ROAMING THE STREETS OF AMSTERDAM - PART ONE

So what would you do when you had six hours of transit at the airport? Go out and roam the streets even it might a bit too early to do that. These are some of the photos taken at about 8:00 a.m. and there would be no detailed description as I simply walked around the area on my own, without any idea of what to do, or any map to guide. The earlier plan was to join a transit tour at the airport but it would only start at 9:00 and that would be already too late. Enjoy!

Rembrandt's Museum

a lamp post to remember

BLOGGING FROM VIRGINIA, USA

Amsterdam in the background

Safely arrived in Virginia, USA at about 3:00 p.m. today. (3:00 a.m. Malaysian time 30th May). Still feeling a little tired after 19 hours of flight and 6 hours of transit time in Amsterdam but managed to explore a bit of the town.

I am looking forward to an exciting time. Hopefully there will be a lot to share with you later.

BY THE TIME YOU READ THIS,

By the time you read this, I am already gone. No, I am not a heartbroken lover seeking refuge somewhere else. I am yet to embark on a journey to another part of the world, Pray that everything will go well as planned. 

So, happy holidays everybody. Enjoy your time while you still can. Don't forget to finish all your homework.

MY COLLECTIBLES - FIRST DAY COVERS

LONG long time ago, when there was no handphone or internet, we had to do something to get ourselves occupied. I was an avid stamp collectors and together with that hobby, was another closely-related obsession - first day covers. I still remember the days when the stamps and first day covers were released then I would go and joined in the long queue at the post office just to get hold of the first issue. Then I had to stick the stamps on the envelope and after that stamped them with the historical date.

The hobby did not last long as it required a lot of effort. Actually one can just subscribe for the first day covers. The post department would deliver the first day covers to your house after you have paid a sum of money in advance. Perhaps I should do that right away.

DISTRICT LEVEL TEACHERS' DAY CELEBRATION

The Teachers' Day Celebration for Johor Bahru district level was held on Saturday, 26th May at Pusat Islam and I was one of the school's representatives who had to be there. (Someone had to do it.) Registration and breakfast took place between 7:30 and 8:30 a.m.

the programme book

the audience of the male section

The hall was not filled to its maximum capacity maybe because of the wrong timing. The school holidays had already started and some people were already somewhere else. Luckily I met some people I knew and managed to sit beside a colleague.

the performance

The ceremony was started off with a performance which was a combination of poetry recitation cum pantomime with singing and the music of violin and flute in the background. It was very dramatic indeed which was a typical Malay presentation kind of thing. 

the entertaining choir group

There was also a choir performance which was more modern and very entertaining - I think they deserved a standing ovation. But then it would be only me clapping hard and shouting "Encore! Encore!" (Of course I exaggerated.) They should have more performance by teachers to attract more people to attend this ceremony.

reading the oath, again,
with Mr. Sa'at by my side

After the routine of prayer recitation, speeches (Thank God they were quite short), reading of the teachers' oath (I read twice this year) and the singing of "Guru Malaysia" song, the event was continued with awards and certificates presentation.

presenting the award to the "Tokoh Guru"

The whole thing ended quite early and we were all rushing back home by 10:15 a.m. The event was quite short I did not have the chance to doze off. We could have gone back earlier if only the VIP arrived on time but it was alright this time so I am not going to complain much. I hope there is no Teachers' Day celebration for me to attend anymore this year.

ONE DAY BEFORE THE MID TERM SCHOOL HOLIDAYS

Today was the last day of school before the mid term school holiday started. And here teachers were going away to other school when the school reopens. The first one was Miss Siti Maysara, a morning session teacher, who was one of the teacher advisers of Kadet Bomba. She had been one of the most helpful persons around but we still had to say "goodbye" to her.

a present from Kadet Bomba

for Miss Maysara

There was another teacher from the afternoon session who was going away so we threw another potluck for her in the staffroom. Puan Norhafizah Mokhtar would be going to Kuala Lumpur, to follow her husband and she had been applying for the transfer a few times. So it was definitely good news for her.

doing things we do best

Pn Hafizah giving a speech
and receiving a parting gift

giving away four different
presents

no, I am not moving school yet

Pn. Hafizah with the students

before leaving school

with a few men teachers

the very last group photo

To all the teachers moving away, we wish you the very best of luck and hopefully you will get a good school like SMKTUN, if not better. Don't forget us here.

SPOT THE ERROR 29

You can always BOK the taxi to the airport.

