iPad? or iPad?

This post will probably feed the haters but I am now stuck thinking whether I should buy an iPad Air (which costs me approximately a liver) or an iPad Mini (which is cheaper but also smaller...)

After googling information and asking people's opinions I decided that people don't help that much. My problem still hasn't been solved.

Miss Anne's Class Schedule

You know when and where to find me!

Hoax Supreme

People believe everything they see on Facebook, it reaches an annoying level I never thought could be reached. They see interesting ridiculous pictures on blogs and clicked and believed, praising God for the "miracle", shared and spread the lies.

Don't get me wrong, it's fine for you to praise God in everything you see, but honestly it starts to bother me when you go gaga for things that don't even exist. So basically you're applauding God for the miracle of Photoshop!

Giants were also victims of internet hoax in 2010. 

Maybe it's the drama that they love so much. Something to discuss between colleagues in whatsapp groups. Feeling like you did something great, spreading the miracles that you also believed to exist. Maybe the intentions were good, wanting to share some unbelievable things with people, that feeling of being the first to know about Crabzillas before your friends.

Omagad..! Crabzilla will terrorise your city! Quick! Call Ultraman!

Remember in around 2006 when they claimed in forward emails that apple was insulting Islam by building a black cube-shaped "bar" mimicking the Kaaba? How stupid did you feel when after all the drama you created online condemning them to hell was nothing but mockery on yourselves after it was revealed that the black cube was just hoarding from the real glass-cube apple store? It wasn't even a bar!!!

To hell, apple... to hell..!!!

Years later, Facebook and twitter surfaced out of nowhere and gave people, all people, even those who are IT blind to create online profiles, allowing them to post links, advertise their sex toys, share and believing hoaxes and ass-commenting every single thing they read.

And we thought evolution is a progress, not a backward journey to monkey-dom. 

There maybe some truth in some unbelievable news or facts in FB, but it's our job to use our brains to analyse the validity of them. Conduct a little research before clicking the SHARE button. Find out the truth before you praise God for every fake thing you see, making your praises less valuable. (Not to mention making you look stupid). And responding like a garbage truck, acting like you're perfection walking on planet earth...

Think about it the next you see a human-dog-pig, followed with a dramatic storyline about God cursing people.

I can't think of a funny caption for this picture. It speaks itself.

"You're a lecturer? Wow I thought you were a student..!"

No, It does NOT mean you look young.

It means you look underdressed and moneyless to be able to afford career woman level clothes.

Everybody knows students have limited budget for anything.

CHANGE.

Look your age and be proud of it.

The Drama of the "Touch a Dog" Campaign

Before you go all Ga-ga on this post, expecting to see me pick a side between the internet ulamaks and the religion ignorants, be prepared for disappointment.

These are my personal opinions about the debate:

1. I love dogs. Dogs are adorable. But I don't go around wanting to randomly touch them. I have my cats for my sudden animal-touching urges. Touching whatever you want is your own choice.

2. It's just dogs. They don't spread viruses or waves that can make u any less or more faithful to your religion. That's just you. What's with all the judgements?

3. Touch a Dog. It's a campaign, an educational event with positive pre-objective - gone viral because people in this country like to make a fuss about unnecessary things. If you don't know about it, don't comment on it.

4. It's stupid for people to go "Oh... after this there's gonna be an I want to touch a pig or I want to touch a breast campaign." It's not even funny. It's just stupid.

5. You want to touch dogs? Fine. Just don't go posting pictures of it on the internet, provoking wraths. You are old enough to learn how the community would react to anything.

6. Some people are confident enough to post religious hadiths and Al-Quran clippings to prove their points. But then comes the swearing and cursing, condemning everyone, except themselves to hell. This makes all their talks rubbish and invalid.

7. I don't agree with the dog-touching propaganda. I also don't agree with everyone else being so negative and bitchy about it.

8. I don't know much about what's wrong and right in Islam. There's so many teaching that confuses me, ever since the existence of Facebook. I will keep holding on only to what my ustazah in school taught me. Also, I am an animal lover, so I will keep feeding, rescuing and loving dogs no matter what you try to tell me. I just learned to not post anything about it on Facebook.

