Saturday, January 26 th, 2008
According to Gregorian Calendar, at midnight 0000 hrs I have managed to to attain my 60 th Birthday. At exactly midnight I offered prayer to Allah swt for extending my life to 60 years.
Looking back down my memory lanes from the days I was born to Hj Salim Hj Sirat and Hjh Kamsiah Hj Salleh, 60 years ago, I always Allah swt for making me a man, a father, a husband, an uncle, cousin, brother, lecturer and a humble servant to Allah. According to my late mother, I was bor on a Monday, coincentally the day when our Beloved Prophet Muhammad was born. My early life started with sickness and at one stage I was prononced dead. Thanks to Allah swt for giving me a second chance to be in this temporary world.
My first 7 years of my life was a beautiful one. As Sayedina Omar said that children at this age must be treated as toys. In factI went outside the toy era by attending Sekolah Umum Bukit Soga, Batu Pahat at an early age of 5. My classmates were 7-year-old children and that experience of being with older boys later has transormed me to be a matured person.At Standard 4, 9 yers old, I sat the Entrance Examination for the Malay Students to enter a special programme for top Malay Students, Special Malay Class. I was succeesful and I had to repeat standard 4 in Lim Poon Primary Boys' Schhol to continue my Standard 4 - 6. When I was in Lim Poon Primary Boys' School I became a teacher's Pet especially Miss Teo and at one stage I was adopted by my headmaster, En Zainal Abidin.
I left LPBS to join High School, Batu Pahat in 1960, at a tender age of 11. Here again I was a teacher pet to Indian Lady Teachers. When I was in my early teen I started to be active in social services by joining Boys ScoutGroup. My involvement in this association has led me to be what I am today. Baden Powell, the founder of Bys Scout had made a man out of me. He once said,"Once a Scout is Always a Scout." Scouting acivities have me friendship, loyalty, honesty, obedience, resilience, accountable, responsible,commited and decidication. My activess in scounting had made a Royal Scout,bestowed by HRH Sultan Ismail when I was barely 16 years old.
This early experience had later repeated itself when I was awarded the Melaka State Award, Bintang Kepujian Tertinggi, by the Governor of Melaka.
In 1963 I sat and passed my Lower Certificate of Education and I attended the Science Steam. Unfortunately I was undecided whether or not to pursue my studies in Arts or Science stream. Finally I decided I joined Form 5 Arts. Some of my former Form Fourers becane doctors or scientists while I became a college train teacher from Language Institute, Kuala Lumpur in 1968.
My first posting as a teacher was Sekolah Menengah Air Baloi, Pontian from 1968 to 1973 teaching English, Mahematics and Physical Education. I ended my bachelorhood by marrying Azizah Ab Rahman, a Muarian, on December 24 th, 1970. Our marriage is blessed with three wonderful children, Julianaa, a Business Graduate, Dato'Shafik Rizaal, a corporate figure, and Mohammmad Asshad, computer scientist working in his brother's firm.
In 1974 I applied for a transfer to Muar and I was posted to Sekolah Menengah Pagoh from 1975 to 1979 teaching English and Geography. Later in 1980 I was transferred to Sekolah Menengah Jalan Junid Muar. Besides teaching in these schools was actively involved in Boys' Scout Association, as Scoutmaster and as I was an avid footballer, I held the post of Secondary School Football Secretary for many years. Apart from that I was the English Key Personnel for the Muar District for many years too.
In 1979 I was selected to pursue my studies for the Diploma in Ensglish as a Second Language in Universiy Malaya. Then in 1982 I was managed to get a scholarship, under the Young Lecturer Scheme, ITM, now currently known as UiTM, to pursue mys BA and MA in Northen Illinois University, DeKalb, Illinois, USA. Upon my completion of my studies, I was posted to ITM Shah Alam on 19 August 1985. After serving Shah Alam for one semester, I was posted to ITM Melaka on December 1 st, 1985. During my service in Melaka, I held the post of Language Coordinator, English Proficiency Course Coordnator and the Deputy Director of Students' Affairs until I officially retired on January 26 th, 2004. I duly served the Malaysian Government for 35 years.
Now I am a contract lecturer from 2004 till 2010. My family is now made up of 3 children, 2 in-laws and 5 grandchildren. On my 60th birthday I pray to Allah swt to offer me with Iman, Takwa, Good Health, Healthy Children and Grandchildren and be a Good Muslim.
Till my next birthday I will sin off now.
The Beginning of a New Era
Monday January 21, 2008
It has been quite some time I didn't write in my blog due to work committment and I had had not nothing much to share with fellow bloggers.
Yesterday, Sunday, January 20th, 2008, YAB Prime Minister announced that Thaipusam would be declared a Holiday to KLites and Dato' Seri Samy Valu has appealed to other states, particularly Melaka and Kedah, to follow suit. Sincerely I hope Thaipusam should be declared a national holiday rather than sates holiday.