*thanks to Pn. Suzanni Amin for the feed*

(I have agents everywhere)

MOVIE REVIEW - DARK SHADOWS

Not getting enough of vampire love story, went to watch this movie, other than to see Johnny Depp and Michelle Pfeiffer. It was a story of a vampire who came back to the family mansion after being imprisoned in his coffin for two centuries. Believe it or not, there were just too many similarities with the Stephenie Meyer's "Twilight" vampire series but what do you expect? We are talking about dracula here except this one originated from Liverpool, was not as good-looking as Edward and a bit too old. And the movie was also funny but not to the point that would bring tears to your eyes. And how did the story end?: the girl the dracula was in love with tried to commit suicide by jumping off the cliff so Barnabas Collins a.k.a Mr. Dracula had to kill her and suck her blood so she would be turned into a lady vampire and they could live happily ever after. One word to describe the storyline: PREDICTABLE.

By the way this movie is rated 18 as there are scenes not suitable for kids. Actually I was quite disappointed with the film. The expectation was higher most probably because Johnny Depp was the lead actor and it should as good as the Pirates series. I will give 3 out of 5 star rating, or perhaps only 2 1/2. 

*btw, those who go to watch movies at Pelangi Leisure Mall, now you have to pay RM1 for the parking fee.

**thanks to Mr. Zulhairi for accompanying. [some other time, we go again, okay?]

AN OUTING AND A TREAT FOR TEACHERS' DAY

Someone was telling that he did not have the time to go buy me a present for Teachers' Day. Instead, he wanted to give me a treat during an outing. Did I have a choice to say "no"?

Some people have little money so they give small presents. Some people have a bit more so they give bigger ones. However, some people they just don't care. THANKS Syazwan for the treat, you are one of the people who has made me think life as a teacher is not that bad after all.

ATTENDING ZAIREE EZZAM'S WEDDING

I went to another wedding invitation of an ex-student, Zairee Ezzzam Zahuri, held at the Sports Complex in Taman Universiti, with Mr. Masrizal. I used to be close to the older brother of the bridegroom, Zairee Ezham (yes, their names are in fact very similar) and I have known the father of the bride since I first started teaching in SMKTUN. And I managed to meet a few ex-students from SPM batch 1999, if I am not mistaken.

with Khairul Zahari and his daughter

met a colleague, Pn. Zaiti
and her husband, Mr. Foad

with Zairee Ezham,
the brother of the bridegroom

with Gadaffi

It has always been a pleasure to see all these kids (I knew them when they were still kids and consider them still the same) who have grown up to be healthy young adults. Nevertheless, everybody is already occupied with their own lives and families and it is quite difficult to meet up but hopefully we will have time to sit down and chat longer later.

TEACHERS' DAY PRESENTS THIS YEAR

The purpose of this posting is to THANK all the kind people, students and colleagues who had gone the extra mile to make Teachers' Day a day to be remembered. This year, there were many "dedication services" being offered to the school community which should have made things easier as you did not have to go shopping for gifts anymore. And the items varied, from fresh flowers to chocolates, mugs to cup cakes.

things to carry back home

thank you, you and you

I must say here that when it comes to giving presents, it is the thought that really counts. It does not matter, how cheap or expensive, how big or small the presents are, it is your sincere deed that is the most important.

 a very unusual present this year

And this is one of the surprising presents (yes, I had had others before) from the Angklung Group members. Even though I might be too old, or too masculine, for this but I still love it just the same. I am thinking of giving this animal a name already.

"Every gift which is given, even though it is small,

is in reality great, if it is given with affection."

~ Pindar's quote ~

Thanks again. I can't thank you enough.

TEACHERS' DAY CELEBRATION 2012

16th MAY ~ After all these years, there was a heavy downpour in the morning of Teachers' Day celebration. Leaving us with no other choice, the gathering had to be held in the small hall which could not accommodate everybody.  At the same time, not many students came to attend the event unlike the previous years. And the theme chosen this time: blue and white.

gathering in the hall

the annual routine activities

students' performance

decorating cup cakes competition

teachers' performance

Nevertheless, everything went well except the telematch session that could not be carried out. At the end of the session, all the teachers and staff adjourned to Rumah Alumni, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia for the special lunch.

Thanks to all the students who had braved the heavy rain to come to school and celebrate the day with us. Let's pray for a better weather next year.

 

Teachers' Day xpecial lunch at Rumah Alumni UTM