St. David's High School Report Card Day 2016 (29/6/16)

.  It's the yearly report card day in St. David High School, Malacca. Report Card Day is also known as Parents' Day in Malaysian schools. On this very day, parents come to school to collect the students' report card and also get to know their children's day to day basis in school. Well, since I'm on my semester break from college, I might as well to drop by to my secondary alma mater. 

  At around 1.30pm, I started packing my stuff into trustee sling bag. Sunglasses to ward off the heat, hand phone for emergency and of course iPod for picture taking just in case. As the car stopped by the school gate, my grandma dropped off. The security guard opened the main gate for us, memories of high school were coming back to me. It felt like yesterday I started my high school life for the first time six years ago. 

  A lot of parents were at the canteen waiting for the school bell to ring because usually the bell rings at 2.10pm. Along the way, we bumped into my juniors, counselling teachers and parents. We walked all the to the new building because that's where Form Five's classrooms are. My grandma and I came to school to collect my sister's report card. Actually, grandma was doing the collecting part while I just catching up who I haven't seen them in three months. They visited to Sunway University College in March during their first school holiday of the year.

  We climbed four flights of steps, it wasn't very tiring because I climbed them during my final year in high school. The moment I reached the top, the first junior I saw was Praveena, who is the former school captain. "Hey, Praveena! Happy 17th birthday!" I gave a pat on her arm. "Thank you so much, Kar Marn. I'm so happy to see you!" she said. "So am I!"  All fifth formers in the prefect and librarian boards will "retire" four months before the SPM examination. They will pass the job on to the forth formers. 

  Students arranged the chairs along the corridor for the parents to sit. Well, to me, it's more like a patient who is waiting his or her turn at the clinic. Oh, I'm just pulling your leg. But seriously, the chairs were for the parents to wait for their turn to see the teachers. While grandma was waiting for her turn, I got a catch up with my juniors and some of my primary alma mater teachers' children are studying in the high school as well. 

  Once it's my sister's turn to see the teacher, I quickly got up from my seat and walked to the class. While she was packing her stuff, I got a small catch up with my former Modern Mathematics teacher, Puan Hoe Kim Yub. I passed the mobile phone to my sister to call my aunt that we were leaving the classroom. But somehow, grandma saw some friends which made her stopped in her tracks and had a chat with them. I dropped by to 5Sc1 to say "hi" to my physical education teacher, Mr. Sasi. I would love to sit and chat with my juniors but we were on a rush. 

  As I was about to descend the stairs, I saw my senior, Hwee San, who was wearing a black laced dress. Now it was my turn to stop in my tracks to have a small chat with her. We even took a selfie too. On our way out, we bumped into my Form One Bahasa Melayu teacher, Encik Asmi, even we bumped into the Principal, Mr. Chay Yew Choon and the Senior Assitant of Affair teacher, Mr. Tam Siew Shong. There were prefects at the school gate to escort the parents to their children's classes. 

  We were waiting for the car, I talked to Grace and as well as the birthday girl, Paraveena. We sang a birthday song for her. As the car came, we walked through the side gate. The weather was scorching hot so we have to speed up our walking to prevent from getting burned. Of course, we had to watch out for cars as well since it was after-school time. 

 But what's more important that my "mission" is accomplished! Looking forward to have another visit in the future. 

  Enter to learn, depart to serve. 

  

Girls' Night Out at Coffeology Cafe (28/6/16)

  The moment I woke up from my nap, messages appeared from my iPod screen. My best friend, Yu Xuan asked any of us in the group chat is free tonight for a dessert. I said "I am!" but the others have already started their lectures in their respective colleges so it's really hard for them to get out on a college night. Some of them are having exam tomorrow. I guessed it was just the both of us- our very first girls' night out. 