This is the 4th week of this semester, Dec. 07 - May 08, and the ball has started rolling at the feet of the students. At 0830 hrs, the BBAIB 3B students would be presenting their first tasks of BEL 492, the Introductory section, which carries 20% of the whole course.
Tomorrow, Tuesday, January 22, 2008, UiTM Melaka would be having its Quality Day and Maal Hijrah Celebration in Lendu. All lectures for tomorow would be postponed so as to enable lecturers and staff to attend the function. Unfortunately I had to replace 6-hour lecture some time this semester.
This week, to be exact Saturday, January 26 th, 2008, I would be celebrating my 60 th Birthday. Thanks Allah swt for giving me the Iman, Takwa, Good Family, Excellent 3 Children and 5 Grandchildren, Good Health, Beautiful Friends and Good Profession during the last 60 years. I beg and succumb to Allah swt to prolong this beautiful life for some time to go. How Long. Waullahuaklam.
Bye for now.
It has been quite some time I didn't write in my blog due to work committment and I had had not nothing much to share with fellow bloggers.
Yesterday, Sunday, January 20th, 2008, YAB Prime Minister announced that Thaipusam would be declared a Holiday to KLites and Dato' Seri Samy Valu has appealed to other states, particularly Melaka and Kedah, to follow suit. Sincerely I hope Thaipusam should be declared a national holiday rather than sates holiday.
This is the 4th week of this semester, Dec. 07 - May 08, and the ball has started rolling at the feet of the students. At 0830 hrs, the BBAIB 3B students would be presenting their first tasks of BEL 492, the Introductory section, which carries 20% of the whole course.
Tomorrow, Tuesday, January 22, 2008, UiTM Melaka would be having its Quality Day and Maal Hijrah Celebration in Lendu. All lectures for tomorow would be postponed so as to enable lecturers and staff to attend the function. Unfortunately I had to replace 6-hour lecture some time this semester.
This week, to be exact Saturday, January 26 th, 2008, I would be celebrating my 60 th Birthday. Thanks Allah swt for giving me the Iman, Takwa, Good Family, Excellent 3 Children and 5 Grandchildren, Good Health, Beautiful Friends and Good Profession during the last 60 years. I beg and succumb to Allah swt to prolong this beautiful life for some time to go. How Long. Waullahuaklam.
Bye for now.
Two be or not To Be
Mon January 14, 2008
The new semester has already reached for he third week today, Monday. the students' name lists, the exact numberof students and the right group are still in disarray.
Supposedly these things should have been finalised by January 10, with the icoming of the second-intake students. Unfortunately it did not materialised. To add salt to injuey, certain groups were disbanded due to lack of students.
What is really happening to the new members of this instituition? Are we lacking the right number of students to pursue their basic degree? Or are we lacking in he number of students who have form and substance.
Some students lack the form of aspiring to be the intellectuals of the future. Quite a number of the students are still unprepared to be matured students by not dressing well, coming late to class and or staying away from lectures. These students need to change their attitudes now.
Hopefully, the students would change for the better, tomorrow, Tuesday, January 15 th. Insya'Allal.
The new semester has already reached for he third week today, Monday. the students' name lists, the exact numberof students and the right group are still in disarray.
Supposedly these things should have been finalised by January 10, with the icoming of the second-intake students. Unfortunately it did not materialised. To add salt to injuey, certain groups were disbanded due to lack of students.
What is really happening to the new members of this instituition? Are we lacking the right number of students to pursue their basic degree? Or are we lacking in he number of students who have form and substance.
Some students lack the form of aspiring to be the intellectuals of the future. Quite a number of the students are still unprepared to be matured students by not dressing well, coming late to class and or staying away from lectures. These students need to change their attitudes now.
Hopefully, the students would change for the better, tomorrow, Tuesday, January 15 th. Insya'Allal.
The Day of the Rekoning
Saturday January 12, 2008
Well, it's Saturday, the day that government workers have been waiting for. For what? Recreation, travelling, wedding reception, social gathering and many many more.
Last night I was invited to atend YB Datuk Dr Harris's daughter's Akad Nikah. Her husband is from Johor Bahru. It was the first Akad Nikah since my own daughter's wedding in 2002. The occasion was colourful, awesome and simple. It was over by 2300 hrs.
Ismail, a close buddy from Aolr Star, called to remind me about our colleague's daughter's wedding in Alor Star, Mohammad Abdullah, today, Jan. 12,2008. I told him i wouldn't be going because I had to attend Haris's Wedding Reception which happen to be today too.
I wouldn' be playing golf this morning because I would be busy peparing for my lectures, shopping at Giant for my beloved kiddos' toys, breakfast with my wife, and I would be attending two wedding functions.
The day sated with my Subuh prayer and Yassin reading and then blogging. Unfortunately I have not much to share with you today.
Kamusta.
Well, it's Saturday, the day that government workers have been waiting for. For what? Recreation, travelling, wedding reception, social gathering and many many more.
