Heart-Wrenching

Teenage woes.

Had I been in a different vocation I would not have really understood what teenagers go through these days. I asked them in class some weeks ago what their main concerns were and I was pleasantly surprised by their open confessions and views.
I am glad they opened up to me and caused me to see them from a different angle. Mind you though their problems may seem childish and child-like in our eyes, they are nevertheless real in their growing up process.

Student A : Oh, teacher we face peer pressures like back -stabbing and bad mouthing and sometimes the people whom we trust most played us out. It is so hurtful.

Student B : When my parents do not understand me, I seek help from other peers and sometimes I pick up their smoking habits. I also want to be cool like them.



Student C : I skip school cos I don't like studies and I really hate that guy in my class ! I am stressed out by my parents' insistence that I do well. I don't like school.

Student D : Everyone says I am big and ugly. I want to be as slim as those girls in the pic. Why can't I be beautiful like them?

Student E : Why does everyone like her? How come I am not well-liked? How can I be more popular? Help, I want to be accepted.

Teeangers face woes of every other kind not mentioned above too. Popularly discussed are boy-girl relationships and their poor grasp of the situation they are in sometimes result in misunderstandings and hurtful experiences. Some grow up faster while others take a longer time. Some children grow up in a more wholesome family while others may be coping with parents who fight in the home. It is heart-wrenching to see some break down when they mention problematic home environment and their inability to handle life's issues; let alone cope with challenges in school.

It is even more heart-wrenching when students strike one another at the minutest provocation and cause havoc in an otherwise serene atmosphere. When students are in trouble, teachers naturally stretch out to help. However, at times when time is running short and having to cope with all forms of expectations in school, teachers may not provide assistance on time. This may lead to other complications when some students get physically hurt and the fight goes on and on. A solution somehow has to surface and students are then taught, guided and persuaded to do what is right.

Behind the scene in the midst of these teenage woes and misunderstandings, teachers can sometimes break down in their tireless effort to resolve such issues. It is indeed heart-wrenching when teachers weep in moments of helplessness and despair. Have you seen sincere teachers weeping for students and because of students? I have...many times. It is heart-wrenching. Teachers weep not because of their own children but because of the stress of having to fight the battle with a brave front...to be tired out, then to pick oneself up... and then to go on...because of the vocation they are in...part and parcel of being a 'cikgu' .

Heart-Wrenching indeed.

The New Block In Town

The much -awaited arrival.

This block exists because of the conscientious effort and the persistence of the school principal in applying for it in tandem with the blue print of the 9th Malaysian Plan. It took many years later before the ground breaking ceremony came by. Last year we finally saw it become a reality when contractors walked in to see to the final details of the building.

This new block is especially built with the intention that the form six classes be placed there to create an identity of their own. It will house the main classrooms, laboratories, staffroom, utility rooms and others. It is so timely because more classrooms are needed in the old block to cater to the increasing demands of an overflowing population.

The making of the new block...

At its initial stage of ground breaking and clearing.

The first few piles up for new structures to the building.

Not long after, the first floor was up and further action for the next floor.

A three-storey structure in the making.

Now, things are in place and the skeleton of the new building seen.

Very soon, the form six students especially the new intake will get a taste of the new building.

Look, isn't it impressive?

See the little walkway joining the new building to the old !



And...we did not forget about the new basketball court replacing the old one taken down for the new structure. Very thoughful of the school.

It is every responsible administrator's duty to see to the best possible in a school. When effort was put in to apply for the new building we did not know then whether it would become a reality. But the insistence to ask for the benefit of the students was uppermost in our minds...anything so long as the school inherits whatever the best can be. But many do not understand the hard work and pain we had to go through each day to see that things are in order.
It is indeed a wonder that the administrators and the staff are still in one piece standing tall fighting to educate and teach children. Everyday, teachers coach, pacify, reprimand to mould characters ready to face the brunt from parties who sometimes do not choose to stand on the same side of the fence. It is heartbreaking and extremely stressful when we spend hours and days to iron out discipline issues and worst still when we are misunderstood. The bottom line is the child be taught what is right and wrong and both the school and the involved parties are actually sitting on the same side except many times not practised.

This new block says a thousand words...all for the students whom we love dearly...may many find this new building a blessing and a centre for excellence.

Aren't they lovely?

Lovely

Blooms are so seasonal.

Sometimes they are at their best that one cannot resist but take a shot just like the above.

About a month or so ago the creeper above was at its peak and I had to take to snap for memory. Just for keeps and to remember that it was once so beautiful. The name of the creeper is the drunken sailor or scientifically known as quisqualis indica ...quite a mouthful. At certain angles the blooms seem 'drunk' by the way they droop over the roof so befitting its name.