  Yu Xuan sent me a message through a personal chat box on Messenger. She asked me where should we go later. At first I suggested we should go to a nearby shopping mall, Aeon to have dessert at the Coffe Bean but then Yu Xuan said the varieties at the Aeon shopping mall were not much. So we decided to have our night out at Coffeology. I went to Google immediately to find out the place then I gave her the cafe's address. 

  I was done watching Prime Talk 2000, Yu Xuan's car just arrived. When I opened the door, I realised the dogs were on the loose so my aunt had to tie them up before I proceeded to the main gate. Yu Xuan was wearing a dark blue polka dot dress and a pair of flip flops while I just wearing a Mkckey Mouse T-shirt with a pair of black pants. I should wear a dress. I thought. Anyway, the important thing was the night out. 

  Yu Xuan told me along the way that she planned the night out was supposed to be Brat & Uni Cafe, unfortunately the cafe was off for the day so we headed to Coffeology cafe where it's right beside Windmill Station. We took our seats and we looked through the menu. I ordered chocolate almond fudge and a chocolate milkshake while she ordered green tea latte and waffles. I decided to leave the strawberries and blueberries because they were not my favourites. Yu Xuan encouraged me to try because we never might know whether it's good or bad. 

  As I took a bite, strawberries and blueberries were not so bad at all! The blueberries tasted like grapes while the strawberries tasted sweet and a litle bit of sour, that's the Malaysian strawberries to you. We wanted to go to MacDonalds to have another taste of burger but the plan was called off. Around 10pm, we headed home. After dropping me off, Yu Xuan had a small chat with my grandma since she hadn't seen grandma for a long time. 

  I am very lucky and blessed to have a friend like Yu Xuan. She accepts me for who I am and being myself whenever I want, of course I need to limit myself at some point. Best girls' night out ever! 

  

Night Out with High School Friends (22/6/16)

  Another perfect night which means another perfect gathering with high school friends. The last gathering was at a hawker stall where it was a stone's throw away from my place. This time my high school friends and I decide to chill at Hash & Tag cafe where it's just opposite of the new Aeon Bandaraya Melaka. Let's just start with the planning.

   I just took a nice relaxing bath, the moment I came out from the bathroom, my Messenger app had 44 unread messages. That's odd. I thought. When I opened the app, messages were flowing in. "Okay, what's going on?" I said. Apparently, one of us in the group chat decided that we should we have a night out. Just chilling and talking. Yu Xuan suggested the gathering on a Tuesday which was yesterday. Isn't a little late? As I checked the time, it was already coming to 9pm. Some of us couldn't make it because of the last-minute planning. We decided to call off to Wednesday which is today. 

   Yu Xuan suggested that we go to Hash & Tag cafe which I mentioned earlier. In the group chat, she asked any of us are free on that day. I got nothing to do so I was available. Shi Wei and Zhi Bin as well which made four of us. We did invite Siak Zhong to join in the fun but he had something to do so he'll come a bit later. I doubled confirm with them just to make sure I won't miss out any of the fun. 

  The night has come! I was watching Toy Story 2 after I had watch Prime Talk 2000. While watching halfway of Toy Story 2, I checked the time. Yes, it's time for me to get packing for the night out. I got my brown sling bag and put in my iPod and hand phone in. After getting my hair done, I wore a pair of trustees blue Vans shoes which my mum brought it in Japan back in 2014. As I was wearing my watch, I got a message from Shi Wei in the group chat asking me whether I'm ready. I answered "yes". While waiting for Shi Wei, I passed the time by singing and talking to my mummy in the phone as well as checking the latest News Feed on Facebook. 

  Not long after that, Shi Wei had arrived with Zhi Bin. Before I leave, my grandma told me to call her after the gathering. "Grandma, we'll send her back together with Yu Xuan," said Shi Wei. Grandma nodded her head: "Okay, have fun!" I did check out the place on some blogs. I heard the food is very delicious especially the waffles. It has a nice setting. When we arrived at the place, Shi Wei dropped Zhi Bin and I off because his car is a bit off of the parking line. 

