Merry Christmas

Yesterday, as I was driving back from USM, I started thinking about my mother. I realised that I miss her so much.

When my mother was alive, Christmas at home was filled with joy and happiness. She will be busy buying things for the house, making all the traditional Indian cookies, searching for the best saries, buying for me and my siblings gifts etc. It was a never ending affair. For the past three years since her death, things have never been the same when Christmas arrives. And how much I want it all back but I know that how much I prayed, it is not going to happen. I can only cry over it.

Today, I opened my email and a wonderful friend of mine sent me this video and she brought laughter back in me for Christmas. Deep down in my heart, I know my parents would not want me to be sad on Christmas day so this Christmas, I want to celebrate it with joy and be thankful for the wonderful people around me.

Merry Christmas everyone.

How do you spell 'poppadom'?

Image via Wikipedia

As with ,any words from foreign languages which have their own alphabets, there is no universally accepted way of transcribing the Tamil name of this food into English. The Concise Oxford Dictionary (1999) lists the word at poppadom, but mentions poppadum and popadom, as alternatives. The variant spellings which have been listed in Oxford dictionaries include papadam, pappadom, papadom, papadum, papodam, papodum, papadam, pappadam, poppadom, poppadum, poppodam, puppadum, puppodam, puppodum. However, there is nothing to say that you cannot use the unlisted spellings papodom, popadum, poppodom, poppodum, puppadam, puppadom and puppodom. Take your pick!

-askoxford

Memories are Made Together and Will Last Forever

A special gift for all my Ungku Omar and Zaba students. Thank you'll for the beautiful 2 years.

S.T.P.M

Dear students,







The time has arrived and I know it is scary but there is no running away from it. I wish all of you the very best and I believe that you'll will succeed in the examination.

Good luck my babies.

It's O.K...

Thomas Edison said, "...I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work." A very inspirational quote. It is indeed true that each life's step is filled with things that would not work. And it is the failures that hurts the most but few realise that the falls are the best lessons of the day.

Every day, life is a lesson to be learnt. Nothing bad actually happens, always good things but it is sad to say that there are a few who do not see this. Failures are meant to happen and the way to understand a failure is to truly understand why it happened and what should be done about it.

Today's society is full of people with "finger pointing" habits. Blaming or criticising people on what they do and have done. The finger never is pointed back into their direction. What will the world come to if people continue to do so? We read about wars and conflicts in countries. Why does that happen? The answer lies within an individual. The world will be a better place to live if people in a society learn to stop looking at other peoples' failures and learn to deal with their own failures first.

Mistakes are a common thing. We hear about human errors a lot. So why do people make a big issue out of small things. Maybe the reason is them. They have so much of low self-esteem that they try to make other people look small.

And so in the words of Thomas Edison," many of life's failures are people who did not realise how close they were to success when they gave up." So failures are not a stumbling block, it is a just a hurdle. Make the leap with pride and honour because people will continue to be who they are. It is the difference we begin to make in our lives that make the world a better place .

Remember -"When you blame others, you give up your power to change", Robert Anthony.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY OCTOBER BABIES.

On 29th of October, we celebrated the much awaited birthday party for the students of UO and ZB.
To Ashikin, Hezwan, Haini, Azral, Faiza- Happy Birthday and many more happy wishes for the coming birthdays.

Which one is the birthday girl? Emmm...

So sweet, the 'Birthday Babies'.

















Friends and birthday goes together- the best gift during a birthday.

Where are the Zaba and Ungku Omar boys?-Ooooo I can see Hakim and his new shaven head.

Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to yoooooooooooooouuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!!!!!!

Memories are Lived, Not Created

Minutes turn into an hour, an hour into a day, a day turns into a month, and a month turns into a year. The years have moved and soon only memories will be left behind at SMK Kamunting. Every second brings forth huge expectations. A lot of events have occurred, some were good and some were bad but at the end of the day, we made a difference. Difference in our own lives and the people around us.

It breaks our hearts to leave but life goes on. Our path ends here and taking off somewhere else. We might leave the school but the memories we gained will always remain in our hearts. We still remember the day when we registered for Form Six. It was filled with anger and frustration. We did not quite accept the fact that we were stuck in this situation whereas the lucky ones were in colleges. What was left in the classroom, ended up being our friends? Most of us were strangers and that made the journey more exciting. Making new friends is always good and learning made it easier.

We were placed in two classes based on our choice of subjects. Did not make any difference but the only difference was we were known as business and arts students. The days following, we started opening pages of books that were weird to most of us because we were never exposed to subjects like business especially for those students that came from Science stream. It was not only the subject that changed but the approach used by the teachers as well changed. We never expected English to be different. Miss Suzanne was her name and she was one strict lady. The approach to learning MUET and English 1119 was totally different. We never would have seen it if it was for her repetition of how difficult the paper was going to be.