9. I wish people would keep their negatives thoughts inside their own heads. All the commotion is making me become more and more of an introvert. People are evil. Dogs are good.

10. Screw you, keyboard warriors. Anything you say makes you sound like a 11 year old girl. A stupid, 11 year old girl.

Annoyed,
Ms Anne.

Students' Love Affair

Yes I have to admit. This will not be a friendly post.

One of the difficult things I have to endure working in a conservative surrounding is the 'busybody' level of (not all) my fellow colleagues. Sometimes it's confusing between them being 'concerned' or plain 'nosey'. They seem excited to share the juices among the students on who is dating who and passing around judgements and religious interpretations of whatever. If this was a world of "tell it to my face" boy, the millions of things I would say.

I received a chained text in my whatsapp from a colleague about the "couple trends" among my students. Honestly, I don't think it's any of our concern being an educator. But then I know I can't win this case when they all attack me with religious stuff and the "fact(?)" that educators are supposed educate the students EVERYTHING. Including the law of "Thy shall not be in a relationship before marriage..."

Oh what a useless issue to ponder on!!!  It's unnecessary and unimportant. I am here just to vent about how much time is being wasted by lecturers overthinking about this. So what if they want to date at that age? SO WHAT if they get broken-hearted and affect their grades. They are grown ups I think it's their decision to make. And if they make mistakes, we guide them, not punish them with words like "Haha. I told you so."

I love to give advice to my students, based on my experience and knowledge. I share with them stories of how I am where I am and I give them opinions on family and relationships. I tell them to take care of themselves before others and I tell them it's alright to love, but respect comes first. You can't go around telling students not to have a boyfriend/girlfriend at the age of 18+. What? You want them to waste their youth and end up with Mr Ugly or Smelly because they don't have a choice like you didn't? Gosh, people... Let them create their own version of How I met Your Mother. Our job? Sit back, think about ways to lecture them on the subject we are responsible for and mind our own business and slip in an advice or two.

It's hard thinking differently in a world of conservative people. I find myself continuously disagreeing with so many. Maybe it's the western influence, I don't know. But what I do know is the world is evolving and we can't always expect everyone to think the way we think, and believe the things we believe.

As for the students... Oh grow up. You are not 12 anymore. With all the suicidal threats, acting emo and looking goth of being dumped... It's time to put your act together and shape up your future. Sure heartbreaks can be tough but nobody is worth jeopardizing your grades for. If you think you're adult enough to be in a relationship in the first place, then you should be adult enough to handle whatever comes from it. 

Cheers!
-Anne-

Words from Mr Lee (Bukan nama sebenar...)

I was going to make this incident as my Facebook status, but I remembered that there are a few close minded people in my friendlist who might take this the wrong way. So this is what happened yesterday at work...

I was the first person to arrive at a meeting. The second person was Mr Lee. No obviously that is not his real name... for security and personal reasons I won't mention real names. It was the first time I met Mr Lee so he basically have no idea who I am, and vice versa.

The ice breaking session suddenly reached the "Are you married yet?" point. He bravely asked me the question. So I just honestly answered, "No..."

"Haiyaaaa... You banyak cantik belum ada calon kaaaa? Kahwin saja la maaaa... dalam sini pun banyak lelaki bujang oooo..." 

(Translation : "Haiyaaa... a pretty face like you still not married aaaa? Here got many single man maaa...")

Well, I have nothing to defend myself against so I just casually laughed. And he went on...

"Nowadays ha... There are more men than woman you know... so chances are slim now for you..."

And I corrected him, "Mr Lee, It's the fact that there are less quality men than women... I can't just go marry anyone, right? Just for the sake of being married..."

And Mr Lee responded with the most cruel yet true statement in the history of marriage talks...

"Iyaaa betul tu... Tapi kan... I tengok banyak lecturer perempuan main kahwin saja dengan mana-mana lelaki wooo... Main sapu ja sapa-sapa..."

(Translation :"You're right, but I see many lecturers just marry whoever they can find...") -i.e "desperate".