  When we entered the cafe, Yu Xuan asked Zhi Bin to take a picture of her sitting alone in the corner of the cafe. I looked around, most of the customers are young people like us, youths. Sitting and relaxing, chatting along the way. I looked through menu through a clipboard. They had desserts like waffles and cakes, beverages like coffee, latte, hot chocolate and mocha just to name a few. Shi Wei, Zhi Bin and I went to counter to order. To my surprise my tiramisu is in a cup. I did take a few pictures of the dessert. 

  As I looked around the cafe, I said:" Hey, this is a perfect place for writers, bloggers and students alike to chill out." Yu Xuan said "It's true! The last time I came, I saw a bunch of university students were sitting in the cafe doing their work, "Oh yeah, my cousin told me that the cafe's waffle are salted, instead of sweet," she added. Waffles are salted? That's new to me. At some point, Shi Wei was caught by a quote "You can't change the past, so look into the future, the only way you can move is forward," 

"I have to take a picture with the quote," Shi Wei said. And the rest of the night was just taking photos at the cafe. I went over to take a look at the light bulb which contained coffee beans in it, I tried to touch it but Shi Wei said "Sis, don't touch it please," I went back to the seat. On our way out, I saw a Gramophone which is exactly like the Grammys trophy. I was caught by it but then it was time for us to go because it was getting late. I had a great time.  

True Friends Will Stay with Us (16/6/16)

  It was a double reunion with my high school friends las two weeks ago. We just had a catch up on what we were doing lately. In the middle of the conversation, we spoke about friendship. My brother and best friend, Shi Wei said "Sis, you have a lot of friends in college! Why you feel 'dumped' sometimes?" He's actually got a point! I told them some of my friends in college just don't appreciate what I have done something nice or don't feel comfortable when I'm around them. 

  "You know let them be! Some of them will regret one day. Yes, you have forgiven them that's a good move. But it's their character, you can't change them," Yu Xuan said. She's right! I don't need them, the true ones will stay. I don't need begging on my knees to get them back as if I'm in a "relationship". 

  It's great to be alone sometimes. You know sitting down and watch how people act in some sort of way, you can study their characters just by their actions and languages. That's how I did in college when my day ends. There will be some good, some bad, some mean and the cools. You name it! Some just accept for who you are, some just want you to change so you can "fit in" into their circles of friends. 

  I think the best way to create a friendship is everyone can hang out in a very relaxing environment without changing themselves and no forcing which can make the situation very awkward. The question is you gain friends or you gain the friendship just by being your true self? Don't worry, you might be surprised when a friend truly understands you. 

卫塞节2016（21/5/16）

  我的补习完毕后，我随着双亲到雪兰莪八打灵再也佛光山庆祝卫塞节。爸爸在车上对妈妈说：“啊，义卖会到下午二时。” 我看了看腕表说：“都要快结束了！” 妈妈说：“哎哟，怎么你没早告诉我啊？” 爸爸的车停在一旁让我和妈妈下车先。我和妈妈就往佛堂里。未到佛堂，我看到一桌的佛书就说：“妈，我要！” 妈妈说待出来的时候再可以看。

   我踏进佛堂，我看到气球似的小佛陀。我为小佛陀浴佛，浴佛可以清除所有的仇恨、贪污和自我，只留下一颗的心。我到附近的位子坐，因为佛堂有很多信徒在排队浴佛，而在一旁，我看见一位志愿者的脸色很苍白，师姐们围绕她的身边慰问并替她减轻痛苦。如行法师也来慰问。我和如行法师聊了几句因为法师曾经出席讲座会。

  我再仔细看“气球”。它 “动” 了！我心里说：“咦，它会动？” 原来它是小佛陀吉祥物！小孩纷纷围绕它合照。我也来一张吧！卫塞节它带来欢乐！我看了也很开心！妈妈就带我到一楼去参观书法展览会。这些一幅幅的书法是来自星云亲手挥。一笔一画，让我惊叹不已！我要拍照但是牌子写着：“勿拍照” 字眼。

