly shows !
Well , being without the air-con and fresh air in the first class-room for about 2 hours has certainly taken its toll . looks like i just have to put up with it for the whole day .
Anyway, I was told by a maintenance personnel of the building that the air-con is 30 years old ! Can you imagine that ! ! To be honest - I can't !
Will we have a repeat performance of yesterday and today tomorrow . Bring a t-shirt to keep cool I guess ??????????
Monday, June 16, 2008
Class 14 - thanks for the memory....
Ok--why pick this topic ! Well-why NOT this topic? After all the semester is over.
Then you may well ask --"So what !!" There has been many "last Semester" before.
Haa--the difference with this class (formerly Class 14 and 15), I have taught them from Semester 1 to this Semester 5 which is the last for their English programme. Allow me to recall.
When these two classes first joined the programme, there was an acute shortage of English Lecturers. So I suggested that there should be combined classes. Thus ---Class 14 & Class 15 - just for English lectures.
Even then I forgot all about the first session with them as I had so many other classes to take care of and it slipped my mind. When Azura reminded me about it, I dragged my feet (only human --and a tired one too) to walk over to CIUC to have the first class in room 306.
Anyway when I met them for the first time on the third floor of Wisma Sachdev -- I see new faces. All looking lost but still eager. A girl came in late and sheepishly apologised and took her seat.
Oh you people looked so lost . Some of you looked like little babies, well, that is an exageration, not babies, but todlers ---on the first day of kindergarten.heheheh. I was so afraid that if I shout suddenly, some of you might burst in tears.
Some of you looked at me suspiciously. Honesly ! You'd probably were saying in your head, 'alah boring nya dia ni....' Come on--thats true right ? Some of you seems so far away---probably thinking of your family back in Sabah --or boyfriend or girlfriend or your cats, your pet fish...
At that moment--I told myself that I'm going to change this quiet lot to a noisy , vociferous and talkative one. I want to see that most , if not all of you become better speakers of English
I got everyone to introduce themselves and that was the beginning of a 5-semester sessions with you lot. But to you residents of Class 14 and 15 --- i enjoyed every session that I had had with you. And I mean it.
General English lessons can be interesting. The role play, the public speaking session, the practical session --and you people can be a funny lot and makes teaching enjoyable. Everyone of you are different , and an individual in your own way.
I can't remember if I have ever lost my cool with you lot in class. Have I ?
I could list the highlights of the last five semesters. In fact I did just now but decided to delete them.
Through this time , I did get to know better some of you. Some may decide to keep your distance --but I have no hard feeling about that. Some are too shy which is regretable. There are some who found it hard to break the ice. But I'm glad that there are those who are only beginning to open up. Its better late than never.
What ever it is, when our paths cross again in future, this is all i ask of you ---don't be a stranger and good luck in everything you do.
Then you may well ask --"So what !!" There has been many "last Semester" before.
Haa--the difference with this class (formerly Class 14 and 15), I have taught them from Semester 1 to this Semester 5 which is the last for their English programme. Allow me to recall.
When these two classes first joined the programme, there was an acute shortage of English Lecturers. So I suggested that there should be combined classes. Thus ---Class 14 & Class 15 - just for English lectures.
Even then I forgot all about the first session with them as I had so many other classes to take care of and it slipped my mind. When Azura reminded me about it, I dragged my feet (only human --and a tired one too) to walk over to CIUC to have the first class in room 306.
Anyway when I met them for the first time on the third floor of Wisma Sachdev -- I see new faces. All looking lost but still eager. A girl came in late and sheepishly apologised and took her seat.
Oh you people looked so lost . Some of you looked like little babies, well, that is an exageration, not babies, but todlers ---on the first day of kindergarten.heheheh. I was so afraid that if I shout suddenly, some of you might burst in tears.
Some of you looked at me suspiciously. Honesly ! You'd probably were saying in your head, 'alah boring nya dia ni....' Come on--thats true right ? Some of you seems so far away---probably thinking of your family back in Sabah --or boyfriend or girlfriend or your cats, your pet fish...
At that moment--I told myself that I'm going to change this quiet lot to a noisy , vociferous and talkative one. I want to see that most , if not all of you become better speakers of English
I got everyone to introduce themselves and that was the beginning of a 5-semester sessions with you lot. But to you residents of Class 14 and 15 --- i enjoyed every session that I had had with you. And I mean it.
General English lessons can be interesting. The role play, the public speaking session, the practical session --and you people can be a funny lot and makes teaching enjoyable. Everyone of you are different , and an individual in your own way.
I can't remember if I have ever lost my cool with you lot in class. Have I ?
I could list the highlights of the last five semesters. In fact I did just now but decided to delete them.
