Acceptance

A leaf fluttered in through the window this morning, as if supported by the rays of the sun, a bird settled on the fire escape, joy in the task of coffee, joy accompanied me as I walked.

After a month here in Pitas, I could look you in the eye and say, "I'm fine here" with so much honesty that it could make you cry at how much this whiny person has changed. After much soul-searching (for the lack of better term), I am so thankful to God for this opportunity to live my dream. Though it might not be a bed of roses with very few good days in between, I believe in good karma.

I have 25 teaching hours per week. Five classes (Form 1, Form 2 and Form 4). I've expressed my interest in teaching Form 4 and I got it, but Form 1 and 2? 

Dread! 

Fortunately, I was proven wrong. Dead wrong

After a week teaching them, I realized that teaching the lower secondary students has its own charm. Kids have little inhibitions, eager for attention and they generally rock your life by making your lesson plans come true. Ask them to act, sing, dance, and mime, etc they will do it...just as long they like you.

My Form 4 kids have so much potential, but with years of very minimum exposure to English, they need to work harder than most people.Can you imagine not knowing what a blog is in this digital age?

It's devastating! 

Gandhi once said, be the change you want to see in the world.

Baby steps, Jess.

Wow, I'm actually talking about serious stuff!

Teacher-talk suits me just fine, yeah?

All is fine and acceptable for now. 

My first salary which is around 3kplus is still untouched. (WIN!)

Not much but it's 100% mine :) All mine!

Twirl now,

Because we have a lot to spin and skip about.

How You Remind Me

Sometimes, (especially in the past two weeks) I forgot WHY I'm here. Too busy being a whiny baby.

Sometimes, I need to remind myself WHY I'm here.

And guess what?

The reminder came to me.

It's like, the big guy up there is trying to tell me:

"Stop moping" 

and

Remember how and why you came to be here.

p/s yang ini kira lucu juga la. Ada dua budak Form 3 came to see me during recess. 

"Cigu, ni present untuk cigu". 

"Aikk, cigu pernah masuk kelas kamu ka?"

"Tida pernah"

"Jadi kenapa kamu bagi cigu hadiah?"

"Sebab kami mau rapat-rapat sama cigu"

*speechless*

Darlin' it ain't that easy

Readers,

I am officially a teacher now.

A working woman.

A freakin’ adult!

Yeah, I don’t feel like celebrating…yet.

I’ve been posted to a secondary school in the rural district of Pitas. The first thing that came to mind was FMLFMLFMLFMLFMLFMLFMLFMLFMLFMLFMLFMLFMLFMLFMLFML

The recurring theme of my first week here was MOPING. Even though the school turns out to be nice, the PK1 extremely helpful, the Kerani is super efficient, the teachers are friendly BUT somehow, I don’t feel settled. I don’t know what to expect other than the worst. I miss my family, my friends, and my dog. Well, starting over is a pain in the ass. You know what I mean.

My second week started on a good note. I finally got my table in the Teachers Room. The teachers I’m staying with are awesome housemates; they didn’t mind that I couldn’t cook. I hang out with two other new teachers at school – Tim and Diah. I think we are going to be good friends for a long time :) Have I mentioned that clean water is like GOLD here? Even the school buys water for daily use. At one point, I’m gonna have to start buying water WHEN the huge well that they pumped water from runs out of uh, water (wow, that’s a lot of ‘water’ in one sentence) No, I haven’t seen the well and yes, we use water pumps here.

However, the one thing I can’t stand is the unstable internet connection. There is no 3G coverage in this area; even Broadband of any kind is snail-slow. The school wireless connection is my only hope of going online but even that only works well for a few hours before the usual “Server Not Found" crap. Oh, the fact that electricity goes out every few hours for at least ten minutes EVERY DAY is not helping.

So, I’m getting Streamyx in two weeks. With internet, anything else is bearable.

The irony of the situation is that I have waited and expected this (to be sent to an interior school) but apparently experiencing it is a whole different matter. Adjusting takes time right? Besides, I’m here for a reason. It is time to put the six years of higher education to use and produce my first batch of students.

