Congratulations to Faris! (22/5/15)

  First of all, I wanna say congratulations to my best friend, Faris, who is accepted to KUIM. Faris and I became friends about two weeks ago. I can't believe that we became best friends in these two short weeks! Okay, let me tell you my friendship with Faris. 

  It was the first week of Form Six class. The Upper Six students were having their second semester examination. Our class, 6B1, had been used as the examination hall so we were placed at the school's library at that time. Our classes were conducted at the library throughout the second semester examination. We were having Bahasa Malaysia class, I was seated way back of the library. 

  To get a great seat, I asked one of the girls to help me to the front row. My movement was alerted by Cikgu Shamsul, "Girl, what are you doing?" he asked. "Dia tak dengar, nak duduk kat depan.(Sir, she can't hear clearly. She wants to sit in front)," said Sarah. Cikgu Shamsul gave me the green light to sit in front of the library. 

  After Bahasa Malaysia class, a boy came up to me. "Siapakah nama awak? (What is your name?)" he asked. I introduced myself as Kar Marn and I told him, he can call me KM for short. The boy later introduced himself as Faris. Faris reminded me of my ex classmate, Amirul back in St. David's High School. He facial looks a little like Amirul. 

   We talked about our dreams and ambitions. I told him I was hoping to meet Malaysia's badminton star, Datuk Lee Chong Wei and also to travel to the UK with my family one day. He said "Wow, I have never seen a girl with such high ambitions! Hope your dreams will come true," And from that day on, my friendship between Faris had developed. 

  Yesterday, I was doing a research on Business Studies (Pengajian Perniagaan). Suddenly Faris called me "Chin Kar Marn!" I turned back said "Yeah?" He took out his smart phone and took a selfie with me. That was my first selfie with Faris. 

  Just this morning, Faris told me that today is his last day in SMK Bukit Baru, his alma mater for the past five years because he has been accepted to KUIM. He is an awesome friend to me. I have no regrets to become Faris' best friend. All the best in your future undertakings! 

A Meeting with Sunway College's Directors (15/5/15)

  I wake up at 10.30 am, it is a big day for me because I'm meeting with Sunway College's directors. My mum told me earlier on Wednesday that I'm meeting with these "VIPs", I'm really excited! After getting dressed, it's time to embark our journey to Selangor. On the way to Sunway College, my mum reminds me not to address them as "uncles" or "aunties". I keep that in my mind.

  When we arrive at the college, music is blasting through one of the faculties. Students are roaming around the campus. After my dad dropped my mum and I off, we waited outside at the Information Centre. We went to another Information Centre to ask some directions. "Madam, go straight forward and you will see the meeting room infront of you," says the security guard. 

  We go into the meeting room and wait for the "VIPs".Not long after, Mr. Lee Thye Cheong is the first one to greet us. He is the director of the Monash University Foundation Year (MUFY). While my mum is having a conversation over the phone. Mr. Lee asks me what I am doing at the moment. "I'm currently pursuing at SMK Bukit Baru, Melaka for Form Six," I say. "What are you going to do?" he asks. I say:"I'm going to pursue Foundation in Arts. After that, I'm going to pursue English and Communication." 

   "Very good! At least you have an idea on what are you suppose to do," Mr. Lee praises me. He explains the MUFY programme outline to us. I'm all ears when he explains every unit of the subject. After the meeting with Mr. Lee, we have a meeting with Mr. John who is a Principal of Sunway International School (SIS) based in Malaysia. He explains the Canadian International Matriculation Programme (CIMP) which involves course work and community service. Madam Ruma Lopes drops by and gives us the Foundation in Arts brochure. 

  Lastly, Madam Cheng Mien Wee is the last one to meet us. She explains the programme outline of Foundation in Arts. Maths is the normal one so I can say it is okay to me. Then, we head to the Information Centere to gather some information. After the three meetings with the directors, it's time for us to head home. 

  Hopefully I will be accepted to Sunway College. 

Form Six Orientation Week (5/5/15-8/5/15)

  It's been a week since I entered my first few days as a Form Six student. What is Form Six? Let me give you a simple explanation. Form Six are divided into Lower Form Six and Upper Form Six, at the  end of Form Six, students will have to take STPM (Sijil Tinggi Pelajaran Malaysia). The Form Six today is very different now. 

  Now they don't call it Form Six, they called it as PPU (Persediaan Pra Universiti). We are allowed to wear either home clothes or school uniforms to selected Form Six schools. Mine will be in SMK Bikit Baru. On the first day of Form Six which is on 5 May 2015, I went to sign myself up at SMK Bukit Baru. A lot of questions were running on my mind. Can I do this? Is it the wise decision to pursue Form Six? 

  The first few days of Orientation Week were very boring. I almost slept throughout the orientation for three days straight, believe me I wasn't happy at all. I kept on begging my elderly to let me quit Form Six but all plead were fell on deaf ears. To be honest, Form Six is not one of my options after completing SPM. After the SPM examination results were released last two months ago, I started to search colleges and universities online. 

