Ever since I graduated from high school for almost two years, Teachers' Day celebration is no longer celebrated in my tertiary education. The date hit me once again when I saw one of course mate gave my Accounting lecturer, Miss Sham a gift and wishing her "Happy Teacher's Day!" Nishail and I looked at each other blankly, we saw the date we have written- today is Teachers' Day. We got so busy with our preparation for our final examination which is next week that we have forgotten the red letter day.
Let's take a step back in time when I experienced the celebration of Teachers' Day. I was a Year 1 student, I just started my education journey as a student. Students were lining up in the hall. Prefects were in control of the students' behavior, chairs were placed at the stage for our VIPs who are the headmaster and the PTA. The teachers' seats were placed near the stage so they had a good view during the performance. After all the speeches were delivered, it was time for students to come out from their comfort zone. There were the 24 seasons drums, wushu and dancing just to name a few. Teachers were invited up to the stage to receive their gifts from PTA as a token of appreciation.
During my forth year in primary school, I got to perform for the very first time. I joined the sign language society. All the songs were taken from Tzu Chi Buddhist Foundation. Thanks to my teachers who are Pn. Lee Boon Lin and Pn. Goh Yu Ying, also happen teaching me Bahasa Melayu and Mathematics in my upper primary years, taught us after school on every Monday. We had the usual rehearsals days before Teachers' Day. I even sacrificed my class time as well but it was for all the performance.
Until I reached my senior year, I stopped performing for Teachers' Day because there was a big examination I had to face. All the focus were on the books. I felt disappointed that I didn't perform but it's okay.
I stepped into my high school year in 2010. The Teachers' Day celebration was very different. There were not much performance because my high school is a national secondary school. The only performance we had was the silat- a Malay martial arts. As the years gone by, the performances in my high school were getting more and more like hip hop, break dance, poem reciting and singing too!
This year's Teachers' Day is themed Back to School- teachers had their chance to put on the uniforms to recall the good old days. The photos were uploaded on social media so I have the chance to see all of them. It was fun seeing teachers to go back to the days when they were students like us.
To all the teachers who have taught me, Happy Teachers' Day! Thank you for inspiring me to dream big!
18 May 2016
14 May 2016
双威佛学会庆祝卫塞节（12/5/16-13/5/16）
倒数一星期是一年一度的卫塞节。让我们来看看双威大学佛学会庆祝此节日吧！
昨天，我大约早上八时三十分到学生中心。我的学长学姐迎面而来，“嗨，袈文！” 光辉第一个来跟我打招呼，后来随着我的学姐—— Yi Xin来接待我。我向妈妈道别然后我们四人往学生中心去准备迷你型的“展览会”。
男生们负责把布告栏设立而我们女生负责吹气球和布置布告栏。我们把摆放一张小桌子，然后把小佛陀安置在一个透明碗，接着再加水和花，最后把勺子放在一旁。我们可以浴佛了！浴佛让我们像小佛陀一样有一颗纯洁的心。
我把活动详情放在社交网站让学生们踊跃参加本学会的卫塞节。
本学会的理事会把佛陀的一生一一放在布告栏上，我们还有幸运抽奖。步骤很简单！
第一、拍一张在“展览会” 内
第二、然后把照片上传到各人面子书或Instagram 加上标记 #WesakDayCelebration和 #SunwayUniversityBuddhistSociety 就可以得到幸运奖了！
早上十时，学生们陆续到我们的“展览会” 来参观；有一些则来捐钱；有一些则路过而已。我们还为参观者解释佛陀的一生。虽然我百听不厌，但是说起的时候，我有时会在心里默默掉眼泪。
我自己也参加幸运抽奖，我得到是一包糖果。让我有一个“甜蜜” 的一天！每当空节课，我会到学生中心帮忙。
第二天，主席—— Nico来看看“展览会” 。我到学生中心的时候，我为小佛陀浴佛然后再到回摊位帮忙。我再次得到糖果但我不服所以在重新抽，这次得到免费照片！我们用即时相机拍照但第一张拍不成。
这时候Jia Jin为我拍一张。他说：“拍了之后一定要摇照片几下，这样图像会形成。” 俐纤对我说：“袈文，谢谢你这两天的帮忙！” 我说：“俐纤，不客气！我尽我的能力来帮忙学会。”
卫塞节在双威大学告了一个段落！谢谢大家的支持！提早祝大家卫塞节快乐！
8 May 2016
Future & Hope Buddhist Forum: Compassion Endless Wisdom (8/5/16)
The alarm clock rings at 8.30am, I'm at the bed trying to get up but then I fall back to my sleep. My mummy comes in and turns on the light, "You get out of bed if you don't want to miss the forum you are going to attend in college,"
I have no choice but get to out of bed. You must be wondering why I'm going to college on a Sunday. Sunway Buddhist Society (SBS) joining hands with Fo Guang Shan (FGS) to hold a forum to get us know more about Buddhism.