I forgot how I replied to him but it just ended with a laugh. Our "bitter-truth" conversation was interrupted when a fellow colleague entered and managed to change the subject.

But wow... I always had these kind of thoughts in my own head, I never really had the courage to say it out loud. Mr Lee's intentions was probably sincere and meant no harm. I should have reminded him that not everyone has the same love/life story.Everyone has their own version of "How I met your mother." You can't just just go around judge people based on to whom they are married to. Plus, if they wanna marry "whoever" they want, It's obviously not to impress you. :)

One Sunday Afternoon

I'm a melodramatic person. I think too much about everything. I even have trouble sleeping because I think too much. I am easily influenced by what they show on E!. I admire all the Hollywood Stars and buy what they promote. I never seem to have enough no matter how much I spend on shopping.

But it was this evening when I was arranging my things, I suddenly realized. I own too much.

I am the kind of person who can never settle with ONE item. I must have a collection of everything. Hell I even have 2 laptops for the sake of it. You should see my collection of cosmetics, books, bags, clothings and stuffed toys. They are never enough. And they are all costly too. I'm not the kind of person who buys local, unbranded things. Not proud of it. An ex-crush of mine even rejected me because I was too "high maintenance". I cannot disagree.

Lately, the news have broadcast series of tragedies. The biggest one being the disappearance of MH370. It's devastating, having no ending to a tragedy. Then, as if that wasn't heartbreaking enough, 4 months later MH17 was shot down, leaving 0 survivors, killing at least 200 innocents. Stories were being told shedding people's tears and making the whole work mourn.

On a larger scale, Gaza was attacked non-stop by the heartless Zionists. I don't know much about the story behind this battle but I do know that innocent children and animals are being killed. I still believe it's more of a battle of ideologies instead of religions because I want to keep believing that all religions are good. Nevertheless, It's still devastating that humans are killing humans for reasons as weak as politics.

Back in my own country, Sabah is being attacked by intruders. Also, I don't know much about this event as too many false news are being spread in social networks. But many enforcers were killed, and people are demanding war. I am left confused.

So many tragedies lead to a sad, quiet Eid. I was contented staying around family for a whole week and was half-hearted going back to Ipoh, where I work. I realized how lonely I am now and how I tried making it up by spending money on shopping. So I started to sort out my things and my train of thoughts decided to move at full speed.

While I own more than what I need, there are people who have nothing. Children who are starving.

I don't need to elaborate on that to make you understand what I mean.

I keep talking about making a change to the world when I should just start on myself.  I don't know if this will happen but I guess I need to try.  I need to stop buying unnecessary things and live a humble life. I need to make things change for myself before the world. For the better...

I need to at least try...

T & L : Time for a change

On a clear Monday morning I entered my classroom with my set of whiteboard markers. The students were already there, waiting for me to begin my class. One of them came up to clean the whiteboard from the doodles of the previous lesson. I started calling names to fill in the attendance form.

As I began the lesson, I noticed students punching in a last few words on the smartphones before flicking the "silent" button. Some updated their Clash of Clan right before tucking it into their bags. I knew by the sound of the intro theme.

And so my lesson began. The typical powerpoint slides, the boring lecture... the "any questions?" question. And of course, followed by the fake "I understand" nod by the students. At one point of this uninteresting lesson, when I realized half the class was sleeping, I ask myself. What the hell am I doing? The point of the 16 hours per week lectures is to make students learn Traffic Engineering. Not to bore them out of their minds...

And so I went to INTI International University in Nilai to observe their blended learning implementation.

Okay so we don't have high tech facilities. But we have brains. We have the ability to generate methods of Teaching and Learning to make the students learn instead of sleep. We are well aware that the Gen-Y (or millenia) students are different. Students at this time were exposed to computers and smartphones at the age of 5. And in a short time, babies in the next generation will be born scrolling trough iPads and tablets. Certainly we cannot expect them to learn things OUR way. You know, the kind where you go to class and talk non-stop while they were wishing time would run faster and forcing them to read through 500 pages of textbooks.