  My nightmare began when my grandma told me that they had a selection of Form Six last month. I was reluctant to serve the net because as I said before it was not in my "Options After SPM List". Believe it or not I was selected for Form Six. I wanted to reject the offer but my grandma said "Your mum, uncles and aunt did Form Six when they were your age. I think you should do it as well," Me? Pursue Form Six? No way! My grandma and I eventually didn't see eye to eye when it comes to colleges and universities, instead we had a heated argument. 

  Like I have mentioned earlier, they won't even listen what I have told them about Form Six. I have no choice but to be the "good girl" yet again. If only I have a chance to choose, I will definitely choose college to pursue Foundation in Arts which ever college are available.

  Oh well, what ever what I have gotten myself into. I'm sure there is a way out for me to go to college. 

   

  

卫塞节 2015 (3/5/15)

  卫塞节—— 对佛教信徒说是一个重要的日子，因为是为了纪念释迦摩尼佛的诞生，终身以及启示。我国马来西亚在六十年代宣布卫塞节是一个全国公共假期。

  九年以来，我首次在首都吉隆坡和双亲一起庆祝卫塞节。大约下午时分，我们一家四口到雪兰莪八打灵再也佛光山佛堂去。我第一次到佛光山是十年前，当年二年级的我和六岁的小妹随着双亲到哪儿庆祝卫塞节。

  我们到哪儿的时候，只见人山人海，男女老少都来这儿庆祝卫塞节。爸爸对妈妈说：“你和孩子们先下车，我去泊车。” 我打开车门，然后跳下来。妈妈吩咐小妹替我拿拐杖，我们往佛堂走去。我上楼梯的时候，以为佛教信徒伸出援手说：“这位女士，你需要帮忙吗？” 妈妈说：“我可以，谢谢您的好意！” 后来，当地志愿者牵着我的手到门口，我向她道谢。

  我在门口看到乐捐箱，箱子写着：“为尼泊尔大地震受难者祈福。” 尼泊尔首都—— 加德满都在4月25日发生8.1 及大地震，八十年以来最严重的地震·。来自各国的搜救队员到尼泊尔伸出援手。尼泊尔也是释迦摩尼佛的出生地方。目前我国四个宗教团到当地为尼泊尔居民伸出援手。

  我们排队为小菩萨浴佛。浴佛让我们像佛祖一样有一颗纯洁的心。浴佛后，志愿者为我戴上平安绳子在手腕上，她问我：“小姐，你是受伤的吗？” 我微笑说：“不是，我是天生的。” 志愿者说：“希望你健康，平安快乐！” 然后她给妈妈四盒的饼干。我们乘坐电梯到二楼参观。十年后，佛光有一些的改变。

  二楼也是有浴佛仪式。我们向释迦摩尼佛致敬，爸爸告诉我：“文，你看看！这是为尼泊尔大地震的受难者祈福。 想到尼泊尔大地震，我的心突然有一种伤心的感觉。” 我记得爸爸曾经说过他为我学佛供养写上名字。我说：“爸，我记得我的名字有在这儿。” 

  我们找了几行，终于我的名字“陈袈文” 三个字眼依然还在！我们到楼下去购买素食，今天是农历四月十五。佛曲从播音器传到四面八方。回家之前，我点了许愿灯。

  说好话、做好事、存好心！

  祝大家卫塞节快乐！

A Distance to My Future (4/4/15)

  A month passed after the SPM examination results were released. It's time for most SPM leavers to choose their college or university. I woke up at 7.32 am because we had an appointment at Study Excel in Selangor. Study Excel is a place where parents and SPM leavers come to seek counsell on the courses that they are interested in. As you all know those common courses favourited by most SPM leavers are medicine, accounting, engineering, law and business. 

  As for me, my course is a little different from the other courses above. My chosen course is English and Communication. I bet most of you must be wondering why I have chosen this course, there are some reasons. First of all, English is my favourite subject. Secondly, I like to interact with people around me which builts up communication. Some of my friends support the course of my choice and some of them just give me a blank look. 

  After spending two hours at Study Excel, we went to visit Sunway College and it's not far from here. This is my first time visiting to the college and I'm really eager to know what are the courses they offer here. They have a ramp to go up- it's specially designed for students with disabilities. We went to the Information Centre to learn more about the courses,what's more my results are qualified to the college Unfortunately, the college didn't offer the course that I'm interested in although I like the environment. 

  We went back home to stretch our tired legs. At around 3.45 pm, we went to UCSI University at Cheras. I was quite impressed by the environment. There is a huge fountain. Once I stepped in to the university, there is a ramp to go up and I find it quite silppery because I was wearing my AFO which was quite heavy and I almost lost my balance. We took a lift up to the second floor of Block A at the university. 

  The most awkward part was students were staring at me, some of them gave me this disgust look. Come on people, I'm not from another planet! I'm just an ordinary girl who is looking for her future like any SPM leaver. Okay, back to the serious part. The counsellor gave us a briefing on the courses they offer here. Since my results are qualified to the criteria, that means I have a chance of studying at the university. 