Through this time , I did get to know better some of you. Some may decide to keep your distance --but I have no hard feeling about that. Some are too shy which is regretable. There are some who found it hard to break the ice. But I'm glad that there are those who are only beginning to open up. Its better late than never.
What ever it is, when our paths cross again in future, this is all i ask of you ---don't be a stranger and good luck in everything you do.
The game that never was ……..for me at least.
The plan was good. The intention was good. The activity was good. The location was good. So what went wrong – for / to me anyway?
I was approached by a group of students inviting me to witness their futsal tournament. Hmmm, I thought that was good. Kudos to the organizers for the initiative and drive. Inspite of their course-work schedule, they still manage to sacrifice some of their time for the sake of their fellow course-mates.
Anyway, I was told the tournament would start at 10.00am and finished by 1.00pm.on the Saturday. Inspite of having some other personal programme for that morning , I thought I should not miss this chance, telling myself that I could watch the game for an hour or so and then excuse myself to meet my appointment.
Come Saturday morning, I arrived early (as usually – even for my classes as my students would vouch for) I did not see anyone other than other people who were at their own game. So I sat at a ‘mamak’ stall and had my usual ‘Milo kosong’, and another.
Only after my second glass did I see familiar faces streaming into the compound. It was close to 10.30 am. I told myself that now I do not have much time to watch the game now if I were to keep my appointment.
To be fair, it’s probably not the students’ fault. They were relying on their transport to ferry them to the centre. But still, I’m sure the students had fun.
So after all this --- what’s my point? Just one word. PUNCTUALITY !.
So when can we get rid of the two-time system. Malaysian time and International time. Just stick to one. But then again---having said that---we may well get rid of the International Time and just follow the Malaysian time system
S..I..G..H..H..H..hhhhhh..
I was approached by a group of students inviting me to witness their futsal tournament. Hmmm, I thought that was good. Kudos to the organizers for the initiative and drive. Inspite of their course-work schedule, they still manage to sacrifice some of their time for the sake of their fellow course-mates.
Anyway, I was told the tournament would start at 10.00am and finished by 1.00pm.on the Saturday. Inspite of having some other personal programme for that morning , I thought I should not miss this chance, telling myself that I could watch the game for an hour or so and then excuse myself to meet my appointment.
Come Saturday morning, I arrived early (as usually – even for my classes as my students would vouch for) I did not see anyone other than other people who were at their own game. So I sat at a ‘mamak’ stall and had my usual ‘Milo kosong’, and another.
Only after my second glass did I see familiar faces streaming into the compound. It was close to 10.30 am. I told myself that now I do not have much time to watch the game now if I were to keep my appointment.
To be fair, it’s probably not the students’ fault. They were relying on their transport to ferry them to the centre. But still, I’m sure the students had fun.
So after all this --- what’s my point? Just one word. PUNCTUALITY !.
So when can we get rid of the two-time system. Malaysian time and International time. Just stick to one. But then again---having said that---we may well get rid of the International Time and just follow the Malaysian time system
S..I..G..H..H..H..hhhhhh..
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Some weekend this weekend !!!!!!! (1)
I was going to post something on the Saturday futsal thingy---but come Sunday morning something else happened to me . Something which is enough to wreck my already not-so-glorious weekend. Something which is the pits ! Something which really sucks – big time !
I was driving to the petrol station when a stupid @#$$#@ young punk of a boy , rode is bike very very fast while coming out of a small lane AND HIT MY LEFT FRONT FENDER ON THE SIDE !!!
To make matters worse , he was riding his sister’s bike, he has no licence, wasn’t wearing a crash helmet, didn’t stop at a ‘STOP’ sign and was speeding crazily.
There was nothing I could do to avoid it ! WHAM !! He hit my side and fell. He was struggling to get up – presumably to run away. But I rushed out of my car and took away his bike keys.
Then began a 2-hour negotiation in the hot sun to compensate for my damaged car. He called his brothers, sister, friends and uncles. I was waiting perhaps for the grandparents to come as well.
To cut the story short –they finally paid RM550 as compensation ! But when I thought about the hassles and time that I would have to spend in getting to the workshop—I wish there is a way to get my ‘pound of flesh’ from the idiot. I’m not a vicious man—but the stupid way that the accident happened is such a waste of time and energy. !!
Grrrrrrrrrr…. I’m still mad……
NOW WHERE DID THIS COME FROM ??? SORRY I HAVE TO BLACKEN CERTAIN PART OF THE PICTURE. (STILL DON'T KNOW WHERE THIS COME FROM !@#@!
Some weekend this weekend ! (2)
By 1.00pm, I was back home. Nothing can describe the way I felt. I mean, I was only driving in slowly to the petrol station to get my car washed.
