My first degree

I had acquired my first degree at UPSI Tanjung Malim.
17th August 2002

English Society Activity

We were doing our degree in TESL and yet we were needed to join the English Society. Our batch had three groups and we had Singing Competition. Each group presented a song each.

It was a fun activity. That's our English lecturer, Ms Sandra.

Dean's List

When I was doing my TESL degree in UPSI, I was in the dean's list twice. This was my second one just before my convocation. 

all of us who were in the list

that's our dean

Open day

Open day means meeting the parents and discuss about their children's academic performance.

First time I became a class teacher and I had to meet the parents individually.

First time secondary school class teacher

I started teaching in a secondary school as a class teacher in June 2002. I was an English teacher who taught Form 1 and Form 2 English. 

My first time in a boys' school: SMK Sultan Yusuff, Batu Gajah

at Pulau Langkawi

We even made a trip to Langkawi. It was my first time there and the history really amazed me. I like the story regarding the Puteri Mahsuri.

There is folklore about a fisherman and a mermaid. The fisherman broke the promise that he made to her and she turned the sand black. More folklore derives the black sand from a ferocious battle that left its ashes and other remains that connect this beach to nearby beaches named Skull Beach and Cape of Bones. - See more at: http://www.groovel.com/browseActivity/moreDetail?idActivity=MY.Langkawi.PantaiPasirHitam&country=MY®ion=all&sortBy=0&page=5#sthash.Si7dL0qH.dpuf

There is folklore about a fisherman and a mermaid. The fisherman broke the promise that he made to her and she turned the sand black. More folklore derives the black sand from a ferocious battle that left its ashes and other remains that connect this beach to nearby beaches named Skull Beach and Cape of Bones. - See more at: http://www.groovel.com/browseActivity/moreDetail?idActivity=MY.Langkawi.PantaiPasirHitam&country=MY®ion=all&sortBy=0&page=5#sthash.Si7dL0qH.dpuf

There is folklore about a fisherman and a mermaid. The fisherman broke the promise that he made to her and she turned the sand black. More folklore derives the black sand from a ferocious battle that left its ashes and other remains that connect this beach to nearby beaches named Skull Beach and Cape of Bones. - See more at: http://www.groovel.com/browseActivity/moreDetail?idActivity=MY.Langkawi.PantaiPasirHitam&country=MY®ion=all&sortBy=0&page=5#sthash.Si7dL0qH.dpuf

There is folklore about a fisherman and a mermaid. The fisherman broke the promise that he made to her and she turned the sand black. More folklore derives the black sand from a ferocious battle that left its ashes and other remains that connect this beach to nearby beaches named Skull Beach and Cape of Bones. - See more at: http://www.groovel.com/browseActivity/moreDetail?idActivity=MY.Langkawi.PantaiPasirHitam&country=MY®ion=all&sortBy=0&page=5#sthash.Si7dL0qH.dpuf

There is folklore about a fisherman and a mermaid. The fisherman broke the promise that he made to her and she turned the sand black. More folklore derives the black sand from a ferocious battle that left its ashes and other remains that connect this beach to nearby beaches named Skull Beach and Cape of Bones. - See more at: http://www.groovel.com/browseActivity/moreDetail?idActivity=MY.Langkawi.PantaiPasirHitam&country=MY®ion=all&sortBy=0&page=5#sthash.Si7dL0qH.dpuf

The Pantai Pasir Hitam is a black sand beach. The black sand on this beach is possibly stained from iron oxide that probably came from the burning of the rice fields during the Siamese war as the burnt earth washed into the sea and back up to the beach staining the sand. The sand contains granite, ilmenite, zircon and tourmaline. This sand is a mixture of black and beige sand that is unique as far as black beaches go. - See more at: http://www.groovel.com/browseActivity/moreDetail?idActivity=MY.Langkawi.PantaiPasirHitam&country=MY®ion=all&sortBy=0&page=5#sthash.Si7dL0qH.dpuf

There is folklore about a fisherman and a mermaid. The fisherman broke the promise that he made to her and she turned the sand black. More folklore derives the black sand from a ferocious battle that left its ashes and other remains that connect this beach to nearby beaches named Skull Beach and Cape of Bones. - See more at: http://www.groovel.com/browseActivity/moreDetail?idActivity=MY.Langkawi.PantaiPasirHitam&country=MY®ion=all&sortBy=0&page=5#sthash.Si7dL0qH.dpuf

There is folklore about a fisherman and a mermaid. The fisherman broke the promise that he made to her and she turned the sand black. More folklore derives the black sand from a ferocious battle that left its ashes and other remains that connect this beach to nearby beaches named Skull Beach and Cape of Bones. - See more at: http://www.groovel.com/browseActivity/moreDetail?idActivity=MY.Langkawi.PantaiPasirHitam&country=MY®ion=all&sortBy=0&page=5#sthash.Si7dL0qH.dpuf

Pasir Hitam is a black sand beach probably came from

 the burning of the rice field during the Siamese war.

