One Night Only : Brangelina At “The Screen Actors Guild” Awards 2009.

Tinseltown events never get me bored. These are the events where you can witness the ensemble of stars parade and strutting on the red carpet; I think I could be an E! Correspondent if I were an American who would have pursued his American dreams (erk?). Sadly, the local entertainment world is fulled of  ‘kampung-ness mentality” that are badmouthings, black magic practices (involving bomohs a.k.a. shamans), etc. Anyway, back to the real entry – since tis’ is the season of awards-giving; from January stretched to February ; The Grammy and BAFTA Awards ( on the 8th February), Academy Awards (22nd February); Hollywood stars are all gathered to acknowledge their peers on who are taking the coveted recognition for particular years.

Pitt in Tom Ford & Angie backless blue Max Azria.

Angie showcases Khmer transcription tattoo via backless Max Azria.

Since I’ve missed “Golden Globe” on 12th January, I was excited to see “The Screen Actors Guild Awards 2009″ - because I’m sure I will not have the chance to see The Oscars a.k.a. Academy Awards this 22nd February. No way I can ever fake an MC as IPDA is VERY STRICT; and somewhat living with my parents, they will be interrogating me. Sheesh~!

The red carpet-interviewing session was hosted by Giuliana Rancic nee De Pandi of E! News and The Daily Ten’s Debbie Menapolaous. The highlight of the event was of course seeing Angie and Pitt gracing the red carpet and you just know that they are the Hollywood Royalties as every stars were all fixated upon them when they arrived. Even Giuliana was a lil’ bit composed when she was interviewing Angie – You know Angie; she’s mysterious, aloof-persona yet she has THAT intimidating timeless beauty; but with Pitt, Giuliana was all bubbly again and she admitted that Angie was a beauty who never gets old. Angie was wearing a blue Max Azria backless gown that definitely showcases her Khmer transcription and dragon tatoos! Yipee!~ Both Angie and Pitt were nominated respectively for “Changeling” and “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”.

Although both lost to- Meryl Streep won for her potrayal as a nun who discovered children abuse in a church covenant via “Doubt”; and Sean Penn via “Milk” as a homosexual activist (kot?); the Brangelina is having an excellent year in their career. And, although I am sure it is hard for both of them to win Oscars, it is a good thing that Angie has already being nominated in Best Actress list for this year’s Academy Awards via “Changeling”. I can’t wait to see “Changeling” probably this 8th February at Jitra Mall (I hope it will be screened here) ! Hahaha.. you’ll be surprise that this provincial area has a better cinema than Alor Star. I would say the cineplex in Jitra Mall is the same league as in GSC Alamanda, Putrajaya. Quite big =).

Provincial Jitra : The Confluence of Education and Tradition.

The week has been pretty hectic, with back-to-back schedule of classes, co-curicular activities as well as Uniform Body activities. So far, on whole, I’m kinda enjoying my days as a trainee-teacher in comparison to the days I was a banker. No offence; I always miss the people at The Bank and I’d hope I will meet them someday somehow; but professional wise, I would like to think that this is the path that is most suitable to me; of course it’s not gonna be merely bed of roses; there will be a lot of  ‘crying-in-the-toilets’ scenes I guess throughout this whole year; but Insya Allah, I guess I’m glad that my decision to back-off from the corporate world is doing justice to my mind as well as emotional state (so far).

A Siamese Monastery a.k.a. Wat at Jitra.

Since I was put under the cluster ‘Pelajar Sains (1)’ and our minors are English and PJK, we are to do a lot of exercises and stretchings ( you name it!). Every PJK session would be started off with the 2.4km X 6 (rounds) = 14.4 km run mengelilingi Stadium IPDA! Hhahah… initially, I’ve to say that I was a bit distraught by the idea since I’m a lazybone; but as time passes by, I’ve to say that saya agak enjoy dengan semua aktiviti riadah (pumping, sit-ups, jangkauan melunjur, Skema Cooper, dll) yg dilakukan. Tapi memang lepas aktiviti PJK dijalankan, otot-otot tangan dan kaki yg dah berkurun lama tak digunakan terasa sengal yg amat sangat dek akumulasi (accumulation) of the acid lactic! But honestly, those activities although they were physically draining, indeed are emotionally intoxicating kerana dilakukan dengan rakan-rakan yg lain. Kehadiran teman-teman sekelas Sains 1 yg hampir kesemuanya sporting dan selamba menceriakan suasana dan persekitaran pembelajaran. Kiranya dalam tempoh masa setahun ni, dapatlah saya merasa kembali macam mana keadaan di sekolah; rasa rindu tersebut dapat diimbau melalui aktiviti2x sebegini.

