The Stage

The stage has never been synonymous with my name. I would run away or hide if there would be a chance for me to go on the stage. I was not a familiar face to be on the stage ever since I've started schooling. I couldn't remember if I had stood on my kindergarten's stage, but I could proudly say that I have conquered a few stages in my life =).

I remembered the first time I stood on the school stage was the time I received multiple prizes for the competitions that I won and the exams that I excelled in. However, these chances have become fewer the older I grow. I mean the chances of receiving prizes on the stage.

During school days, I would usually got a chance to be on the stage, either to assist the teacher during prize giving or certificate presentation ceremonies. The one that I could recall was the ceremony when my fellow Interactors and I received our certificates on the stage (thanks to the photograph I was tagged in FB).

However the best one ever that I could recall was in the year 1997. I would say that I have broken any prefects' record in conducting the school assembly. I was put to manage the school assembly. I had to arrange a prefect to lead the assembly every week. I would or should I say that it is truly a blessing in disguise, whenever my fellow prefect was not available, I would always be the one standing on a metal-made podium facing a sea of 600 faces, I meant students. We sang the national anthem, the school song, and recited the Rukunegara and/or the Anti-dadah oath. Then, I would invite teachers to give their speeches or reminders. Otherwise, I would be representing them reading out all the announcements given. I think at that very moment, I have developed the love of speaking with the microphone and to be stage-fright free. I thanked my discipline master for the opportunities given to me, and of course to my fellow prefects who were not there to take the task assigned =). Some had had the guts of telling me that they chose to chicken-out on the duties given.

For the next few years, when I was studying at the varsity, I didn't have much or maybe no opportunity to be on the stage at all. Yes, not even once. Oops, there goes my experience being on the stage down in the drain with only memories left in my mind. I didn't have the opportunity to speak or sing or even dance and perform on any stage those years. It is sad, isn't it?

Well, most probably my prayers were answered, that I was posted to a secondary school to teach in year 2001. And the old faithful stage fright had come to visit me again the day I was asked to lead the assembly as a teacher on duty for that week... I couldn't speak clearly as I was shivering... "and hey, I'm a teacher and I'm shivering on the stage at this very moment???"

Fast forward to the year 2010, 17th May... I was seen on the stage along with my 6 colleagues singing a medley of songs. Unbelievable but it's true, try to pinch your own arm, sorry, my arm... We had barely less than one hour of practice and there we were performing or you may say we were enjoying ourselves on the stage during a special assembly for teacher's day celebration. All the 'praises' and compliments given by the audience have made me ponder... if there is another opportunity given, should I take it?

Driving When There's A Jam

A red Savvy played her right signal light indicating that she wanted to move into the lane I was driving. Seeing the light blinking, I didn't hesitate but to slow down and let her move in. I could feel myself grinning. Why? The moment I saw her hand raised and waved at me, I could feel that she is thanking me. I do have the same habit and I call it 'giving five ringgit', especially when you raise your hand with all your five fingers shown upright. Sometimes I do get a 'fifty cents', but not to worry, it's not from a road bully showing me his/her fist. I would say most probably s/he has a small hand.

Jam, it's sweet when you can spread it on bread and cakes. Jam, it's bitter when you are stuck in one. It's even more bitter when you are in your car, observing other drivers around you having one thousand and one facial expressions. After a long day of hard work at the workplace, do we deserve to be stuck in a jam, you may ask. Everyone is longing to reach home and may be trying their best to reach their destination as soon as possible. I think at this very moment, if there were snails or tortoises walking beside us, even Kancil, Rusa, Kenari would have to raise a white flag.

There was this moment where I called it coincidence, when my hubby told me to look on my left. Lo and behold, this lady driver in a car next to us was singing the song I was singing too! Well, I could read her lips, hehe... Obviously, we were listening to the same radio station, enjoying the same song! How often can you have such coincidence? It's very rare indeed. I felt happy at that moment and could see myself grinning from my reflection of my car's side mirror.

Back to the signal indicator... Is it so difficult for the drivers to provide a sign whether they have decided to turn left or right or to more into the left lane or into the right lane? Is it so tedious to lift a finger and push the device? I've tried not giving any signs and what I got was stares of anger. Giving a signal is sort of asking a permission. It doesn't show that you are a weak driver or an uncool one. Most of all, it reduces unwanted problems and everyone is able to head for home safe and sound... well, minus the heart attack given by some drivers who are fickle-minded.

Never Judge a Book by Its Cover

It was last night. We've brought our parents to a restaurant in Uptown to have a dinner to celebrate Mother's Day. As we were all quite hungry, we hurried into a restaurant. As soon as I entered the eating outlet, I looked around for a comfortable place to be seated. Having chosen a table nearest to the entrance of the restaurant by majority, I just agreed.

At first, I found a bit difficulty of getting into my seat that I mumbled, making a little remark on the customer next to our table under my breath. Why couldn't she sit properly by occupying the whole chair? Such inconvenience to us all... Anyhow, I sat on the other side and kept asking if my parents were seated comfortably despite the narrow gap in between the chairs.

Half way through having our dinner, the customer was lifted by another two in order to vacate her seat. That was the time when I felt my eyes welled with tears, not too obvious to be seen by my family members though. I felt apologetic and kept on praying for her.

It has never crossed my mind the difficulty and illness that she is facing until my mother uttered 'Parkinson's disease'. My heart sank deeper. That should teach me a lesson! From then, I keep on reminding myself to never judge a book by its cover, especially to this poor sickly lady and her close friends, who are kind enough to bring her out to see the outdoors. I ate silently and chanted a prayer for her seeking for her forgiveness and wishing her all the best.

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...