There will be many excuses, such as "No budget" etc etc... But for how long can we hide behind these excuses? There was a time in education where lecturers don't have computers at all, let alone e-mails. But they managed to survive that. Then, there was a time where everybody else had a laptop and so we struggled to buy one too. And remember the shift between dot metrics to Bubble jets to 3 in 1 scanner/copier/printer? We did our best to catch up with technology. So, If we can do that, why can't we evolve mentally too? I mean, certainly we cannot just keep telling students "When I was in university I only had this and that and so should you..." This is the Facebook era. Move on.

It's time for a PARADIGM SHIFT.

1. FACEBOOK
A professor from INTI IU, reminded me that when students don't like something, they post it on Facebook. And there is no limit to what they can and cannot say on Facebook. As educators we must respond. No, not by commenting and making it viral, but by taking actions silently. We read, we understand, we find a solution. It is not our place to fight our students like uneducated keyboard samurais.

2. eEVERYTHING
Most students can afford smartphones along with internet that comes with it. And they will bring these gadgets wherever they go. And I know some lecturers who would firmly tell their students to keep away these gadgets during class. Instead of telling them "Don't" why not tell them to "Do". Do google any interesting information related to the lecture. Do tell me if you found better ideas. Do argue if you find my statements are not verified by wikipedia.

3. ACCEPTANCE
We are so tied to our rules and curriculum that we don't allow our students to generate their own ideas. We force them to think like we do. We become upset when they don't meet our standards. Gen-Y students are known to be sensitive. When they feel like they are being caged, they lose interest and rebel. In the end, we only produce average students whose goals were only to "pass" exams. Let's let them try and make mistakes. It is our job to guide, not force. We must provide reasons on all the "why" questions they ask us.

4. ZERO JUDGEMENT
This should come without a detailed explanation. Let us NOT judge our students on what they wear or what they do in their free time because our job is to help them get the diploma they want. We teach them the courses we were assigned to, not judge how tight their pants are. We are not training military. There's no such thing as "If you don't wear this, you'll be stupid..."


Well, okay I noticed how long this post has turned out to be. Before my TPA walks in and saw me blogging instead of "working" I better sign off. I hope I will become a better educator. It's my long term goal. To educate. Not teach.

Work... So far...

I didn't have the time to welcome the second half of 2014 as July approached. I was too busy with work, now that I have 2 posts in the institute, a lecturer and a quality management officer. Weird, back in my old institute, the one I had loved dearly, I was never entrusted enough to be given any posts.Or maybe people there were too judgemental and I just came to realize it now.

I am not one to be crazy desperate for positions and influence. But being given a chance to show my potential (especially in english speaking stuff), is an honour that I am more than just a cheerful lecturer who greets everyone with a 'good morning' everyday.

6 months have passed sinced I reported duty in this polytechnic and I have met all kinds of people. Honestly, I thought there would be no other place better than my old workplace in Sabah. I dearly missed the environment, the people, the friends... But in time I have learned that there was a reason God put me here. To be happy. And to learn that Sabah did not love me as much as I loved her.

A lot of things are different if I am to compare here and there. But I have learned to adapt. Here, my talents are appreciated. People listen to my ideas and people value my gifts. I don't have much to show off, I don't have a husband, children, a big house or car and I also don't have a Masters degree people desperately want so much. But my opinion counts and it boosts up my confidence. I am given opportunities to shine with my language skills. And I am no longer "anak pengarah" a heavy burden to carry, trust me. I am simply "anak Hj Mus yang pandai ckp english macam mat salleh..." I am happy I make my dad proud as he had made me.

It was indeed a difficult first 3 months, having no close friends as I went out to lunch or breakfast alone. But in time it became a habit and I honestly feel very comfortable going to places by myself without the need of asking people if they'd like to come too. However, occasionally I would go out with people and we enjoy a few happy breakfast and lunches together while gossiping about fashion and current issues. To be safe, I set limits to being too close with people. Because I don't trust people enough. Judgemental pricks, people are. I would move away as I get too close.

How I survived being alone in a new place? By being POSITIVE. By remembering I had been through worse. It was a struggle moving from KK to Ipoh. After these long months I learned who my true friends were. In hardships, who had been there for me? Who sent me to the airport to wave my final goodbye? And who, when I needed people, ignored my silent call for help? I didn't realize it back then, I was too sad letting go of a place I loved dearly. Now I do. God put me here for a reason. To learn, to live, to love and to be happy.

