toilet talk

I don't know about all of you, but I am very fussy when it comes to going to public toilets. Even in shopping malls, I normally have to think twice before making my way there but not under unavoidable circumstances though. I have problems with squatting toilets and ones which do not have water pipes. Instead, the water comes from the inside of the toilet bowl and God knows how awkward a situation that can cause.

And let's not start on toilets which have cleanliness and hygienic issues. I have seen public toilets which are in the most terrible condition one can imagine. We are talking about droplets of s*** everywhere, the floor has long seen its better days, and a smell which makes whatever your initial intention going to the toilet halted. Add a little vandalisme to that and all you get is nothing close to what it seems like a toilet.

And having seen some in the Saudi Arabia (its public toilets along the highway) kinda frustrates me more than anything. Makes one think with its reputation as the richest Middle East country, something could at least been done about the toilets. Makes the ones we have back here at the RnR so much better in comparison. Speaking of which, I never liked the ones in Australia and New Zealand too. They all seemed so unkempt and it just gave out that nauseating vibe to me. I can count the times when I actually used the public toilets there.

However, I have my favourites. Like today, I went to one in SACC Mall. The toilets were so clean and the floor was sparkling it's hard to believe. And the fragrant smile was really pleasing to my nose. I also like the ones at the airport - KLIA that is. And those in IKEA. Other places which are tolerable include Sunway Pyramid, OU, The Curve, Subang Parade, and Fitness First.

I think the public needs to be more conscious about toilet use. And what a better place to start than the school itself. However, given the horrible condition the toilets in most schools are, it's no wonder why most public toilets are nothing better. If you come to my school, you would be shaken to discover that all that is ever left are the toilet bowls. The pipes are missing and the sinks are all terribly clogged. Not to mention very filthy. And the kids who made all of these happened stepped into the real world and they (not surprising) will continue doing the same thing.

You'd be surprised on how much talent the girls have too.

So, my point is, take care of the public toilets. One person can make a difference. The cleaners have done their parts (poor them who had to endure the terrible mess which might have caused by us). Because I'd like to add more to my favourite list!

an update

It's been two weeks since I last updated my blog. Things have been usual, if not a little upbeat. I had so many things coming through my way and I am extremely exhausted, which explains the silence. I don't intend to bore you people with words and more words, as I am lost for them. So let's make this post one that's filled with pictures.

Me and my family have just moved to our new house a week ago. Days leading to last Saturday were the most tiring ones I had ever endured. Moving out is not as excruciating as moving in. Thank God for our old neighbours who have been with us for the past 25 years (The Jalan 5 people), the process of shifting was less burdened. It's touching to see uncles and aunties who literally are like my own parents convoyed all the way with us, helped us with everything.

This is where we now reside

We finally settled down on Thursday, when we have finished unpacking and cleaning everything. Now, it really feels like home, and I have no problems adapting to the new environment.

In the midst of shifting, I had to handle my school's KPA marching platoons. Like previous years, we sent 2 platoons for the competition and this year, I had a taste of what it's like to be their manager. It was never a smooth sailing journey for me ever since January. Selalu tak senang duduk and hati tak tenang selagi competition tak habis. I am constantly on the run, making sure that everything was fine. On top of that, I also had to organize a Marching Camp for them which is a must everytime before they go for competition. I seriously think it is such a waste of time and energy but we did it anyway. Problems surfaced as expected but I am glad that it was all over.


So the competition was held on the 8th of April at SMJK Kwang Hua. Alhamdulillah, the Girls Marching Platoon won second place. If it's not for the three falls (poor girls), we could have secured oursleves the First Place, hands down. Honestly, I think we are that good. And I am so proud of them. All the hardwork, the sweat, and sacrifices paid off. Unfortunately for the boys, they managed to secure only the 5th place. It was expected too because other schools were so much better. But I am still proud of you boys!

I never thought I'd be doing this in a million years. I am now an expert (self-proclaimed je nih) in their uniform wearing :)

Some of the girls. I am so proud of you!

I was hoping that we would win the best Head of Platoon as well, but we did not. I seriously think that the judges had something against our school because those who won that title did not deserve it at all. But decisions were final, and I am thankful that we did not go home empty-handed.

They gave me goosebumps! (During Pemeriksaan Pakaian)

Bila mereka masuk padang

The Boys Platoon

Segak hey!

The twins who stole the limelight - Khubbalillah and Kafabil

And in the midst of all that too, our school had a Gotong-Royong Perdana - a program/activity carried out to beautify our school. It added to the existing exhaustion because it was held on the same day as the Marching Camp. Clubs/Societies were divided to paint murals on the decided walls, classes had to be cleaned and decorated, and notice boards were to be filled in as well. I was multitasking between checking the students during the camp (it was held on the school ground too) and decorating my own class. Below are some of the murals which I thought were outstanding.






