17 OCTOBER - 2nd DAY LANGKAWI

[NOTE: Sorry, I could only update the blog only after I had arrived home from KL. In fact, too many things to write and yet too little time]

members of the excursion group in front of the hotel

We started the day early on the second day as there were many places to be visited. We first went to Telaga Tujuh but just stopped just for a short while.

A more exciting stop would be the Langkawi Cable Car, for me at least. This time I managed to go up the hill or rather known as Gunung Machinchang. I went here twice before but was not allowed entry for certain technical reasons. The best thing about the ride was the spectacular view that you could see from the gondola or either from the observation deck or the bridge. And we managed to pet the rabbits in the park before we went out from that place. We just bought a small packet of sliced carrots (which cost RM1) to lure the cute furry animals.

you could find burned rice here, if you were lucky enough

it is believed that Mahsuri was killed at this very spot

a new PM in the making

Then we went to Padang Matsirat to see whether we can find any burned rice on the ground before stopping for lunch. Right after that, we moved to Galeri Perdana, where the presents received by Tun Dr Mahathir were put on display for the public. I definitely need more time if I have to really feast my eyes on the large collection of things you could never imagine could be presented as gifts. I am thinking of having a gallery for my Teachers' Day gifts but will there be people who want to see?

love the carpet!

it's a bird...

The trip to Langkawi would not be complete if photo was not taken in front of the eagle monument in Dataran Lang. Then only we went for a shopping spree in Kuah town.

I was lucky enough because I got to meet Zanariah, my ex-coursemate from UPM, who is now residing in Langkawi. She was kind enough to take me to a seafood restaurant for dinner with her parents and four kids. Thanks, Ana! ... And what a long day for me, really.

BLOGGING FROM LANGKAWI

I am glad that I have the chance to go to Langkawi with the school trip again during the long Deepavali weekend. My fourth time actually there but as usual there are a few things in mind that will be worth buying. We started the journey at about 9:00 p.m., and then stopped at Gurun at about 6:15 a.m. for Subuh prayer and breakfast.

breakfast in Gurun

Padang Besar

The next long stop was at Padang Besar just to kill time while waiting for our ferry to the island at 2:00 p.m. But who could contain oneself from not buying anything there?

welcome to Langkawi, again

with a few of the group members in front of the Aseania Hotel

with the penguins

After stepping foot on the island, we checked in at Aseania Hotel. As it was already quite late, the only place that we went this evening was the Underwater World. Thank God, some upgrading had been done before so the place was much better than the last time I went there last year. And after that, we had dinner and called it a day.

the hills come alive, with the sound of music...

dinner time somewhere in Chenang

[note: If I have the time and energy, I will update my travelogue tomorrow. The cyber cafe is just a walking distance from the hotel]

2-IN-1: TAHLIL AND EID

I have never done any open house for Eid. One reason is I do not know how many people to invite; the other reason I do not know how much food should be prepared. And from my experience and observation, people go to open house to eat and once that is done, they will go away. It means there is less time chatting and catching up to do with each other. Nevertheless, I always try to invite my male colleagues to come over for a tahlil during the month of Eid so that I can do two things at one time. Tahlil is a practice when we recite the prayer for the family members who have passed away and at the same time asking for God's blessing for our every day life. And of course after that, the host will prepare food for the visitors. I managed to squeeze in this event just a few days before Eid is over and even my Chinese and Indian friends came over. Thanks to Mr. Tham, Mr. Sin and Mr. Punithan for realizing the vision of One Malaysia (which is nothing new actually). I guess if Dato' Seri Najib is reading my blog, he will be a happy man.

a formal picture fits for our school magazine

Hope to see you all again next year, for the same gathering.

BRINGING BACK THE SOUND OF MUSIC INTO CLASS

Most of the time, we get too busy teaching according to the syllabus or to make sure students are able to get high marks for exam until we forget the fun element in teaching and learning. So when the PMR exam was going on and my students did not have to attend school, I intentionally asked the form one and two students to come to watch a classic movie: The Sound of Music. 2KP1 came on Friday and 1KP1 on Monday. Not even half of each of the class turned up but I was still quite happy with the response.

The computer lab that was turned into a cineplex for a day

I closely observed their response while viewing this old movie. When Maria first appeared on the screen and delivered her first song, everybody was laughing, as I had been expecting. Of course, this movie is no High School Musical. However, as the story was progressing, their eyes were glued on the screen and in the end, they all had a very good time. I guess the English subtitles did a good job in assisting them to have a better understanding of the dialogues and they were all reading and laughing throughout the show.

outside the lab

I am already thinking of The King and I for the next video viewing session.

WHILE OTHERS WERE HAVING FUN...

While my other friends gathered in one of the hotels for the school's annual lunch, there was another seminar to be attended. And this time, the event was organized by the Johor Bahru Senior Assistant for the Afternoon Session group and the others of the same post from Johor state were invited to sit with us throughout the day. It was heldat SJKC Pu Sze. Since we were the organizer, we had to do some work and I was again in charge of photography which I hate. This means I will not be in most of the photos.

..... but still, I have to be in the photos.

the Senior Assistant for Afternoon Session of Johor Bahru District with PPD JB officers

Arif, the one in black, who took the professional photo above, was with Sharmin and me. If you need a photo shoot service for any special event, like wedding, you can contact him through me for negotiable price. (Arif, free advertisement for you!)

POT LUCK FOR EID

To celebrate Eid among the colleagues in the afternoon, another pot luck was held in staff room. Good food and good company of friends, what else can one be asking for? I just wonder if I have gained a lot of weight after all the eating and drinking until the 16th day of Eid. *sigh*

birds of a feather flock together

drinks provided by the men teachers (as usual)

15th DAY OF RAYA - MARHABAN AT HOME

On the 15th day of Eid, a busload of students from the Special Religious Class accompanied by a few teachers came visiting for Marhaban. From the historical point of view, Marhaban derived from the event when Prophet Mohamad (peace be upon him) moved from Mecca to Medina and the locals were welcoming him with some sort of chants or songs, I guess. So, in a way, marhaban was held to welcome guests to one's home with open arms, and in return, the visitors will pray for the hosts' good health and good fortune. This is a well-known activities in Johor in the month of Syawal but I am not sure whether the people in other states in Malaysia practise the same thing.

Marhaban in progress

Distributing door gifts, just for the fun of it

And some more people came visiting after that. What a joyous festive season!

the present form 2 students

En Faris and his wife, both ex-teachers of SMKTUN, who are now in teaching in Batu Pahat

Pn. Zah's, Pn. Maznah's husbands and En. Mustafa

Pn. Norashikin, Pn. Zah, En. Mustafa Kamal and Pn. Maznah, with their kids

Didn't I tell you earlier the celebration lasts for the whole month?