A Birthday Wish To My Dearest Father

An inspirational thought dedicated to my dearest father,

Ayahanda HAJI ABDUL SAMAD BIN MAHMOOD
on his 76th birthday...

TOO TRUE, TOO OFTEN

Too often we didn't realise

What we have until it is gone

Too often we wait too late to say

"I'm sorry - I was wrong"

Sometimes it seems we hurt the ones

We hold dearest to our hearts 

And we allow foolish things

To tear our  lives apart

Far too many times we let

Unimportant things into our minds

And then its usually too late

To see what made us blind

So, be sure that we let people know

How much they mean to us

Take the time to say the words

Before  our time is through

Be sure that we appreciate

Everything we have got

And be thankful for the little things

In life that mean a lot.

Growing old is a privilege

Denied to many

Never leave behind regrets...

From the very first step

To every step of the way

Thank you so much, Ayah

For always being there for us

Here's wishing you a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY

From the very bottom of my heart

And may your good times multiply

Till they're flying off the chart

Wish you happiness and bless from ALLAH,
AMIN...

PENGHARGAAN BUAT SEMUA IBU

THE BOY NEXT DOOR

Early one morning while we were having breakfast, we heard some noise outside. The four of us, Man, Noli, Lan and I, tried to finish  our nasi lemak as fast as we could. Even my mother was surprised to see us cleaning up the table together without complaining. Then, we ran to the front door and saw a big green lorry loaded with furnitures in it. To get a clearer view, we all stood at the veranda overlooking our next door neighbour's house."Looks like we're going to have some new friends!""Yeah! 2 girls & 3 boys!""Wonder who they are!""Where do they live before this?" The questions kept pouring out from the four of us, and yet there wasn't any answers to the questions. At least for that day...

A few days after that, we got the chance to get to know the family quite well. We became friends and spent our weekends playing 'hide-and-seek', 'police-and-thief'  and badminton together. We seldom see each other during school days because we went to different primary schools in town, the non co-ed schools and of different sessions, either morning or afternoon. Among the 2 girls and 3 boys, the eldest boy is the most hardworking and obedient boy. He always helps the family to clean their garden and seldom play with us.

When I got the chance to continue my secondary education in a boarding school in JB and then in Kluang, I seldom see the boy next door anymore. Not until one night when one of my senior handed me a letter. She had just arrived from a trip to JB with our School Debate Team (BM and English ). Oh my! It was from the boy next door! He had continued his secondary education in a technical school in JB. From that day onwards, we became friends...

As the years passed by, the boy next door started his career life as a government servant immediately after his MCE result came out. Although the result was quite good, he had to start working  to support his parents and  three siblings who were still schooling. A few years after that, the boy next door managed to rent a house. So, finally one day, his parents and siblings packed all their belongings and happily shifted to their new house...

The boy next door took good care of his parents and siblings. All their needs were fulfilled. He worked hard for his family and has even bought a house for them. When the boy next door finally got married, he decided to pursue his studies in UiTM Segamat as an out-campus student. He had to hold responsibilities as a son to his parents, a husband to his wife, a father to his children, an employee to his employer and a student in the university...

With his beloved parents after receiving his Diploma

When the boy next door finally graduated, he migrated to Kuala Lumpur to hold a new post there. Once again, he decided to pursue his studies but now in UiTM Shah Alam. The hectic life in the city and the heavy workload at the office did not permit him to finish his studies as scheduled. So, when the boy next door decided to come back to  Johore for good, he continued his studies in UiTM Melaka instead. Just imagine, his family stayed in Batu Pahat, his office was in Johor Bahru and he had to travel to Melaka thrice a week for his classes! Finally, he obtained a Degree at the age of 38... Better late than never...

With my parents and me after receiving his Degree

( His parents were  in Mecca at the moment )

No matter what he did or where he was, the boy next door never forgets his parents, especially his beloved mother. A motorcycle, a car and a house were among the things that he had bought for his parents and siblings. He had even saved up some cash together with his eldest sister so that their parents could perform the Hajj in Mecca. All their necessities are being taken care of, financially and of course with love and care...

The boy next door had now become my closest friend and companion. He is now still  busy at his very own office, Nur Cempaka Enterprise; while I'm trying my very best to finish this entry before he comes home. He is none other than the FATHER to my five beloved children, and of course, my beloved HUSBAND...

With the children and me

DEEP DOWN FROM MY HEART

Salam everyone...

It has been quite some time since I've contributed any entries into my blog to be shared with everyone. Finally, we are in the last month of the year 2009, December. Not forgetting, the last month of the Muslim calender, too. Zulhijjah, 1430 Hijrah.

There are  many incidents happening around us, the monsoon season together with the flood in the east coast and the northern states, the Form 5 students sitting for their SPM and the form 6 students with their STPM exams. The pilgrims who went to perform the Hajj, the 5th pillar of the Rukun Islam are making preparations to come back home after performing their rites. School children are on holiday now and are counting the days to go on vacation with their family. Parents, especially mothers are on alert to the Back To School sales promoted by the shopping outlets. Mothers are complaining that they are spending more time in the kitchen nowadays because their children are always requesting a long list of menu each day, especially those staying in the hostels. Mum's Cooking Is Always The Best!

As for me, everything have been going on fine. As a teacher, my career days are coming to an end soon... I've attended school on the 20th. of November 2009, the last day of school. My intention is to meet my colleagues and 'children' there. My! Even before I could open the door of my husband's car, the children crowded and started to call me, "Teacher, you're back! Are you coming to teach us? When will you start work? Why were you absent from school for so long? What have happened to you? Teacher,........." The children kept on pouring out questions after questions due to their curiosity instincts. I could not answer to any of the questions, not even one. My heart sank. I was stunned and tried my very best to hold back the tears.