Last night I was invited to atend YB Datuk Dr Harris's daughter's Akad Nikah. Her husband is from Johor Bahru. It was the first Akad Nikah since my own daughter's wedding in 2002. The occasion was colourful, awesome and simple. It was over by 2300 hrs.
Ismail, a close buddy from Aolr Star, called to remind me about our colleague's daughter's wedding in Alor Star, Mohammad Abdullah, today, Jan. 12,2008. I told him i wouldn't be going because I had to attend Haris's Wedding Reception which happen to be today too.
I wouldn' be playing golf this morning because I would be busy peparing for my lectures, shopping at Giant for my beloved kiddos' toys, breakfast with my wife, and I would be attending two wedding functions.
The day sated with my Subuh prayer and Yassin reading and then blogging. Unfortunately I have not much to share with you today.
Kamusta.
New Bottle New Product
Friday December 11th, 2008
The Gregorian Year was celebrated on Tuesday, January 1st, 2008, while the Islamic (Hijjrah) Year was on Thursday, January 10, 2008.
New Year will always be coming annually and do we have to change our personality, character, attitudes and ethics every year too? To some who have no basic pricipals in life will keep on searching for new hopes and aspirations but to the majority who have incalcated the right paths would keepn on trying to achieve their goals.
Happy New Year and Happy Maal Hijrah.
The Gregorian Year was celebrated on Tuesday, January 1st, 2008, while the Islamic (Hijjrah) Year was on Thursday, January 10, 2008.
New Year will always be coming annually and do we have to change our personality, character, attitudes and ethics every year too? To some who have no basic pricipals in life will keep on searching for new hopes and aspirations but to the majority who have incalcated the right paths would keepn on trying to achieve their goals.
Happy New Year and Happy Maal Hijrah.
Old Wine in a New Bottle
Monday, January 7, 2008
The Dec. 07 - May 08 started on Monday Dec. 31st followed by the New Year Day on Tuesday.
On the first day of the semester, I was in campus by 0730hrs eager and motivated to embark on my pedagogical assignment. At 0735 hrs I took my breakfast at the MARA Corner alone. By 0820 I was already in DMK 3 to launch my teaching. Unfortunately nobody was around. I fixed the OHP, which I carried from the 15th floor.While waiting for the audience to come in, I scroughed through the notes of BEL 492. It was 0830 hrs when the lecture should have started. Nobody showed up.
Time ticked by. Waiting is not my game. I waited and waited until 0930 hrs when I decided to call of the class carrying the OHP to the next class which should start at 1030 hrs, BEL 422. As usual I was ready for my next lecture. There I fixed the OHP again in Z 13 6. Then the same experience of having an empty class occurred. So I called off the class at 1100 hrs.
Then I started to ponder about the attitudes of the previous and the current students towards the old habits of abstaining from lectures when a holiday is coming. I have been lecturing for the past 23 years in ITM, now UiTM. UiTM is considered a New Bottle and the Students are labelled as the the New Wine, as the Engllish saying goes. With a new terminology I expect the students would have new attitudes. Unforunately, only he bottle is new. The new students still possess the old habits of abstaining from lectures whenever there will be a holiday next.
The attitudes of the Bumi students must change for the better. It's the Bumis themselves who can change, not others. My expectations hat the new students would inculcate new attitudes were high. As mentioned earlier, t's a new bottle with old wine.
Hopefully as the semester moves on, the wine will change and it will take some time because Old Habits Die Hard.
The Dec. 07 - May 08 started on Monday Dec. 31st followed by the New Year Day on Tuesday.
On the first day of the semester, I was in campus by 0730hrs eager and motivated to embark on my pedagogical assignment. At 0735 hrs I took my breakfast at the MARA Corner alone. By 0820 I was already in DMK 3 to launch my teaching. Unfortunately nobody was around. I fixed the OHP, which I carried from the 15th floor.While waiting for the audience to come in, I scroughed through the notes of BEL 492. It was 0830 hrs when the lecture should have started. Nobody showed up.
Time ticked by. Waiting is not my game. I waited and waited until 0930 hrs when I decided to call of the class carrying the OHP to the next class which should start at 1030 hrs, BEL 422. As usual I was ready for my next lecture. There I fixed the OHP again in Z 13 6. Then the same experience of having an empty class occurred. So I called off the class at 1100 hrs.
Then I started to ponder about the attitudes of the previous and the current students towards the old habits of abstaining from lectures when a holiday is coming. I have been lecturing for the past 23 years in ITM, now UiTM. UiTM is considered a New Bottle and the Students are labelled as the the New Wine, as the Engllish saying goes. With a new terminology I expect the students would have new attitudes. Unforunately, only he bottle is new. The new students still possess the old habits of abstaining from lectures whenever there will be a holiday next.
The attitudes of the Bumi students must change for the better. It's the Bumis themselves who can change, not others. My expectations hat the new students would inculcate new attitudes were high. As mentioned earlier, t's a new bottle with old wine.
Hopefully as the semester moves on, the wine will change and it will take some time because Old Habits Die Hard.
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