We had to acquire the language in four different ways and we only had one year to do it. By mid-2009, we sat for the examination. Out of the many examinations that we sat for, sitting for MUET was unique as we were given a pencil and a pen before the examination. It was so sweet of Miss Suzanne to get for us these stationery, it was not much but it is the thought that counts. we sat through the examination hoping that we would make it with the minimum of Band 3 but unfortunately, most of us did not. We were sad and crushed but what is done is done.

We never felt so scared in any exams except during this exam because we were tempted with so many distractions. It was not only one paper we had to face but also different papers that tested our ability. 'The Sound Machine' outside the examination room was not helping us at all. It was though Klausner had to test his machine while we were sitting for the writing paper. Even when we did not sit in an air-conditioned room, we still felt very cold- that was the feeling of fear. To make the matter worst, we had to sit for our speaking examination with an officer from the Mr Potato factory.

School examinations followed one by one, we competed with the best. It was a healthy competition because no one got hurt. It made us a much better person. But for sure the examination that we are not looking forward to is STPM. Not to say that we are not prepared but it is just that, are we really prepared. Only time will tell, when the examination results comes out next year.

As students, we came to realize that there is more to any students' life. What makes us better in life is realizing who we are. the gift within us can only be seen when we see everything as a challenge and learn to accept it as a gift. Two classes have a story on its own and the way they shared it was being among F.R.I.E.N.D.S.

(Written by the students of PPU-Ungku Omar and Zaba)
(Edited by Miss Suzanne)

My Students are My Teachers

Memories will remain forever and ever. It might be good and it might even be bad but whatever it is, it is here to stay. As steps are taken in life, the chapters are written. Each chapter has its own significance and when one would to look back, it depends on the individual, whether he or she sees it positively or negatively.

I never knew that school life was the best memory anyone would have. I still look back to those days as a student in Convent and Dr. Burhanuddin, I indeed learnt a lot about building and strengthening one's character. A school is a place where one can shape their future based on the facts laid in front of us from our teachers. Who we will be in the future begins in a place called classroom.

I am a teacher now and I am still learning. Every day, it is a lesson to be learnt. My students are my teachers. They only see one person in front of them but I see 20 teachers in front of me. How remarkable the experience is. Who I am as a teacher is shaped by my own students. If I am angry, it is because my students made me angry, if I am happy, it is because my students made me happy, if I am inspired, it is because of my students, if I am motivated, it is because of my students, if I cry, it is because of my students. The list goes on but the fact is- I am still a student and I react like a student.

If I am a student then the rest are my teachers. Being a teacher is seeing oneself in that position. We need to see what our students see. Every lesson needs to be planned with us in it. How would we learn and how it should be approached.

Even though I am an English teacher today, I did not acquire the language well because of my past English Language teachers. I was not taught how to write or read or even speak in English. I aced the subject because it was spoken at home. Being the youngest, I had the privilege of learning the tricks from my sisters and brother.

I only knew how grammar worked when I started teaching. I learned how to comprehend a text because I started learning and I learned how to write because I started doing research. The point is that, I started teaching myself for my students. My students opened my eyes to see what I am capable of and how I can use my capabilities to teach them. That is why I address them as my teachers. They taught me things I never knew, I knew.

Students in a classroom can make a huge difference in the life of a teacher. They are a blessing in disguise.

(In honour of my past, present and future 'teachers'. Thank you)

Can Life Get Any Better?

I wish I could turn back the clock. I want things to change so much. Being a teacher is a headache. I hate teaching...I always have. I tried running away from this profession that people address as noble but being in it, I realised it is not noble at all.

Maybe it is too soon to speak as it is only my 7th year in the teaching profession but it is indeed long and I can't take it anymore. I hate people telling me what to do especially when they say I am wrong. How can I be wrong? When all I have done were for my students. I never did anything for myself and they still accuse me of being 'Power Crazy'. Where is the sense in that?

I HATE people who treat me like a puppet. I do not like to be told how to teach when they are not in my shoes. I know my shoes and I know where I am standing- in front of my students and I know what they need and I believe in what I do so to all those who be little me... STOP IT!!!!! Let me be who I am- I am a TEACHER and I want to be proud in what I do.

Mother Earth-WE ARE KILLING HER!

Development comes with a price and it is destroying us slowly. We have to realise our mistakes and stop it before it is
TOO LATE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Another Year Older.

Yup...I am a year older. Wow, how time flies!

How do I feel? ... That was the first question on my mind when I woke up today. Well, it's almost the end of the day and my answer is...it feels the same.

Actually, it is difficult to say I am happy when deep, deep down, I am not. For one, I miss my parents especially on my birthday. But I came to realise that birthdays do come with a surprise and today I was surprised and I am thankful.

