THE 3 L's

LIFE-LONG LEARNING, that's the 3 L's I meant. One NEVER stops learning since one squeals out from Mom's secure womb into this uncertain world . . . until one's last breath, I suppose. So it is with me. Especially after one is retired from the 'official' working world, one should not stop getting new challenges so that the mind will not remain stagnant. As for me, after I took optional retirement at the age of 50, I turned my direction right-about turn 180 degrees from being an Art teacher . . to pursue my favourite hobby i.e. learning a foreign language. While still working, I had dabbled in French, Japanese, Spanish, Mandarin all to of no avail. Mainly because I did not practice the language learnt. I had no one to practice them with. So the language just disappeared. Then I took up Arabic - now that's very useful. Firstly, I use Arabic everyday, five times a day in my solat (prayers). Secondly, I read the Quran - I want to know the meaning of the words without referring to a dictionary or translation all the time. I want to make my recitation of the Quran more meaningful. Next, I want to understand what the Imam in Makkah / Madinah (when I perform my Umrah/Haj) says in his sermons, why he's always in tears at some parts. I want to understand my 'doa', what I'm asking from Allah. And so it goes . . many reasons why I MUST know Arabic. So since 10 years from first learning the language, with Allah's grace and barakah, I'm given the ability to pass my knowledge to my friends especially the Senior citizens group. Yet I still feel insufficient and not yet proficient. Thus I take the next step in my dream to pursue an intensif Arabic course in an Arab-speaking country. Dear friends, I'll be away in Jordan for 1 month, stationed at the Language Centre at the University of the Middle East. So I won't be updating this blog for a while. God willing, I'll be back after a month with lots of experiences to share here. Below are some pictures of my 'students' from several classes, intensely following my steps . . . NEVER STOP LEARNING!

The Klebang group

Sitting on the floor also can do . . .

Here's Kak Timah, my 70-something friend, never gives up!

Kak Asmah and Nas busy copying from the board

Kak Eton, the eldest in my group

. . . and Sharifah Nor, among those I share my knowledge with

Until then, ma'a salamah wa illal li qa'

(Good-bye, until we meet again)

C.H.I.J. REVISITED

Last Friday there was a sport's event in my Missy's school. CHIJ (a.k.a Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus) was the nostalgic name for the present Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Infant Jesus Convent (CIJ). When I was a student there way in the 50's and 60's, it was popularly known as "The French Convent" or as our rivals called us "The French Kodok." How the word 'kodok' came to be coined, I don't know. Anyway, CHIJ was my alma mater for 11 years and I have lots of fond memories growing up there.

So all of us went to the school that Friday afternoon, mainly to give moral support to Missy who was participating in the Cheerleaders competition among the houses - Red, Yellow, Blue and Green houses. As I entered the school compound, I noted the changes vis the school buildings, the field and the environment. Of course since 1962, much had been done. I pointed to Amal my classes when I was in Form 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 - still there (naturally, how can you move a building?). The old school hall had been renovated into a huge Staff room. I remember the Teachers' Room then was a small space next to the bicycle shed at one end of the front building (note the pic. above).

This old photo (1962) shows the Prefects Board with my faovourite Reverend Mother, St Pious (seated middle front) taken at the front of the school hall, near the stage. That's me, standing second row, second from the left.

Part of the old school building today, the Needle-work and Domestic Science Room in the middle facing us.

On with the Sports Day story . . . Well, here's a quiant tent put up for the guests. Standing at the side, we waited and watched patiently as the students participated in the running events, tug-of-war events etc, delighting in hearing screams and shouts from hundreds of girls! Then a teacher, who was doing the announcing, was looking around for persons to present the trophies after each event. I think he was running out of ideas, hence he approached these two grand ladies (sis and I) standing nearby with camera and video cam at the ready. Got our names and persuaded us to do the presentations. I mentioned that I was a past pupil of 1962 (my sis 1965) - which he fondly announced to the crowd saying that he was not even born then. I felt like Ancient Mariner! However we felt honoured to be asked. Finally, at long last time for the Cheerleaders competition. We rushed forward not wanting to miss taking snap shots and video taping Missy at her best.

