Do not mistakenly take my comments as a sigh, I do love my job as a teacher, but doing clerical work is not actually included in my definition of 'teaching'. Yet, it is this task which prevails in any teachers scheme of work nowadays, and some of them have even mistakenly take it as the main task by putting the classroom lesson behind. Admittedly, the task is important, but is this the way forward for our education system?
A.K.U.G.U.R.U. actually means 'I am a Teacher' (Aku guru in Bahasa Malaysia). It contains all the items related to my profession as a secondary school English teacher which includes my English lessons, my interests, my passion for Liverpool FC, and also my family affairs. Hope you enjoy your reading!
(The owner will not be liable for any losses, injuries, or damages from the display or use of information taken from this blog.)
ASK ME ANYTHING!
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Do not mistakenly take my comments as a sigh, I do love my job as a teacher, but doing clerical work is not actually included in my definition of 'teaching'. Yet, it is this task which prevails in any teachers scheme of work nowadays, and some of them have even mistakenly take it as the main task by putting the classroom lesson behind. Admittedly, the task is important, but is this the way forward for our education system?
Thursday, February 16, 2012
In the Midst of Hardship (Original Malay version)
In the Midst of Hardship
Dalam Bencana
Mereka pulang ke rumah
waktu subuh hari
dengan pakaian robek basah
menghampiri api tungku
lengan mereka penuh calar
kaki mereka penuh luka
tapi di kening mereka
tidak kelihatan rasa kecewa
Sehari semalaman
mereka mengharungi banjir
berendam antara bangkai ternakan
dan serpihan kulit tumbuhan
kerbau balar si buyung
masih belum ditemui.
Mereka dilahirkan dalam bencana
tidak ada keluhan dan kutukan
kini mereka berjenaka di dapur
sambil menggulung rokok daun.
Latiff Mohideen
1978
Monday, February 06, 2012
Gua Musang Stop



Saturday, January 14, 2012
Trauma!
Mereka merompak "perasaan selamat" saya
[ Pihak Polis & Forensik datang menyiasat ]
Selimut saya terbuka! Dibuka! YA Allah seorang lelaki bertopeng menyuruh saya diam “SHHHHHH” katanya. “Barang kemas mana?” “Barang kemas mana?” katanya. Tersedar saya, ini bukan mimpi lagi, rumah saya dimasuki pencuri! Saya cuba tenangkan hati, dan menyorok muka juga tubuh saya. Jawab saya dengan yakin “Saya tak pakai barang kemas, saya tak ada barang kemas” Yang ada pada saya cuma cincin arwah tinggalan nenek saya. Dengan berat hati saya membukanya, “Ini saja yang saya ada, cincin nenek saya, nah ambil” balas saya. “Saya memang tak suka barang kemas, tak pakai barang kemas” kata saya lagi, cuba meyakinkan manusia ini bahawa rumah ini memang tiada apa yang dicari. Seribu satu perasaan dan sejuta lagi penyataan memecut laju didalam minda. Kenapa? Bagaimana? Apa akan terjadi? Mana anak-anak saya? Siapa mereka? Mahu apa? Adakah saya akan diapa-apakan?
Cincin belah rotan dengan tiga butir berlian kecil, mungkin tiada nilai yang tinggi. Namun itulah peringatan asal usul dan ‘memori’ jati diri ini. Separuh dari diri saya. Tidak tinggi dengan nilai harga,tetapi tinggi dengan nilai jiwa. Cincin arwah Dorris Irene Wilmot yang dipakai ketika perkahwinannya dulu. Dari Scotland ke England kemudian bersama cincin itu juga dia berlayar bersama Leslie James Morgan Wlmot, grandpa saya, ke Australia tatkala perang dunia ke-2. Saya sebenarnya mahu memberinya kepada Amna satu hari nanti ,tapi apakan daya. Memori dan nilai sentimental cincin itu amat tinggi sekali. Tidak apa, kerana memori di dalam diri tidak mungkin dapat mereka curi.
Namun sebagaimana memori indah itu akan kekal dengan izinNya, memori ngeri ini juga akan terus tersemat dalam diri. Seperti pita video buruk yang rosak, gambaran kejadian berputar dan berputar kembali dalam ingatan saya. Adakalanya bulu roma saya naik kembali, tangan dan tubuh bergetar dengan sendiri. Wajah mereka kini sering mengganggu dan menghantui saya. Saya pasti, ianya mengambil masa untuk di’lupa’kan. Bukan lupa sepenuhnya, namun lupakan ketakutan dan mencari kekuatan kembali. Takut, resah, gelisah dan beribu perasaan lain, bercampur seperti dicampurnya rencah di dalam kuali. Namun akhirnya gulai itu sungguh enak sekali. Akhirnya, saya mengucap syukur Alhamdulillah. Allah mahu membersihkan kami. Musibah demi musibah , membuatkan diri lebih dekat dengan Ilahi, “Syukur Ya Allah” “Alhamdulillah” dan “Innalillah” bermain di bibir sejak pagi tadi.
Saya terfikir, siapakah dia insan ini, sehingga sanggup buat begini? Mencuri demi wang ringgit semata. Ketika dipukul Ikhwan di kaki dan kepala, mereka berkata, “saya tak kacau orang, saya tak kacau orang” dalam loghat Indonesianya. Ikhwan memberi amaran keapda mereka “Jangan sentuh isteri saya”, “jangan kacau anak saya”. Ikhwan dikejutkan ketika sedang menemani Imran yang demam, di kamar birunya. Diikat tangan suami tercinta. Setelah Ikhwan menjerit, mengharapkan ada yang mendengar, saya kemudian tergamam ketika perompak itu berkata “Sini, sini” cuba membuka selimut saya.
