Should I write about....

My latest collection

2011-12-12T21:38:00.000+08:00

My latest collection

I have been looking this for years. The luck came when there's a sit available for a trip to Melaka.

2011-12-03T11:15:00.001+08:00

New layout for Blogger.com

Blogger.com has come out with a new layout. I haven't update my blog for quite a long time. Time factor is the best reason for that. Knowing the nature of being a teacher in Malaysia, further explanation is not needed. My comment on the new layout and style is "IT IS CLEANER" and I need time to explore the new features.

Discovering TUMBLR.COM

Tumblr.com

While Blogger.com is offering a new image. I also am exploring a new type of blog which I can access via my Blackberry in easy and simple way. Blogger does not have mobile version for Blackberry so far. So, when I am not in front of my lappy, TUMBLR is my preference. My TUMBLR can be accessed here

http://litdateacher.tumblr.com

http://mrfaisalfarish.tumblr.com

The majestic Seri Menanti

2011-10-30T22:46:00.001+08:00

Seri Menanti
Originally uploaded by Faisal Farish

Another painting on a boring day by me | 30 October 2011

Bidasari 2.0

2011-07-24T13:20:00.001+08:00

Bidasari 2.0
Originally uploaded by Faisal Farish

This fish reminds me of a folklore of Bidasari who had shared soul with a fish....

Gaya Arachnid

2011-06-29T17:15:00.001+08:00

Gaya Arachnid
Originally uploaded by Faisal Farish

My first attempt to get closer to this incy wincy tiny mini creature

Waiting In the woods

2011-06-15T19:05:00.001+08:00

Gurindam Rimba
Originally uploaded by Faisal Farish

'Gurindam Rimba' depicts an outdoor photo for Faizul and Zati Iwani's wedding. Another wedding photo by me.

Via Flickr:
Di ketenangan rimba itu ku nanti Sang Teruna.

The Sipping Aviator

2011-06-02T12:08:00.001+08:00

The Sipping Aviator
Originally uploaded by Faisal Farish

My latest painting via psykopaint.com

Self-potrait with the book I admire

2011-05-19T20:40:00.003+08:00

Self-potrait with the book I admire
Originally uploaded by Faisal Farish
Admiring a leader Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad. Just finished reading his memoirs. He inspires me the most. By the way... There is no such book will be published he he... just my wild imagination. :-D

This photo was captured by my friend in a camera lighting experiment.

Painted Blades

2011-04-17T16:47:00.001+08:00

Painted Blades
Originally uploaded by Faisal Farish

Another artwork by me

Via Flickr:
Dare to say it is not original? Try to paint one like this at psykopaint.com

Of defragmenting the fragments

2011-03-18T12:40:00.004+08:00

It is time to revisit this blog. By doing this I am actually taking a break (a short break) from the fragments of data that I have collected for my study. The project paper has to be submitted in two weeks time. It was really hard to piece them together and to make meaningful discussion from them. So, this short break allows me to refresh my mind like defragmenting a hard disk.

The study I conducted was a qualitative study. Why it was the choice? The answer is when I came across this verse in the Holy Quran... which means

In The Name of Allah The Most Compassionate and The Most Merciful

O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other (not that ye may despise (each other). Verily the most honoured of you in the sight of Allah is (he who is) the most righteous of you. And Allah has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things).(49:13)

This verse encourages me to know the students more. Students were not born with same qualities, attitudes and needs. After I had taken a naturalistic enquiry class, I started to love this way of study in observing humans. Based on the experience I had, this type of study was easy to conduct but interpreting the data was extremely hard. I would say ... like eating sambal belacan! It is extremely hot but it is nice to eat. The picture below are something I would share how the process of interpreting the data looks like.

The coding process

Coding --> recoding --> coding --> recoding arghhhh...

My reused girlfriends - Murcia & Freeman. They are hot babes!

School's Maulidur Rasul

2011-02-19T13:40:00.001+08:00

The beautiful maidens
Originally uploaded by Faisal Farish

Some of the nice captured moments

I call it... The Persbook ;-)

2011-01-20T11:01:00.000+08:00

In the beginning...

The PERSBOOK (personal book) is the idea to make writing become nice personal thing to share. The idea is based on my observation which I found students like something that looks personal. I have discovered how some students were very fond of their school bags. They decorated their bags with stickers and key chains. This has given me ideas to make traditional writing as students' personal belonging and for that they would have the feeling of ownership. This ownership creates competition. A competition to share their best feelings, their best favourites or even their best ideas.

Sharing is another key point here. The most popular social network has given me ideas on having shared writing. The basic concept of sharing statuses in the Facebook has given me this idea of shared writing.

Purpose...

The purpose of this activity is to create fun writing environment. The traditional writing; using exercise books for me is very dull and dry. I even fell asleep sometimes while marking students' writing.

Another purpose is to develop students writing skill which from generating ideas by having colourful mind maps, followed by single paragraph writing and ended by an essay.

A brief procedure...

For generating ideas, teacher asks students to get a picture from newspapers that they like most (e.g. picture of famous personalities). Then, from that picture, students provide some words that associated to that picture.

For paragraph writing, teacher asks the students to write few sentences that describe the picture. The words associated must be used. The picture can be the topic sentence and the associated words can be used in the supporting details.

To have FUN!, when the writing task (plus the decorations) is completed, ask them to get a friend to comment on their 'masterpiece!'. Teacher's comment follows their friend's comment.

The products

A short paragraph

Generating ideas

You can see more photos at my Facebook album here

Engagement Cupid

2011-01-09T09:23:00.001+08:00

Engagement Cupid
Originally uploaded by Faisal Farish

Another piece from my photography collections. To look for packages available please proceed to http://faizoomphotoworks.blogspot.com

Pre-Wedding: Proton City

2010-12-21T18:49:00.001+08:00

Sample06
Originally uploaded by Faisal Farish

Some of my friends had asked me how Pre-Wedding photo session look like. Here are some samples from my collection.

My Passion for history

2010-12-16T12:27:00.008+08:00

In the beginning:

I have been teaching English for about 13 years. When I got my transfer to the present school I got a chance to teach history; the subject that I like most during my school time. I just can't deny that my passion for history keeps on growing especially when I started reading the translation of the Holy Quran. Since my childhood I was taught the way of reading the holy book instead of knowing the meaning. The verse that attracted and increased my passion for history was the Chapter 20 (Ta-Ha): Verses 9-80.

Literal beauty led to the passion for history:

At first I was attracted to the assonance that rhymes in every verses. It was just beautiful when I recited it alone like I was neither sing nor reciting a poem. It was just its own kind of literary beauty. Then I suddenly had a feeling that I need to know the meaning. I started to read the translation. All I got was a historical event which happened in one of the great ancient civilisation, Egypt.

Have you heard the story of Musa?" (verse 9)

While reading this verse I felt like the God himself asked me the questions. He wanted to give me a knowledge about the one I did not know. To enlighten me, to teach me, to reveal what had happened in the past so that I learn from it; and then I fall into a 'spiritual conversation' which (by the book) He explained one of the great historical events in the land of Egypt. One cannot feel the beauty if one did not read the rest of the verses (the whole chapter I would say).

Pharaoh the antagonist:

It did not stop there yet I found many chapters in the holy book revealed the historical event in different types of beautiful language style. One of them was in Chapter 10 (Yunus): in particular verse 90-92.

We led the Children of Israel across the sea. Firaun (Pharaoh) and his hosts pursued them with wickedness and oppressions, until when drowning, he cried out: "I believe that there is no God but Him in Whom the Children of Israel believe and I have become one of the Muslims (surrender).(90)

(In response it was said to him:) Now you believe! but a little while before you were disobedient and one of the mischief makers!.(91)

We shall save your body this day, so that you may become a sign for the succeeding generations; indeed many among mankind are heedless of Our signs! (92)

Photo Source: Famous Pharaohs

Verse 92, was the one that made me become more interested in knowing events in history especially the ancient civilisations. I'm not the only one that impressed the fact that the verse clearly described one of the mummified pharaohs which was revealed through prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) who was not a historian neither a scholar. Modern scholar such as Dr. Maurice Bucaille was also impressed on the relevancy of this verse with his findings about the mummified Ramses II. Thus, he published a book titled "The Bible, the Qur'an and Science: The Holy Scriptures Examined in the Light of Modern Knowledge.

My passion for history:

My students for history class may realise my historical intention is more towards the ancient civilisation. Many books that I bought and my detailed explanation on ancient Egyptian civilisation are leading to that belief. I was asked once by a friend of mine that for academic purposes I should not based my study to a holy scripture. I just let him to be in that belief. For me I cannot clarify any knowledge without referring to it since God has stated a clear and strong testimony in the first and second verse of chapter 2 of the holy book which states;

Alif Lam Mim (1)

This is the Book in which there is no doubt. It is a guide for those who are God conscious, (2)

who believe in the Unseen, who establish Solah (5 regular daily prayers) and spend in charity out of what We have provided for their sustenance.(3)

who believe in this Revelation (the Quran) which is sent to you (O Muhammad) and the Revelations which were sent before you (Torah, Psalms, Gospel...) and firmly believe in the Hereafter.(4)

They are on true Guidance from their Rabb(God) and the are the ones who will attain salvation.(5)

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Books I read which related to Ancient Egyptian History

The Prophet Joseph in the Qur'an, the Bible, and history (Louay Fatoohi)

Moses and Akhenaten: The Secret History of Egypt at the Time of the Exodus (Ahmed Osman)

Should I say Ben Bradshaw has created a phenomenon?

