My Owlie

This is the owl that I've made some time ago. I used pieces of printed cotton fabric and a few different colours of felt. The pattern was taken from the craft magazine 'Get Creative' (page 78-79) that I've bought for only RM12.90 as it's a past issue. I was supposed to enlarge the pattern image to 300% but I didn't have enough material for such a big owlie. 300% is big enough for you to hug! Maybe someday when I manage to scavenge a big piece of cloth...

I hope I'll be able to sew more cute toys and trinkets in future and share them with you here in my blog. Have a nice day, everybody...

Google Docs...

Google Docs is one of the online tools that I have learnt at the Peer Coaching course conducted at Hotel Impian Morib. It is pretty useful and anyone who is well versed with MS Office can be quite skilful in no time if it is used constantly. It can do most of the basic things that we do with MS Office, with an added option to its presentation tool. It enables real time chatting where people who are invited to be either collaborators/viewers can have conversations/discussions.

I wish I can use Google Docs in my lessons. However, for my wish to come true, I have to wish for perfect and smooth internet connection for myself and my students.

Special thanks to the Facilitators and Organizers of this Course. Hope we can have the next Phase soon!

1. Woman tries to kill self and kids after tiff

TAMPIN: A 26-year-old woman who had an argument with her husband thought the best way out was to take her own life as well as those of their three young children.

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After reading the news, I feel that something must be done to reduce such incidents. These women should have seek advice from their family members, relatives or close friends before they decide on doing anything. There is nothing to be embarrassed or shameful to discuss about crucial family matters with somebody who is concerned enough to listen. Even by relating the matter to a good trusted listener can lift a bit burden or stress. We may not know in detail what has gone wrong in the household but the opportunity to lend a listening ear to the concerned may change a decision made earlier. Taking their own lives does not solve any problems but only complicates the lives of their love ones.

All in all, ladies, if you are reading this, please say 'hi' and ask 'how are you' to your friends and relatives every now and then or when you are feeling free to do so. They may just pour and share with you what they are facing. The timing may be so right that you will never know your kind act may have saved one life or more!

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My Favourite Advertisement

I remember I have blogged on this TV advertisement in the year 2008. It is still the best advertisement that I have seen on TV and the one that has really made me teary-eyed until today...

(Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear by Elvis Presley

My Teddy Bear

Teddy bear is always my favourite toy, no matter how old I will be. People may call me childish but hey, that's me. I love both the toys and the pictures of teddy bears. I even love to collect gift wrappers with teddy bears. I think I have dozens of them now. I don't use them. Even if I do use them, I'll only use a fraction and preserve the rest. I wish I could keep all the teddy bears that I have received since I was born. I find this impossible though... otherwise wherever I move, I would have to prepare a bedroom specially for my collection, spend a bomb dry-cleaning them etc. I know what I am going to do next. I think I would take photographs of the teddy bears that I have and preserved them that way. When they are rotten enough to be discarded, then I would have no regrets in dumping them away. There is no age limit for anybody to hug a teddy bear, neither do the teddy bears care about the gender of the person who hugs them. Teddy bears could be the best buddies anybody can have! They are friends who listen passionately without any complaints!

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It's Patience that Saved the Day

I was at Giant after work to claim the cash that we have paid extra the night before. The cashier has accidently scanned the bar code of a packet of XXL white prawns twice. It didn't cost much but part of my objectives being there was to see how effective the customer service department work...

I reached there and was immediately greeted and assisted. After listening to my explanation, the officer there was apologetic and told me to wait for they have to view the recordings to check. I was asked to wait for 15 minutes. I said fine and stood at the counter observing how the others worked to kill time.

As I was waiting, I witnessed how the person-in-charge of the customer service counter managed an elderly customer who placed a complaint on the different price charged for a carton of drinks she bought. All the while, I only heard the elderly customer showing her anger and demanding to see the manager, when the person-in-charge was listening quietly and patiently, as cool as a cucumber, to her. She had to listen to the old lady's nagging as she was not given any chance to speak. The moment she tried to explain the procedure in order for the elderly customer to claim her money, the old lady shouted at her. This happened for a few times and she even called the person-in-charge "a f**"(!) and demanded to see the manager.

The person-in-charge listened quietly and tried to pacify the customer by telling her that they would return the difference. Efficient enough, after a few seconds, she came out from a small room holding a few notes and a piece of document for the old lady to sign. After that, she left, still grumbling under her breath.

After the whole drama ended, it's finally my turn to get mine. I thanked and complimented for the person-in-charge's patience and the others for a good job done. I was also very glad that I didn't act like the elderly customer. Did I mention that the old lady didn't even utter a word of thanks?

They understand the policy of customers are always right but can't the customers/consumers show their courtesy to the people at the customer service counter in return? After all, do we enjoy rice (making demands and raising our voice) and expect them to enjoy broth (giving them a hard time)?

Therapeutic Foliage

A new member added to my workstation.