  According to the counsellor, the university has five to six students with disabilities who are pursuing their respective courses. And it depends on the student support. We toured around the campus and it's huge! I will get lost easily because of my poor "direction sense". Once I got home, I immediately contacted my high school senior who is studying at UCSI University through Facebook. He told me there is a group called PAL Club. The club will help students with disabilities and students who are weak in their studies. 

  Well, I have to say both universities have their own specialties. We must choose the right one, where it will lead us to a bright future 

Australia Trip 2015 (8/3/15-21/3/15)

  After three years of visiting to Australia, this year-2015, marks my first time visiting back to the country. Let me tell you about Australia. Australia is a Commonwealth country just like Malaysia and is also a Down Under country. The flag of the country consisted of three colours red, blue and white. On the top left of the Austarlian flag lies the British flag also known as the Union Jack because Australia is under Her Masjesty Queen E II's ruling. There are six stars on the flag which they represented each state of Austaralia. The people in Australia are called Australians. 

  I have been visiting the country since I was five-year-old. When I first visit to Australia in year 2002, I wasn't really used to the weather because I'm used to the weather in Malaysia where it's sunny all day. To prevent from catching a cold, my mum helped me to put on a jacket. After a few visit over the past few years I was getting used to it even though the weather is still cold! 

  Out of the six states, I always visit to Western Australia (WA). The capital city of WA is Perth-where I do treatment most of the time. In Perth, there is a centre called the Ability Centre (formerly known as The Centre for Cerebral Palsy). It's the place where I do my physiotherapy. I have Cerebral Palsy when I was 18-month-old. My parents were trying to find ways of physiotherapy to help me to stand on my own two feet. 

  At first, we went to China for treatment but none of thecniques are good because the Chinese physiotherapists used so much force just to lengthen the muscles and it didn't turn out well for me. Two years after my China trip which was in 2002, my mum's colleague introduced to this Cerebral Palsy centre (Ability Centre) which is located in WA and it is the biggest centre of all! That's when my treatment started. 

  I was still carrying the fear when I was still in China. When my first physiotherapy started, I was really reluctant to do it. My mum had to find ways to get me focused on the session, she used a toy which they provided to catch my attention. After a job well done, she bought me chocolate. Who doesn't like chocolate anyway? Especially kids! 

  Few years later, there was a big improvement after the treatment. I can take my shocks and shoes off all myself and even can put them on too! After the big improvement, the physiotherapist allows me to come back for the check up in two or three years time. Now I'm turning 18 this year, there a lot of things I can do on my own like wearing my own clothes, putting on my shoes, feeding myself just to name a few. 

  During my recent trip, the physiotherapist final-year student taught me the exercise I can do on my own. I'm still working on it though! Besides all the hard work, I also visited to some interesting places such as Busselton, the Yanchep National Wildlife Park and also went sand boarding too! I had a time of my life! 

  Maybe you should the country one day. Who knows you might  see a kangaroo waving to you at Yanchep Wildlife Park! 

SPM Results 2014 (3/3/15)

  Today is the annual SPM (Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia) results day which falls today on 3 March 2015. I believe everyone is nervous before the release of the results. Who isn't nervous before the results are released? It's the biggest examination of your life! Okay, let's take a look at the scene in my high school-St. David's High School, Malacca. 

  It was 11.15 am, I was getting dressed before the announcement of the results. I got to know my results through a SMS. Well, I was quite happy with the results I got but the subjects for each grade was still a mystery to me. We left the house at 11.30am. On the way to school, my heart was beating at a fast rate and my plams were getting sweaty, I was really eager to know which subject that I scored for each grade. 

  Once I arrived at school, the students of class 2014 were waiting under the tent to ward off the intense heat but it didn't stop me though. I just walked across the basketball to the hall. I was so happy that I had the chance to reunite with my friends after three months of separation some of us did a gathering during CNY earlier. When I walked pass by a group of boys, one of them asked me whether I scored straight A's in the examination. "Well, you'll just have to find out for yourself!" I said as I headed over to my gang. 

  When the students were given the green light to go into the hall, everyone just rushed in alongside with their parents who took their time off to spend time with the kids. Puan Zamnah, the school's Students' Affair Teacher announced the straight A's students. Siah Qi Zhuang obtained straight A+ in the examination, he had succeeded Lim Xin Yi-SPM 2013 straight A+ scorer! One by one the straight A's students went up to stage to receive their result slip. 

  After a group photo, it was time for the rest of us to receive our SPM examination result slip. I was quite surprised that my weakest subject-Additional Mathematics, scored an E grade (just passed)! Most of all I didn't expect that History-another weak subject, obtained an A-! It was a big surprise for me. 

  I thanked my teachers who taught and guided me throughout my SPM year and I would also like to thank my "little teachers" who sacrificed their time to guide me through. Well done to all SPM leavers, you all did a job well done! You really deserve it! 

  SPM leavers it's time for you to step into your future!