2010-12-15T18:17:00.004+08:00

Ben Bradshaw@Gigi Putih

Ben The Gigi Putih:

I would say Ben Bradshaw has attracted lots of fans who are impressed upon his ability to speak Bahasa Melayu. I can't deny this. I was impressed too when I first watching his first video. He has attracted 35,199 people so far to his Facebook fan page. I think our students should take example the way he showed how fun language learning is. Now I'm thinking will this type of person included in the government's native speaker teachers package (as highlighted in Budget 2011)? If so, I would welcome them with the warmest welcome.

How English (as a second language) should be taught?:
Ben has produced some videos which according to him are for the teaching of English purpose. Many many years ago during my training I was taught (and even now I think) not to teach English by using students' first language. English language teachers should avoid using direct-translation method as possible as they can. However, Ben's way of introducing English vocabulary and pronunciation somehow develops a 'rethinking' thought in me. Should I use the way Ben is using? It looks nice though. Somehow, I don't think it is suitable because it looks nice for Ben only since he is an 'Orang Putih' who speaks Malay. That's what I think.

P/s: I like the way he pronounces 'Tak De'

Ben's first video

Ben is teaching pronunciation of some words

Ar-Rahman: 04

2010-12-05T22:10:00.001+08:00

(God) Most Gracious!(55:01)

It is He Who has taught the Qur'an.(55:02)

He has created man:(55:03)

He has taught him speech (and intelligence) (55:04)

My thought:
Chomky's theory of innateness agrees with verse 04.

Ar-Ra'd:22

2010-12-04T09:40:00.000+08:00

Those who patiently persevere, seeking the countenance of their Lord; Establish regular prayers; spend, out of (the gifts) We have bestowed for their sustenance, secretly and openly; and turn off Evil with good: for such there is the final attainment of the (eternal) home,-(13:22)

The Sun paints yellow on the blue canvas

2010-10-22T08:01:00.001+08:00

The Sun paints yellow on the blue canvas
Originally uploaded by Faisal Farish

I attended "Teaching and Learning English Through Literature" at Marina Cove Resort, Lumut, Perak. The course was to expose the new literature components for Form 2 and Form 5 next year.

Warisan masa silam | Il'héritage du temps passé

2010-09-29T19:33:00.001+08:00

Warisan masa silam | Il'héritage du temps passé
Originally uploaded by Faisal Farish

@ Tambun, Ipoh

Arab man speaks Malaysia's East Coast Dialect very well

2010-09-21T19:14:00.003+08:00

The Police Cadets

2010-06-30T23:08:00.001+08:00

cadets
Originally uploaded by Faisal Farish

The young police cadets are in line.

sadaqah

2010-06-30T22:43:00.001+08:00

sadaqah
Originally uploaded by Faisal Farish

During the rehearsal of our going-to-be monthly march pass, I was offered to use a Nikon D90 by a colleague. Thus, my nerves of camera crazy was activated. Snap! Snap! Snap!

Flickr

2010-06-30T22:37:00.001+08:00

This is a test post from , a fancy photo sharing thing.

My latest photo work: Chromatism

2010-06-30T19:31:00.000+08:00

My latest photo work was taken during our Wednesday morning assembly. See more info about this photo here

Still the same old blog...

2010-03-08T21:49:00.000+08:00

I really wanted to update my blog with many things in my mind. I just couldn't get the previous ample and relaxing time to be a blog writer again. The assignments, workloads, unexpected weekend activities halt me from publishing the thoughts. Hope after I've completed my study, this blog can be activated again... ~sigh~

It's not easy to be a language teacher though...

2009-10-26T22:36:00.000+08:00

(not my student's work)

The vagabond cries...

2009-10-20T08:42:00.003+08:00

It was said to this vagabond
Time will heal
By the princess of his dream

Time passes by
Leaving this vagabond untreated
Surrounded by fake happiness
In the forest of his choice
Screaming to loneliness
Crying to deaf company

This vagabond is still waiting
For a sip of the dew of happiness
From the princess of his dream...

Farish 2009,
@Subang Jaya

The new preference...

2009-10-17T11:24:00.006+08:00

The temporarily abandoned blog...

It has been quite a long period for this blog has not been updated. If this blog is a pet, I might found it turned to be a skeleton. My lack of time was due to my time spent for updating my new 'pet'. I was really occupied with the existence of a social network online application, the Facebook.

However, I still love my blog and have no intention to terminate it. I involved in blogging when I was doing my undergraduate study. I did a study on the use of blog to motivate ESL students for writing activities. I found that students were interested and gave full participation in the blog-based writing activities.

What about Facebook...?

It has come into my mind recently whether should I start to use Facebook as an instructional medium for my ESL class? There are many things I should take into consideration before I can use it in classroom. The security issue is the main thing. I am not sure about the teacher's security control offered by the Facebook. Students may be exposed to unsuitable contents of other Facebook users, addicted to games as well as being exploited by 'cyber criminals'.

The Pandemic halts educational institutions...

2009-07-29T18:51:00.006+08:00

I received this message from a friend of mine while I was just started my car engine for the town..

" Dear friends, according to IPS, UPSI is closed from 29.7.2009 until 9.8.2009 due to the pandemic.."

When I arrived at the town, it was crowded with UPSI's students who were hurrying for the latest bus that they could get to go back to their hometown. I managed to snap some photos as below...

At the Tanjong Malim Bus Station

Making calls to everybody

Ready for home...

Mass hiring among measures to strengthen learning of language

2009-07-09T09:30:00.001+08:00

Mass hiring among measures to strengthen learning of language

Shared via AddThis

The sixth sense or The sense of escapism?

2009-07-05T22:59:00.004+08:00

There's a girl at my school who is now quite reluctant to attend school session due to what she saw at the school entrance. According to the girl, she saw two entities standing at the school gate during the peak hour where students and teachers hurried to school. After several interviews made, she described what she saw in sketches... below are the sketches..

The 'Mama'

The 'Daughter'

Using cell phone

2009-05-28T23:06:00.000+08:00

I'm testing using my cell phone updating my blog.

Learn from the 'Hair Port'

2009-03-15T22:17:00.007+08:00

Yesterday, I have fulfilled my children's request to bring them to a cinema in Ipoh for 'Upin dan Ipin'. It is not about the movie that I wanted to publish here but a signboard of a shop (a hair salon) attracted me for its statuesque-but-thoughtful presence. While I stood in front of the closed shop (it was 11.00 p.m. already..) I was wondering what if I changed some words and replaced them with my own educational-related words... Here is my version...

"A student is the most important denizen in our school compound. Even though they feel they are not dependent on us, Our tasks are dependent on him. He is not an interruption on our work. He is the purpose of it. He is not an outsider of our duty. He is a part of it. We are not doing him a favour by serving him. He is doing a favour to himself, by giving us an opportunity to do so."

So ... how does it sound....? Remember teachers.. the above quotation is not a new National Philosophy of Education. It is just a thought that I have had in mind when I was looking at the signboard.... ;-)

When a western scholar talks about Prophet Muhammad

2009-03-09T16:43:00.008+08:00

" O Muhammad, We have not sent you but as a blessing for all the worlds. "
(al-Anbiya', verse: 107)

----

Today Muslims celebrate the birthday of a great man who was born in 570 CE in the Arabian city of Makkah. He was given a name, Muhammad means "Praiseworthy" by his grand father, Abdul Mutalib. He was chosen as the Last Prophet by Allah. The above quote is taken from the holy scripture of Muslims, The al-Quran. The verse mentions the main purpose of the prophet being sent to the world. To those who do not like this great man (most of them are westerners) might give many negative connotations whether in writings, speeches or caricatures (while Muslims have never given such negative comments on any biblical characters). No matter how many negative connotations given, there are still great scholars who realised how great this man was and have written unbias writings about him. One of the scholars has written the description about the great and last Prophet as below:

"Muhammad was a man of exceptional genius. When he died in 632, he had managed to bring nearly the tribes of Arabia into a new united community or ummah."

The excerpt above is taken from Karen Armstrong's "A History of God". I read most of her books and found she is really sincere in her literatures. She describes Prophet Muhammad as if she was one of the Prophet's followers. To her, those who learnt literature should appreciate al-Quran and Muhammad is not the writer of al-Quran. About this issue Amstrong writes,

"Unlike the Torah, however, which according to the biblical account was revealed to Moses in one session on Mount Sinai, the Koran (al-Quran) was revealed to Muhammad bit by bit, line by line and verse by verse over a period of twenty-three years. The revelation continued to be a painful experience"

and the usefulness of al-Quran in natural science is sincerely revealed...

"...The Koran (al-Quran) constantly stresses the need for intelligence in deciphering the 'signs' or 'messages' of God. Muslims are not to abdicate their reason but to look at the world attentively and with curiosity. It was this attitude that later enabled Muslims to build fine tradition of natural science which has never been seen as such danger to religion as in Christianity."