Everyone was eager to shake hands with me until I saw a girl trying to keep her distance from the crowd. Suddenly, a boy called out,"Syidah, come and shake hand with Teacher. Why are you shy? You are the one who have been asking for her all this while..." I called Syidah, and finally, she shook hands with me.

Well, Syidah is someone special in my career life. She is a girl who demands a lot of attention. I started to get to know her when she was in Year 1. Not because I was teaching her, but because of the scabies affecting her fingers. Since I was the teacher-in-charge of the Red Crescent Society in school, her class teacher had sent her to me to do the dressing. So, while dressing the sore fingers, I chatted with her and got to know her better. From that day onwards, she would come to see me every school day to clean the wound until she has fully recovered!

When Syidah was in Year 4 in 2008, I became her class teacher. Almost every teacher who taught her would face problems while teaching in her class. She would distract the other pupils' attention by making noise, disturbing her friends or even leaving the class without the teacher's permission. I have even suggested her name to be included in the 'Pendidikan Khas' class with recommendations from the School Counsellor, but it was rejected. One of the reasons given is that, Syidah could differentiate the teachers in school. She would greet the Ustazah and the other Malay teachers with 'Assalammualaikum', but whenever she saw me and the other English Language teachers she would greet us with 'Good Morning/Afternoon. Even when we were in a crowd, she would greet us differently...

One incident which remained in my mind was the day when she asked me this question. She was doing her Remedial Work as usual during my English lesson. When the other children started to do their written work, she looked into my eyes and asked,"Teacher, why are you always being good to me? Everyone else would usually scold me, but not you." I answered,"No, that is not right. Everyone wants to be good to you, but you did not realize it. Be good to them and then they will be good to you..." Some of my colleagues even nicknamed her as my 'daughter'. Simply because I would keep her books and stationaries on my table in the staffroom. Every morning, she would come to see me and take them while, in the afternoon, she would see me again to return them back. Why? If she was to take those books and stationaries back home, she would come back to school empty-handed the next day, for sure...

Well, back to the reason why I had made an effort to attend school that day, despite of myself being feeble. First and foremost, let me congratulate the Headmaster, Teachers and Pupils of SK Seri Gading for their success in the UPSR 2009. CONGRATULATIONS AND KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK! A rural school achieving 85% and having 9 out of sixty over pupils getting 5 A's including an 86% achievement in English Language is really the sweetest memory to cherish before I finally retire...

Looking back to about 13 years ago when I first came to this school, many changes have been made to the school. I could still remember having to take over the Year 6 Class in June right after waving Goodbye to my Year 6 pupls in SK Taman Setiawangsa in Kuala Lumpur. With a 36% achievement in their UPSR, I started to roll up my sleeves and get started with my job. Well, all in all, it took years and with the cooperation from everybody in the school that the school managed to get up and maintain the good performance. Alhamdulillah... We did it! Everybody in the school is very cooperative. We are like a big family and very united. Be it any projects from whatever subjects or fields, everyone is willing to give a hand. Although I am not ready to retire from being a teacher yet, I have to agree with the cardiologist's suggestions. I have to withdraw myself , but deep down in my heart, I am still yearning to continue teaching...

Last but not least,I have to always remind myself that I am now a RETIRED ENGLISH TEACHER...

TEACHERS OF SK SERI GADING

Front row from left to right: Toyibah, Yusnita, Zaiton, Kamaliah, Kasnan(SKBK), Hj. Hamin (HM), Yusri, Arif, Sheikh and Mutakim.

Back row from left to right: Zehrah(SKC), Nor Ailin(KL), Norha, Muhairani, Roselina, Rohani, Hapizah, Nor Lina, Norfazlina, Mazlina(NS), Nora, Naseem Bibi(SKPB), Suzana, me, Halim and Sakmani(SKPR).

SOME OF THE LADY TEACHERS AFTER THE PTA MEETING

Seated from left to right: Rohaiza, Nor Lina, Mazlina(NS), Kamaliah, me and Nora.

Standing from left to right: Rohani, Norfazlina, Zaiton, Siti Zaleha, Yusnita and Roselina.

AFTER THE YEAR 6 CLASS PARTY

Suzana and me.

MOTHER, THE JEWEL OF MY HEART

A Tribute To A  Wonderful MUM...

A mother is GOD's love in action.

She looks with her heart and feels with her eyes.

A mother is the bank where her children deposit all their worries and hurt.

A mother is the cement that keeps her family together                                                                     And her love lasts a lifetime.

A mum is a rose whose petals are soft.

A mum is a lily whose stem is tall and strong.

A mum is a person who is never wrong.

A mum is a person you should love forever...

Trust her, believe her and never doubt her

but, love her with all the love you can give.

A mother has strength that amazes her children.

She can handle trouble and carry heavy burdens.

She holds happiness, love and opinions.

She smiles when she feels like dying inside.

She sings when she feels like crying. 

Cries when she is happy

And laughs when she is afraid.

Her love is unconditional.

There's only one thing wrong with her,

She sometimes forget what she is WORTH...

It would take a thousand workers to build a castle,

a million soldiers to protect a country,

but only ONE woman to build a happy home.

The woman whom we called MOTHER.

Although you have left us since ten years ago,

I can still feel the warmth of your LOVE,

MAK, I love you so much...