Thankful for my family, my students, my friends and not forgetting the love from God. As I grow older, I am able to see the realities around me and this year has taught me alot. There were ups and downs but lessons were learnt. And of course there were the people you trusted and believed in but turn out to be the person they were not meant to be.

I wish for more lessons in my life and I hope I will grow up to be a much better person.

K.I.S.S.

A picture speaks a thousand words and the way students of Zaba view One Malaysia is seen in the pictures taken around the school.

Independence Day

Wishing all a Happy Independence Day.


Kudos!!!!! to Zaba students for a job well done in completing 'Here In My Home' music video.

Congratulations to team leader- Wan in leading her team in the making of this music video and also to all the actors and not forgetting the production crew.

Good Luck.

To all UO and ZB students,

Life is like a box of chocolates, you will never know what you will get, so live your lives to the fullest and do not give up. Keep on moving, whether it is difficult, painful or dissapointing.

The falls we experience in life is what keeps us strong in the future. You'll might not know it right now but time will tell...

ONE MALAYSIA

What is the difference between these two songs?

I WANTED TO BE A SUPERMAN

Everyone wants to be a hero. I remember when I was about 5 years old, I used to arrange pillows on one on top another and climb on it and try to fly. Of course the falls were hurtful but it was that moment being on air that made me feel that I too can fly like a superman. It became more exciting when I would to take my father's shirts and wear it like a cape. Oh, how much I wanted to be a superman.

I grew up and I realised flying is not easy but I did grow up to understand that flying actually happens. How? I started looking around me and I saw many people flying.

We often look at heroes that have achieved something and make their countries proud. Most of the time it goes to our war heroes. But if we only stop and take a look around, we can find heroes among us. All of them are flying. Think about it?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO AUGUST BABIES.

Dear students,

Happy Birthday to all of you.

HAPPY or SAD?

Dear students,

Today, I saw your faces and I saw sad and happy faces. As a teacher and a friend, not everything in life is smooth sailing. I understand how most of you'll are feeling right now and believe me I feel it. I too felt disappointed with myself. I have failed you. I am sorry.

I thought I did my very best for you'll but I realised that it was not enough. I do not want to blame others because the fault partly lies on me. I am deeply sorry.

I want all of you to know that I have seen each one of you excel in the English language compared to the days you first began. You know so much about English that you ever did. So, my dear students, do not be despaired by what happened, you are wise enough to accomplish a lot in life.

Who is celebrating birthday this month?

HaPpY BiRtHdAy to all yee babies.

THANK YOU.

To all Zaba and Ungku Omar students, thank you'll for your efforts in leaving comments and following the activities on this blog. I have got to know a lot of you better than before.
With this blog project, all of you have helped me to develop my teaching skills as well. I am able to get a lot of ideas from all of you. With that, I hope this blog will continue to be a teacher to me.

I know it has not been easy for most of you'll especially with STPM around the corner. I know how you'll feel and I ensure you that I do not want to waste your time either. I too want the best for all of you'll.

Something for you'll to laugh at. Enjoy!

TRIBUTE TO 'THE GLOVED ONE'.

Michael Jackson is truly a remarkable artist. He leaves the world with remarkable songs. Let us not forget him for that.

The Famous Moonwalk.

Competition! Competition! Competition!!!!!!

Dear Students,
The blogging is getting better as the IT department in our school are interested in a collaboration project. They want you to make your personal blog as creative and interesting as possible but make sure that it has relevance to the MUET lessons we are doing in my blog.
The best creative blog will receive a prize, maybe even a certificate. Do not miss out on the opportunity.
By the way to Ungku Omar and Zaba students, the deadline for your music video is this week. Please work on it because another project will be coming up next.

It all began with "We are the World"

Dear students,
The urge to help people in need and to spread the good message to people began with this song 'We are the World', written by Quincy Jones and Michael Jackson in the 80s.
It is said that music became the strongest instrument in spreading the message across the globe. Just like 'Here in my Home', songs play a vital role today.
We hear a lot of music and just like reading a story, there is always a message. I have uploaded 2 more music videos, 'We are the World' and 'One Love' by the group Blue. The singers in the song believe so much in making changes to the world because they believe that by using the celebrity status they are able to reach out to the younger generations. So do watch and listen to the new music videos and we will discuss them in class.

Father's Day

This 21st is Father's Day, so what are you'll doing for your fathers.

I would like if you'll post a picture of yourself and your father on this blog and talk about it. I will.

Next!

I have always cried during movies. Have you? Wait and look out for the next activity...it is going to be interesting.

Malaysians for Unity

Hello dear students,
Look at the video clip on Malaysian artist for unity and leave me your comments on the message(s) in the song.

Welcome

Hello dear students,
Welcome to my blog. From now on lessons will be a bit different as we will be interacting using blogs. Now you can reach me at any time of the day plus your written assignments can be posted on this blog. Let's start with our lessons.