Honestly, it is never a simple task to be a teacher. Each classes comes with a compulsory task- that are either assignments, projects, presentation and macro teaching a.k.a. mock teaching. But so far, I’m excited to learn more new things about this world of education in comparison to those days when I was a banker trainee; numbers and digits suffocated me and my mind refused to absorb all those credit information taught by wonderful trainers. So, I guess this is one of the proof that maybe this is where I belong (Insya Allah). Apart from these, there will be numerous camping activities yang akan dirasai. And oh yeah, saya telah disenaraikan di dalam Bulan Sabit Merah Malaysia (Malaysian Red Crescent) dan untuk acara permainan, Alhamdulillah dapat Bowling (boleh la main free ehehe di Jitra Mall). Tetapi selain tu, pelajar KPLI juga dikehendaki menyertai olahraga dan PJK Asas. Jadi untuk saya dan Pelajar Sains 1 , kami ada 5 slot yang memaksa kami menggunakan tenaga fizikal! Saya anggap ini sebagai satu peluang untuk kembali mencergaskan badan yang sudah lama kuyu ni =)

Anyway, on whole so far I enjoy the KPLI course. Hari ni Khamis, 22nd January 2009, pelajar IPDA sudah mula bercuti untuk Tahun Baru Cina selama 9 hari. Today also is the last day for the J-QAF – Bahasa Arab students to be in IPDA before they were allocated in respective schools. Although kinda sad, but I’m grateful, lil bit flustered and shy, shocked but surprisingly happy with what happened this morning. It’s nice to know that tangan tak bertepuk sebelah.  I hope those students would do IPDA proud especially those who will be allocated at Langkawi to teach Bahasa Arab nanti. Saya berdoa agar menjadi guru yg disyangi pelajar dan diberkati Allah SWT sentiasa.

Living in Jitra where Siamese culture is synonymous to the region has also enthral me; in some way. I still remember the film “Anna & The King” starring Jodie Foster and Chow Yuen-Fatt which was shot in Penang around 1998 when I was in Form 2.  The Jetty area was transformed into the Bangkok Harbour for the film and the Old Penang (Lebuh Chulia, Lebuh Ah Quay) were all being transformed into Siamese-towns. Boys from schools nearby the Jetty area were being paid to become extra in the film; provided they were to SHAVE THEIR HEADS EXCEPT FOR FRINGE! Hhehee.. I was so excited to see Penang in the film that when the film was premiered on 1999; I went to see it at cinema 3 TIMES! Well, Mak can’t complain much that time since I scored 8A’s for my PMR that time. Hahha.. what a wonderful memory and the film remains as one of my favorite film. And of course the theme song sung by  Joy Enriquez entitled “How Can I Not Love You” was simple but beautiful. Composed by the renowned R & B maestro, Kenneth ‘Babyface’ Edmonds, the song reminds me of those days… and now… Di bawah saya ada sertakan klip You-Tube. Listen to the beautiful lyrics (Corny, eh?) LOL! Dengarkanlah..

Cannot feel
How we feel
Must pretend it’s over

Must be brave,
And we must go on
Must not say,
What we’ve known all along

How can I not love you
What do I tell my heart
When do I not want you
Here in my arms

KPLI : A Sillhouette To The World Of Educating Youngsters & The Friendly Moon.

Pengalaman menjalani Minggu Orientasi sejak 12 Januari sehingga 15 Januari yang lepas tidak akan saya lupakan sungguhpun tempoh masanya ringkas. Tempoh pengenalan kepada dunia pendidikan yang akan saya kenali sepanjang proses pembelajaran di Institut Pendidikan Guru (IPG) kampus Darulaman ; atau dahulunya dikenali sebagai Institut Perguruan Darul Aman (IPDA) merupakan manisan hidup yang berharga. Rasanya saya tak akan menitipkan segala-galanya setiap satu; cuma lebih kepada transkripsi perasaan yang saya perolehi sepanjang tempoh tersebut.

Kursus KPLI merupakan suatu himpunan yg unik kerana kebanyakan pelajar-pelajarnya sudah berkeluarga dan berkahwin. Itu yg membuatkan interaksi di sini lebih terbuka dan bervariasi. Ada yang dah berkahwin anak tiga, ada yang baru berkahwin, ada yang dah lama menganggur, dan kebanyakannya merupakan pekerja-pekerja swasta / professional yang terlibat dalam pelbagai bidang seperti akauntan, jurutera carigali, pegawai penyelidikan, peguam dan sebagainya. Setiap daripadanya mempunyai kisah lama di tempat terdahulu; hadir di tempat baru untuk beralih angin.