That's Missy standing in the middle of the pyramid, a strong pillar for her friend to step on. Though Missy's Red house did not come first in the competition, I commended her for her courage to participate (despite her slightly heavy size, sorry Missy) and her resourcefulnes in whatever she has her heart in. She was all smiles and never missed a beat. And the group was not even sore at not winning. They were just having fun. Congratulations girls! Click here for more stories of Missy.

So thus ended a nostalgic visit to CHIJ. Here's hoping there'll be more such visits with Missy still attending the classes there.

SUNDAY BREAKFAST

It's that Sunday again when members of the family are not involved in their individual activity. Every day we are so busy, rushing here and there, that precious moment like this Sunday morning is getting to be a rarity. So when asked if Nek Ngah would like to have breakfast outside, she left whatever she was attending to - be it the computer, the unfinished bead-embroidery on the tudung-saji cover or the Arabic home-work - to go out for breakfast with the family. We took Bibik along after locking all the doors. Now that is family - Mummy, Daddy, 3 noisy kids (sorry), Nek Ngah and Bibik in the Wish. Where to ?

. . . Tamby's famous roti canai & bariani restaurant at Ujong Pasir. The place was crowded as always on Sunday mornings, with customers from all races - Chinese, Indians, Malays - real Malaysian community all wanting Tamby's roti canai, martabak and bariani plus teh tarik. You know, this restaurant was also patronised by the AF2 kids during their season - adding to the glamour.

We made our orders - I had roti bawang, Bibik nasi bariani ayam, the others ordered roti sardin and forgot how many pieces of plain roti canai with additional orders of sambal sotong (squid in cili) and lots of curry to go with the roti. Then there were the teh tarik, nescafe tarik, hot plain tea for Bibik, apple juice for the Missy, iced Milo for the Princess and plain syrup for little king. Blah . . . blah . . . blah . . all delicious and yummy! Of course first thing in the morning sure hungry.

The happy members about to enjoy the 'feast' on this Sunday morning.

MIND YOUR LANGUAGE

Want to hear a story? Two stories actually - true one, told by a friend a while ago. Got her permission to tell it here.

STORY NO.1 : An undergraduate from a local university - won't tell you which university - was on teaching practice at a Primary School. He / She was teaching maths - subtraction. Heard him / her said, "O.K. class. What is 3 push 2?" Ha, ha, ha . . "push" translated from Malay "tolak". Ha, ha, ha . . my Iddin in Monty kindy already saying "minus"! What the . . . .

STORY NO. 2 : Another undergraduate was at an interview for a job. He / She had difficulty expressing himself / herself in English as required by the interviewee. (Is there such a word?). Well anyway, the person interviewing made it easier by asking the undergraduate to explain how he / she made coffee. So he / she went on "First I put coffee in mug, then sugar. and then hot water. After that I add in some condensed milk. And then I take small spoon and disturb it." Kah, kah, kah. . . "disturb" translated from Malay "kacau"! What the . . . second time! HELP!

FRIENDS AND PRESENTS

I want to thank these friends who have made me very happy today. They are ever so kind and thoughtful. You see, even if it's no special occasion today, I received gifts from them. They must have thought of me when they were handling the whatever . . . "will she like this? Has she got one already? That'll be nice on her . . " Maybe these are the questions in their minds before they presented the gifts to me. Thank you, friends. I really appreciate all the things given because it is the thought that counts.

This is a lovely, well-decorated book given by Zaharah. Every single page within has beautiful border designs and of course the contents too are inspirational.

Linda gave me this big, roomy bag through Ms. Hart - a belated birthday present. I love it Linda! Already used it today stuffed with my telekung and kain and Al-Quran - to a "majlis" at a friend's house. Thanks!

This cute pair of socks from Gayah who has just returned from a month stay in Jeddah. It's so colourful and very comfortable too. Just look at them on my feet! I love them. I received all these within these two days . . . lucky me! Thank you everyone.

YO WAT'SSUP WAT'SSUP

Drawing by my favourite artist, AMAL, 8 years old.

I like this drawing of Amal's very much. It is so brave, confident and assertive. That is Amal through her drawings. Nobody teaches her how to draw, she just does it! Amal wants to be like her grand-aunt (that's me, ahem . . . at least some ONE in the family wants to be in the Art line).