The good old bougainvilla plant is just as awesome when caught at its full bloom. It is also a form of creepers and provides beauty and shed. This particular shot was taken from my room and I never fail to admire it . So natural and to think that it grew from a cutting that my mum got from the roadside in Muar Tanjung a few years ago. She gave me a 2 feet long stem cutting and we just thrust it into the ground and lo and behold before long, it grew to this height and splendour!

Bougainveillas love the hot sun. The more searing the heat the better it grows.

In tropical Queensland in the city of Brisbane, the bougainvilla also grows extremely well if not better. The common factor is the sun and the tropical weather. In South Bank, Brisbane, this is a common spot where tourists go to for shopping and walks. The blooms are really irresistible.

Some years ago when on a visit to Europe with the family, I could not be more amazed to see the boungainvilla growing in Meersburg. Can you spot the plant in the pic above? Meersburg is not tropical but the fact that the place is surrounded by waters causes it to be warmer than the surrounding countries and the warm breeze created tempertures high enough to allow the bougainvilla to grow. I was really surprised to see it grow under such climatic features and really geography is so appropriate for learning and you wonder why it has been taken off the Malaysian syllabus for the upper forms. It used to be a compulsory subject for all during my school days but alas it is now obsolete. What a shame. Now many students do not know why certain natural phenomena happen including the tsunami.

All the blooms above are grown in Meersburg and a picture says a thousand words...

In front of souvenier stores in Rotterburg. Rotterburg is a countryside town so quiet and quaint.
Look at the petunias !

All along the way in our drives we see stretches and stretches of lovely blooms...

And the grand old man is not left out ... Hi Hitler... with lovely blooms as background.

And on such hot days like what we are going through these days, it would be cool to sip down those drinks like what the girls did in a beer garden in southern Germany on a hot day. The locals enjoy family trips to the beer gardens on weekends and create a carnival-like atmosphere in the garden. The alcohol content is half of what we get here and are thirst quenchers.

So much for lovely blooms...

Yummy!

Looks are deceiving!

Came home from school today with a pleasant surprise in the fridge.

Sara's version of the eclair!

She has not lost her love for baking.

She is too into preparing herself for her 1st year law exam.

Well the the version doesn't look too tidy but really...looks are deceiving cos they tasted wonderful. The filling without even using custard powder was tastefully concocted with only egg yolks, sugar,milk and corn flour and without cream corn too. But it was just nice ; not too sweet but rich to the taste buds. My little baby has beaten her mum to the oven! She even advised me on the egg size to amount of flour for a good pastry and concluded that I failed at times when making cream puffs because I was not precise enough in the egg-flour combination. Not bad, telling the 'sifu' what to do.

I am not ashamed to say that I walloped 2 units at a go and after hearing the rich ingredients in the filling, I dutifully went up the machine and hopped around for 30 minutes. Very guilty. Oh when can I eat without feeling wrong?

Another surprise!

I had another surprise a few days ago and it was also after a heavy day in school. It is really wonderful to come home to have people remembering you and giving you good yummy stuff...the much-talked about krispy kreme doughnuts!

Esther told me dunkin doughnuts has met its match in so many other versions of doughnuts- Big Apple, J.Co.- in town and now krispy kreme has joined the station wagon. Apparently it will make its debut by month end in Berjaya Times Square and I am sure it will collect a bunch of loyal followers soon. Krispy kreme is crispy indeed and it has a similar taste to the dreamy doughnuts that I tasted in West field Mall in Brisbane. It's worth a try but I must admit that it is too sweet for my old taste buds.

Thanks Joel for thoughfulness.

The 14th Annual Sports

The Sports Day

A myriad of talents at the good old MPSJ stadium...but an upgraded version. Now we have a grand stand and shade. Makes watching more comfortable but it was a blazing hot day ; no less than 34 degrees Celsius. As usual, it was a day of hard labour for the teachers, a day of pride for the parents and a day of fun for the children. It was also a day of reconciliation when old boys , not much of the girls though, when they came back to see their alma mater and teachers.

An upgraded version of the MPSJ stadium. For old boys and girls who may have gone overseas, you will notice that it is now more fun to watch the events as the shade provides comfort and also looks of course.

The usual parade for the oath taking ceremony.

Do you see the old gentlemen of the school? Yes, they are still with us.

They are still cheery under the scorching sun. Without them the game could not go on. Look. Your teachers coach and slog for you in class and on the field they display traits of dedication and discipline. Where can you find this breed of good people?

They are all too familiar, aren't they? The debaters of the school owe this lady a due. Without her, where is their victory story?

The teacher making sure the stadium is clean enough to retrieve the RM250.00 deposit. The deposit will go if the authorities find the place not neat enough. Who will see to it except the teacher? Tell me how more noble can a job be?

The uniform groups of the school. Their spirit of comradeship and oneness of heart and purpose often spur them to heights of achievements and envious leadership skills. They practise under the hot sun to make sure they can go through the demands of the day well.

This troop leader is not only intelligent and smart but also a great performer on stage. Here he led the team to the much sought after prize - the champion team for the march past. They screeched in tears and joy...it was heart warming to see their response.

