I started my teacher's life at Jerek in January 2006 and after 4 years there, I felt that it was time to move on, so I filled up the necessary forms.

A few weeks ago, my wife and I received letters that state that our application is unsuccessful. So we put aside that part of our life and moved on, didn't really do anything about it.

Yesterday, I received a letter from State Education Dept. My application was successful, my wife and I will be transferred to Machang, effective TODAY! It was a big shock, we didn't expect it and was neither mentally prepared as we actually applied to be transferred to Pasir Mas my hometown. But instead, I was transferred to Machang which is my father's hometown.

After thinking it over and over and over... we both decided that we will go there. So today we reported for duty at our new schools. So far everything has went smoothly. My school is SMK Hamzah, whilst my wife is posted at SMK Abdul Samad. Both are approximately 10km apart. After reporting to the schools we went to visit my uncle who is also a teacher at Machang. Asked for his help to find a house for us.

Decided to rent a place at Machang, we realise Pasir Mas is only 30km away, but don't feel like commuting again like we did at Gua Musang. At least we won't be feeling like we are in a hurry to get back home when the bell rings

There's a lot of things on my heart but it is difficult to be worded... Jerek will always be a part of me... I will always remember the fond memories at Jerek....

Adieu Jerek

My sweet little angel is now one year old Her achievements this year includes walking at 9 1/2 months... climbing the chairs at 11....

We had a small get together on 29th to celebrate her birthday... did it in advance due to the fact that my B.I.L was at home just for the weekend. We had a small cake for her.

The main dish however was Laksa and Laksam, with choice of gravy either Penang of Kelantan.... Invited only my immediate family members... as the rule was to keep the guests to a minimum.... Alya was quiet the whole day... and at the end was having some tantrums. Perhaps due to her being tired.... the whole affair kept her awake too long and she likes her naps

All in all it was fun seeing family members and celebrating her birthday in one go

Adieu

*pictures are unfortunately mostly on FB

It has been quite a while since I wrote anything on the blog. For one thing, my life has been very hectic. Can't think of a time when I have less me time than this year.

The meeting/briefing/courses have also been unrelenting plus crazily last minutes. For instance I was called on 19th at 6pm telling me that I have to check in by 2 on 20th. It was a short course for new data teachers. Baru la sangat, been in this position for almost 6 month already. On 21st I pushed back to G.M as the wife and kid are still there. Bloody tiring, but can't help it; it is my job right.

Work at school has also been crazy. I used to be given a week to complete the school schedule, but recently I'll be given one or two days to complete. That really tires me. Lucky I have access to my wife's computer which is definitely faster than my own laptop. Being tired of always borrowing her lappy, I bought a new one. Cheap one actually but with bigger rams and faster processor than my old laptop and even my wife's. So that should speed up the schedule compilation process.

On another note, Alya is one week away from her first birthday... yay!!!! Suppose to have some makan-makan, but the plan is not concrete yet.

So many things to put into words, but so long ago that most of them has passed me by. I guess till next time

Adieu

Last week my maternal grandmother had her 2nd stroke after the first one 14 months ago.
The first one left her immobilized. The second one saw her in a coma for a week. It ended yesterday...

11 Rabiulawal 1430H / 8 March 2009 , at around 2.40pm she left peacefully. The grandchildren all made mad dashes in order to arrive for her funeral. We had her funeral this morning at around 9am.

Last year it was my paternal grandmother.... so this makes it my family's second death in less than a year.

Bon Voyage....

Happy Chinese New Year to everybody, celebrating or not. Me I'm just enjoying the extra long holiday. Malaysians are crazy about holiday. There are 100++ days that Malaysian do not work. So how are we going to achieve that developed country status if we love holidays that much. A question to ponder on I suppose

One thing that I hate about this type of holidays is the jams. Its long enough that ppl wants to go back to their village/parents' home but short enough that they all do it during the same period of time. Plus all the kenduri make it all the worst. Jams are ok to me if its in big city with multiple routes to use, but jams in small roads just don't work for me.

Combine that with idiot drivers? Road bully? Road Hog? Hell on road! So my advice to those idiots from KL or wherever plz don't drive as if u are still back in KL, do have some manners. Leave ur nasty habits back at wherever you call ur home/place of work/whatever.

We have enough issues coping with the jam what with u lot coming back, don't make us sumpah2 u some more.

On that note Happy Chinese New Year, be safe on the road!

Adieu

The PMR results was announced today, and my students did amazingly despite the adversity that faces them. 2 of them got 8As another 2 got 7As. Consider the fact that they study at a school that is 45km into the jungle from Gua Musang. Also that they had little if not none at all tuition outside of school.

I'm both happy and proud. Taught them English from Form 1 till Form 3, and the seed have blossomed into trees, now its time to pass them on to other teachers while I myself will now go back and teach a new batch of Form 1s.

The school overall result was also quite good. Went up from No 7(last) in the district to No. 2 in the district. Good enough for me I say, u can't expect miracles to happen do u Our last minute effort was actually to do floating/streaming classes for English and did some very intensive exercises designed for their level. All the other English teacher pitched in even those that didn't teach Form 3s at first. One teacher even agreed to teach more periods so that she can teach the form 3 students.
Overall pass for English went up from 30% to 52% this year, and I can definitely see some smiling faces. I hope that we can keep it up next year.

Adieu

p/s: feeling very elated! hehe

New Year, new expectation, new resolutions?
Mine? Simple, be a better person

The day was spent mostly at home, holiday isn't it Though did go out with the wife to the wet market to get some groceries. Initially I planned to go to KL, to do some shopping, alas no tickets were to be found, no bus no train even I guess a lot of ppl are going back to KL after the long hol. So better I just resort to internet shopping hehe

So what did you do today?