Happy Teachers' Day

May and June are remarkably significant months for most of us. In May, we celebrate Mothers' Day as well as Teachers' Day. And of course, June brings more joy in the family with Fathers' Day celebration.

Like Mothers' Day, Teachers' Day is special in every way. Teachers complete our pursuit of education. Some of us start learning at home, definitely, with moms and dads reading us bedtime stories, playing alphabet games and spending time in the evenings watching fun and learning videos like Barney, Sesame Street and Teletubbies. Nowadays, children switch on to Astro Channels like Playhouse Disney, Nickalodean and Discovery Channel. But we still depend on schools to equip us with the necessary knowledge and skills embedded within the standard education system.

Teachers at tertiary institutions are referred to as lecturers. Nevertheless, they play the same role, to nurture the future generation for a brilliant and successful future. Perhaps their role becomes more challenging as well as instrumental to our lives because they assist their students to compete in the employability challenge. With some exposure to innovation, creativity, and competitive nature, their students become more resilient as well as competitive to decide on a bright future.

As for me, my mom is my first teacher. Since I didn't go to preschool, my mom was the 'teacher' at home equipping me with all the knowledge and skills necessary to survive in Primary One. She did an excellent job because I was placed in the best class at Methodist Girls' Primary School (2), and later got 2nd place in the final year exam. She had always wanted to be a teacher herself. Since she didn't have the opportunity to realize her dreams, I was determined to make it a reality for her. Now, I am a teacher/ lecturer at Universiti Tenaga Nasional. I know my mom will be the happiest person on earth to see me finally teaching, nurturing and shaping the nation's pride. My mom has passed away, but you can see that her dreams lives in me.

I went to a Science college, so it's only natural that most of my friends are now successful doctors, engineers, architects, managers, and entrepeneurs. I have chosen the teaching profession for some personal reasons close to my heart. And I'm so glad and thankful that I am a teacher. Life is always rejuvenating and exciting as a teacher; it's never boring. Every day is like a new day, and I can also learn a lot from my students. The teaching career may not be a lucrative choice, but it is an extraordinary world that I cherish till eternity.

Like me, many teachers feel the love and passion for this teaching career. Teachers' day may come once in a year. Yet, if we live for it's pride, aspiration, and honourable vision, teaching will keep us lively every second...hey..this is just what we need in this modern world. Teaching always makes me feel young at heart, and keeps me youthful as well:) ehemmmm....


Yours Truly,

A Teacher

A Tribute to Mom

Today, we celebrate mother's day. This is a very special event in every mom's life.

Early this week, my son came back from pre-school with a tissue-carnation. He did it with his teacher's help...hmm, I was so touched. I always like it when schools cultivate good values like this - to be thoughtful and loving to mom (and family). Thank you darling..oh...you are so wonderful...

Three days back, Farah and Emir sang a song for me entitled " Mummy...You are So Wonderful" and I recorded it. Now, it has become my precious ringtone...Farah's teacher wrote the lyrics for her school choir competition...isn't this great:)

Today is mother's day, and Nadia had wanted to make me scrambled egg for breakfast...but she will have to wait..hmmm...coz we had a special mother's day breakfast at Mac Donald's Taman Equine. Excellent deal... I got a free breakfast set with every order..try to imagine this...they actually doubled my order of Sausage Mc Muffin with Egg, and Big Breakfast...hmmm...thankx family restaurant.

And the greatest gift of all to all moms is the wonderful thought from each loving member in the family. I am so lucky and thankful to have a 'big' happy family. We may not have riches, but we are so rich in love, care and presents..he..he...here's a photo of us in front of Memory Lane Taman Equine.

The kids got me something...hmm...now, I am proud to have two extra hearts and another cuddly bear. My first two bears were given by my darling husband...guess, bears have become the 'lovey-dovey-cuddly-snuggly' mascot for lovers, kids and families...aha...:)

To all mothers, I wish you all a very happy mother's day. Cherish this moment of happiness. Although love comes every other moment in our lives, a one-day celebration like this is indeed the highlight to our family's tribute to us.

I have lost my mom, but she's always in my mind, forever my inspiration and the pillar to my determination and success. I pray may Allah blesses her soul, and I know she's happy that because of her, I am what I am today, blessed with a good career, three wonderful children and a very loving husband. (Thanks Prof. Kobkua for this quote in your sms. You are a very special mom in every way to me...)

So bloggers and readers....quickly send your love and thots to yummy mummy dearest...ok...and convey my special wishes 2 all of them...:)

Feel Like Giving Up???