Anyway – my son came to visit. AND he brought something to make my day – well not really---but enough to make me forget the incident.
He brought his amplifier for me to use . Last week he brought his cd-deck .
Like me, he is a hi-fi nut. We not only love our music---but we love the sound quality of our music.. So the next hour or so—I spend my time setting up the new addition to my sound system, playing back all my cds, rediscovering new sound and ‘feel’ in my jazz, blues and rock cd collection. In case there are readers who might be interested in the equipment – here it is :-
My old :
Marantze CD 63 KI
Sonic Frontier Digital to Analogue Converter (DAC)
Audio Innovation Valve Preamplifier
Quad 306 power Amp
Tara Lab Speaker cables
Cord interlink cables
Now :
Meridian 507 CD Deck
Unison Research Amp
Cardas Quadlink speaker cables
Cardas Crosslink interlink cables
I’m still using my old BW DM 602 Speakers.
Listening to good music from the above system --- has in some way, taken away some of the pain, anger, frustration and depression !
I was driving to the petrol station when a stupid @#$$#@ young punk of a boy , rode is bike very very fast while coming out of a small lane AND HIT MY LEFT FRONT FENDER ON THE SIDE !!!
To make matters worse , he was riding his sister’s bike, he has no licence, wasn’t wearing a crash helmet, didn’t stop at a ‘STOP’ sign and was speeding crazily.
There was nothing I could do to avoid it ! WHAM !! He hit my side and fell. He was struggling to get up – presumably to run away. But I rushed out of my car and took away his bike keys.
Then began a 2-hour negotiation in the hot sun to compensate for my damaged car. He called his brothers, sister, friends and uncles. I was waiting perhaps for the grandparents to come as well.
To cut the story short –they finally paid RM550 as compensation ! But when I thought about the hassles and time that I would have to spend in getting to the workshop—I wish there is a way to get my ‘pound of flesh’ from the idiot. I’m not a vicious man—but the stupid way that the accident happened is such a waste of time and energy. !!
Grrrrrrrrrr…. I’m still mad……
THE DAMAGE
NOW WHERE DID THIS COME FROM ??? SORRY I HAVE TO BLACKEN CERTAIN PART OF THE PICTURE. (STILL DON'T KNOW WHERE THIS COME FROM !@#@!
Some weekend this weekend ! (2)
By 1.00pm, I was back home. Nothing can describe the way I felt. I mean, I was only driving in slowly to the petrol station to get my car washed.
Anyway – my son came to visit. AND he brought something to make my day – well not really---but enough to make me forget the incident.
He brought his amplifier for me to use . Last week he brought his cd-deck .
Like me, he is a hi-fi nut. We not only love our music---but we love the sound quality of our music.. So the next hour or so—I spend my time setting up the new addition to my sound system, playing back all my cds, rediscovering new sound and ‘feel’ in my jazz, blues and rock cd collection. In case there are readers who might be interested in the equipment – here it is :-
My old :
Marantze CD 63 KI
Sonic Frontier Digital to Analogue Converter (DAC)
Audio Innovation Valve Preamplifier
Quad 306 power Amp
Tara Lab Speaker cables
Cord interlink cables
Now :
Meridian 507 CD Deck
Unison Research Amp
Cardas Quadlink speaker cables
Cardas Crosslink interlink cables
I’m still using my old BW DM 602 Speakers.
Listening to good music from the above system --- has in some way, taken away some of the pain, anger, frustration and depression !
Friday, June 13, 2008
HAPPY BIRTHDAY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This blog would like to be the first (2 days in advance) to wish fellow-blogger me-teratai a Happy Birthday !!!!
(clap ! clap! clap !)
May success be yours !!!!!
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
OK - here are more cartoons...a student then and now....
Updates (15th. June 08)
I decide to just leave this post here for a while until such times. Don't ask me why . Maybe because 'theres nothing to be ashamed of'' and 'why 24'. Yes I'll just be me
Due to some requests here are a few more cartoons which will be on this blog for only 24 hours.
I decide to just leave this post here for a while until such times. Don't ask me why . Maybe because 'theres nothing to be ashamed of'' and 'why 24'. Yes I'll just be me
Due to some requests here are a few more cartoons which will be on this blog for only 24 hours.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
How'd you like your egg done Sir ?
In response to joethel's discovery of the meaning of 'sunnyside up' here are some photos. Its not omelette or scrambled, or boiled eggs BUT sunnyside up.
Well instead of a picture of an egg in my blog, i would rather have the sun.
The Story Of Cats
Drawings taken from the book 'How To Live With Calculative Cats', by Eric Gurney.
Oh the life of a cat.........
Subscribe to Posts [Atom]