The Pantai Pasir Hitam is a black sand beach. The black sand on this beach is possibly stained from iron oxide that probably came from the burning of the rice fields during the Siamese war as the burnt earth washed into the sea and back up to the beach staining the sand. The sand contains granite, ilmenite, zircon and tourmaline. - See more at: http://www.groovel.com/browseActivity/moreDetail?idActivity=MY.Langkawi.PantaiPasirHitam&country=MY®ion=all&sortBy=0&page=5#sthash.YI2sG9yf.dpuf

The Pantai Pasir Hitam is a black sand beach. The black sand on this beach is possibly stained from iron oxide that probably came from the burning of the rice fields during the Siamese war as the burnt earth washed into the sea and back up to the beach staining the sand. The sand contains granite, ilmenite, zircon and tourmaline. - See more at: http://www.groovel.com/browseActivity/moreDetail?idActivity=MY.Langkawi.PantaiPasirHitam&country=MY®ion=all&sortBy=0&page=5#sthash.YI2sG9yf.dpuf

ntai Pasir Hitam is a black sand beach. The black sand on this beach is possibly stained from iron oxide that probably came from the burning of the rice fields during the Siamese war as the burnt earth washed into the sea and back up to the beach staining the sand. The sand contains granite, ilmenite, zircon and tourmaline. - See more at: http://www.groovel.com/browseActivity/moreDetail?idActivity=MY.Langkawi.PantaiPasirHitam&country=MY®ion=all&sortBy=0&page=5#sthash.YI2sG9yf.dpu

Mahsuri’s Tomb is the crypt of the legendary Princess Mahsuri. Located in the village of Mawat, 12km from Kuah, it is also known as Makam Mahsuri. Most of the island’s natural attractions have fables attached in true Malay style and Mahsuri’s Tomb is probably its most famous legend.

ntai Pasir Hitam is a black sand beach. The black sand on this beach is possibly stained from iron oxide that probably came from the burning of the rice fields during the Siamese war as the burnt earth washed into the sea and back up to the beach staining the sand. The sand contains granite, ilmenite, zircon and tourmaline. - See more at: http://www.groovel.com/browseActivity/moreDetail?idActivity=MY.Langkawi.PantaiPasirHitam&country=MY®ion=all&sortBy=0&page=5#sthash.YI2sG9yf.dpuf

At Mimaland

My class, the English option group had a trip to Mimaland, Gombak with our lecturer. Mr Samuel.

,

Ding, Gloria, Lee, Kong, me, Yeoh and Anne

I have yet to find Ding, Gloria, Kong and Anne.

Teluk Cempedak

 It's fun to be there with friends.

Cempedak Bay is a famous beach in Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia. Teluk Cempedak is located 5 kilometres east from the town centre in Kuantan and is situated in close proximity to the Royal Pahang Golf Club. The white sandy beach and the beautiful casuarinas and pine trees line the coast, with some rocky promontories facing the incessant waves of the South China Sea.

Pulau Ketam

We visited Pulau Ketam too. It's a very interesting experience as we had to walk on wooden planks.

My friend and I joined the Chinese optioned trainee teachers on a trip there.

Melaka

I visited Melaka with the Chinese option trainee teachers during our college holidays. My tall friend and I used to mix with the Chinese option trainee teachers and we sometimes talked to each other in mandarin. Both of us could speak a little bit of mandarin. 

We were visiting the handicrafts stalls there. It was amazing as there were so many kinds of handicrafts.

Kem Manikayu

I was a scout so naturally I had to attend camps. I attended Manikayu 1, 11, 111 and 1V.

My trip

Teluk Cempedak, literally translated as ‘Jackfruit Bay’, is like Pahang’s very own Californian boardwalk, which is a favourite to the locals. Located just 5km from Kuantan, it is an enclosed bay, suitable for water sports like swimming, surfing, sun-bathing, sailing, and jet skiing. 

We went to Kuantan, Pahang for a trip. We actually went to Teluk Chempedak.
 

My first school

After I graduated from MPSK college, I was posted to Pasir Mas, Kelantan. It was SK Dato' Abdul Hamid. The first person I met was my headmaster, En Sulaiman. He brought me to meet this only Chinese teacher in the school. She found a place for me at her relative's place. I walked to school as it was very near.

I taught in the morning session while she taught in the afternoon session.

I befriended this Malay colleague who was very close to me.

the Mathematics teacher, the office lady, me and the discipline teacher

I was there for only a year as I got my transfer back to Ipoh.

That's my headmaster presenting a gift to another teacher who got her transfer too.