Isn't this a common 'escapism' to our multi-coated life? Yah! I shall call it an 'escapism' because it actually means we take a flight, not fight our way to champion our pursuit and struggle.

Frankly, I nearly felt like giving up yesterday. All this while, I have put so much effort into my work, and I was so serious in scrutizing the process and product. But I had a bombshell yesterday evening when #### said he didn't see me doing anything!!!?

ok..I'm getting personal here, instead of being more professional. This just had to happen to me, so I had to face it like an adult. It may happen to you one day, but let's pray that it doesn't yaaa...

So, I really felt like giving up. But WHY should I? Afterall, beauty is in the eyes of the beholder;) So? Why bother? If I think I have done my work according to the specifications, and my work has been approved by a respectable committee of scholars, do I have to be affected by #### passing judgement like this?

Thoughts to ponder:

At times like this, let's tell ourselves that maaaaay beeeee - we don't need this EXTERNAL VALIDATION. We are what we believe we are, and we deserve some respect, even a tiny bit. #### doesn't have to undemine me for reasons that are made up out of sheer whatever:)

Today I'm back on my toes, and I'm so glad I'm ok...huh..even someone as adult as I am can be affected, but we all need to be a tough cookie sometimes.

Prayer:

Life is never a bed of roses, so when you find a happy and rewarding moment, live it to its fullest. May God bless all of you bloggers and readers, and you may want to share your adventure? in this roller-coaster ride:) Take care, and watch every step you make.

Big Cleaning Day

The country has proudly practised a system and discipline known as Five S's or 5S - Sort, Set in Order, Shine, Standardize, Sustain. It could have started with the manufacturing and industrial plants first because they benefit most from tiptop organization and systematic planning and implementation.

This quality program known as '5S' has been successfully adapted for use in institutions of higher learning, including my university - the Universiti Tenaga Nasional. Recently, the '5S'auditors came down and visited the campus to evaluate our performance in keeping up with the challenge. Hmmm, I shall try to update this article when the results is released...

So we went '5S' crazy for a long while. The university staff attended pre-'5S' workshops and campaigns, and then, there were filing systems to follow, arrangement and labelling to be done, and what I dreaded most was discarding of items - which may sound impossible for individuals like me. Argggh! the office is my treasure chest!!! complete with precious belongings and items of sentimental value:)

Our first nightmare came around in sorting our stacks of items. But it was not as tough as it may sound. As much as '5S' may be stringent in ensuring order, it also brings about a very impressive 'speck n clean' culture. Besides, it nurtures a very good habit of keeping our workplace organized and in perfect order. Everything has its place, and should be returned to its assigned location after use. This way, we can find completely any reference item in a jiffy, and eliminate lame excuses like - lost it! the elves must have taken it! somebody must have borrowed it. Ring a bell? We were positive in embracing this new 'big clean concept' and we all did it wonderfully.

I guess the best part for '5S' is the last step which is to sustain the good practice and habits. We certainly don't have to wait for another program, campaign or evaluation visit to happen to remind us about our responsibility to keep our place clean and systematic. We don't need to declare another Friday as our 'big cleaning day'.

For its superior qualities, let's take '5S' program and concept as our culture - a complete package of guidance, value, and quality control. Like the industries, the universities are welcoming the '5S' program. The nation should read up more about it, and join the pursuit of total cleaning initiative. Imagine - reduced rubbish, zero litterbugs, cleaner roads, well-maintained road signs, etc.

The '5s' program does not end at the workplace - main office, lecture halls, and individual work space. It also reminds us of our dutiful chores at home, systematic student life, and intrapersonal and interpersonal values like time management, discipline, effective procedures, etc.

Sort, Set in order, Shine, Standardize, Sustain.

What's your Favourite Sport?

Sports has become a recreational activity, hobby and a contemporary lifestyle to us. With stress level rising every second, and challenges at every nook and corner of our life, the only saviour seems to be "good health".

An affordable way to stay healthy is by engaging ourselves in at least one type of sport we can enjoy. Furthermore, the superiority of sports to human soul and body can go beyond description - think about acquaintances and new friends, fresh air, improved blood circulation, etc. In short, sports as a term exists to benefit mankind, ultimately.

Nowadays, besides the traditional types of sport, we can also choose any of the extreme sports as a hobby or a way to start our profession. A sport like rock climbing, river rafting, bungee jumping and skateboarding may involve certain danger involving extreme situations. But the thrills and obstacles bring about the fun in every extreme sports fan.

What's your favourite sport? Would you like to try any type of extreme sport?