Goodbye KK.

Why I live alone...

A lot of people raised eyebrows when I told them I live all by myself, in a quite costly house, away from the society. The faces they made are usually followed by statements such as;

"Oh it must be so boring being you..."

"Really? You must have that much free time..."

"Awwww... Are you sure you want to live alone?"

"I know some places you can rent along with some singles..."

"Wow... you must be bored after work and weekends..."

Okay, I thank thee for being so caring and sympathetic but really, honestly... I don't need it. Alone is where I can do whatever i want, whenever I want and however I want. It's not that I don't have a choice, trust me I have been bombarded with pamphlets of "single white female" adds. I just chose to ignore them and live alone. Because I WANT TO.

In college I suffered 3 years of living in a house of 7 people. Yes. 7 people means 7 different opinions even on the smallest matter. And of course I was ambitious, seeking for straight A's to maintain my JPA scholarship. (In my days below 3.5cgpa means no scholarship). So basically I tell people who wanted to be in an assignment group with me to do things the way I like it. Yeah, of course I was naive and young and say whatever that was in my head. I used to spend hundreds on studies stuff and sometimes I expected my friends to do the same.

But they were not quite from a rich background. And I guess my expectations and demands were "offensive" to many.

Thus began the isolation. A house of 7 people and I felt more alone than I could ever be. No friends. And they picked on the smallest things I don't do such as sweep the floor, wash the dishes, pluck weeds.. etc..etc.. I mean seriously you see 6 people doing those already and you think, why the hell do they need me to do those things when I'm working my butt off doing assignments for 7 people?!
(When it comes to assignments I'm miss perfect and I disapprove of their standards)

The cruelest things mean girls do is talk behind your back to people OUTSIDE their clique. And making those outsiders think of you their way. I mean, really, you hate someone, why not just tell it to their faces? Of course, they prefer laughing and giggling and making sure your life is hell. I was an outcast in my own house. And I think I learned enough lesson from that.

I had my share of living with the society. And after going through paid hell... I think I'm better off by myself. I can buy whatever I want, decorate my house however I want and wake up whenever I want.

The only person I wish to share a house is with my husband coz it's like the law or something. If he stinks, or messy I won't hesitate to kick him out for sure.

I live alone. I am extremely happy about it.

My Struggle With Malaysian Internet - PART 1

Ok so we are indeed not even close to being one of the TOP 10 countries with high speed internet. We are not even in the top 20, despite being known to be ASIAN and "developing".

I'm sure this picture makes you want to live in South Korea... But what I'm saying is not only do Malaysia's internet bears the lowest speed it could possibly get... but the number of BLOCKED websites are also a menace... Don't get me started on "QUOTA".

It's annoying really to have limited choices. Yeah thank God for Broadbands you can carry your modem anywhere without having to look for pugs and sockets and cables. Also, thank you Starbucks for the free wi-fi. And thank you to fiber-based internet for rich people. (Looking bad at poor old dial-up net).

What bothers me the most is that the government wants everything to be done "ONLINE". From banking to shopping to facebooking to e-Learning and so on and so on... And this makes people who can't have easy access to internet a bit "kampung". And people that do have access, charged to their death for every volume of internet they use.

QUOTA is RIDICULOUS. It was back in 2008 (I think, too lazy for research) when our PM decided to make everyone pay for each byte of internet. I mean, what happened to charging by good old internet speed?! This means you are limited to 5GB of internet per month for RM98.00 and should you want more, you gotta "PURCHASE" the data volume. While people who uses internet only for boring e-mailings and stuff don't give a f- what they are being limited to, people like us who uses internet for EVERYTHING else, suffer. 

