I say the darnest things...

Today is the day where I will be meeting my "children's" parents or guardian.
I never liked this part of my job - the part where I have to tell them that their child needs "special attention" and "behaviour adjustments" as well as "anger management".

I am lucky that the parents are mostly supportive and they never sided their children, knowing that bringing them up in school is my part and they will continue the education at home. I was quite nervous to begin with, I had been practising at home with these lines, "Kak/ Encik...anak Encik ni kira okay dari segi...bla..bla...bla..." and hoping that whatever comes out of my mouth will not offend their feelings nor intrude with their parental role. But there are times where my mouth and my frank nature came out and I do admit made me a fool out of myself. Take scenario A for example :

A's Mother : Anak sia ni cigu memang nakal bah...selalu juga sia marah dia ni...suka dia lumpat-lumpat di sana sini kalau di rumah, sama juga dia di sekolah...

Me : Ya, kak...kalau nyawa dia ni bulih beli sana kadai dua ringgit nda apa juga kan?

Here's Scenario B:

B's Father : Kalau dia nakal ni cigu, kasi tau seja sia terus tarang!

Me : Ya, memang dia nakal.

B's Father : Mimaaaaangggggg bah dia ni! Ingat bershuffle ja...ko tingu la baju dia tu. Baju bershuffle dia pakai. Tapi pelajaran dia tidak ingat.

Me : Ingat ah, B...dalam PMR tiada subjek Kemahiran Bershuffle. Kita ada Kemahiran Hidup saja.

To be frank, what should I say to their parents?

CyntaSez hits the 100th post!!

Yeay!!! My blog has reached its 100th post.

So, here's too www.cyntasez.blogspot.com followers, anonymous readers and supporters...

STAND BY ME by Playing For Change



Thank you for all your comments, support and whatevers *wink*

Video courtesy of Playing for Change at www.playingforchange.com

When an ex-student texted...

I received several text messages from a former student in KK. Here are some of the text messages...

The above message just made me laugh my heart out. I am still remembered after two years? I think I call that a personal achievement. ^-^


Note to future practicum teachers : VOICE PROJECTION COUNTS!!! This is evidence that you really have to work out those diaphragms..

The above message reminded me of how fun can affect learning. And yes, teach English using songs...you'll enjoy and they'll enjoy it too. But somehow, I wonder why my former methods just didn't really work in my current school. Is it lack of language power? Or just a matter of spoon-feeding culture? Just a food for thought.

Sometimes, I think as teachers we need to bring in the enthusiasm and creativity of a trainee teacher and combined it with the wisdom and practicality of a veteran teacher.

Let's just hope there'll be less administration workload and more focus on the teaching and learning process. Oh, one more...more stability to the education system please...I know we have to keep up with change but sometimes a few things is lovely just the way it is. I hope that someday we'll have an education system and education culture that we can call our own.

P/S: This is just a matter of personal opinions. I do not have any intention of hurting anyone's feelings. Sorry if I did. Yeah, really.

Second Semester Starts

Yeayyyyy...sekolah!!!!!!!

Hehehe...I sounded excited, but hell yeah...I must be.

As usuall, the school semester starts quietly with many absentees and many paperwork to be done. Students come and go to and from my table, asking for their English marks or just to show their faces and told me they missed me (yeah, right kids...no extra marks although I am flattered).

My day started with a kindred spirit asking about my beloved car and told me that I was asked a very high price just to change the clutch lining and the timing belt. Damn, I should have called him before embarking on any vehicle related endeavors. Then he asked me about the house at Minintod where he is quite persistent to ask me to be his neighbour.

"Our children can play together...in which yours will be at the losing side,"he said.

Haha.

"I need a spouse to help me pay the loan...find me one?" was my reply.

Then, ShortyHotStuff sauntered in. What impeccable timing.

I saw an eyebrow flash from his side and I smiled sheepishly.

We exchanged glances and smiles ^-^

Now, harmless flirting is vital in the workplace because it could make a dreary day lively. It's a pity he is not ample in the height factor. Sigh.

All started well and it ends well.

A good first day indeed! WooT!!!

Play For Change - Peace Through Music

I am officially Play For Change supporter!

You can check out the website at http://playingforchange.com/

Why support?

Because I believe the power of music to change the world and I am touched by the "Stand By Me" video from Play For Change.

Check it out.

The Beauty is Back!

Please don't mind the narcisstic title. Sometimes one need to be self-centered. After all, your happiness depends on you alone. I received a princess treatment today (to an affordable price) and the stylist said i'm divine,even the shampoo girls said i'm pretty. It's true! No bull..haha. Actually they should say that! I'm a paying customer! Anyway, all self loathing disappear today!

LAD - Less Alluring Day

I don't feel as beautiful and as bouncy today
I don't know why
Could it be the hormones
Or just a bad day
A touch of lipstick doesn't help me smile
I felt as if I have walked a mile
Slumped and dreary
Heavy and fat
I felt less alluring because of that
I tried to walk in high heels
They say it'll help you feel tall
All I can say is, I just felt rather small
I tried to smile
But all I see is just a snarl
My hair is like lifeless hay
Eventhough I conditioned it every other day
Damn, what is wrong me
Could it be the aftermath of yesterday?
Argh!
Forget about it
I am going out anyway.