That thought alone is enough to get me through every day. (memotivasikan diri..hehe)

So bring on the little monsters already.

p/s I’m pretty sure Taylor (my dog) is missing me right now.

The Holiest Thing Alive

Sometimes, it's embarrassing how much my Ma is still the same overprotective nag like she was when I was 12. 

Ten years ago: "Makan sayur banyak-banyak supaya kurang sikit jerawat ko"

Now: "Itulah ko tidak makan sayur. Tingu kulit ko banyak scar."

Ten years ago: "Ko sudah minum susu ka?" She forced Nespray on me

Now: "Ko sudah minum susu ka?" She forced Alpha Lipid on me.

Ten years ago: "Jangan lupa botol air ko atas meja" 

So I'm forgetful.

Now: "Mama suda kasi sedia botol air ko. Jangan lupa lagi macam kemarin" 

I was in my final year in college and I still forget my "botol air". Old habits die hard.

Ten years ago: It's always fried rice and hot milo for breakfast. It always took her ten minutes to wake me up for school.

Now: Toast bread and hot nescafe for breakfast. She knocks on my door "E-C,  pukul 5.30 sudah ni, bangun!"

She never let me, nor my little sister out of sight when we were little. I had to sulk for two days before she finally relented and let me go to my first camping trip. I don't have to ask for permission now but she still calls when I'm out - "mau hujan lebat ni" which is mum-speak for "be home early".

There was one time when I went to a friend's house to watch Titanic. It was 1998, I was 12 and Leonardo Di Caprio was a revelation. I didn't tell her because the friend's house is 2km away. She wouldn't allow me to walk on my own, you know, because bad guys are everywhere. That's what she told me every day. I decided that Titanic would be worth braving the threat of bad guys and..uh head hunters. She flipped out when she got home from school and I wasn't there. 

Later that night..... 

Relax ma, I said, I only went to a friend's house.

Ya, but I didn't know where you were and I was worried sick.Don't ever do that again..yada yada yada...

Last year, I went on a trip to Penang. By bus. From Shah Alam. It was a wonderful trip. On the journey back to Shah Alam from Penang, it was near midnight and we are still on the road. She called every hour, asking where I was, how much longer until we reach Shah Alam. I got annoyed. Ma, no need to freak out. The bus driver is driving slowly. It was near 3am when I got home at Shah Alam, Now I can sleep, she said. 

My dad called later in the afternoon, telling me that mum didn't sleep well last night worrying about me.  

Just, be careful ok, don't worry us so much, he said.  

Will do, pa.

I am 23 now. Mum still cooks me breakfast. Forces me to eat veg. Calls me when I'm out, reminding me to be safe. Get on my case if I skip breakfast or shop too much. Nag me to sort out the ever expanding stuff in my room, tell me to keep my long hair or tone down the junk food. 

Between 1998 and 2010, a lot of things happened. The highlight? - I grew up. But for some strange reason, Mum never got that memo. To her, I'll always be that little girl that cuddles up to her at night.

So I get it you know, I'll always be her little girl. Age is just a number anyway.

And I wouldn't it have it any other way.

HAPPY 45th BIRTHDAY MUM!

 I love you :)

All Things TV

Here's a quick recap of what you can expect from some of my your favorite TV series when they return a few months from now.

1. Gossip Girl : The case of love interest.

i. As we all know, Chuck Bass was shot in the season three finale. Fret not, he's alive and a "changed" man after his close encounter with death. He will have a new girlfriend, name unknown, and they will bump into Blair and Serena in Paris. Clemence Poesy (pic below), who was in one of the Harry Potter movies, will play Chuck's new girlfriend. 

ii. Lover boy Nate who has slept with every girl on the Upper East Side will also have a new love interest. Katie Cassidy (pic below. wow, she's so Serena!) of Melrose Place fame, had been casted to play this role. I wonder where the writers are going with this. Nate haven't had his own storyline since Season Two. Well, a storyline that doesn't involve falling in love with a new girl and getting effed up by the girl in the end. Boring! and Chace can't really act. Sorry.