We leave the house at 9.50am. On the way to the college, I'm super excited because this is my very first event since I joined the society over a year ago. Due to timing, I can't join the activities. I usually keep myself updated from the society's WhatsApp group chat.
I just met the members in person on Friday while they were promoting the event which is going to be happening today. My daddy dropped me off at the university's pick up point while my mummy brings me in.
I arrive at JC 2. There are a lot people getting the event to be in shape. I go over to the registration table to have my name signed on the list of attendance. My senior, Yi Xin is just above mine. I go to the third row in the middle seat because in front you have to crane the neck which is very sore!
The forum starts at 11.05 am, we sing the national anthem the Negaraku and the Ode Triple Gem. I thought the Triple Gem will be in the Mandarin version because the past events I used to attend back in my high school days the song was in Mandarin. Lucky I manage to get the beat right.
The three speakers give us students and working adults alike on the conception of kamma and three traditions of Buddhism practices. We also have a 45-minute lunch break. When I'm about to re-enter the hall, KC, who is the sound-tech guy tells me that the next session won't be using any slides. He suggests me to sit in front.
The fun part is the Q & A session because the speakers get very interesting questions from the audience especially the students. My question get picked! I'm very lucky that my question is answered.
To wrap up the session, we say a little line of the merits and finally a group photo. Of course, we take selfies as well! It's an amazing experience! I can't wait for the next one 
15 April 2016
Appreciate What We Have Now Before It's Too Late (15/4/16)
We all take things for granted such as friendship, family, relationships and life just to name a few. These are which that money can't buy. When they are gone, we are going to regret for the rest of our lives.
Family is the "backbone" of our lives. Whenever we feel down or face any difficult challenges, our family is the first one to support us. They give us shelter, food, warm clothing and most importantly unconditional love. Love is the key to every happy family but some families are not. When we grow up, at some point, we will think our family is annoying and sometimes will make us to pull our hair out. At the end of the day, we will always have our family. Therefore, family is always important to us.
Recently, headlines in the newspapers that more and more youngsters like us are taking lives for granted by doing ways to kill themselves. A bright future is ahead of them, a long way to go, a lot of challenges and exciting adventures are waiting for them. Yet, they take wrong turn by mixing with the bad company, getting on high drugs and other "scary" actions which I can't describe in words. Yet, some of them taking their own lives by committing suicide. The action really, really hurt our friends' and especially family's feelings. Hence, youngsters risking their lives by committing suicide is the worst yet hurftul decision.
In friendships, there will be always a "traitor" among us. Of course, we all started off as friends and hanging out just to get to know more each other. As time goes by, we will know the true colours of our friends and at some point our friends will take us for granted to exploit our kindness and goodness because they think we will be kind and good to them all the time. In the end, we will be betrayed even the one who is closest to us. Thus, betrayal will happen in friendship so be careful who we are mixing with.
Don't ever take things for granted in our lives because we never might know who will stay and go. Let us appreciate now before it's too late. Even the smallest action can lighten up someone's day or let someone down. It's okay to regret now before things get worse.
18 March 2016
Reunion with My High School Juniors (17/3/16)
Joni and I were exiting from the library to head our economic class. I looked through the transparent auto sliding door. The students of SDHS Melaka, class of 2016 came to Sunway University College for an educational visit. I spotted Mr. Tan, who is the school's counselling teacher. "Mr. Tan!" I called. "Kar Marn, I'm so glad to see you again. How's college life?" I said everything was going on well.
I introduced Joni to my teacher. Mr. Tan thanked Joni for taking care of me and willing to be my friend. Joni said "It's all my pleasure, teacher," Before we leave, Mr. Tan and I took a photo, he said :" I'm going to show it to Mr. Chay when get back to Melaka." They are leaving for Melaka at around 2.30pm. I had class so I won't be seeing my juniors. We rushed to economic class. Luckily we arrived there just in time. No harm done! After that, I headed for the IT Learning Lab at the first floor to look for my friends but they weren't there. And oh my, they sure gave me a "wild goose chase"! The good part was I did my exercise by sweating out.