Sememangnya benar bahawa tugas sbg guru bukan mudah. Psikologi pelajar perlu diperinci selain memastikan kredibiliti sebagai pengajar sentiasa terjaga. Jadual kelas pelajaran sepanjang tahun adalah SANGAT padat (lebih teruk daripada matrikulasi- ini kerana ilmu yg sepatutnya ditebarkan selama 3 tahun dikompreskan kepada tempoh 9 bulan sahaja); ditambah dengan Gerak Kerja Kokurikulum, Badan Beruniform; kerja khusus penganjuran acara-acara dan beberapa sesi perkhemahan bina diri. Saya sebenarnya agak gusar dan gelisah apabila pertama kali diperlihatkan realiti kehidupan pelajar KPLI; namun perasaan itu semakin reda seiring masa. Insya Allah, saya ingin melakukan yang terbaik kerana peluang untuk berkhidmat dalam Kerajaan seperti yg diimpikan sudah ada; tinggal usaha dan keihklasan sahaja.

Keadaan di Dewan Besar IPDA semasa pendaftaran.

Insya Allah, hari Sabtu ini tanggal 17th Januari 2008 saya akan memulakan sesi pelajar Pendidikan Sains (1); dengan minor Bahasa Inggeris dan Pendidikan Jasmani (Erk? Ditentukan Institut. Mulanya agak gusar tapi saya terima ada hikmah. Mungkin untuk mempersiakan mental dan fizikal berkhidmat di Borneo.) Pada hari yg sama juga, kawan zaman kecil saya, Zahira Amin bakal melangsungkan perkahwinannya di Dewan Sri Pinang, Pulau Pinang. Cadangan nak pergi ke sana terbantut kerana sesi kelas bermula hari yg sama. Kepada rakanku, selamat pengantin baru. Maaf tak dapat hadir.

Pertemuan dengan rakan-rakan baru juga bererti bagi saya; membuka banyak lebaran dan horizon; daripada yg kelapa muda sehingga nira; semuanya saling berinteraksi dengan saya menggamit hati; dan saya anggap ia sebagai suatu elemen yg cukup unik dan menarik. Saya harap dapat bertemu kembali beberapa muka yg dikenali pada masa yang akan mendatang ini; walaupun mungkin sukar kerana masing-masing akan mula sibuk di lapangan tersendiri. KPLI (J-QAF) – khusus untuk kursus Pendidikan Islam, Bahasa Arab misalannya merupakan school-based course. Lirik lagu Siti Nurhaliza “Bulan Yang Mesra” menarik perhatian saya untuk dinukilkan di sini dan sebagai halwa telinga musiknya boleh didengar di  http://www.imeem.com/ctzai/music/DXgDhvUh/siti_nurhaliza_05_bulan_yang_mesra/    :-

ADA BULAN DI MATAMU
SINARNYA PANCARAN CAHAYA
MEMANAH CINTA KE JIWA
NUR MAKRIFAT YANG MENYALA

ADA MESRA DI WAJAHMU
SENYUM MALAIKAT SANG KEKASIH
MENGUSAP SYAHDU WAJAHKU
WAJAH SEORANG MUSAFIR

Seribu kata tak bisa menggambarkan rasa, suka duka pengalaman sebagai perencah rasa, pertemuan mata melekat di jiwa, Insya Allah dipanjangkan usia kan bertemu jua.

12th January 2009 : Legally Student. It’s Back To School!

Well. This is it. Tomorrow, the fateful 12th January 2009, I will be legally BACK to students’ life. Hearsays validate (erk?) that it’s gonna be a very hectic and back-to-back schedule; very much like matriculation life- only it will be a little bit pack-ier.

It’s all about being honest. That’s how you can implement the Caesar’s : “I Come. I See. I Conquer.”

In whatever means, although I have to confess I am feeling a little bit reluctant (maybe due to the long hiatus hibernation I’m taking hehe), I will thread this new world delicately. Like so many encounter with new people and new atmosphere, you have to examine the atmosphere first; the people, the pattern of communication, the way they interact, the weaknesses and the strength, the likes and dislikes; then only you can do the Caesar : I Come, I See. I Conquer. Well, I guess it’s OK not to be too serious about it. This is just a new phase for me.

Angie at “Changeling” premiere.