Season Four of Gossip Girl will return on September 13th.

2. Glee : The dentist and Charice

i. Emma told Will that she's dating her dentist in the season 1 finale. Lo and behold, John Stamos will be playing the dentist! I bet the character is a douche. Looking at his picture did nothing to lessen that suspicion..

ii. The super talented Charice Pempengco has joined the Glee cast for season 2 as a recurring character. Playing an international transfer student, Charice, whose character's name is yet to be released, will be Rachel's new rival, maybe something like the Rachel-April rivalry in the first half of season 1? Since Charice is just as good as Rachel, vocal-wise, how about personality-wise? We'll just have to wait and see. 

iii. Another yeay? There will be a Brittany-centric episode in the new season. This is by far, the best.move.ever by the writers! 

My favorite Brittany line: "Did you know that dolphins are just gay sharks?"

Season 2 of Glee will return in September. Premiere date has not been specified yet.

3. House - Huddy and a new doctor

House and Cuddy will 'engage in a meaningful relationship". I've been waiting for Huddy to happen since three seasons ago. The writer sure made us wait! Furthermore, expect Dr. Cameron to make few appearance, Thirteen won'be around and a new female doctor will join the team. Awesome~

Here's the Season 7 premiere picture released by CW. Huddy on vacation! 

Season 7 of House will return in September. Premiere date has not been specified yet.

4. Supernatural - Reunited

The gist of the new season as released by the CW:

Season six will be a season of mystery and shadow... monsters, angels and demons roam across a lawless and chaotic landscape. And so Dean Winchester, who has retired from hunting and sworn never to return, finds himself being pulled back into his old life — pulled back by none other than Sam Winchester, who has escaped from Hell.

The two reunite to beat back the rising tide of creatures and demon-spawn, but they quickly realize that neither are who they used to be, their relationship isn’t what it used to be, and that nothing is what it seems.

In case you missed it, Castiel and Bobby will return as..Castiel and Bobby. Apparently both are alive! Excited yet? Emmm, i'm more on the curious side.

My favorite picture of Sam and Dean from Season 1. No, they are not boyfriends on the show, they are brothers! ~roll eyes~

The sexy Winchesters will return for Season Six on September 24th.

*********************************************************

These updates are legit and confirmed as of 1st of July 2010 as released on TV FANATIC and several other official sites of the aforementioned shows :)

The Naked Truth: 2 - Cooking Woes

Dear Diary, 

I am domestically challenged. I mean , I'm great at keeping the house clean and the garden pretty but do you want to know which part of the house that I dreaded the most? - no, it's not the attic. It's the kitchen! Before hitting puberty, I have no doubt that KITCHEN is synonymous to EATING. You go in there for breakfast, lunch, tea, dinner and supper, heck yes, life is good.

That was until I was told that girls should know how to cook. Just like how they should wear skirts, have long hair and smell nice. I never take cooking seriously during my high school years, mostly because my mum cooked all the time, just enough for a family of four. I did, however, acquired the skill to cook fried rice without using onions. Because I hate onions..then. 

I'm partial to it now.

So, my lack of cooking skills or talent never bothered me. I'm not a choosy person, I eat whatever is on the table. Except veggies of course with exceptions to few types of vegetable. Certainly no leafy greens because I have sensitive gag-reflex. I do make a mean spaghetti once in a while. I've improved a lot since my first attempt two years ago. Other than that, I really don't know how to cook.

When I was sharing a house with five other girls in Shah Alam, all of them are cooking monsters! I realized just how behind I am in the cooking department. I didn't know how to prepare 'Ayam Masak Merah" or the "Sayur Kailan dish" or any type of soup for that matter! I usually play Assistant Chef, because I'm THAT bad.