I sat there in disappointment. Desperately took out my phone to call and text them but in vain. I saw my friend, Konomi who was about to head to the library, it's a good thing because the library is just nearby the cafeteria. I bumped into my friends at the cafeteria, one of the groups were not comfortable in my presence. "Thanks. I'll just go look for another seat," I said walking away. That's fine by me, who needs you when you're not really their true friends right? I looked for another group of friends.
Charis and I went to the Japanese food stall to order. While I was waiting for the food, Charis bought a can of coke for me because I'm so thirsty after all that "wild goose chase". A can of coke will definitely quench your thirst, especially on a hot day. The both of us headed to the North Building because I was having my last class of the day which is English- my favourite subject. We discussed on Mrs. Sen. My friends dropped me off at the usual waiting place. Well, I won't be seeing my juniors and the time was still early. A little game won't hurt right? I bumped into Wui Fang- who was my English course mate in my first semester.
As we were talking, I saw my juniors were walking out. I thought they went back. I didn't know they were still hanging around the campus. I guess it's fated for me to meet up with the juniors after half a year since I last saw them. "Hey, we didn't expect to bump into you!" my juniors said. "So am I!" I said. It was such a coincidence, Prem was at the foyer too. Both SDHS graduates of the 2014 class had a chat with their teacher. "Mr. Tan, send my regards to your kids," I said. "I will. Thanks for remembering them," he said.
I'm glad that I met up with my juniors and teachers from my secondary alma mater. I'm hoping to see some of them in the future. SDHS juniors, be more, do more, be all you can be at Sunway- where learning come to life (Sunway orientation video) .
I introduced Joni to my teacher. Mr. Tan thanked Joni for taking care of me and willing to be my friend. Joni said "It's all my pleasure, teacher," Before we leave, Mr. Tan and I took a photo, he said :" I'm going to show it to Mr. Chay when get back to Melaka." They are leaving for Melaka at around 2.30pm. I had class so I won't be seeing my juniors. We rushed to economic class. Luckily we arrived there just in time. No harm done! After that, I headed for the IT Learning Lab at the first floor to look for my friends but they weren't there. And oh my, they sure gave me a "wild goose chase"! The good part was I did my exercise by sweating out.
I sat there in disappointment. Desperately took out my phone to call and text them but in vain. I saw my friend, Konomi who was about to head to the library, it's a good thing because the library is just nearby the cafeteria. I bumped into my friends at the cafeteria, one of the groups were not comfortable in my presence. "Thanks. I'll just go look for another seat," I said walking away. That's fine by me, who needs you when you're not really their true friends right? I looked for another group of friends.
Charis and I went to the Japanese food stall to order. While I was waiting for the food, Charis bought a can of coke for me because I'm so thirsty after all that "wild goose chase". A can of coke will definitely quench your thirst, especially on a hot day. The both of us headed to the North Building because I was having my last class of the day which is English- my favourite subject. We discussed on Mrs. Sen. My friends dropped me off at the usual waiting place. Well, I won't be seeing my juniors and the time was still early. A little game won't hurt right? I bumped into Wui Fang- who was my English course mate in my first semester.
As we were talking, I saw my juniors were walking out. I thought they went back. I didn't know they were still hanging around the campus. I guess it's fated for me to meet up with the juniors after half a year since I last saw them. "Hey, we didn't expect to bump into you!" my juniors said. "So am I!" I said. It was such a coincidence, Prem was at the foyer too. Both SDHS graduates of the 2014 class had a chat with their teacher. "Mr. Tan, send my regards to your kids," I said. "I will. Thanks for remembering them," he said.
I'm glad that I met up with my juniors and teachers from my secondary alma mater. I'm hoping to see some of them in the future. SDHS juniors, be more, do more, be all you can be at Sunway- where learning come to life (Sunway orientation video) .
11 March 2016
Lunch Out with My Best Friend (11/3/15)
Fundamental Maths ended, Nishail and I went up to the third floor of the college to use the short cut to the university. I almost tripped along the way because the third floor is going under renovation. We used the university's lift to go down. After dropping me off at the new cafeteria, I immediately texted Natasha- she and I used to be in the same Fundamental Maths Unit 1 class when I was in college. I used the WhatsApp app to call her but there was no connection.
