Technical errors

Am not sure what's happening but it seems that all photos are missing from my posts. Will try to rectify the problem. Sorry.

My trip to the North

Alhamdulillah, I have a speedy recovery. A few friends called to ask after reading my last post. Glad to know that my blog is being read by a number of friends although I noticed there are very few comments on my posts. I was down with fever and to make it worse, had a bad headache. It all started with too much to eat and I really had appetite with the Northern food including the famous Laksa Kedah. Admitted it was my own doing as I did not take my regular diet (that's oat and my Herbalife Shape Works Soy Powder) and really enjoyed my meals. Well, due to that, I had stomach upset; and one thing leads to another. Anyway, the trip was very interesting. My meeting was held at Regency Hotel, which is located in the heart of Alor Setar town and so, so near to a number of shopping complexes and Pekan Rabu. I did not go to the complexes as I feel they are more or less the same elsewhere. However, Pekan Rabu really attracted me as it has lots of stalls selling local cookies and ikan pekasam, a kind of preserved salty fish(did not buy any). I only bought kerepek and some local cookies for my friends in the office and of course, for my dear students. We also went to Institut Pendidikan Guru Malaysia Kampus Perlis for a benchmarking visit. The institute is the only two intitutes (another is IPGM Kampus Darul Aman) which has Guidance and Counselling Department. As for the rest (including mine), we come under the Education Studies Department as a small unit. What more, IPGM Kampus Perlis has already established a Counselling Clinic, which later on , will be set up in all campus of IPGM and schools. Its a new development for the counselling service offers in the education setting in Malaysia. Personally, this is like a dream comes true. Children in present school system need a more focused, systematic and holistic counselling and also fits our local culture. Most of the counselling theories we learn and apply originated from the West and definitely, they need to be adjusted to conform to our children's needs. Qudos to Dr Kamaruzaman (Pensyarah Kanan DG52) in IPGM Kampus Perlis for leading the way for a new perspective in counselling. I am really supportive of his own theory; Teori Bina Insan Jiwa which is a new theoritical counseling perspective which suits our Asian values and is closer to our settings. Shall upload the photos later. Anyway, the visit was very benefial to me as I learnt many new things related to my field. Thank you to IPGM Kampus Perlis especially Tuan Haji Othman , Head of Guidance and Counseling Department , fellow lecturers there and KSPK Bimbingan and Kaunseling for making our visit a fruitful one.

I reached KK at 11.30 pm on Friday, feeling very sick and tired. But, I went to the office on the next day,although it was a Saturday to replace my classes. It was a long day for me as I got to finish class at 3 in the afternoon. Suprisingly, I did not feel that sick when I gave my lecture and was so glad to see my students. The minute I reached home, felt like all my joints were aching all over again. Am back to my usual diet and feel so much better now. Thank God.

Taking a break

I would like to apologise for not updating my blog . Am not feeling well since Thursday. Will do so when I am completely recovered, INSYA ALLAH.

Travelling

I am travelling again this morning to Kuala Lumpur. Taking the first flight at 6 am and later, connecting flight from KLIA to Alor Setar at 1.55 pm. Am attending a meeting in Alor Setar till Friday. At one time, flying is a favourable means of transport for me. Not anymore. Travelling by flight is ,now, taxing and tiring for me. The hassle of waiting before departure, at times delayed flights, taking cabs or ERL to reach the destination; everything has become very exhaustive for me. Am I really getting old? What used to be the activities I favoured and enjoyed doing before has become sort of a nuicance now. Suprisingly, I look forward now to spend time at home or in the office. Definitely, age is catching up with me, finally.

Sahabat

Saya menerima panggilan daripada Nor Hawani, sahabat lama semenjak di Putrajaya lagi. Lama kami tidak berjumpa dan berbual. Seronok berbual hinggakan terlupa berbuka (saya berpuasa). Kami berkawan tiga serangkai di SMK Putrajaya Precint 8. Anizakiah, sahabat kami masih di sekolah yang sama; saya ke institut pendidikan guru dan Hawani berpindah mengajar di sebuah sekolah di kk ; mengikut suami. Kami rapat mungkin disebabkan kami bertiga yang mendahului kumpulan isteri-isteri yang mengikut pasangan masing-masing semasa itu. Guru-guru lain merupakan guru-guru terpilih kerana mereka telah mengikuti kursus bestari selama beberapa minggu dan layaklah mereka mengajar di sekolah bestari terunggul ketika itu.
Kami bertiga mengharungi cabaran dan suka duka bersama dan mungkin, itulah yang merapatkan hubungan kami. Tidak pernah kami tersinggung perasaan di antara satu sama lain dan hingga hari ini, walaupun jarang kami bersua muka, cuma sesekali berbual di talian, masih rasa ikhlasnya persahabatan. Saya sendiri anggap persahabatan dengan kedua adik (saya yang lebih tua) ini sesuatu yang istimewa dalam hidup saya. Kami berusaha menongkah arus cabaran ketika itu untuk membuktikan kami juga cemerlang dan mampu bersaing dengan guru-guru lain yang hebat.
Hawani dan Ani, mungkin kita adakan reunion di kk satu hari nanti. Perbualan kami penuh gelak ketawa kerana banyak kisah lucu mahu dikongsi dan diupdatekan. Tersentuh mendengar kisah Hawani yang sanggup mengorbankan azam untuk meneruskan pengajian kerana mendahulukan kepentingan anak-anakmu yang lebih memerlukan. Mudah-mudahan ALLAH akan membalas pengorbananmu dengan rahmatNya yang melimpah ruah .

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ID

Tamu

I love going to tamu. Tamu is a Sabahan word which means weekly open market. It is just like pasar pagi , pasar tani or pasar minggu as known in Peninsular. Going to tamu is also one of weekend activity; usually after our jog and breakfast. It is interesting to see local vegetables which we are not familiar with; the person who sells normally is more than willing to explain and at times, elaborate on how to prepare them. This morning, we went to Tamu Dongongon (multi-racial crowd, multi-racial delicacy, very unique local vegetables and things here). It is in Penampang. Then, went to Tamu Putatan as Suhaibah has yet to find her ulam-ulaman. Yours truly only bought papaya, langsat and banana. Oh one more, is a special treat for my visiting birds; corns (bought at one guy selling fish and bird). But, when I serve them this evening, I think the birds were a bit sceptical as they just looked and flew away. Anyway, for those who intend to visit Sabah, tamu is a must-go place. Lots of interesting things and very reasonable price. And, interesting crowd!