  

  展览会还有叙说星云法师的善款。星云法师到世界各地传授佛知识，我很佩服他！而我看世界地图时，我说：“我们不是有到新西兰奥克兰的佛光山吗？我们当天回国，还搭凌晨的客机。” 爸爸说：“哇，文！你还记得！” 我们还购买纪念品。

   接着，我们到主佛堂在二楼。佛经在四面八方播放，让我的心情有平和的感觉。为了要学佛，我供养我的名字。前几天，爸爸告诉我：“你的'袈' 意思是和佛陀有缘分。” 我点了点头，没说什么。曾经我的小学副校长也有说：“你的'袈' 是和尚穿的袈裟，也是'好' 的意思。” 浴佛仪式在二楼化成一个小花园。有一个小亭子，小佛陀的金塑像庄严站着。我再浴佛多一次，妈妈为我拍照。离开之前，我向佛祖合十求平安。

  我们到楼下，义工员们在收拾义卖会的垃圾和清理当场。我点了许愿灯，也为小妹点了一个，她今年即将面对大马文凭考试。

  说好话、做好事、存好心。

Last Day of Semester Two (20/5/16)

  Today is the final day of semester two in MUFY (Monash University Foundation Year). We returning students (July/August intakes 2015) and January A also known as Jan A students are facing the final examination next week.

  Semester two is a musical journey because there are the high and low notes sometimes I hit the right note but all in all it's great stage for me to grow and experience as a college student for the second time around. Even the one who you just met in this semester will be a total stranger as the times goes by. Throughout the semester , I expected the unexpected. You wanna know why? Because I stepped out of the college for the first time with my friends to have lunch on the first day and the other time was after the trial examination. We had chicken rice.

  Also I experienced yet another "friendship breakup" for the 12th year. I realized that sometimes people are not very comfortable in your presence. They look fine on the outside but on the inside they are very uncomfortable. I'm really glad that they made me to see their true colours and being really honest to me. Also I thank them for making me stronger and to never give up.

  They are some really understanding friends too. I met Jun Hsiang, Jing Jong (JJ for short), Teng Jie and Benjamin (who I met during orientation last year and somehow we were both reunited). At first, I was a little shy because they are boys and I'm the only girl so it was a bit awkward. After hanging out with them, turns out they are not bad at all! Unfortunately, I didn't join them for lunch for the last time. I felt disappointed but it's okay we will all be reunited.

  You know some really have a good hear to listen all your so called "crap". I have a best friend who really has that trait. His name is Poon Kai- he and I met at the MUFY Talent Quest because he was one of the "backstage crews". After the Talent Quest we both bonded a close friendship. Whenever I'm down, he is definitely the first one to be my listener. Oh, did I mention that Yoke Ting is one of my biggest supporter? Well, all those "friendship breakup" I have gone through, she is the first one to give me advice and ways to overcome too. Fariz, Chriz and Athira, on the other hand are the ones who brighten up my day. I still remember we used to mickey out of each other before our Economic class in the first semester.

  You might wanna know Dharsh. She is the best sportsperson I ever met. She has all the qualities of a true sportsperson. Who knows she'll be representing Malaysia for the next Olympics?

I have a buddy in this second semester- Nishail, we have four classes together! In class sometimes, we whisper to each other on the lecturers' lessons and the students' behviour, especially the boys. Speaking of classes especially English, I get to work with many of my classmates. But if you ask me, working with Taneesha, Amani, Amar, Aqil, Queenie, Han Huey and Dora, the best experience ever!

  Thank you for all the memories you have given me, couldn't ask for more! I wish you all the very best in your final examination and future undertakings. Let me take a quote from the late King of Pop, MJ " If you really want to let out everything you feel, that's the time to do it". 

Teachers' Day 2016 (16/5/16)

  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!