Looking at the hullabaloo happens in the world nowadays, I regret the demise of this greatest man in history. However, he has left us (especially Muslims) his legacies which are the al-Quran and al-Hadith to guide us to the righteous path and yet many of us failed to follow.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY O' MY BELOVED PROPHET MUHAMMAD

A visit to SMK Jalan 4 Bangi...

2009-02-23T22:03:00.012+08:00

Today, according to what has been planned since last week, I joined the staffs of SMK Gedangsa for a visit to a "many-awards-gainer" school in Bangi. I will write more on it later... (I am too tired to write + no ideas) at the moment just enjoy this slide show via the link below.

SLIDE SHOW: CLICK HERE

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Latest update:
We visited the school on Monday after we have successfully carried out the Sports Day on Sunday. Therefore, Monday was given as a 'Cuti Peristiwa' for us. The principal however looked upon something for us to do as a Staff Development Course; the visit was the result.

Two occasions...
On that particular day the school actually had another important event. Their new principal was on the way for registration. We arrived earlier from the new appointed principal. We attended the briefing organised by the GPK Akademik. From her we knew that the school has women teachers in majority. Only 3 male teachers made up the minority male teachers population there. So, in the briefing session, this issue was emphasized... (... perhaps they wanted to show that without men, women can survive...)

What I learnt...?
I often heard very proud claim from people saying that private schools are better than government's schools. It is not true I believe. The SMK Jalan 4 Bangi, has proven that their school are at the same level as the private schools. Their advantage is on the very co-operative relationship with their PIBG. Parents willingly support every school programme. This effort has given enough 'power' for the school to equip good facilities for students hence improve its educational services quality. The photos below shows some of the good facilities the school provides...

This is the SPBT room which stores the textbooks. Very well managed and seriously decorated.

It looks like a family hall isn't it? Actually, it is the school sickbay. Their motto is 'Towards Dengue Free school environment' (..which I wonder how could they do that...?)

Friend's problems and Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs

2009-02-11T22:06:00.010+08:00

Abraham Maslow

THE 'MASALAH PROBLEM':

A blogger; friend of mine has put her problems related to his daughter who was reluctant to go to school recently. (read her post here, Title: MASALAH PROBLEM) This problem reminds me of the Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. This theory was introduced by a Jewish scholar - Abraham Maslow. I learnt about this theory when I was taking my psychology of education subject. I have not learnt the theory in depth since at that time I had to learn many learning theories. However about my friend's problem with her daughter, this theory I feel has significance relationship with it.

MASLOW TELLS US THAT:

Some children are able or ready to learn while others are not due to 7 fulfillments of needs. These are called Hierarchy of needs. The Hierarchy is shown in the diagram below.

Looking at the diagram above, the lower levels need to be fulfilled for the higher level to be achieved. This means about the troublesome of my friends daughter, the parents should have checked every level to trace what the real problem is and why the child was not motivated to go to school.

I also had similar problems with my daughters few years back. I found that she had problems in the first level which was at the 'Physiological Needs'. She slept late at night and had trouble to wake up early morning. To solve that problems, I had to sacrifice my routine sleeping time (which was late up to 12.oo a.m ++) and pursued her to sleep as early as 9.00 p.m.

Another great stuff for the teaching of history

2009-02-05T23:40:00.007+08:00

Photo: Statue of Patih Gajah Mada

Since history subject in Malaysia's schools is taught in Bahasa Malaysia, I would be happy to see this kind of video available on the internet in Bahasa Malaysia. It is no problem for me to comprehend the information; it would be hard for most of the students to understand some terminologies and words used.

This video tells us about the famous Majapahit Empire which once dominating the Malay Archipelago. Its famous premier was Patih Gajah Mada, a strategist, conqueror, as well as a successful and respected diplomat. He was in service during the reign of Maharaja Hayam Wuruk. These names sound wierd to my Form 1 students and quite difficult for me to explain reasons on why people at that time bore that kind of names.

More information about Patih Gajah Mada and Hayam Wuruk here...

(I love the music too...)

Happy Chinese New Year

2009-01-26T09:52:00.001+08:00

I wish a happy prosperous Chinese New Year to all my chinese friends.

Microsoft effort…

2009-01-22T15:53:00.001+08:00

Microsoft has come forward with newly invented Windows Live many in one application. I am using the Windows Live Writer to update this blog. Nice and useful application so far… posting your entry just like using your word processor… hmm… nice

To cater students' health and social needs

2009-01-13T23:23:00.011+08:00

Today the practice for cross country has been carried out. Despite the new working environment, I've never failed being equipped with my beloved camera. That was the thing I realised for my first involvement in school's activity this year in a new school where there was nobody to record the event for documentation. Whatever it was, the most important thing is students' needs for health and social activity has been carried out properly according to the schedule. I also realised most of the students were very enthusiastic in completing their cross country task. This correctly goes in line with our National Philosophy of Education needs to produce emotionally and physically balanced human capital.

Photo 01: The principal is waiting to release the participants.

Photo 02: Released....

While I was waiting for my students to finish their run (, I had captured some photos of the school compound and found quite beautiful to publish and share them here...

See the sky and the clouds... what a crystal clear blue sky...

Hmm... what do you think? Can we say it is serene?

Facade

Does life have values?

2009-01-11T13:07:00.006+08:00

I started my Sunday morning doing my routine. Bought and read a local newspaper; the Mingguan Malaysia. For several days stories about massacre in Gaza inhabited many newspaper columns. Today the news was still about the illegal occupation of Gaza and the terrible situation faced by the people there .The front page showed an Israel's tank bombarded its target. After I've flipped through several pages,my focus was hooked to this picture...

Is this what they call their enemy? The most dangerous enemy ever? The terrorist? The Mingguan Malaysia Editor commented on this photo which he said had gained many comments from readers of various backgrounds. Yes, it touched my heart too. For me those who did this are the real terrorists and the enemies that we should fight. Those support this terrible and inhuman action are belong to the group as well.

You can read the Editor's comment here... BISIK-BISIK MINGGUAN AWANG SELAMAT.

Of tag

2009-01-11T12:11:00.004+08:00

I have been tagged by a new blogging friend whom I never knew before; TERA who owns LEPIDOPTERA blog. So TERA, here it is.... I have written the 10 facts about me as required to receive the awesome award.

Read it here...

Back to school...

2009-01-04T20:15:00.003+08:00

I wish all Malaysia's teachers,
"SELAMAT KEMBALI KE SEKOLAH"

Photos again

2008-12-30T22:27:00.002+08:00

I went for 'photo hunting' again. This time was looking for various entrances.

Ibu Kandung Suluh Budiman's call

2008-12-13T20:52:00.005+08:00

Was it a deja vu?

Today, I attended the registration session for my Master Degree at UPSI with a friend of mine, Selvakumar. We met new friends and submitted the essential forms and certificates. We have registered for Master of Education (TESL) which in this semester we have to fulfill the requirement of 9 credit hours.

No, not deja vu…
Hah, here we are! Enroll in the same ‘Ibu Kandung Suluh Budiman’. There were new faces in the new class of 27 students. Actually, we were looking and hoping for any familiar faces to meet but in the end of the session we found out only two of us who were the ex-students of our faculty (faculty of languages). We were really expecting our former classmates would enroll in. But we believe some of them did the same thing at other varsities.

Something I like…
It is typical for every new registration to get souvenir from the university. Usually the set would be an umbrella, a pen and a bag. However, today’s set was quite unusual (but I love the set very much). The compilation of a bag, a 2 gigabytes flash drive and a Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association book, has made them most valuable things that I have ever received as souvenir so far.

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Heh... again... these two guys showing their 'muka tak malu' at UPSI compound...

Briefing Session; short, simple and accurate... started by the Dean of the Institute of Graduate Studies, Prof. Dr.Omar Abdull Kareem.

I love them...

Dreaming of being a scholar... Read! In the name of your Rabb who created-

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Salam Aidil Adha to all Muslims

2008-12-07T21:46:00.003+08:00

I wish all my Muslim brothers Salam Aidil Adha...

Understanding history...

2008-12-05T12:32:00.006+08:00

I thought of writing the things I've learnt from days at the hospital. Yet I found this is more interesting than that. This video clip is produced by a group of students and I feel that they really understood the history that they have learnt.

Became sick..

2008-11-30T11:49:00.006+08:00

I was admitted to Hospital Slim River Ward 5 for diarrhea on Thursday. Only been discharged this morning after the doctor found me had no more fever. 4 days in ward was quite boring yet I learnt some things also. I will write on the next post because I just returned home and have to rest. See ya...

Don't you dare!

2008-11-26T22:34:00.003+08:00

This is not an attempt to commit suicide but....

Never ever do this at home!

to know what it is, click here to read more

Mathavan's Wedding

2008-11-23T18:35:00.006+08:00

PHOTO STREAM OF MATHAVAN'S WEDDING

View Album

Get your own

Read This: To get the bigger view and to download the photos, click on any photo in the slide show.

The video is available here.. (click here)

Learn from the Holy Scripture

2008-11-20T22:35:00.003+08:00

"Say: He is ALLAH the One and Only".
Surah al-Ikhlas starts with the urge of accepting the Oneness of ALLAH. It states the foremost and fundamental doctrine of Islam (Tawhid) in 4 brief sentences, impresses on human memory and can be read and recited easily.