But it was all worth it, because my class won third place in the "Kelas Paling Ceria" Category after the overall judging. No pictures taken though sebab terlupa. And our class won first place last week for the same category too. *Kembang ok!* And I have been going in and out of school for meetings too. Penat yang teramat! And last night I think was the best closure to my hectic weeks because my dear friends, Hidah and Ina came over and we had the best 2 hours of our lives (kot?). They stayed until 11 pm and we talked and talked like old times.



Hidah just got back from London and now you're leaving us for another 4 years? We will come visit you in New Zealand pulak ok? I love you girls!

Phew! I can finally take a breather. And I am going to have my morning nap now :)

today

Today is one of the days when I feel like I have the worst job ever. And I have never felt like quitting so badly.

I wish I am spared from meeting those kids on a daily basis.

I wish I don't have to lash out on them.

I wish they don't get on my nerves every single time I step foot into the classroom.

I wish I don't have to drag going into the classroom.

I wish they don't have to use vulgar words everytime they speak (I feel you Nisa). Such rotten mouths they have. Asyik nak mencarut je kerja.

I wonder where does the good go? They are so young and they speak like street people. Yet, berlagak bagus. Tell me, how can I be patient anymore?

Lepas tuh, tegur sikit parents come rushing to school marah balik teachers. And that's when we know why these students are what/who they are.

Sometimes, I don't think I can do this anymore. And today is one of the days.

when you believe

I never quite believe that I can do it, but now, I can say that I trust my own capability and I am quite impressed with how much good I have done to manage my KPA marching team.

Being appointed as the leader for this Uniform Body this year, I constantly worry for I doubt that I can't do as best. In my school, the KPA marching team is considered as the school's elite team for they had been winning gloriously year after year. So when it was put under my management this year, I certainly feel the pressure.

Everything is so new to me. The managing bit, especially. A lot of secretarial work is involved too, and I had to really 'turun padang', sacrificed a lot of my free time to ensure that every single thing (uniforms, accessories, registration, various approvals) is being taken care of. I have to say, it's not an easy task. There were days when I had come to a point when I have had enough. I can't even stand hearing the students giving commands, and the sight of them marching is truly an eyesore. But witnessing how determined each and every student is, how they didnt mind being roasted under the sun (that it's not difficult to differentiate a KPA student than the rest of the population), I am determined myself to provide the best opportunity for them in co-curricular activities which most of the students in my school are good at.

As the competition date is getting nearer, I can say that we have a chance of winning again. I pray everything goes well, and Allah grant me the strength and preseverence to hold on.

one in a million

How coincidental can it be? This picture was taken at the airport. My dad unexpectedly met his match from top to bottom! Comel kan? And the kid being so sporting didn't mind having his picture taken with ayah.Hehe

moving out

It gets really frustrating coming home to an empty house for most of the working days now. I can't blame my mum and my sister really for they had to be out to ensure that everything is under control. They had to shop for house necessities whenever they have time and check on the workers for if they don't, our moving out will be further delayed. And I should really be thankful to the both of them as they are the ones who have been packing and packing that the house now is considered bare.

We were supposed to move into our new house late last year, but due to acceptable circumstances and CF issues, we are still here. Being one who has never moved houses before, this whole packing and moving thing is still new to me. I still can't get over the fact that a lot of work is involved. Now I really regret having so much personal stuff. If going through each and every single item is already not torturous enough, now I have to decide if they should stay or go. It is such a difficult situation, really. Hurmm... And I can't believe I still have things from 3 years back! Menyemak sungguh!

I wish I could help out more but given that I come home almost 5 pm everyday and considering how jellied I'd be at that time, I normally save it for the weekends. But come weekends, we will be busy with some other things that packing is forgotten. There are just so many more things to pack. Rasa nak chuck everything out just to see my room cleared up.

I guess the most fun part of moving out is shopping for my bedroom furnitures. Masa ni lah baru nak rasa IKEA best sangat sebab ada pelbagai options and rasa full sikit sebab this time around pergi IKEA bukan sebab nak makan spaghetti meatballs semata but to actually shop for furnitures haha It's even more meaningful sbb tu kira shopping sekali for perabot kahwin yang Rizal serahkan sepenuh kepercayaan kepada saya sebab he trusts my taste. Actually he's saving himself from the nagging, I know.

I can't wait for the school holidays because I can get so many things done--mainly packing. So my main aim is to finish marking the test papers this week juga so that the holidays will be freed from any school-related stuff yang memeningkan.

a time for a miracle

My heart is not at ease. So many things happened of late which impacted me in the most negative way. My worries increase and I am thinking too much which is not good for me. I am lucky that I have not shed any tears in which I am trying not to in any case.

But I know they happened for a reason and the least that I can do is just pray for the best. Because I know there will be a time for a miracle. And that the school holidays might be the start of it.