Thursday, October 28, 2010

Oh no. Not again!


It happened again; for the third time this year. Alin stormed into the staff room to tell me about how Zul has went berserk again and threatened Haziq just because he had said something wrong. He gathered his gang and they punched Haziq. Alin was there trying to stop them but she was pushed away in the process. Alin reported to me that Haziq had taken cover in En. Yusof's room. En Yusof is one of the senior assistants. She also said that En Yusof had tried to find Zul but he was no where to be seen. I told her let En Yusof handle the case first but Alin feared for Haziq's safety. She said Zul professed that he won't be satisfied until he got a few drops of Haziq's blood. I told her not to worry, I'll talk to Zul when the time is appropriate.

Earier this year, Zul got mad at the school's gardener for scolding him. He purposely trespassed the line that the gardener had set up to keep the kids away from the area. When he is mad, Zul is beyond recognition. He will transform into Incredible Hulk and that is not an exaggeration. In that state, he is capable of harming people. When he had cool down, I had a slow talk with him, trying to put some senses into his hard head. He said he would change. Easier said than done.

Second time? I caught him and his two friends escaping class and disturbing another class. The teacher inside that class had asked him to get out but he wasn't perturbed by it at all. I was walking outside the class when I spotted him and his friends. I commanded all three boys to enter their class and stood at the back of the class. The teacher in that class later reported that Zul was like a mad man and screaming his hatred towards me. He said that he would stepped on my head. The next day I got class with him I can't honestly looked at his eyes. It still hurt inside; I need time to heal my wound. I asked him to go to the back of the class. He was resilient and only moved towards the end of the class. Just before the major PMR examination, he asked for my forgiveness. I said I have long forgiven him but I want him to change. Change?

Later on from outside the staff room I saw Zul shaking hand with Haziq. So it was settled then. I was walking at the school canteen, I saw Haziq with a group of form three kids. Zul was sitting at the back quietly listening to the others. I signaled to Zul to come to me. "Oh no, not again!", Zul complained. When he was seated beside me at the canteen I told him that it was I that should say "Oh no, not again!" to him. That was the third time this year he went berserk. I asked him did he knew Prophet Muhammad's [peace be upon him (p.b.u.h)] definition of a strong person? He said no. I said according to Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h), a strong person is not a person who is strong physically but instead a strong person is a person who can withhold his anger. Based on Prophet Muhammad's definition, I asked him to rate himself from one to ten. He rated himself zero.

"Zul, we are Abdullah, the servant of Allah. Don't let yourself being the servant of the devil or syaitan by easily going mad. Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h) said that if we are mad, if we are standing up, then sit down. If we are sitting down, then lie down. If we still can't control our temper then take ablution or wudhu. Anger is from fire while ablution is taken using water. I really hope I don't ever have to say "Oh no, not again!" to you. Please change." I asked him to think over what I had said to him that night before he went to sleep.

With that statement, I left him. Hopefully I had planted a seed on that day. Maybe the seed won't grow that day. I pray to Allah the seed will eventually grow one day.

May Allah bless us all.

Monday, October 25, 2010

Weekend


My eldest son came back for the weekend. It was one of the rare weekend where I was totally free without any invitation or school program. I immersed myself into cooking for the whole family. Including trying new recipe of murtabak, a traditional dish. I made lots of it and keep some as frozen food inside my fridge. The frozen murtabak can't seem to last long since the request for it is high. It is one of my source of satisfaction - seeing my family loves the food I prepared.

I considered myself as a hard working worker. Staying back late after school to finish my works. But once I'm home, I enjoyed being a wife and a mother. I'm not the best wife or mother or even teacher. But I would rest in peace knowing that I have tried my best. There are obstacles along the way. To me that is part of the colour of life. Life would be dull without obstacles. Just face it positively.

Next weekend will be a packed one. Invitation and programs waiting for me. Just live our life to the fullest.

May Allah bless us all.

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Thank you


I have just finished my job taking care of a major examination. I was the chief; a very tedious job due to all the documentation that I have to do and the gravity of the job. If anything goes wrong, I'm answerable to all the big people. I have nine people to assist me taking care of the center.

Everybody understood their job well. And everybody was ever ready to help me out in any way they can. "Is there anything I can do to help?" was a common question asked to me. Therefore I'm always delegating my job to them with pleasure. And they were superb. Par de excellence. Releasing some of my pressure and tension.

Today was the last day we worked together. Coming from different institutions, it felt such a short time to get to know each other better. Everyday we felt closer and closer to each other. I gave each of them a small token as a way to say thanks to them. One of them even bought some cookies and packed drinks for all of us. We had a small feast in a very homely atmosphere. When everything was over, we embraced each other affectionately. Everyone helped me to carry something so that I can be free to say thank you and good bye to the administration of the place. How very thoughtful of them. The youngest among us gave us her wedding invitation.

To have a team that work harmoniously together was a blessing from Allah. We made mistakes but every one was cool about it. No group pressure. Only solid group cooperation. May Allah bless them all. Amin.

May Allah bless us all.

Saturday, October 9, 2010

The extra class at home


There was very little time left and I was missing class due to some meeting that I have to attend outside town. The kids are due to take their PMR examination just the following week. I need to give them the last minute touch in order to better prepare them for the exam. So extra class at my house was the solution.

I had a few extra classes at home. Separate session for girls and boys. Without the other sex around, they were very vocal and open. They felt free to ask without feeling shy. I got to discover the topics that they are really weak in when they asked a lot of questions. They were more than happy to study at my home since they got to eat and drink. Hari Raya or Eid cookies were still abundant. It was like a holiday cum study session.

I have done my best. It's up to them now. Whatever result they will get, I rest at peace knowing that I have done my level best to help them up to the very last minute. May Allah bless my effort and their effort with success. Amin.

May Allah bless us all.

Friday, October 8, 2010


A lot has happened lately. I have had two open house. First was specifically for neighbours and my students. The second was for my husband's and my office mates. We moved in to this new house just over a year ago. In our busy schedule going to and from work, we hardly knew our neighbours except for the the few that live close by. In the back of my mind I felt uneasy about that. Neighbours are suppose to take care of each others. To help each others. It got to start from getting to know each other better. The open house provide that opportunity. It's like breaking the ice session. In future when I greet them, it won't be just for formality for they we are no longer stranger to each other. It will be like greeting friends.

My husband's and my office mates have had been requesting for an open house for a long time. They want to see the green garden, the fish ponds, the aquariums of sea and fresh water fish, the minute/mini chickens, the rabbits. How can we not share the source of our contentment at home. Perhaps it could give them ideas to lead a greener life. A house that will relieve you half of the source of stress at work. When my bougainvillea or roses were blooming with a mix of beautiful colours, as soon as I reach home I will stroll into my garden first before stepping inside the house. It was like the flowers were calling me to appreciate their beauty.

May Allah bless us all.