The quiet old abandoned train station.

2008-11-18T18:48:00.010+08:00

Having the guts...
Driving to school everyday since last year have forced me to pass by this abandoned train station. I do not know when it was firstly built and started operating. But I have known this station since I was a small boy who loved and admired train travel.

Visiting the old buddy...
One day, after school I dropped by at the station and grabbed my camera to snap some photos of the station. The signboard actually made me reminiscing something I learnt from the past. It was a day when my family and I (Abah, Mak and me) were on the way to the station. (It was my first time getting chance to be there and boarded a train). My eyes were spontaneously attracted to the signboard. I was unable to read at the moment, yet I asked Mak, for what was that.. Mak answered me, by pronouncing a proper noun 'KUALA KUBU ROAD' which immediately saved in my schemata. From that day until I gain reading ability, I marked that as 'KUALA KUBU ROAD' even though I could not read.

The learning process...
What I did actually was making the whole thing as a symbol. Instead of identifying the alphabets carved on the signboard, I took Mak's answer of 'KUALA KUBU ROAD' as a mental image. It is similar to showing a toddler a real rabbit and say 'RABBIT'. The toddler definitely will have it as a mental image. If we say 'CAT' for rabbit, the toddler should have that as 'CAT' until he/she grown up and somebody corrected the concept.

Make use of it...
Now I use this learning nature to teach my children reading. Instead of spelling the alphabets "B-A" -->> "BA", I just showed them a card of single syllable which written there "BA" and say "BA". Believe me it works...

Scouts could be given 'smodnoc'

2008-10-20T17:20:00.007+08:00

This foreign news report questions me whether this is the purpose of education in modern days? Getting students involve in co-curricular activities is to help them to build up their discipline and moral, but by providing them with 'smodnoc' is totally out of objectives and what is the teachers' role in this situation? as facilitators I guest.. I also don't think that when Baden-Powell first established his scout movement he had this in his mind too. Perhaps this action is a kind of providing sex education that is needed for teenagers, however providing 'smodnoc' is not the best way towards implementing sex education. Instead of doing that why don't we integrate religious or moral teachings for the students (scouts) to know what is good and what is bad and to help them to have self resistance on sex before marriage.

You can read more of the report here...

p/s: to get the meaning read the word 'smodnoc' from right to left.

PMR is here!

2008-10-13T20:52:00.002+08:00

To all my students, I wish you all good luck and may you pass this PMR with flying colours. I forgive you all for any wrong doing you did because I love all of you and want you all to have brighter future...Amin..

Losing the passion

2008-10-08T19:48:00.004+08:00

"You can say anything about teachers, blame them for their inefficiency, scold them when their students don't like them, accuse them of being lazy when they just had their chance to sit for five minutes teaching relief or anything that you all can describe and picture the teachers as worst thing that the world ever have. The only result that you all can get is, you will get a teacher with no enthusiasm and a passion-lost teacher." - ME

Do my words sound upset? Actually I just read an article about teachers lost their enthusiasm, for I thought that it is common Malaysia's teacher is facing. However it's world's teachers problem... You don't believe? Read this...

The Aidil Fitri wishes and greetings...

2008-09-30T16:24:00.006+08:00

My phone have had uneasy time since 12midnight.... of course from dearest friends and family. Here are some messages that I received... anyway, thanks everybody, SELAMAT HARI RAYA AIDILFITRI to you all too...

----------------------------------------

Selamat Hari Raya, Maaf Zahir dan Batin Semoga di rahmati Allah hendaknya.
Dari, Osman dan Keluarga.

Assalamualaikum wbt.
Kalau dilipek sebosar kuku... Kalau dibontang sebosar alam...
Kok hilang dicaghi... kok hanyut dipinteh...
kok tonggolam di solam... Datang biarlah nampak muko...
Kok poei biarlah nampak belakang...
Jauh diimbau... dokek digamit...
Seuntai salam, sejambak kato...
Dogup bicagho... meghisik ghaso...
Salam Aidilfitri Maaf Zahir dan Batin buat seisi keluargo...
Ikhlas dari Meor, Linda, Ifan, Fatin dan Fazlen.

Meredah hutan di pagi hari,
Hajat mencari si daun palas,
Tersusun rapi sepuluh jari,
Kemaafan dipohon dengan ikhlas...
Dari, Faisal dan Yane

SMS pengganti diri. Bukan lupakan tradisi,
Tapi ikut teknologi di hujung jari...
Salam Aidilfitri Maaf Zahir dan Batin
Dari Faquan sekeluarga

SELAMAT HARI RAYA to you and your loved ones.
Maaf Zahir dan Batin.
From Selvakumar, SMK Convent, Butterworth

SELAMAT HARI RAYA AIDILFITRI.
Jika langkah membekas lara, Jika kata merangkai dusta,
Jika tingkah menoreh luka, Jika suara menikam rasa,
Ampun maaf dipinta...
Dari mustafa, azwa, danial haziq & qaisara irdina.

Di Aidilfitri mulia, maaf dipinta jika:
Terkasar bahasa, Tersilap bicara, Termarah tiba2,
Tertanya x tentu hala, Tersasul yang x sengaja,
Terpinjam harta benda, Termoody x semena2,
Terumpat bila-bila dan mcm2 lagi yang ada.
Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri.
Dari Zainab dan keluarga.

Andai ku tahu ya Allah kemaafan itu maha agung di sisiMu,
Akan ku jaga setiap kata yang diucap dan tingkahlaku yang boleh
mengguris hati saudara seIslamku,
Ya Allah kau lembutkanlah hati-hati saudaraku untuk menerima keampunan
dari hambamu ini,
Allahuakbar Walillahilhamd..
SELAMAT AIDILFITRI ku MOHON MAAF ZAHIR BATIN
Dari: Osman dan keluarga

Dalam kelembutan lidah ada juga keterlanjuran kata,
Dalam gurau dan senda tentu ada khilaf dan dosa,
MOHON MAAF ATAS SEGALANYA,
MAAF ZAHIR DAN BATIN,
SELAMAT HARI AIDILFITRI...
Dari: Adam Rafik dan sekeluarga

For things I did wrong,
For words which might hurt,
For jokes you can't take,
and for advise you can't accept, 1001 apologies,
SELAMAT HARI RAYA AIDILFITRI
From: Ruziah Ahmad

Adat manusia tidak sempurna,
Tersilap kata terlanjur bahasa,
Salam dihulur maaf dipinta,
Semoga lebaran berkat dirasa,
Hubungan terjalin bertambah mesra.
SALAM AIDILFITRI, MAAF ZAHIR DAN BATIN
Daripada: Aisyah, Syamsuri, Syukri dan Samihah

Gemersik Takbir memuji Ilahi,
Bermula Syawwal, berlalu Ramadhan,
Sembah salam tulus di hati,
Mohon Maaf sempena lebaran.
Dari: Azniwati Ishak

Enough of politics... it's time to work

2008-09-22T22:46:00.005+08:00

It is not my intention to change this blog into a political blog. It is just an expression towards the political turmoil happened in our country recently. I am tired of all these finger pointing, non-stop political predictions, power crazy and tendency of manipulating racial issues. Being dissatisfied and fed up made me took my camera and chess set to create some photo works. Just guest what political issue each picture represents.... (click each photo for bigger view)

Photo o1: Seeds of Tension

Photo 02: Play racism

Photo 03: The Popular Unwanted Detention Act

Photo 04: I wanna be Premier

Photo 05: Foreign Interference

The unexpected response...

2008-09-04T18:48:00.003+08:00

Being a teacher is not as easy as non-teacher thought. A teacher has to deal with many things; the most important is his/her patience. Teachers’ ability to control emotion is beyond any instructional theories. It is easy to say about controlling emotion theoretically, but sometimes it is harder than what we thought.

Today, in class I didn’t know why I couldn’t control my emotion. I felt being ignored by my students even though what I shared with them was really important and related to the examination which is just around the corner. The pictures below speak what had happened in the class.

(click on the picture for bigger view so that you all can read what is written there)

The unpleasant sensation...

2008-09-03T17:43:00.008+08:00

FROM HEARTBURN TO GERD...

I was diagnosed for having GERD (Gastroesophageal reflux disease). So, yesterday I went to hospital for a 'simple procedure' (as the doctor described) to know anything serious in my stomach. True, it was simple procedure yet it gave me very unpleasant sensation. It was not easy to get the optical equipment getting through my mouth then throat then esophagus and then deep into the stomach. If you feel that I am wrong, try to insert your finger into your throat... How'd it feel?...

THE UNPLEASANT SENSATION...

During the procedure, at the time the 'thing' getting through my throat, spontaneously I burst out everything inside my stomach. It was like congested pipe line being cleared from blocking wastes. My goodness! At first I felt like I had lost my ability to breath. Lucky it was only panic. The surgeon asked me to calm down and breath through nose only. Everything like gasses, undigested food, fluid etc.. came out one after another as the 'camera' was inside my stomach. The unpleasant sensation occurred again when the surgeon pulled the camera out.... BLUEKK... finally a relief... It's over but the whole day I still felt the pain and feeling like the camera tube was moving happily in my stomach. At night I couldn't sleep because still felt the pain.

