before it is too late

one of the favourite authors suggested by my colleagues (who are also ex-coursemates in UiTM) is Mitch Albom. I've heard his name before, or perhaps glanced through it in the newspapers. But i haven't had the chance to read any of his works. I know that one of his best-seller novels, The Five People You Met in Heaven has gone on the movie.

i'm a person who love to read rather than watch movie, so i am looking forward to read any of his novels after all nice and wonderful comments on his works and words. And i'm so fortunate to have K.Tia and Manja who lent me his novels.

I first read For One More Day, borrowed from K.Tia. It was about a guy who did everything to please and get attention as well as affection from his father who in turn did not give him any. while trying hard to please the dad, he hurt his mother. a lot. his life turned upside down along the way.

he only realised that it was his mother that he should care about when his mother passed away a day after her birthday dinner party which he refused to wait till the end to go and meet his father who had abandoned the family since he was kid. he was not by his mother's side when she died. later he started to think, if only he had one more day to be with his mother..

It was so touching especially when i read the parts "Times that My Mother Stood for Me" and "Times that I Did Not Stand for My Mother". I know that i did that to my mother too, sometimes. I was so ego, full with pride.. Reading this is like a wake-up call for me. I've listened to many true stories on this. sometimes, however, i forgot.

It is mother who we should obey and respect the most after Allah and His messengers.

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is reported to have mentioned that.

A man came to the Prophet and said, ‘O Messenger of God! Who among the people is the most worthy of my good companionship? The Prophet said: Your mother. The man said, ‘Then who?' The Prophet said: Then your mother. The man further asked, ‘Then who?' The Prophet said: Then your mother. The man asked again, ‘Then who?' The Prophet said: Then your father. (Bukhari, Muslim) taken from SoundVision

Moreover, our beloved Prophet Muhammad said, may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him: Your Heaven lies under the feet of your mother (Ahmad, Nasai) taken from SoundVision

We may be succeed in life but we are not happy, if it is without her blessings. I know that as i have experienced that. Now, whenever i feel so angry if i think that i'm right whenever i have argument with my mother, i'll try to remember that. i'll be more polite and pay more respect to her.

Understand this nasheed by heart:

My mother by Yusoff Islam

Who should I give my love to? My respect and my honour to? Who should I pay good mind to After Allahand Rasul-Allah ? Comes your mother Who next? Your mother Who next? Your mother And then your father Cause who used to hold you And clean you and clothe you? Who used to feed you And always be with you? When you were sick Stay up all night Holding you tight? That right no other My mother Who should I take good care of Giving all my love? Who should I think the most of After Allah and Rasul-Allah ? Comes your mother Who next? Your mother Who next? Your mother And then your father Cause who used to hear you Before you could talk? Who used to hold you Before you could walk? And when you fell Who’d pick you up? Clear your cut? No one but Your mother My mother Who should I stay right close to? Listen most to? Never say no to After Allah and Rasul-Allah ? Comes your mother Who next? Your mother Who next? Your mother And then your father Cause who used to hug you And buy you new clothes? Comb your hair and blow your nose? And when you cries who wiped your tears? Knows your fears? Who really cares? My mother Say Alhamdulillah Thank you Allah Thank you Allah For my mother

are teachers good enough to teach?

i posted this question to my students today.

it is based on a letter - to - editor found in TheStar.

i asked students to voice out their opinion on a paper.

they are provided with three items to be discussed on:

1. public opinions on today's teachers
2. their own experience with teachers during primary and secondary schools, it can be good or bad
3. characteristics of their dream teacher

i asked them not to write their names, as i don't want to be judgemental

tonight i'm going to read all the responses

lukewarm

it has been ages since i last wrote here.. over exaggerate. ;)

lukewarm..

today, one of my students (new batch of 2010/2011) asked me the meaning of lukewarm..

the word is found in the reading passage on the lure of credit card ..

i gave my dictionary ( i always bring one to class) to another student and asked her to find the meaning and later to explain it to the class...

while waiting for the definition-searching, i asked the class to try guessing the meaning of the word..

at least they should know the meaning of "warm"

i gave them clue by asking them meaning of "hot",

so they managed to guess the meaning

they said "suam"

the definition searcher later proudly announced to the class the meaning of it, "suam-suam kuku"

when i asked her to explain in English (as the dictionary has definition in English and Malay), she said slightly hot..

so, what am i trying to say here is not related to the lesson but about the word lukewarm itself..

perhaps it is just me..

who sometimes so excited about thing, and after that getting passion-less..

it is hard to forget..

it happened about 3 months ago..

but i still remember it..

i try to forget, but it keeps coming back..

what should i do?

integrity

i learnt new things today:
1. the secret of education is respecting the students
2. do good deeds to others using your head, heart, hand and tongue

head: give out the best thought to assist others
heart: love others as you love yourself
hand: do what you can to help
tongue: your good and meaningful speech will perhaps change someone's life

it is over

dear friends,

it is officially over
let's fate fares him better

it's my fault
to expect the unexpected
fairytale is not for everyone
especially me

2009 is coming to its end

2010
may u bring shine and hope

i feel alive again ;)

yes, masters class for semester 1 is over!
feel like i can breathe freely again.. hahahaha

yesterday was the final class..
i sat for two quizzes that i missed as emak was unwell
okay, i read n did mind map, yet it was quite difficult to give out great answers.. to be exact explanation, perhaps i need to read more..
it is done...
i hope that i manage to get good results, ameen.

well, lesson is learnt
next semester, i'll do better than this,
hopefully, great lecturers,
no more missing class

for the time being, let's enjoy !