I received the gift from the Senior Assistant

 Goodbye to the school and I was transferred to SK Manjoi 1 in Ipoh.

My Graduation

I graduated after I finished my TESL course

 in two and a half years with a Cemerlang.

A scout

I was a scout during my college life. I was a patrol leader and a treasurer too. For the exhibition, we had to display our stuff regarding scouts. At that time, I loved to draw so you could see my master pieces on the board. I even wrote the title 'Cerita Hutan' in that unique writing.

I love being a scout!

I enjoyed camping too!

My course mates

I would say they were my best course mates. We clicked well and we used to form groups together. We even tried to get the same school for our teaching practicals. They were nice humble people and I enjoyed their company very much.

That's our college t-shirt and we used it whenever we had sport/games practice. But that time I guess we just went to the school to observe their sports day.

It's great having pleasant supportive friends around. Hope to find my three Malay friends one day.

My English Lecturer (4)

She is Mrs Marimuthu who was the Head of the English Department. She was in fact our class teacher. She was a nice person but she could be very strict too. Once she invited us to her house and we went full force. We had sumptuous dinner at her place as she cooked curry chicken for us.

We enjoyed out time with her and we found out that she could be very friendly too.

I remember she called me personally once and told me that I was one of the potential A in Practical. I was so happy but at the same time worried as I needed to put in extra effort. Anyway, I was glad that I did it.

My English Lecturer (3)

She is Cik Fatimah. She was my teaching practical mentor. She was very kind as she gave me lots of guidance in my teaching methodology. When ever she came to observe me, I was very confident as I was not afraid of her. She gave me good marks and even recommended me as a potential 'Guru Pelajar Cemerlang' in Practical.

In that case, I had to put in more effort so as to secure a distinction. I was glad that she was my mentor.

Then she left for her further studies. She even wrote to me and encouraged me further. I was very thankful to have such kind lecturer.

My English Lecturer (2)

This is Mrs Josephine. She's a fun teacher as she always made us laugh. I remember she said: "I'm afraid to grow old. I would be haggard-looking!" We just laughed at her weird thinking. Anyway, she had been our favorite. 

We had micro teaching and we didn't feel nervous as she made it a fun subject for us.

My English lecturer

Mr John Samuel was my English lecturer. He was a dedicated lecturer who always made sure that we understood his teaching clearly. His favorite teaching was the phonetics. We had dictation of phonetics at the start of his lesson. He definitely had good English pronunciation. We learned a lot from him.

We had an academic exhibition whereby we were needed to make posters regarding English.

I was with Mr Samuel and my course mates.

I was with Mr Samuel and some of my seniors.

Merdeka Day Participation

I was so anxious when we were chosen to take part in the parade of the Merdeka Day. I was in my second year. We had to get up early in the morning to get to the Dataran Merdeka for our rehearsal. It was fun although it was tiring too. I enjoyed it very much.

We just had to march past the stage where all the VIPs were standing. We were holding those flags and put our right hands on our right temple as a sign of salute to the VIPs.

College Batik

All of us were required to own a pair of batik kebaya. So first thing first, we had to make baju kurung out of the batik cloth which we bought from the college. I got it sewed at my hometown in Taiping.

 We had to wear it every Monday and during any formal event.

Felt good wearing batik baju kebaya.

Teaching Practicals

We had two teaching practicals to be accomplished. My course was meant for the primary school students so we were needed to carry out our practicals in primary schools around KL.

1st practical..4 weeks

Carried out in our first year.

Four of us TESL trainees with the school teacher, our mentor.

2nd practical..10 weeks

Carried out in our third year.

Two of us from TESL and the other two from other course.

We were needed to teach 6 periods of English, 2 periods of Maths
and 2 periods of others in a week.

I taught 2 Music periods as my elective was Music.

Practical teaching grade was included in our certificate.

Application to the teacher's college.

 My best room-mate and I.

We still keep in touch.

 The four of us who stayed together initially.

I had finished my MCE. My results didn't enable me to get into the Sixth form. I had a pass for my BM. So I enrolled for the BM July paper. And I acquired a credit. That enabled me to apply for Teacher's Training. I was called for an interview.

During the interview, we had to sit far away from the interviewers. That would make sure that we sit properly and responded clearly but loudly enough. I didn't get through the first interview.

Anyway, I didn't give up. I applied again for the second time. While waiting for the reply, I worked in PJ as a clerk in a big company. One day, I received a letter asking me to report as soon as possible to Maktab Perguruan Seri Kota situated near the Taman Titiwangsa. I resigned straight away and quickly reported to the college.

I missed the orientation as I was actually in the waiting list. Four of us reported on the same day and we became room-mates but not for long. Two shifted out and only two of us remained.

So I studied in that college for 2 and a half years.