'TRIVIA'

After the procedure, the surgeon complained to the nurses that he had lost his pen. Huh! Hey doc! Don't tell me that you left the pen inside!...

------------------

Photo: The 'alien' which went inside my digestion system... BLueekk..

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Flexibles_Endoskop.jpg

------------------

p/s: There went my second day of Ramadhan. What do you expect? What else... I have to replace the undone fasting of the day...

The continuation of Malay culture: A friend's wedding

2008-08-18T21:21:00.006+08:00

---
Singapura negeri baharu,
Tuan Raffles menjadi raja,
Ku ucapkan selamat pengantin baru,
Moga bahagia selama-lama.

---

Starting this post with a Malay 'pantun' is just the expression of my gratitude to the invitation I received from my friend Muhammad Faisal bin Abdul Jalal (I also wanted to try my 'pantun' skill actually :-)). I attended the wedding ceremony with my friend Selvakumar who came all the way from Kulim. So. Mr. Faisal a.k.a Jinggo, the 'pantun' above says thank you and the photos below are captured for our friends who couldn't come to your wedding to see.

Photo 01: The couple walk to the dais.

Photo02: The bride and bridegroom depict their felicity on the dais.

Photo 03: Who else... Farish and Selva, the two special guests :-)

Photo 04: Their smiles describe their... (fill in the blank)

Photo 05: The V.I.P's car

---------------------------------------------------------------------

>> A short but precious video <<

>> A short but precious video << ---------------------------------------------------------------------

Kalau merendam biji selasih,
Minum mari dalam cawan,
Sudah jodoh bertemu kasih,
Laksana paku lekat di papan.

-------------------------

Quick Info:

PANTUN (PANTOUM), a form of verse of Malay origin. An imitation of the form has been adopted in French and also in English verse, where it is known as "pantoum." The Malay pantun is a quatrain, the first and third and the second and fourth lines of which rhyme.>> read more...

My Artocarpus Altilis has got a baby!

2008-07-10T20:40:00.009+08:00

Finally, after long periods of waiting, my only one bread fruit (buah sukun in Malay) has produced its first fruit. I planted the tree in year 2004 and at that time she was a cute skinny little tree. Now she has grown up... Ohh... so touching...

----------------------------

Knowledge Bite:
Breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis) is a tree and fruit native to the Malay Peninsula and western Pacific islands. It has also been widely planted in tropical regions elsewhere. It was collected and distributed by Lieutenant William Bligh as one of the botanical samples collected by HMS BountyBritish slaves in the West Indies. in the late 18th century, on a quest for cheap, high-energy food sources for British slaves in the West Indies. ( Read more )
(Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)

Can you see the 'egg-shaped' green little baby?

Looking at 'the baby' from beneath...

The second baby that only I realised when I was zooming in the lens.. so, she has two babies actually.

Another achievement...

2008-06-23T21:40:00.004+08:00

Here is another one after the one I received from NRIC 2007 at USM last year.

Award: Guru Inovatif, Daerah Hulu Selangor.
Occasion: Hari Guru Peringkat Daerah Hulu Selangor.
Date: 18.06.2008 (Wednesday)
Category: Individual
Title of Innovation: (rahsia/secret)

No not again....

2008-06-05T23:10:00.003+08:00

Today (since yesterday actually) is a thinking and planning day for me. I have to revise my routine budget and expenses for this month onwards. I didn't expect for the petrol price to change by a what I call flip flop statements by the leaders and economic thinkers up there. Thank you very much for this immediate long term plan. Malaysiaku Makmur!

My students are sexy, aren't they? (Part II)

2008-05-26T22:26:00.002+08:00

THE MINISTER HAS A SAYING:
This is the comment of the minister himself as reported by Yahoo! News...

"It is unfair to punish women and children and the clothes they wear for the act of rapists," The Star daily quoted him as saying. "From what I have seen, clothing is not the main consideration of those who commit despicable acts."

Hishammuddin's aide, who spoke on condition of anonymity citing protocol, confirmed the comment.

Cikgu Farish: I agree with you Datuk...

My students are sexy, aren't they?

2008-05-25T22:28:00.007+08:00

A BIG GULP...

It's quite a long time I have not buy daily newspaper, perhaps it is my way to clear up myself from hectic and tiring political issues and disputes. I just have my internet connection as my source to the news updates and other personal purposes... but I could not help my eyes from dragging themselves to this particular headline 'Sexy Uniforms' in Malaysia Yahoo! website...

Oo oh... never make early judgment on me please... I am not a pervert and not a pornographic addict either... It's the issue that gave me a punch... Dusyumm!!!... "Hey! Wake up teacher! Don't you realise you have sexy students around! Come on, help yourself with such pleasure!..."

Ha ha... my goodness, for so long I have been a teacher, only this time some people out of the classroom have had their eyes on my students 'boobs' and claimed they are sexy... How come this people can see but I cannot see... I think something is wrong with my eyes that requires me to go for a check up... or.... something is wrong with those people?

THE NEWS:

KUALA LUMPUR, May 21, 2008 (AFP) - A Malaysian Islamic group on Wednesday condemned the uniform worn by girls at government schools, saying it encouraged rape and pre-marital sex. "The white blouse is too transparent for girls and it becomes a source of attraction," National Islamic Students Association of Malaysia vice-president Munirah Bahari said in a statement. "It becomes a distraction to men, who are drawn to it, whether or not they like looking at it," she said, calling for a review of uniform policy so that it did not violate Islamic ideals. In multicultural Malaysia, home to majority-Muslim Malays as well as ethnic Chinese and Indians, female students at government schools have a choice of wearing a white blouse with a knee-length skirt or pinafore. They may also wear a "baju kurung" which is a traditional long top and skirt, and a headscarf is optional for Malay students. (Read more...)

p/s: Marina Mahathir also has something to say about this issue here

Source:
http://malaysia.news.yahoo.com/afp/20080521/
tap-malaysia-religion-islam-education-0193655.html

Happy Teacher's Day...

2008-05-16T23:08:00.003+08:00

Happy Teacher's Day to all my friends who are teachers, my former teachers and teachers that visit my blog....

Click the card for bigger view

The crazy of English Language...

2008-05-04T11:41:00.005+08:00

I received the poem below from a friend showing certain hard to explain and understand grammatical aspects of English Language. Looks like a joke but make sense. LOL

We'll begin with a box, and the plural is boxes;
but the plural of ox became oxen not oxes.
One fowl is a goose, but two are called geese,
yet the plural of moose should never be meese.

You may find a lone mouse or a nest full of mice;
yet the plural of house is houses, not hice.
If the plural of man is always called men,
why shouldn't the plural of pan be called pen?

If I spoke of my foot and show you my feet,
and I give you a boot, would a pair be called beet?
If one is a tooth and a whole set are teeth,
why shouldn't the plural of booth be called beeth?

Then one may be that, and three would be those,
yet hat in the plural would never be hose,
and the plural of cat is cats, not cose.

We speak of a brother and also of brethren,
but though we say mother we never say methren.
Then the masculine pronouns are he, his and him,
but imagine the feminine, she, shis and shim.

Anonymous

Image source:Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia available at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:8FamousEnglishPeople.jpg

Now have time...

2008-04-21T21:46:00.005+08:00

At last I have a little moment that I can spend and share something in this blog again. Some photos at least... these photos were captured during the implementation of the new invention of mine in the teaching of English language. I am not going to give full description on it until I can see success. The main objective is to help students who are unable to make correct simple sentences in English. Most of my students have problems in constructing simple sentences in English due to lack of vocabulary and lack of knowledge in grammar rules.

Of oil price and Mr. Farish

2008-01-08T18:55:00.000+08:00

Oil price in the global market shows no sign of lowering down. It had reached USD 100.00 per barrel. I wonder how long our government can stand for not increasing local oil price. I believe sooner or later there’d be increment for this commodity. As an oil consumer I am the one who make high demand and cause oil price hike. This is due to the amount of litres of petrol consume of my car where I have to travel 120 kilometres daily to work and back home. Therefore, this morning I have taken an initiative to lower down my demand on petroleum. I joined other Malaysian commuters using ‘KTM Komuter’ to work. Hmm… at least I am proud that I have made a minor (major perhaps?) contribution to our economic growth.

The early bird

The advertisement

The daily route

Several good news

2008-01-01T23:40:00.000+08:00

Happy New Year everyone!

I received a lot of SMSs yesterday due to the completed rotation of the earth as we call it New Year. Thank you very much for your thoughts friends!. Let's talk something interesting that I see as starting good news for teachers and students. There are many good things await our education sector for this year. They are all going to be implemented this year. According to The Star newspaper here are the good news:

1. School will get an additional teacher for every five classes in the Education Ministry's move to improve the teacher-to-student ratio for secondary schools.

2. Free uniforms for students from families with monthly income of RM1000.00 and below.

3. Technical and vocational education in schools will be revamped to enhance skills to meet requirements of employers.

4. PSD sponsorship and scholarship to be increased from 5000 to 10000 for undergraduate students.

5. Inculcating patriotism: a pilot project will start on national service-type training for students at PMR-level as part of their co-curriculum activities.