Not long after, Natasha came with her friend, Janice. "Hi Kar Marn, how are you?" we hugged each other. "I'm good! How about you?" I asked. "Everything is going well," Natasha said. She introduced me to Janice. "Natasha mentions a lot about you," Janice said. Really? I thought. Joining Janice and Natasha, was Nathania, Natasha's twin sister. We went to the vegetarian food to grab our lunch. "The vegetarian food here is really nice! You should try," Natasha suggested Janice to try the food. "Oh I like your new hairstyle, Kar Marn!" she added.
"Thanks! I got my hairstyle from a Korean hair saloon," I said. "Does that mean is K-Pop inspired?" Natasha asked. "Well maybe?" I laughed.
We went back to our place to eat. While we were eating, "Is that Shaun?" she said. When I turned my head, Shaun and his friend were walking in. That's a surprise! The last time Shaun and I met was during the MUFY Information Week which was a month ago- days before the CNY celebration.
"Hey Shaun, what a coincidence!" I said. "What are you doing here?" Natasha asked. Shaun told us he came to Sunway for a sports event. I looked over the field, there were a few tents.
We asked him if he would like to join us for lunch, Shaun said: "Ladies, I love to but I can't. How about some other time?" I said "Well okay,"
Natasha asked me whether how was my semester two in college. I told her I'm coping well. Around 2.27pm, Janice and Natasha went back to Monash University so I went to the pick up point to wait for my uncle to pick me up (with some help of course!). I'm so happy that I reunited with my best friends after five months. I wish I could do this more often with her.
Not long after, Natasha came with her friend, Janice. "Hi Kar Marn, how are you?" we hugged each other. "I'm good! How about you?" I asked. "Everything is going well," Natasha said. She introduced me to Janice. "Natasha mentions a lot about you," Janice said. Really? I thought. Joining Janice and Natasha, was Nathania, Natasha's twin sister. We went to the vegetarian food to grab our lunch. "The vegetarian food here is really nice! You should try," Natasha suggested Janice to try the food. "Oh I like your new hairstyle, Kar Marn!" she added.
"Thanks! I got my hairstyle from a Korean hair saloon," I said. "Does that mean is K-Pop inspired?" Natasha asked. "Well maybe?" I laughed.
We went back to our place to eat. While we were eating, "Is that Shaun?" she said. When I turned my head, Shaun and his friend were walking in. That's a surprise! The last time Shaun and I met was during the MUFY Information Week which was a month ago- days before the CNY celebration.
"Hey Shaun, what a coincidence!" I said. "What are you doing here?" Natasha asked. Shaun told us he came to Sunway for a sports event. I looked over the field, there were a few tents.
We asked him if he would like to join us for lunch, Shaun said: "Ladies, I love to but I can't. How about some other time?" I said "Well okay,"
Natasha asked me whether how was my semester two in college. I told her I'm coping well. Around 2.27pm, Janice and Natasha went back to Monash University so I went to the pick up point to wait for my uncle to pick me up (with some help of course!). I'm so happy that I reunited with my best friends after five months. I wish I could do this more often with her.
10 March 2016
Monash Apllication Breifing (9/3/16)
After my English was dismissed at 2.30pm, Nishail dropped my bag along the corridor while I headed for the washroom. When I came out, I saw my childhood best friend, Cheyeene was sitting on the bench along the corridor for her next class. I went over to have a small chat with her. Around 2.43pm, I went to SE 2-12 to look for my friends who I will be meeting up. I just saw Ru Tian, who was among the firsts to come out from the class. Oh, did I mention that we celebrated Ru Tian's 19th birthday?
I asked her "Hi, Ru Tian! Where's David & Co?" She said "They're in class. Coming out soon. Well, I gotta go, duty calls!" As Ru Tian made her move, I peeked my head inside the classroom. Jun Hsiang and Teng Jie were heading in the opposite direction as me. These two boys are so mischievous! Not to create an awkward scene, I just casually said "Hey guys!" Jun Hsiang "Kar Marn, what a surprise! Where are you going?" I said I didn't know where to go. I asked them the same thing, they said "Oh, we are going to the university's rooftop garden. It's where the briefing is held right?"