Anyway, tomorrow also is the Golden Globe; which coincides with my enrolment kat Maktab. Darn~! I am certainly going to miss the live telecast *sigh*. I hope that all the film nerds and freaks will cast ballot for Angie in “Changeling” or yeah..perhaps Mr Pitt for “Curious Case of Benjamin Button”. I remember that I faked an MC last year (Ouch, sorry to those bankers who are reading this) to watch Academy Awards. Hurm…this year? Let time to decide that.

Thanks to all the prayers, comments and support. I appreciate each one of them (erk? politically correct answer? Hehehe).

New Year 2009 : Mission & Resolution. Ode To The Promised Land. “Jambu” Jugdemental.

Entri pertama untuk tahun permula. Bahasa cinta pertama rasanya sesuai diguna. Sebagai menghargai rasa cinta kepada paksi segala tinta. Bahasa bangsa yang tak pernah dilupa. Selamat tahun baru kepada semua; rakan-rakan dan sahabat pembaca. Semoga tahun pemula membawa rahmat dan pesona, diberkati-Nya baik diri mahu seluruhnya, permulaan transisi tuju hala.

This New Year 2009 marks a new beginning for me in a whole new way; my life and my career. I’m to reside here in this provincial Jitra; to begin with; and I’m to enrol into the Maktab a.k.a. Education Academy IPDA this coming 12th January 2009 as well (Insya Allah). To ponder about; life is so crazy that you can’t help but to be amazed and in awe with it. Who would ever thought that MY FIRST JOB WAS A BANKER? Hehhe… If someone were to tell me that 10 years ago, I would be like ROLLING ON THE FLOOR LAUGHING – I hate mathematics; and to picture me doing a banking? Hhaha~ But it was a nice expereince. I’ve met a lot of remarkable people and useful experience as well as sharpening my humane- interpersonal skills. Now that I’m soon to be a teacher, I’ve already set my new goal and to be very sincere in imparting knowledge to the younger generations.

Anyway, congratulations to Muzem, my friend who was allocated to Sepang, Selangor to begin his teaching tenure; it’s definitely a remote and rural area; honestly I’m kinda anxious to know that other few acquaintances like Ziyadi was posted in sarawak and according to the message SMS he sent to Muzem;  the school was so remote/ secluded that he had to take 3 HOURS BOAT TRIP and 4 HOURS TRANSPORTATION VIA FOR-WHEEL DRIVE CAR !!! Wow, I have to say that is challenging and I’m kinda nervouis to know that. This world is definitely a far cry from the lavish corporate banking world I left. Do I have any regret? Too early to decide that; but this is the path I choose. Insya Allah, I believe there will be a Qaramah (blessings in disguise). For me, teacher is a career; not a job like my banker days. I’d hope Allah SWT will bless me throughout this endeavor to become a full-fledged teacher. Amin.

The green patch is Palestine. The white patch is Israel. Gradually from 1940s to now, the territories of both countries inter-changed.

On a serious note, I’m angry and dissapointed with what is happening at Gaza Peninsular! Israel with all its diplomatic influence has been terrorizing Palestinians mercilessly; and the so-called police of the world- USA without compassion bestows the blessing!!!! Now, don’t you wonder why citizen of the world are itching to terrorize America??! The September Eleventh (9/11) Attack was one of the smithereens caused by the ruthless inconsideration! My prayer as a Moslem and a human goes to those who are affected by the Israelites terrorism; irregardless whether they are Palestinians or Israelites. I always believe that my blog is my own medium to express my thoughts. Not only about myself or my life or what I feel, but also about the world and how I perceive that. This issue is important for me to voice out and I’m glad that I do have the power to say what I want here and to make people at least take a second to ponder on what I’ve written. It feels good to speak for others; a refreshing changes from being selfish; that is speaking about merely yourself.

As for my personal struggle, there is a battle I have to face right here in this provincial Jitra. Erm, I need not to elaborate it. Cukuplah kejadian yang terjadi pagi tadi dijadikan sebagai perencah pembuka drama di Jitra. I’ve SMS-ed a few friends (Kat, Naz, Muzem, Khirwan, and Kakak!!) to siphon out that. Well, I’m lucky to have parents who have quite sense of humor and don’t really take things seriously; Mak said this happens because most of these people are cooped in the area; never venture out to see the world thus their mind horizon is narrowed. These people see the world as they are, not as it is (taken from dialogue in “Anna & the King”). Alhamdulillah I have very good parents and sister. They are the pillars when I’m down. They love me for who I am and no other pretence. I sincerely appreciate that. *tsk*

Can you see moustache there? YES, I got misai la!!!!! (I’m not taking seriously. Sometimes making fool of yourself is alleviating. Don’t be too restrained. Only when people cross the LINE, that you have to retaliate. Other than that, I guess… CHILL.)