There are many things on my workstation, books, stationery, calendar, little soft toys given by fellow colleagues, and now, the latest addition, a plant I called 'Therapeutic Foliage'. She (yea, personification) is a plant given to me by Mdm. Z this morning (thank you very much ^^). Why have I named her so? The first word of the phrase is introduced by Mdm. Z, it is therapeutic to look at greens (whenever possible). I added the next word, foliage, as she has only leaves with no flowers.

I am starting to look at her to rest my tired eyes, to search for ideas or points to complete my work, to talk or share my views, opinions... wait a minute, I'm talking to a plant? Am I talking to a plant??? Yes, I'm talking to my Therapeutic Foliage, she may not respond, but she is listening for sure...

Congratulations to My Former Students of SMKSU PJ

It was 1.22pm on 30th Dec 2008 that I got a few SMS-es. I looked at the mobile phone numbers but I couldn't figure who they were. I had changed a new one and that's the reason I couldn't recognise their numbers. They were my former students from the school I taught from Jan 2005 to Aug 2007. It was quite fortunate that they introduced themselves first and addressed me as a Puan (Madam in Malay language). It has been quite some time students I taught have not addressed me that way. They usually call me Madam or Ma'am in the college.

These few students still remembered me and texted to tell me their PMR results! I was so delighted that they have done quite well. They are NLL, THW, TWY and SS, all were from class 3A. NLL even apologised for getting a B for her History paper which made me so proud of her that she could secure something above C. She even promised to obtain better results in her SPM in year 2010.

To all the students formerly of 3A and 3C (year 2008), I wish you all the best in your future undertakings and pray for your success.

Happy New Year 2009 Messages for Me...

These messages were sent to my mobile phone since New Year's Eve...

• Happy New Year... Wish you a very happy 2009... Take care... From, N.
• As 2008 comes to an end, as we cherish the many good moments, as we try to wipe the unpleasantries, let us welcome 2009 as the year that will bring good health, good times and fortunes. Best wishes and much love. From, N.S.
• What is the secret of happiness? You can find the answer in your house. The WALL says BE STRONG, the CEILING says AIM HIGH, the DOOR says BE OPEN, the WINDOW says LEARN TO GIVE AND TAKE, the CLOCK says TIME IS GOLD, the CALENDAR says LOVE EVERYDAT AS IF IT WERE THE LAST, the CABINET says KEEP THINGS IN ORDER, the BED says TAKE TIME TO RELAX, the LAMP says BE THE LIGHT. And GOD, who's found everywhere in your house says, KEEP THE FAITH BECAUSE I AM WITH YOU! Happy New Year 2009! From, N.R.
• Wishing you unlimited amounts of happiness and laughter for the new year. Have a good one. From, S.O.
• Wishing you and family health, wealth, joy and happiness for 2009.. From, S.
• See ya 2008... What's up 2009... May love and laughter light your days, and warm your heart and home. May good faithful friends be yours, you may roam. May all life's passing reasons bring the best to you and yours!! HAPPY NEW YEAR. From, MLZY.
• A blessed and healthy 2009! May the New Year be a year of abundance, blessings and good health for you and your loved ones! From, PWMW.
• I wish you a FANTASTIC January, LOVABLE February, MARVELOUS March, LUCKIEST April, ENJOYABLE May, SUCCESSFUL June, WONDERFUL July, INDEPENDENT August, HEALTHIES September, TASTIEST October, BEAUTIFUL November, and HAPPIEST December. Have a blessed and victorious year. Happy New Year... 2009. From, JK.
• The year is almost gone but has made us strong. The path was long, but we have walked with a song. There were fears and tears but we alseo have reasons for cheers. Wishing you happy memories of this year and a great beginning to next year. Happy New Year 2009! From, S.S.; M.K.
• I pray that happiness be at your door. May it knock early, stay late and leave the gift of GOD's peace, love, joy and good health behind. Have a wonderful new year 2009! From, JCSP.
• Happy New Year 2009: 12 months of HAPPINESS, 52 weeks of FUN, 365 days of SUCCESS, 8760 hours of GOOD HEALTH, 525600 minutes of GOOD LUCK, 31536000 seconds of JOY for GOD. Wishing you and your family a "Happy New Year". From, TCK.
• Thousands of yesterdays are gone. Millions of tomorrows will come. But there is only ONE today. So, I don't wnat to miss the day to say Happy New Year 2009. From, J.
• May God's love walk before you. Troubles pass away from you. True friends stand beside you. And those you love surround you... throughout 2009. Happy New Year. From, MDL.
• I wish you health, so you may enjoy each day in comfort. I wish you the love of friends and family. And peace within your heart. I wish you generosity and love so you may share all good things that come to you. Happy New Year 2009! God bless! From, ANLC.
• 2009 is at your doorstep... Remember, life is short, break the rules, forgive and forget quickly, love truly, laugh uncontrollably, and never regret anything that made you smile. From, M.M.

Thanks everybody for the New Year wishes and wishing you all the best too!