P/S: Forgive me for the bad poetry.

I Got Knocked Down But I Got Up Again

I get knocked down, but I get up again You will never gonna see me down - Chumbawamba


I received the news that my application had been rejected. At this moment, I feel a mixture of emotions - relieved that the wait is over; anticipation for the next application and of course, sadness because of rejection. But Sad is such a melodramatic word. I can't describe the emotion I am feeling right now...it's like rojak waiting to be puked out of my stomach.

Sour grape much? Maybe.

Disappointment? Yup.

Resentment? A little.

But I am going on, to continue what I haven't finished and to just keep on trying, even though it seemed silly to fight over a losing battle.

I'm just grateful that somewhere there were total strangers who were willing to help and guide me in this ordeal. And I consider that as a miracle.

So what if they knocked me down? I am not going to let myself down.

"Every search begins with beginner's luck and ends with the victor's being severely tested."
-The Alchemist, Paulo Coelho.

Book CRAZY!!!!

I blame it on Mel.

I get shopping crazy whenever I went out for retail therapy with my best gurl, Mel. But this time it's minus the guilt...woot!!

I knew I have another book collection to complete. But I just had to have it.

Now.

Right now.

So, me bought meself another four books by Paulo Coelho.

Brida
This is the story of Brida, a beautiful young Irish girl, and her quest for knowledge. On her journey she meets a wise man who teaches her about overcoming her fears, and a woman who teaches her how to dance to the hidden music of the world. They see in her a gift, but must let her make her own voyage of discovery.

As Brida seeks her destiny, she struggles to find a balance between her relationships and her desire to transform herself.

Brida is a moving tale of love, mystery and courage, of the the spiritual side of eros and the erotic side of spirituality.

By The River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept


In all stories of love there is always something that moves us closer to eternity and the essence of life because the stories of love hold within all the secrets in the world.

But what happens when shyness prevents an adolescent love affair from developing? And what happens when, 11 years later, destiny brings the lovers together again? In the meantime, life has taught her to be strong and to hide her feelings. As for him, he is now a handsome spiritual teacher – with a reputation for performing miracles – who has turned to religion as a refuge from his inner conflicts.

Together they take a journey that is initially fraught with difficulty as blame and resentment resurface after years of being hidden. But by the River Piedra, in a small village in the French Pyrenees, they find a way to discuss many of life's big questions and re-evaluate their won special relationship.

By The River Piedra is a wonderful novel, with a poetic and transcendent narrative, that reflects all the mysteries of love and life.

The Witch of Portobello

Who is this mysterious woman called Athena? The orphan abandoned by her gypsy mother in Transylvania. The child taken to Beirut by her adoptive parents. The clerk working in a large bank in London. The successful real estate agent in Dubai. The priestess of Portobello Road.

The Pilgrimage

hmm..can't find the blurb for this one in the Net...
(all blurbs were taken and quoted from http://www.santjordi-asociados.com/titles.htm)

Therefore, I may conclude that :

4 books@RM120 + 3@RM90 + 2@RM20 equals SHOPPING ONLY IN DECEMBER.

I promise myself that I will only go shop crazy in December...

that is...if I can tahan.

devour...devour...devour

I was surprised when Al told me that Times is having a warehouse sale at Asia City. I went the next day. And the next day, this time with Al and Get. I saw the first two Twilight books and couldn't let it go. Then I saw Paulo Coelho books and I couldn't let it go either!!

Gosh...how can I afford to get five books??Eventhough there was the discounts and all, the sum is RM168!! I can buy a few pairs of shoes and dresses with that!!

Decisions...decisions....

I decided to take the Paulo Coelho books (The Alchemist and The Devil & Miss Prym) since I've read the whole series of Twilight and I thought completing my Twilight collection can wait.

But now I am in another roll for another complete collection...

I just got to complete the Paulo Coelho novels!! (hint: birthday pressie *wink**wink*...;-P)

Night out with my big bros

I've been dying to watch Night in the Museum 2- Battle of the Smithsonian for ages!!
So my brothers, Josue and Koko Eric finally brought me out to watch that movie at GSC Kota Kinabalu.

At the ticket counter, si Koko Eric pun membawa kami berbaris untuk membeli tikit.

"Kami mau tingu tu Night in the Musium 2...kasi yang palinnggggggg dapan ah!!"

Astaga.

Mati la sia.

Sakit la leher sia.

"Ohhhhh...kamu ni kan yang selalu pi di dapan...yah. ada tu dua orang selalu di dapan. Kamu la pula tu!" said the lady at the counter.

Koko Eric and my brother tersengih like kerang.

Sia mau minta tukar tempat duduk pun tidak dibenarkan...cos koko Eric said ko cuba dulu duduk di dapan. Best...according to him.

Nah. Terpaksalah.

I could feel the stares behind and I do feel like an idiot. But Koko Eric assured me it'll be fun.

2 hours later....

Siok juga duduk depan, tapi mau ada skill. Kamu bayangkan seja kamu limpang2 di sofa depan TV di rumah. That's my verdict.

But next time, I'm sitting in the middle pews.

P/S: The movie was very good though. I was laughing from beginning to end.