"No, it's at the Jeffrey Cheah Hall- the college itself. Didn't you guys check on elearn where the venue is?" I said. Both boys shook their heads. We took the East Wing's lift but we realized the highest it can go it's the third floor. We had to go all the way down and used the long way to the North Building. We were about to head for the bridge, we bumped into Ru Tian at the Foyer. "Hey, Ru Tian, such a coincidence! Wanna join us at the college's rooftop garden?" Actually we have another birthday surprise for her but she couldn't name it. "Sorry guys, I love to but I can't! I have to finish some touches for the photography club," Ru Tian said.
Wow, that's a lot of forms on the table. I realized she was alone. Jun Hsiang, Teng Jie and I offered to accompany her until the briefing starts. She said "You guys run along. I'll be okay," I asked "Are you sure?" Ru Tian reassured me she's gonna be fine. So the three of us headed to the college's rooftop garden to chill out. The last time I came here was when my class was switched for a day. It's so good to be back again. I felt bad for the boys to accompany me for an hour before the briefing. Luckily, they are understanding but I still feel guilty on the inside.
I had a chat with Michelle- my former English course mate. 10 minutes before briefing, she said "Hey, it's good to have boys to help you out," I whispered "I know right?" We both giggled. The three of us headed for the hall. A weird feeling was the hall was stuffed, usually it is freezing cold! We sat the first few rows to get a clear view of the screen. We even reserved a few seats for our friends as well. It was just a few minutes before the briefing starts, we just mingled around with our friends and caught up with some from the first semester. "Students, please take your seats. Our briefing is about to start soon," Ms. Edith said.
We all soon took our respective places. The briefer said "Students, your hall's air conditioner is not working," Seriously? That's why I felt stuffed when I came in. She gave us a run through our respective course minimum scoring criteria. A form was distributed to all of us and a check list as well. I thought it gonna last for an hour or so. To my surprise, it only lasted for 50 minutes!
Malaysian students were dismissed, just left the international students. I had fun! The fun part is to you get to hang out with your friends after class.
I asked her "Hi, Ru Tian! Where's David & Co?" She said "They're in class. Coming out soon. Well, I gotta go, duty calls!" As Ru Tian made her move, I peeked my head inside the classroom. Jun Hsiang and Teng Jie were heading in the opposite direction as me. These two boys are so mischievous! Not to create an awkward scene, I just casually said "Hey guys!" Jun Hsiang "Kar Marn, what a surprise! Where are you going?" I said I didn't know where to go. I asked them the same thing, they said "Oh, we are going to the university's rooftop garden. It's where the briefing is held right?"
"No, it's at the Jeffrey Cheah Hall- the college itself. Didn't you guys check on elearn where the venue is?" I said. Both boys shook their heads. We took the East Wing's lift but we realized the highest it can go it's the third floor. We had to go all the way down and used the long way to the North Building. We were about to head for the bridge, we bumped into Ru Tian at the Foyer. "Hey, Ru Tian, such a coincidence! Wanna join us at the college's rooftop garden?" Actually we have another birthday surprise for her but she couldn't name it. "Sorry guys, I love to but I can't! I have to finish some touches for the photography club," Ru Tian said.
Wow, that's a lot of forms on the table. I realized she was alone. Jun Hsiang, Teng Jie and I offered to accompany her until the briefing starts. She said "You guys run along. I'll be okay," I asked "Are you sure?" Ru Tian reassured me she's gonna be fine. So the three of us headed to the college's rooftop garden to chill out. The last time I came here was when my class was switched for a day. It's so good to be back again. I felt bad for the boys to accompany me for an hour before the briefing. Luckily, they are understanding but I still feel guilty on the inside.
I had a chat with Michelle- my former English course mate. 10 minutes before briefing, she said "Hey, it's good to have boys to help you out," I whispered "I know right?" We both giggled. The three of us headed for the hall. A weird feeling was the hall was stuffed, usually it is freezing cold! We sat the first few rows to get a clear view of the screen. We even reserved a few seats for our friends as well. It was just a few minutes before the briefing starts, we just mingled around with our friends and caught up with some from the first semester. "Students, please take your seats. Our briefing is about to start soon," Ms. Edith said.
We all soon took our respective places. The briefer said "Students, your hall's air conditioner is not working," Seriously? That's why I felt stuffed when I came in. She gave us a run through our respective course minimum scoring criteria. A form was distributed to all of us and a check list as well. I thought it gonna last for an hour or so. To my surprise, it only lasted for 50 minutes!
Malaysian students were dismissed, just left the international students. I had fun! The fun part is to you get to hang out with your friends after class.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)