6. Free school books for primary and secondary students and no more school fees.

Happy Eid-Al-Adha

2007-12-20T07:18:00.000+08:00

HAPPY EID-AL-ADHA TO ALL MUSLIM FRIENDS AND BROTHERS

My horoscope failed to read this...The sukecitter

2007-12-14T21:28:00.000+08:00

What a happy day and good news for me. All Praise to God... Alhamdulillah.

The moral of the story:
Reading a book is better than reading your horoscope. I suggest you read Rowling's Harry Potter he heh...

----------------------------------------------------

Want to know how my mood looked like ? Watch the clip below (wait until you can hear the song)..... Let's ride the horse cowboy!!! yeah haa...

Let the picture speaks...

2007-12-12T22:43:00.000+08:00

Hmm... just came back from Ipoh. Met a digital camera crazy cousin there and I took some photos from him. But this is my favourite. I have heard a saying: a picture speaks thousand words. So what do you all interpret?

How music was discovered?

2007-12-07T08:59:00.000+08:00

This video gives brief idea how music was first discovered. Funny thing...

The best teacher

2007-11-30T23:28:00.000+08:00

The very primitive methods of learning is learning from nature. My teacher once said "Nature is the best teacher". He said nature provides us very wide classroom, various topics and subjects as well as many things await to be explored. For me nature also provide us with unexplained mystery as well. For example why apes which is nearest species to human can not learn human language?... whatever the answer is, I agree with what my teacher suggested and I would like to add that nature always educates us explicitly as well as implicitly.

Watch this video that tells us we are part of nature. Watch.

How they did that?

2007-11-14T20:57:00.000+08:00

This photo was taken few weeks ago by my friend, a friend from the disciplinary committee. He sent me this photo via his ‘bluetoothed’ device (and very proud of it!). That is not the main idea of this post. The important idea is a question, a big question mark. How can this kind of vandalism happen in present day education system? Is this a kind of showing off the sprit of 'Malaysia Boleh'? or an indication of the type of 'Modal Insan' that we are producing? Even though I have no answer to it yet I believe the answer/s should not be in ‘finger-pointing’ point of view. I am still looking for the answer.

Get away for courses

2007-11-08T21:10:00.000+08:00

End of October and early weeks of November required me to travel. It was not for leisure but for courses that gave me few knowledge on new MOE's programmes and some administrative inputs. However, it was time for me to have my leisure in the end of the course. The food, the room, the place even though were not 5 stars, they gave me time to get some ideas and plans. Hmm, I call this Cuti-cuti Kursus Malaysia.

Photo: The room at Impiana Resort, Cherating, Pahang

The gift of towering view...

2007-09-16T22:59:00.000+08:00

Being a teacher, I am given a towering view since I have to stand in front of the class for every lesson. Therefore anything happened in a class's compound obviously can be seen. The picture below is the thing that I grabbed when one of the students was busy admiring it as it was the more important thing in the world than the lesson of that day. (Click the image for bigger view)

The old but memorable melody

2007-09-14T09:47:00.000+08:00

This melody is my favourite one during Ramadhan. When I was little kid, I stayed with my grandparents since my parents had no house. This melody was played by a radio channel (perhaps RTM) before azan. At that time radio was the only entertainment that we had. While the radio was playing this melody, I always looked out of the window to see the sun set. The combination of the melody and the scenery produced very serene and harmonius effect on the surrounding. Hmm... that good old time. Miss my grandpa and his favourite 'bubur kacang' and 'strawberry jam bread'.

To listen to the song from its original singer Fairuz, click here

The Ramadhan

2007-09-12T07:19:00.000+08:00

To all muslims, may this Ramadhan full of blessings for all of us.

A friend of mine

2007-08-31T23:57:00.000+08:00

There's a guy, named Fahmi, a friend of mine. He requested to put his Merdeka Day thought in this blog. I invited him to be one of the contributors but he was reluctant to be one. So Fahmi.... Behold! ye request is answered!

What Merdeka means to me.... by Fahmi Mohd Fadzillah

The 31st of August 2007 marks the 50th anniversary of our nation's independence. It is the day we as Malaysians remember the struggles of our forefathers to give us the gift of freedom. Throughout the country, people congregate and wait for the stroke of midnight to shout the magic word "Merdeka!" as we celebrate our freedom. What is freedom? Freedom means a lot of different things to different people. Some see it as their right and others perceive it as their privilege. If freedom is a right, therefore everybody deserves to have. However, do thieves, murderers and rapists deserve freedom? Some of this "humans" don't deserve even life. Therefore this means freedom is not a right because not everybody deserves it. If it is not a right, is it a privilege? If it is a privilege, only a select few can have it. Would freedom still be what it is if it is only enjoyed by certain people? To me freedom is neither a right nor a privilege. Freedom is a responsibility. It is a responsibility to choose what is right and what is wrong. To have freedom means to have the moral obligation to decide to do the right thing. This is a big responsibility. That is why during the early years leading to our independence, there were people among Malaysians who were sceptical about whether we can achieve Merdeka. They may have had many reasons. Perhaps some of them were afraid. To some people, it is easier to do what they are told to do than to figure out what to do by themselves. These are people whose minds and souls are still not independent. They do not have the courage to decide what is right for themselves, their family, their people and their country. Our forefathers fought for independence not just for us to live free. They fought for independence so that we can decide the future of our people. What they have done is to give us the responsibility to determine our destiny and not let a bunch of invading colonials dictate our lives. To honour their sacrifice, we the people of Malaysia, regardless of culture or religion, should always have the courage to take hold of this responsibility that they have fought so hard to get. Whether we achieve greatness or fall in our stride, we must have the responsibility to do it as one people, Malaysians. Even if we stumble along the way, it is our responsibility to pick ourselves up and keep our heads held up high as one people, Malaysians. That is our responsibility. That is what freedoms means to me. That is what Merdeka means to me.

The Password Protected USB Flash Drive

2007-08-01T21:14:00.000+08:00

I am using a brand new Toshiba U3 drive and satisfied with the protection system and its user friendly. Now my data are all protected with my own password. I love this device because when I insert it into the USB port, it automatically launches the U3 software.

Ooops... Teacher did it again...

2007-07-28T22:02:00.000+08:00

Since I entered the teaching profession, I found that teachers were the most unfortunate creature in Malaysia. Teachers’ conducts are always under the spotlight. The worse thing is media loves to create wonderful story from any mistakes that teachers did. Media speaks people’s mind (I heard this from someone, perhaps a politician). So, it can be concluded that Malaysians has no more respect on teachers (who cares about teachers, even Mufti’s Fatwa nobody wants to follow).

Last few weeks, teachers were reported as cruel entity that whacked their subjects without mercy. Slap, cane, soak, hit, slam, kick, whack were among the famous verbs used in media. Teachers were given barbaric image. The most interesting story and most published was the ‘Pond Squat’ case of Sarawak.

THE STORY: TEACHER WEE, THE PONDY SQUATTY TEACHER

Wee Yim Pien, an English teacher and a hostel warden had gained a bad reputation from her effort to enforce discipline on his ‘anak didik’. She wanted them to live in a hygienic environment but the students reacted negatively towards the rules that she and the school authority set.

The students were punished for their failure of following the rules set. Some of the students failed to understand that sanitary pad is a solid object that is able to stop water flow. They simply threw it into toilet bowl after it was used. Warnings after warnings did not seem to work or to teach them any lesson. Teacher Wee’s patience came to its threshold. The students were soaked in a fish pond after it happened again. This was because there was nobody admitted the offence.

THE EXAGGERATIONS: MEDIA’S FAVOURITE
Media loves to exaggerate. It was reported that the students were soaked in the fish pond during a heavy rain. Teacher Wee denied this statement. She said that the situation was only drizzling and last only for a short period.

The pond was described dirty and contains waste from the nearby canteen. Wee denied this statement and said “We often draw water from the pond for washing. The school has also conducted obstacle courses there.”

SOMETHING TO LOOK ON…

Question:
What are the benefits if Teacher Wee managed to educate the students to throw the sanitary pads into appropriate disposal container?

Answer:
Malaysians will get hygienic environment, pipe leakage can be avoided and can save millions of RM for maintenance cost. The money spent for the maintenance cost can be channelled to any other beneficial matters (such as bonus for civil servants perhaps.. he heh) To get a better idea, read the newspaper extract below,

KUALA LUMPUR: Improper maintenance has resulted in plants and rubbish clogging water outlets, causing water seepage from the roof of the Parliament building, Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said. He said the ministry was not going to blame anyone for the situation and that the Government had approved RM12mil for an initial study and immediate repairs to the building...

…..Samy Vellu said the ministry would submit a paper to the Treasury, seeking an allocation to undertake the repairs as well as waterproofing. On the leak from the ceiling of the Sultan Abdul Halim Hospital cafeteria, the fifth such incident since the hospital started operations in December last year, he said the ministry would liaise with the Health Ministry on the possibility of putting sanitation boxes in the ladies’ toilets. Hospital director Dr Hariff Fadzilah Che Hashim had blamed the leak on pipes clogged with sanitary pads and disposable napkins. (Source: The Star Online > Nation>Wednesday July 25, 2007)

MY CONCLUSION:
It is very simple and Malaysian. Teachers are the engineers of ‘Modal Insan’. Thank You. Ilalliqa, Ma a’ssalama.