The only brass band in secondary schools in Subang Jaya - formed with a lot of sweat, money and tears...showing their skills.

Next, the peak of the day...participants of the various houses giving their best shot at aerobics.

Blue House girls and their expressions made quite an impact for the day.

Green House...you do lose out when you do not have the number and appropriate attire.

Red House...the crowd roared when they marched in and note that guy in red. He stole the show cos he was extremely entertaining. He gave the judges the final approval and won the show.

The Purple House go -getters doing their bit to win points for the house.

Yellow House was good, simple entertainment especially with the cute young boys.

But of course...the height of the day was hit with the much awaited performance by the Vulcanz... our very own cheer leading team.

The annual sports is always colourful because the pride of the school- the cheerleaders- never failed to add meaning to the day especially when they gave a splendid performance in bold movements and steps. They were agile and sure-footed. I remember the founder of this group. He wrote of his dream of forming a cheer leading team for the venting of aspiration among the talented ones when I taught him English in class 4B. Lim Chee Wei is an ambitious young man who after his venture with the Vulcanz took the next most natural step in making it a part of his chosen career. He went into a degree on Performing Arts in the University of Malaya - The Road Not Taken- and is no stranger in the popular show 'So You Think You Can Dance' ; having been in the top 20 list. A notion turned into reality...all because the school gave him a chance to form a cheer leading group. That is education.



Carlos Benjamin ... the sportsman of the year. He was the no.1 in the 100m, 200m, 4 x 100m, 4 x 400m and long jump events. So quite naturally he is the man of the show and by the way he was no.1 last year too. He will do well in the sports arena and can seriously consider a degree in sports science - a degree that is increasing in popularity. I remember my nephew Jason who is still holding the 400m record of the school representing the University of Adelaide annually and it was in this very stadium that he ran and developed his athletic strides. Of course I also remember Ee Ping , once the sporstwoman of the school. She still holds the 100m dash record and was a keen participant.

Carlos did not win just like that. He has a father who backed him all the way. At interims the dad did this to him...massaging and applying the much needed ointment to remove pain and strain. A father's devotion, love and support is essential for the best to happen to a child.



This young man popped in to give his alma mater some support. He was also a keen sportsman being very active in the cheer leading group of the school in previous years. This one is a determined young man and is always striving to fight to the very end in serious notes...it's no wonder this 4 pointer ended up being the top scorer for his year and getting himself a place in the medical faculty of the University of Malaya. He told me it's a fighting game throughout his years in the university. Where did he learn to fight the good fight? His alma mater, of course...qoute unqoute. You cannot just fight...the spirit and the determination must be cultivated and nurtured right from school days. That's why these qualities are acquired through the activities and opportunities offered by the school...no wonder this ex-cooperative chief kept ranting..."Where's Miss Tan? Where's Miss Tan?" ...Miss Tan our very own entrepreneur of the school and who never believes in non -profitable cooperatives!

Muaz, the beat boxer of the school is first class when he holds the mike and goes rapping away. He came in to see old friends and teachers and we fondly remember his entertaining skills and his presence was felt in almost every school talentime and stage performance. Occasionally he comes in to stage shows to raise money for his alma mater.



I was observing this young lass and the intimate friendship she has acquired with the students of the school during her teaching practice in the school. It was the envy of many as she hugged and snapped photos with her protegee . They missed her and she was warm and big-hearted enough to pop in to see her students on the field. It is indeed good to be youthful like her and being zealous in everything she does. Looking at her, I really felt old and tired. It's so refreshing to see young and smiling faces.



In the midst of noise, fuss and movements, I notice this little forlorn stand. I was elated that even here the notion of recycling existed...broken chairs turned into stands...a most innovative initiative. This is recycling , Seafield...kudos.


When I saw these girls running on the tracks, I recalled long, long ago when I was also a runner like them. I was on the tracks ever since I was in Standard One right through my Form Six days. None of my girls inherited my athletic inclinations except for my nephews Jason and Jeremy. That's where I learnt to persevere in life...fight and never give up.

I have a little secret to share. My mother still kept the medals I won in my runs and just recently I packed them up and displayed them in my glass cabinet at home.

Let me show you some of them.

There. I once was also a keen lass on the field. During those days, my parents did not have to send me to school to practise in the evenings. I cycled to the school field on my own and ran. I remembered a Mr. D'Cruz from Muar High School and his daughters - Bernadette, Colecte and how we used to run every evening in the field in the good old Tanjung field. I also remembered when I was so torn between my studies and having to run during invitation relays which were mostly held during the mid year examination season. But it must have also been during those times that I learnt how to manage my time well and ran like anything to get those medals. Now you know why I am so persistent when I want to get something accomplished. I acquired my grit and fighting gear through school activities and that's why we teachers always encourage learning in every aspect when given the opportunity.

Now, I look forward to the next season...next year.