Okay if that's not enough, how about BLOCKING some websites? Especially when they see certain websites has too many hits. You can block all the porn that you want, but it only leads to people Torrenting (is that even a word?) them and spreading em around in Hard drives. Some even selling em for money coz well, its marketable due to those restrictions. So yeah, kinda pointless. And okay fine, religious.. political debates are the reason for that and I don't have much against it but blocking ACCESS TO FILE SHARING?! Really?! You are that desperate to keep your people's minds inside a cage??? "Because we can't afford to allow piracy." Would be your excuse. Dude, do you see any Hollywood actors and stars and producers living under bridges? No. They live in mansions in Beverly Hills because they don't freaking care who downloads their movies or music from Torrent.com. 

That leads to a smaller scope. Government institutions. I love my job, yeah. And I love the idea they planted in our head that everything has to be "e". From e-mails to e-FRPs to e-Learning and e-Filing... the list goes on. And I love how those "e"'s make my life easier. And they also gave us courses to "be more creative" in teaching, make videos and animations for your students. I love how I am allowed to be creative and hell yeah I am excited about it...

What I am NOT excited is when I log on my computer using my OFFICE net and wanting to log on YOUTUBE to download motivational videos for my students, this popped up.

Okay so they blocked YOUTUBE. I'll download it using my sad 5GB limited broadband I pay for with my sad salary. I'll just get some music for my video background -

REALLY? MP3 Skull - BLOCKED. 4Shared - BLOCKED. etc etc...

Ok so bye bye videomaking. I decided to do some trolling with the internet. So they found out about the "https" thing and also blocked FACEBOOK. There goes social life. I typed the word "GAME" in google and LOLed at the fact that any website with the word "GAME" is blocked. So is "ENTERTAINMENT", "HOLLYWOOD" and a few malay words I can't remember. So basically all I have to live at work is plain empty google.com having no idea what to search for.

I don't know for how long we are going to live with not only the SLOWEST internet in the world, but also the most EXPENSIVE and most LIMITED access to anything. While people around the world are enjoying World of Warcraft without "lags"  here we are working in front of a government desk trying to pay for our personal internet to use for official work only to receive SMSs from phone companies saying "You have reached your quota limit. Please give us money to continue surfing".

A little Inspiration... The Teacher

Stories like this, always have a way of putting the right perspective on life.


Jean Thompson stood in front of her fifth-grade class on the very first day of school in the fall and told the children a lie. Like most teachers, she looked at her pupils and said that she loved them all the same, that she would treat them all alike. And that was impossible because there in front of her, slumped in his seat on the third row, was a little boy named Teddy Stoddard.

Mrs. Thompson had watched Teddy the year before and noticed he didn't play well with the other children, that his clothes were unkept and that he constantly needed a bath. And Teddy was unpleasant.

It got to the point during the first few months that she would actually take delight in marking his papers with a broad red pen, making bold X's and then marking the F at the top of the paper biggest of all. Because Teddy was a sullen little boy, no one else seemed to enjoy him, either.


At the school where Mrs. Thompson taught, she was required to review each child's records and put Teddy's off until last. When she opened his file, she was in for a surprise. His first-grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is a bright, inquisitive child with a ready laugh." "He does his work neatly and has good manners...he is a joy to be around."

His second-grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is an excellent student well-liked by his classmates, but he is troubled because his mother has a terminal illness and life at home must be a struggle."

His third-grade teacher wrote, "Teddy continues to work hard but his mother's death has been hard on him. He tries to do his best but his father doesn't show much interest and his home life will soon affect him if some steps aren't taken."

Teddy's fourth-grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is withdrawn and doesn't show much interest in school. He doesn't have many friends and sometimes sleeps in class. He is tardy and could become a problem."

By now Mrs. Thompson realized the problem, but Christmas was coming fast. It was all she could do, with the school play and all, until the day before the holidays began and she was suddenly forced to focus on Teddy Stoddard.

Her children brought her presents, all in beautiful ribbon and bright paper, except for Teddy's, which was clumsily wrapped in the heavy, brown paper of a scissored grocery bag. Mrs. Thompson took pains to open it in the middle of the other presents.

Some of the children started to laugh when she found a rhinestone bracelet with some of the stones missing, and a bottle that was one-quarter full of cologne. She stifled the children's laughter when she exclaimed how pretty the bracelet was, putting it on, and dabbing some of the perfume behind the other wrist. 