Photo: Teacher Wee, source:The Star Online> Nation>Wednesday July 25,2007.

Le Arome du Sud-Est de Asie

2007-07-24T13:17:00.000+08:00

Coming soon.......! How nature teaches us...

I posted this photo on 10.07.2007 but the article was delayed due to the KOF fiesta (My own term. Refer article below for explanation). As promised here is the article.

-------------------------------

July this year is the time for Malaysians to welcome the arrival of ‘His Royal Highness King of the fruits’ (KOF). It is well-known as ‘durian’ {doo-ree-yan}. I have asked somebody who loves durian like bear and its honey-comb about why do we call this durian as King of the fruits. His answer was rather simple and very Malaysian; “I don’t know lah… I just like to eat durian. That’s all”.

As usual, I spent most of my weekend at this KOF feast at my grandma's inherited orchard. While waiting for the HRH KOFs to follow the law of gravity, my ears enjoyed the nature's musical orchestra of mynahs, crickets and merbahs (I do not know its name in English) but my mind kept on spinning with questions. If Sir Isaac Newton thought of why things always fall down to earth not the reverse way (please do not compare me with him okay..), my thinking was more on the sociological aspect. I was wondering who the first man to eat durian was. However, this thought then produced another question, how did he (perhaps she..who knows?) know that the durian was consumable?. I had no answer for those questions though nobody would dare to find it for me. I just made my own imaginative hypothesis. Man learns from nature.

My Hypothesis: Man learns from nature:

The hypothesis follows these imaginative procedures:

1. Man was hungry.

2. Man found durian.

3. Man did not like its smell.

4. Man saw a creature (perhaps squirrel’s ancestor) ate the durian.

5. Man's curiosity reacted towards the creature's behaviour.

6. Man tested the taste.

7. Man liked its taste.

8. Man’s thought concluded that 'bad smell does not mean bad taste'.

9. Man ate the durian.

10. Man enjoyed it.

Result:
Man happy and had full stomach.. burrppp. Praise God!

Chain Reaction:
Man spread the findings, community got the benefit.

Durian’s Personal Impact:
Durian became a famous entity.

Cikgu Farish:
My grandma's civic-minded motto: Fruit, fruit jugak. Sampah tolong kemas!
Le Arome du Sud-Est de Asie= The aroma of south east asia

Never ever shake a baby: Protecting the 'Modal Insan'

2007-06-28T11:57:00.000+08:00

A baby is the raw source of the 'modal insan' (Human Capital). In the PIPP (Pelan Induk Pembangunan Pendidikan 2006-2010), In chapter 5, it is mentioned that "Development of human capital is the determination for increasing the competitiveness and the productivity of the country" . So never ever shake a baby! But you can baby a shake.. hah.. hah.. hah. This video tells about never shake a baby thing...

p/s:

PIPP, some people make a joke on it, they change it to -"Pelan Ini Perempuan Punya". An escapism from Malaysian male teachers to let their female colleagues to do all the implementations. LOL
Teachers who have not gone for their interview yet, should read and understand the PIPP.

Cikgu Farish: I posted this just for a relief from all of the stressful afternoon session matters. (Never ask me what...)

I got the power! (Don't scratch my car, please...)

2007-06-27T13:02:00.000+08:00

I attended a meeting for the first time at the school. After a few matters had been discussed, I was shocked (even though I had some hints before) to know that I had to replace a teacher's (who left the school for Institut Bahasa) position. I was appointed as a disciplinary teacher for the afternoon session. I got the 'license to cane' according to the senior teacher. I haven't got this opportunity before. (opportunity??? Is this mean my car will got scratch?) Having negative perception makes this thing appears as an opportunity for me to punish the problematic students. However, my positive mind has more percentage than the negative one. Caning is not the main solution for the problematic students. Only if there is no other way I will use it but under permission of the principal. I accept the 'license' with responsibility. Hopefully my emotion will not defeat my rationality.

(Hmm... Do I have the 'disciplinary enforcer' look?)

Knowledge bite: Rattan cane for disciplinary and coercive implement

Cikgu Farish:I like rattan chair :)

A letter from a caring mother

2007-06-24T08:03:00.000+08:00

It has been almost a week since I first started my service in the school. I found something interesting when a girl (student) approached me to give me something to be filled in. She handed me a book which I had to give comment after every English session.

I have to fill in the book every time after the class ended. The book is prepared by his caring mother who seriously wants to see his daughter's success. Her effort, I believe can encourage parents-teachers relationship. The photo below describes how serious and caring she is...

(click photo for a larger view)

National Research and Innovation Competition (NRIC 2007-USM)

2007-05-27T09:01:00.001+08:00

At last, my hard work has been paid off. Even though I had to struggle for my 18 credit hours subjects, I managed to complete my research and it was selected to represent UPSI's Faculty of Languages and The English Language Department for NRIC held in Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Pulau Pinang. I received silver medal for my research. Thanks to everybody who had given their support. My special thanks goes to Dr. Raja Nor Safinas Raja Harun for her help and support and Puan Ainon Omar for giving me a chance to compete in the national level competition. I managed to proved that PKPG students are not spoon fed type of creatures. Here are some photos during the competition(click on the photos for bigger view):

Me at my booth No.118: Category: Information Technology and Communication

The silver winner

With other UPSI's participants and The Museum director of USM.

At the Faculty of Arts and Music's booth

At my booth after the judgment (the borrowed laptop had been returned)

The Silver Medal and The Plaque

The Pewter Plaque

The Silver Medal

Happy Teacher's Day: The bilingual messages

2007-05-16T17:18:00.000+08:00

'GURU PENJANA MODAL INSAN GEMILANG'
(Teacher is the generator of human capital)

Happy Teacher's Day to all Malaysia's dedicated and beloved teachers. As usual since yesterday till this afternoon my hand phone has received many messages wishing me Happy Teacher's Day. I would like to share some of the messages here..(I also got the naughty ones but dare not to share it here..).

From Selvakumar,

Congrats to us... we made them all-doctors, lawyers, engineers, teachers, accountants, thieves, murderers, and even loan-sharks...
Kehebatan guru bukan terletak pada Ijazah yang dimiliki, harta benda atau kemewahan yang dikecapi ataupun lama mana anda bekerja tetapi kepada banyak mana hati yang anda telah sentuh. Selamat Hari Guru.

From Robert Collins,

Dulu DIA pegang rotan kau kata dia garang, kalau DIA lambat masuk kelas kau kata DIA malas. Bila DIA marah kau kata DIA melampau.. KINI kau adalah dia... SELAMAT HARI GURU.

From Norhaslini,

Teacher is like PEPSI "Ask for more". Teacher is like NIKE "Just do it." Teacher is like NOKIA "Connecting people". Teacher is like Mc D "I'm loving it". HAPPY TEACHER'S DAY.

From Shamsudin,

Bukan material yang kita kejar, bukan sanjungan melangit yang kita impikan, bukan pujian yang kita perlukan, bukan pangkat yang kita harapkan, bukan hadiah yang kita idamkan. Sebenarnya harapan kita adalah kejayaan membentuk keperibadian dan keintelektualan sebuah generasi. "Benih yang baik dicampak ke laut menjadi pulau". Adakah kita 'benih' itu? SELAMAT HARI GURU 2007.

I'm waiting for the 'surprise' from the government for teachers tonight. Live telecast at TV9...

Should we or shouldn't we?

2007-05-03T10:09:00.000+08:00

THE GOOD NEWS
I think the news below is a kind of good news to us and we can use it as one reason to avoid wearing necktie. (For those who don't like only). Now I realized that not only certain teachers are reluctant of wearing necktie. I think in our tropical climate; it is quite weird to wear that hanging thing plus blazer. But... but... sometimes it makes a man has that 'handsome and professional appearance' isn't it? Hmm... this shows I am in dilemma.

KNOWLEDGE BITE
The necktie (or tie) is a long piece cloth, either woven or knitted, worn around the neck, under the shirt collar, and knotted at the throat, with its blades resting on the shirt front, covering the buttons.... (read more)

-------------------------

Malaysia doctors say neckties are a health hazard

KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - Malaysian doctors have declared neckties a health hazard and called on the heath ministry to stop insisting that physicians wear them.

Citing studies that show ties are unhygienic and can spread infection, the Malaysian Medical Association says they are not often washed and carry germs that can cause pneumonia and blood infections, the Star newspaper said on Tuesday.

"And when doctors are doing their clinical rounds, they dangle all over the place," the paper quoted association president Dr Teoh Siang Chin as saying.

But the Star quoted a ministry official as saying it needed more proof that neckties were a danger before it relaxed the dress code for doctors in hospitals.

