Pop It, Lock it, Polka Dot it.

Now, I don't know about you.

But my mind always wanders around stuff while having conversation with anybody.
Of course I would give my best of commitment if I'm really into the topic.
Too bad if somebody drags me into a conversation that starts to bore me.

Such as; political views.

Trying to appear polite, I would once in a while chip in my views.
(Of course it happens when I manage to hit the pause button in my mind)

While the person is trying his/her very best to voice out his disappoinment etc.
My mind goes something like this:

"I think I should buy the blouse that I saw online yesterday. It was cheap" or
"Is that a shop? Did I just see a beautiful shop back there?" or

Some compliments that can only be heard by me like this:
"Oh, (s)he has such beautiful teeth. I wish I have those!" or
"Oh, look! What a beautiful earring. Where does she get those?" or

The worst monologue that has ever popped into my mind goes something like this:
"Omaigooodddd! Banyaknye pimple die. Rase nak picittttttt je"
And my mind literally imagining that I am actually popping out the zits. EUwwwwww!

And you want to know another secret?
You won't even get a slightest hint that I am actually thinking about those things in my mind!

Wicked?
I know.

p/s: Don't worry. You won't be the victim of my imagination if
a) the topic doesn't bore me, or
b) you're not trying to be a smart ass in front of me, or
c) we are at a good restaurant that serves goooooooddddd fooood! =D

Btw, these kids are awesome: Have a look at this!

You Never Know, Do You?

As a teacher, I put myself to a lots of suprises every day.

Be it will cause a heartache,
an unpleasant headache,
a tear in the eye (in the toilet),
an unwanted disappoinment,

a draw of smile on your face,
a tinge of pride when the students able to answer simple questions correctly,
or the most pleasant one (that I wish happen every day)
a small gesture made by my students that touches my heart.
(I am even smiling while typing this)

In one of the classes that I teach, there is this one shy boy.
None of the teachers could really talk eye to eye with him.
So in the end, it is either the teachers ignore him or the other way around.

As the form teacher, I think it is my job to break the ice.
I start with putting him at the front row so that I can easily reach to him if he has any problem in doing my work.
I praise him and tell the whole class whenever he does something good or answer correctly.
(His face is scarlet red whenever I praise him... Haha... you should see him)

Over the months, I believe I have managed to improve his level of confidence.
I used to hear his small voice when he tried to answer the questions that I threw to the whole class.
So, dengan nakalnye I imitate his voice.
Mestilah aku berdepan dengan risk yang amat tinggi, a) he changes to be more confident, or b) die menyampah dengan cikgu English sorang ni.
Amazingly, the next question, he eagerly stood up and answered very loudly.
"Wah, ni barulah macho!" Haha. Suke!

Ok Norzie, sudah2lah merapu, mananye part yang menyentuh hatimu itu?
Ok ok, baiklah... sila teruskan membaca.

Last Wednesday, I saw his drawing.
He immediately put everything under his table.
I asked him to take it out.
He did.
Woah, cantik gile I tell you. I believe he can be an artist tau!

So I asked him "Kenapa tak colour, ZJ?"
Him: Wa tade colour. Tade duit mao beli.

I went to my desk, took out RM5 note, gave it to him and said "Nah, buat beli colour. Now, simpan. English time"

Yesterday (Friday), I entered the class for relief.
He was colouring. I just let him be.
I asked the rest to do NILAM.
After a while, he stood up, went to the back of the classroom and pasted the drawing onto the noticeboard..
Mind you, it was not one but THREE of them!!

Picture one: Gundam.
Picture two: Some god fairy tale like drawing
Picture three: *Shocked*
It was me!
He sketched me wearing the baju kurung that I wore last Wednesday and written down there:
"Thank you, Cikgu Norzie"

And this shy boy made the decision to paste it on the noticeboard.
Classroom noticeboard?
I was flattered!

Oh man, how I wish I have a camera with me at that time!
He made my day! =D

You've Got Me Popping Another Champagne, I'm At It Again

This simple question keep floating in my mind since yesterday, right after I packed that bundles of recyclable sheets of trees.

Looking at the scheme of works, tons of lesson plan, mountains of sleepless-night-assignment, I sighed to myself.
I know that I'm going to miss this.
Heck, not the assignments of course.
The uni life, that is.

This photo is taken from here

Next week will imprint a new phase of my life.
My three months practicum experience is enough to mirror my life for another four years to come.
I have to wake up early every weekday, burn my brain cells to the bits in attempts to enlighten the next generations that are trusted in my hands.
Look enthusiast and ready everyday while struggle with never ending inefficiency and depression.
Not to mention that some of my weekends might be burn too.

No more karaoke during weekends.
No more watching movie every Wednesday.
Less dating with My Man.
Less Mamak nights with wonderful friends.
Less time spending in Borders, sipping my favourite coffee while enjoying the brilliant John Grisham's.
Yes, that three months had taught me that uni life is far better than what I am going to face for the next four years.

I'm not whining, neither regretting the future that lays upon me.
The comfort zone as a student is slowly loosing its wrap around me.
I know soon I have to pay my own bills, lead my own life, seek my own solution to every obstacle that may come to my way.
But I have no choice, I guess.
More responsibilities as I become more mature.

So, am I ready?

Not 100 percent, but I'll give my best shot.
Any soft blow might shake my world, at first.
But I also believe, what does not kill me will only make me stronger.
So Laydee, you better suck it up.
Forget about your worry and strife against the notorious funk.
Say "Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! Me ready to strive! Woooooohooooo!"
=)

Bundles of Laughter, A Tinge of Crankyness

2009 is inching closer. Bit by bit. When the clock strikes twelve tonight, year 2008 will drop its curtain and a fresh page with 2009 crafted on it will start.

A lot, I have learnt this year. One-third of them, will keep reminding me to be a better individual in 2009 onwards. Another one-third should be able to keep me smiling when I look back to what I have achieved this year whilst the last pieces that fit in 2008 puzzles will be forgotten.

So what have I achieved in 2008? Lemme see...

1) I have completed my degree. Second Class Upper is an achievement that matches the efforts I put forward for the last 5 and a half years. Alhamdulillah.

2) I have fiercely survived a twenty-one months with a special someone. Such a beautiful journey, I'd say. To The Man, you have helped me to complete the puzzle of my life. Thank you bb =)

3) I enjoyed my three months practicum. A lot. The groups of student that I had have really helped me to develop professionally and personally, especially in terms of time management.

4) I managed to save some money with my part time job as a Researcher Assistant. The amount of notes that paid my stay-ups should be able to help me to start the new phase of life in 2009 with less sleepless nights that fill to the brim with stress.

So, I do hope 2009 brings forth better memories and blesses with charming attitude students like the ones I had this year. I also hope 2009 is jam packed with love, a new sense of motivation, valuable new experiences, more hearty laughs with my sweethearts, more joyful moments to strengthen what I already have with The Man and more self-development opportunities.

I also know that life as an educator is filled with tons of stress and heart wrenching moments but I do hope all the stress will just mean that the happiness that succeeds it is sweeter =)

And to everyone reading this..

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR DAYS AHEAD!