 Teddy Stoddard stayed behind just long enough to say, "Mrs. Thompson, today you smelled just like my mom used to."

After the children left she cried for at least an hour. On that very day, she quit teaching reading, writing, and speaking. Instead, she began to teach children. Jean Thompson paid particular attention to one they all called "Teddy."



As she worked with him, his mind seemed to come alive. The more she encouraged him, the faster he responded. On days where there would be an important test, Mrs. Thompson would remember that cologne. By the end of the year he had become one of the smartest children in the class and...well, he had also become the "pet" of the teacher who had once vowed to love all of her children exactly the same.

A year later she found a note under her door, from Teddy, telling her that of all the teachers he'd had in elementary school, she was his favorite. Six years went by before she got another note from Teddy.

He then wrote that he had finished high school, third in his class, and she was still his favorite teacher of all time.

Four years after that, she got another letter, saying that while things had been tough at times, he'd stayed in school, had stuck with it, and would graduate from college with the highest of honors. He assured Mrs. Thompson she was still his favorite teacher.

Then four more years passed and yet another letter came. This time he explained that after he got his bachelor's degree, he decided to go a little further. The letter explained that she was still his favorite teacher, but that now his name was a little longer. The letter was signed, Theodore F. Stoddard, M.D.
The story doesn't end there. You see, there was yet another letter that Spring. Teddy said he'd met this girl and was to be married. He explained that his father had died a couple of years ago and he was wondering...well, if Mrs. Thompson might agree to sit in the pew usually reserved for the mother of the groom. And guess what, she wore that bracelet, the one with several rhinestones missing. And I bet on that special day, Jean Thompson smelled just like...well, just like the way Teddy remembered his mother smelling on their last Christmas together.



THE MORAL: You never can tell what type of impact you may make on another's life by your actions or lack of action. Consider this fact in your venture thru life.

How NOT to ABUSE work e-mail...

Many employees (government servants especially)  seem to use the free workmail provided to them  as a way to fight with each other or their bosses. They seem to forget the etiquette of formal e-mail writing and end up offending others. Work etiquettes are not taught in school, hence it is learned through weeks, months or even years of experience. But sometimes, as employees evolve to seniority, they tend to forget their manners in writing e-mails to bosses or colleagues and end up (intentionally or not) offending people.

Remember, everything linked to internet is permanent. Once you post that hate mail, there is no turning back.

Here are some rules to use workmail respectfully:

1. Re-look, re-read your e-mail again and again before pressing that SEND button. Correct typos and replace casual words with formals especially writing to higher ranking colleagues.

2. Check if you want to "REPLY TO ALL" or not. You don't want your desk neighbourhood clique gossip to reach everyone in the institute.

3. Keep e-mails short. You don't need a 300 word introduction to "...there's a meeting tomorrow."

4. Write CLEAR and PERFECT subject lines.

5. Don't forward hoaxes. Keep your political lies in Facebook or your personal blogs.

6. Let people know their e-mail has been received. Yes all you need to say is "thanks, i will take action ASAP." Don't leave em hanging and wondering if you read their mails. (Of course everyone loves the "oh sorry I didn't receive your e-mail" excuse).

7.  ONE subject per e-mail. Seriously!

8. Read your e-mail as the receiving end, see if they could be offended. Do NOT write an e-mail when you are stressed or angry. You will regret it.

9. DO NOT respond to provocations. People will bring up some hot offensive issues from time to time. Even if it bugs you, never respond.

10. Keep your class. Only use e-mail for work issues. Funny stuff belongs to facebook.

Those are the basics...! Have fun working and stuff...!

Poetry : To The One I Never Had

Writer's Block sucks... However, my brain managed to squeeze out some ideas.
A humorous approach to one sided crush. Nothing cheesy.

Remember you said I was too costly?
Well, of course you couldn't afford me
Second rate is your only target
I guess your taste is based on budget...

Goodbye now, and also good luck
From now on I do not give a F-
I'm off to be with he who loves me
Enjoy your Mrs Fat and Chubby...!!!

Read whole poem here.

A little inspiration... The Boy With a Temper...