News Source:http://asia.news.yahoo.com/070501/3/3156a.html

Installation of The XIII King

2007-04-27T13:00:00.000+08:00

DAULAT TUANKU

Salutations and Heartiest Congratulations
to
HIS MAJESTY THE YANG DI-PERTUAN AGONG
AL-WATHIQU BILLAH TUANKU MIZAN ZAINAL ABIDIN IBNI AL-MARHUM SULTAN MAHMUD AL-MUKTAFI BILLAH SHAH
D.K.M., D.K.T., D.K.R., D.M.N., S.U.M.Z., S.S.M.T., S.P.M.T., D.K.(Perlis), D.K.(Johor), D.K.M.B. (Brunei), D.K.(Perak), D.K.(Negeri Sembilan), D.K.(Kedah), D.K.(Kelantan), D.K.(Selangor), S.P.M.J., Commandeur de la Legion d'Honnoeur (France)

And

HER MAJESTY RAJA PERMAISURI AGONG
TUANKU RAJA NUR ZAHIRAH
D.M.N., D.K., S.S.M.Z., S.S.M.T.

on the occasion of
The Installation of His Majesty The Yang Dipertuan Agong XIII
26 April 2007 (8 Rabiulakhir 1428H)

May Allah Bless His Majesty's Reign

with utmost sincerity from
Cikgu Farish @ http://myedutalk.blogspot.com

THE NATIONAL PALACE (ISTANA NEGARA)

Volcano in Malaysia?

2007-04-24T20:18:00.000+08:00

My geography teacher taught me that Malaysia has no volcano . I just found a fact that Malaysia does have a volcano and its name is BOMBALAI, located in southern part of Sabah. You can find the fact here... Malaysia Volcano. I do not know how far it is true. I have never been to Sabah. Only Sabahan can confirm the fact. However I have checked the longitude and latitude (4.40° N 117.88° E) and found this image...(the image is available at google map)...

This information was really giving me a shock and can't you all see the advantage of the internet in knowledge dissemination?. I really support the MOE's effort on strengthening our Smart Schools and promoting IT savvy among teachers. Go on MOE. Ignore the criticisms that say "technology doing no good for human being, human can do more great things than computers". But they forget the fact that computer is one of the great things that human has invented.

I just surfed the wikipedia to find out something about volcano. Why I looking for volcano; I will write about it in my next post. This piece of information really grabbed my attention and made me to write about it first.

A teacher without internet in this millennium onwards, is like Aladdin without his magic carpet which he used for showing Princess Jasmine how the world looks like. (Cikgu Farish)

The teacher-student ratio issue

2007-03-22T16:40:00.000+08:00

Today's newspaper reported that cluster schools demand teacher-student ratio at 1:20. I would like to say that this demand is not new. I still remember that I had fill in a set of questionnaires when I was still teaching at school in 1999. One of the questions asked teacher-student ratio that we prefer. I had chosen 1:20.That was few years ago but until now I do not know what action has been taken based on the action research. May be MOE has its own reason for the large teacher-student ratio. Whatever it is, this problem need to be solved to make our learning session become more effective.

From school to the world virtual community

2007-03-17T01:33:00.000+08:00

THE WIRELESS THING
I just want to try out the wireless internet connection of this school (I'm giving tuition to the students). It's satisfactory. Thank you to SCHOOLNET and our MOE for providing us with this access even though severals access are blocked. This indicates MOE can avoid access to illegal and prohibited websites.Teachers should make use of this access otherwise it would be wasteful. There is no excuse for us to have least knowledge because the door to the knowledge is now opened without any barriers (except to the unnecessary knowledge)

TEACHERS' PSYCHOLOGICAL NEEDS
In this month there was a case where an ESL teacher hit her heeled shoe on her students' head. I chose not to discuss it (hey, I am discussing it now!). The only thing that I can say is, not only students have psychological needs but teachers also need them. So, think of it.

Students aren't guinea pigs

2007-02-05T15:30:00.000+08:00

A GUINEA-PIG BUSINESS
NUTP has raised out their disagreement on the suggestion to extend English language learning sessions for Year 1 students. (as reported by a local newspaper) (perhaps to enhance students' proficiency) NUTP refuses to back MOE's action because they are not consulted before. To show their concern on students affair, NUTP's secretary-general says that our students should not be treated like guines pigs. In addition she says Science and mathematics classes has turned out into language lessons nowadays.

I agree with NUTP's views. We should not gamble our students' fate with projects which the success is uncertain. About the ETEMS, it is true that we cannot see its result in few seconds. It takes time but what I know so far the problems are more on the subject teachers (Sc & M3). Now they have to sit for some sort of special English competency test. If they failed they have to go to Teachers Institute for a course. Isn't that look... ( I do not know what to say). It is not to say that I against ETEMS but I do not feel the implementation is good enough. Something has to be done. May be we should hear the teachers' voices.

ANOTHER BURDEN?
On the same day NUTP's response was reported, in local TV news there was a suggestion to introduce an anti-corruption subject as single separated subject in school. Teachers will be trained in one of local higher institutions in Perak. Oh.. come on... hasn't our 'nilai-nilai murni' and 'Pendidikan Islam' good enough to cater this corruption matters?

SOME FACTS TO CONSIDER:
Year 1 English Language Lesson hours per week:
Previously: 8 hours/week... New suggested hours: 18 hours

Guinea Pig:
Scientific name: Cavia porcellus, Family: Rodents, Popular for: being experimental subject.
(more info...)

How will our pupils learn Science or Mathematics if their lessons are turned into English classes?« - LOK YIM PHENG, NUTP SECRETARY GENERAL as cited in The Star

Nice to hear...

2007-02-04T19:18:00.000+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP) - Bosnian groups have nominated Malaysia's former premier Mahathir Mohamad for the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize for helping the country after its bloody civil war, according The Star newspaper.

(source: asia Yahoo News: AFP)

My related post about TUN M

Ohh..ohh not teacher again...

2007-01-29T17:43:00.000+08:00

NUTP today, in a local newspaper reveals that there is a female teacher who is now suffering trauma even though she is a dedicated teacher. This is due to a punishment given to one of her student for not completing homework. The consequences she had to face were:

The student's parents sued her.

It gives her bad reputations to the community

Her job and salary were impeded.

However, she won the case and NUTP paid RM60,000 for the lawyer cost because she is a member of NUTP. NUTP’s General Secretary, Yim Pheng advices teachers to act carefully when dealing with any punishment. Punishment such as toilet cleaning might be harsh to parents view.

Today’s Teachers.

This is what teachers get from present day parents. They are no longer respected. Punishment which is to educate is seen as hidden hatred of teachers to the students. If all parents continuously embrace this attitude I feel that in the future we will have majority of citizens who are law ignorance. This will force our law enforcer to work harder and again the blame will come back to teachers (educators?).

Punishment I: Psychologist perspective
A devoted psychologist, B.F. Skinner proposes his operant conditioning theory in explaining how human behaviour is affected by its consequences. He believes that both reinforcement and punishment can be used in shaping children’s behaviour. Punishment is given to avoid the repetition of desired behaviours (delinquency). Punishment will decrease the desired behaviour because punishment is a kind of undesirable consequences. Therefore, it is not wrong for a teacher to punish their students in shaping their behaviour and attitudes.

Punishment II: Religious perspective
There are so many scenes appear in both the Quran and the Bible that depict the punishment given by God to human misconduct such as:

The mass flood to the people of Noah
The plagues in ancient Egypt
The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah

Flashback: I was punished for my careless of did not bring my
English Language text book. The teacher still gave me a chance to follow the
lesson of the day but my place was near the front door outside of the classroom
and... HERE I AM TODAY! A teacher like her...

A start of a journey

2007-01-29T07:48:00.000+08:00

In the news today, it is reported that vase area of Johor was flooded. The state of Johor was the first state where I started my career as an ESL teacher. It is still fresh in my mind some of the events happened. One of the events gave me a major impact where I made up my mind to continue my study in UPSI. I felt that I need more knowledge to be a better teacher. I felt that 3 years in Teacher’s training college were insufficient for me to be a good language teacher. Let me tell you the story…

It was the first class that I had to enter on that day since it was also the first day of the new school session began. As usual, with the gadget that we call a record book, in it there was a fully prepared lesson note; I entered the class with full of confidence. The class was occupied by 34 pupils; 8 girls and 26 boys. I started the lesson by using teachers ‘common ritual’ which is called the set induction. The set induction was related to the topic that I was going teach which was ‘Personal Details’. I began introducing my name and a little background of mine. I believed it was the simplest way to relate it with the topic. After that it was their turn to tell their details. It was a big shocked! The response was negative. In fact it could be no response at all (at least some of them provide me with simple facial expression, smiling.)They did not even know the meaning of the word ‘name’. They only knew the meaning after I spoke to them using the ‘apache’s language’ like what a Red Indian chief used to talk to white settlers in cowboy movies… i.e. “Me, Farish. You what?” plus a little bit of hand signals. My set induction took me about 80 percent of the lesson. It was no more a set induction. Then only I realised that they learnt no English since they were in Year 1. According to a reliable source, their ESL teacher was fed up because she felt that the syllabus for Year 1 were not suitable. The syllabus itself ‘assumed’ that the all students were able to read and write. The students knew no alphabets when they were in Year 1. Therefore, she felt teaching new ‘alien language’ by following the syllabus was irrelevant because the students could not read and write in their first language. This incident made me put a thinking hat but the only solution that I had was I had to put aside the Year 5 syllabus and started to teach them with my own ‘modified’ Year 1 syllabus. Don’t ask me the content of it. I just taught them to get them to know certain meaning of words in English and shape their interest in learning the language. I believed that it was the best way that I could help them with. Starting from that moment the desire to further my study was getting stronger. I filled up the form and now here I am at UPSI in Semester 6.