Bad, like how bad. you ask? I have no idea how long to wait until you throw in the veg or chicken or whatever in the pan. How much salt? Chicken cubes? How are they suppose to look like when they are thoroughly cooked? (for fried chicken/fish). So I know what celery is, but what is it for? Now that I do know what the celery is for, another question follows like, how do I prepare it? or what type of dish that should have celery in it?

This girl is a TOTAL FAILURE! I bet that's what you're thinking now. Yes, this is for real, you better believe it. Ask Dedz if you want further clarification. Cooking is my ultimate Kryptonite. I'm graduating with ANC in November but I can't cook if my life depends on it. That's a serious crime to womanity! ~gasp!~

This is my fault obviously. I haven't been paying attention to Mum all this while and I haven't really initiated anything. I can't learn how to cook IF I don't want to cook in the first place. It's really time to get greasy in the kitchen. Take-outs and eating out is fine when you are single, but once married, you don't want to feed your guy with McD all the time, especially when the said guy have a cooking maestro for a mother. Not that I'm getting married or cooking for anyone other than the family anytime soon..heh!

Don't worry future husband, I am learning now. Slowly. I'm not as ignorant as I was two years ago. In fact, I'm getting better. I made my first chicken soup yesterday. My sister said "ok bah". I trusted her judgement because she is a fickle bitch when it comes to food. A better cook than me too! Now, there are mum and dad to impress. Urghhh, daunting!

So, I'm actively googling simple recipes online. Mum is busy with school so she can't really give me a one-on-one tutoring. It's okay, Youtube takes care of that. See if I transformed into Rachael Ray 2.0 in a year's time. 

Or maybe I should just marry a chef.

Fangirling

WARNING: THIS IS AN ECLIPSE-CENTRIC POST.

First of all, there are a few things that you should understand

I've never been ashamed to admit that I'm a TWILIGHTER. Yes, I'm a fan but don't expect me to buy a twilight mug, key chain or stickers because my obsession has its limit.

Yes, I have read the books. Yes, I've seen Twilight The Movie and New Moon The Movie, only liking the former because the latter bored me to tears. Or maybe it's because the novel itself is mostly about Jacob, and I don't give a rat's ass about Jacob. 

No matter how pretty Taylor Lautner is.

Speaking of Taylor Lautner and Jacob, I'm a certified Team Edward. I've never defected, not even when they made Edward look like a starving boho in New Moon The Movie and have a half-naked Jacob prancing around in every damn scene. 

But I would like to remind you though, being a Team Edward doesn't mean I'm team Rob Pattinson. I love Rob when and because he plays Edward Cullen. Of course Rob-when-he's-not-Edward is not that bad at all, mainly because he's dating Kristen Stewart aka Bella....

who just happens to be my favorite Red Carpet Muse. I've been following her red carpet style since Twilight and her choice of LBDs, gowns and shoes is always on the mark. I won't discuss her acting style or talent but she plays Bella perfectly, which is why I don't get why people mocked her Bella as being  "too awkward"  when Bella Swan is suppose to be AWKWARD. I know right, duh?!

Anyway, I managed to catch the Eclipse Premiere in L.A early this morning via the live streaming on E!Online. I wanted to see what Kristen would wear. Well, it wasn't exactly love at first sight. My first thought was 

huh?

The back view is stunning:

but the front view? The one-sided long-sleeve leaves me cold and speechless.

but Kristen still looks AMAZING! if you can ignore the long-sleeve though -__-'

Click here to gawk at some of her best Red Carpet looks:

KSTEWLOVE

Oh, if you happen to be a Robsten shipper, here's a little something for you. 

The Robsten Bubble Of Love

Please don't flame me for the above comment about not being Team Rob Pattinson. He's a pretty attractive guy.

 What, you want more? Okay, here's another one.

The infamous grip of love

just one more to conclude the post:

So listen up Malaysians, Sabahans and Kota Kinabalu-ians

The Twilight Saga: Eclipse premieres on the 8th of July 2010. 

If you hate Twilight and think it's ridiculouslamegayboring or whatever.,

you have got to be at least curious

OR

you wouldn't be reading this.

hah!

xoxo