A long time ago there was a boy. He was smart, talented and handsome. However, he was very selfish and his temper was so difficult, that nobody wanted to be friends with him. Often he got angry and said various hurtful things to people around him.

The boy‘s parents very concerned about his bad temper. They considered what they could do and one day the father had an idea. He called his son and gave him a hammer and a bag of nails. The father said: „Every time you get angry, take a nail and drive into that old fence as hard as you can.“



The fence was very tough and the hammer was heavy, nevertheless the boy was so furious that during the very first day he has driven 37 nails.

Day after day, week after week, the number of nails was gradually decreasing. After some time, the boy started to understand that holding his temper is easier that driving nails into the fence.

One day the boy didn‘t need hammer and nails anymore as he learned to hold his temper perfectly. So he came to his father and told about his achievement. „Now every time, when you hold your temper all day long, pull out one nail“.

Much time has passed. At last the boy could be proud of himself as all the nails were gone. When he came to his father and told about this, he offered to come and take a careful look at the fence. „You did a good job, my son, though pay your attention to the holes that left from the nails. The fence will never be the same. The same happens when your say hurtful things to people, as your words leave scars in their hearts like those holes in the fence. Remember, we need to treat everyone with love and respect, because it doesn‘t matter, that you say you are sorry, the scars will not dissapear.

Here it comes...

It's final exams week.. Here comes the last minute assignments, tests, quizes... etc...

Taking internet too seriously...

Internet has been a medium for hermits to express their feelings to the world, mostly feelings of anger and hatred. It is a way for youngsters (mostly) to seek attention from the public be it in a good way or bad. For a long time it has been more harmful than useful, causing friendships and relationships to fall apart. And sometimes, nations.

It was the MH370 tragedy that inspired me to write this blog entry.

When I was first introduced to the internet, it was still a dial-up. The one where you connect your phone to the computer and dial 1515 and listen to the screeching and screaming of whatever it was on the line. In that limited speed, all I could do was go on mirc or icq to have 5 minute conversations with my classmates about homework. Or leave a long ass love mail to long distance boyfriends.

Technology took the highway when internet evolved too rapidly into the homes of every human being. We now live in a time where Myspace and Friendster was just a blur memory.

But 15 year old girls will always be 15 year old girls. Only back then in my generation, we didn't have facebook to express how we crave for attention. All I had was a diary kept safe and hidden in my old bedroom, and 15 years later I thank God that was all i had. Even though teens are allowed to feel lost, insecure and troubled, they seem to carry on being 15 even as they apporach 30. The desperate need to make an impact to the world becomes a priority. They would do anything to become famous, even if it means hurting and offending others.



MH370 was a sad tragedy than affected the whole nation. It showed the whole world who Malaysians are. One entry after another revealed the true attitude and mindset we have. It was indeed a dark era.

While there were hundreds of self pro-claimed aviation "experts" sharing thoughts and theories about what might had happened, there were also hundreds of bloggers (who mostly know nothing) who shared ideas and speculations; some leading to obvious lies and fairy tales. There were many ways people tried to share a little bit of fame from the mystery by posting photos, hoaxes and mocking 'bomohs' and political leaders. Accusations were thrown everywhere, causing people to start yelling at each other. Rumours where spread, creating false hope. Conspiracy theories haunted the minds of even the educated. The nation divided into speculators and believers, supporters and haters.



Before internet, everyone kept ideas to themselves. They had time to think whether they should say or not what they intended to say and most would decide to just let things go. They read valid and published news and articles and analyze quietly in their own deep thoughts. No one was offended. Life was peaceful and people were smarter.

But I guess, this is the era we live in. And since there's no changing it, we have to accept it. My job as an educator is to remind my students to be careful on what they post on the internet. To think ahead the impact of what they put up. To read their facebook status again and again through all perspective before hitting that send button. To think wisely and maturely... And most important, to not take internet too seriously... I may sound like a grandma but Internet is usually a place where I read Wikipedia and laugh at 9gag (and not to forget my online shopping and workmails...) Venting is just internet on a day off which is usually followed by regret.

Happy blogging people :)