Saya berjanji pada diri ,sekiranya orang ini cuba mengapakan saya, saya akan bermatian sehingga nafas terakhir, mempertahankan maruah saya. Saya juga wanita Aceh, darah pejuang mengalir di dalam badan saya. Rupanya Eka saudara saya dari Aceh yang kini membantu saya ditarik dari kamarnya dibawah keatas dan disuruh bersama saya didalam selimut. Saya memeluknya.
Anak-anak saya? Di mana mereka? Saya tertanya-tanya. Saya berikan dan letakkan keselamatan diri mereka kepada Allah sepenuhnya. Saya yakin mereka selamat. Doa saya setiap lepas solat adalah supaya Allah memelihara mereka, kerana mereka bukan kepunyaan saya, mereka ilik Allah. Saya yakin pasti ada diantara doa saya didengari. Saya pasti! Saya yakin! Tidak lama kemudian terdengar tangisan Imran.
“Imran” jerit saya, tanpa membuka cadar. Ikhwan masuk bersama Imran ke kamar saya. Saya pegang badan panas Imran, dan Imran terus teresak-esak dalam pelukan saya. “Naughty man, Ummi” kata Imran pada saya. “Dia hit ayah Imran” katanya. “Imran tak de sword, Imran” katanya. Allah, sucinya anak ini. Belum mengerti apa pun. Ini bukan filem atau kartun anakku. Sword Imran tak akan mungkin membantu. Satu ketika dahulu, perompak-perompak ini juga pernah suci dan comel sepertinya. “Ya Allah pelihara anakku” bisik saya dalam hati. Tidak lama selepas itu, Amna dan Azra dengan senyap memasuki cadar saya. Kami bertiga memeluk erat sesama sendiri. Sekali-sekali saya mengusap Eka disebelah saya. Saya harus berani untuk mereka. Saya tiba-tiba merasakan Ikhwan duduk dikaki saya. Alhamdulillah kami semua ada bersama.
Sekali lagi selimut saya ditarik, seorang lagi lelaki bertopeng bertanya “Barang kemas mana?” Ikhwan berkata “Jangan sentuh dia, dia tak ada tudung” MasyaAllah, begitulah suami saya menjaga kehormatan saya. Dalam saat ini pun dia tidak mahu sesiapa pun melihat ‘hak’nya. Saya amat berbesar hati ketika itu. Maka kerana itulah luluh jantungnya melihat gambar saya dahulu di’post’ sesuka hati di alam maya. Kasihanilah saya dan dia. Janganlah buat begitu lagi ya? Pelihara aib orang lain supaya aib anda dan keluarga juga dijaga. Percayalah janji Allah itu benar, ini bukan janji manusia.
[ Keadaan bilik selepas di geledah ]
Sekali lagi saya menjawab membalas pertanyaan perompak ini, “Saya tak pakai barang kemas, saya tak suka barang kemas” Ikhwan mengalih perhatiannya kepada laci dihadapan. “Sini banyak barang mahal” tunjuk Ikhwan. Manusia ini menggeledah laci tadi yang sebetulnya cuma termuat aksesori lama. Rantai, gelang kayu, brooch yang dihiasi permata palsu. Ya, saya tidak punya apa! Saya bukan penggemar emas dan intan permata.
Seorang lagi rakannya berhenti dihadapan rak buku kami. Itulah harta saya, buku yang tersusun rapi. Rak demi rak buku didalam kamar. Itulah saja ‘harta saya. Ilmu itu emas bagiku. Tak mungkin perompak ini mengerti! Berdirinya dihadapan rak buku itu, dia seolah keliru. Tidak tahu lagi apa harus dibuat dan kemana harus dituju. Dihampiri rak diatas meja tulis, disitu penuh dengan buku lagi, dengan buku nota yang amat berharga bagi saya, segala nota kuliah, seminar dan persidangan ada disana. Saya yakin tidak akan mereka sentuh sama sekali! Juga tersusun di rak itu Quran-Quran saya. Sampainya dia memegang Quran berwarna hijau muda, Ikhwan berkata “Quran tak nak?” memerli sinis dirinya. Dia Cuma diam.
Ikhwan mula membaca Ayatul-Kursi dengan nada tinggi. Dia menyuruh Ikhwan diam. Mungkin tergetar juga hatinya. Saya mengikut. Al-Falaq menyusul.
“ Katakanlah wahai Muhammad “Aku berlindung kepada Allah Tuhan yang menciptakan sekalian makhluk” Dari bencana makhluk-makhluk yang ia diciptakan” “Dan dari bahaya gelap apabila ia masuk” “Dan dari kejahatan makhluk-makhluk yang menghembus-hembus pada simpulan-simpulan” “Dan kejahatan orang yang dengki apabila ia melakukan dengkinya” (Quran, Al-Falaq:1-5)
Saya ,Amna dan Azra membacanya berulang ulang dengan penuh yakin. Akhirnya semua ini milik Allah jua " Ya Allah yang memiliki hati manusia, timbulkanah perasaan gentar dan tidak selesa didalam jiwa mereka " doa saya dalam hati. Saya cuma mampu berserah, dan ketika ini terasa ketawhidan Illahi yang begitu tinggi memuncak di dalam sanubari. Secara tiba-tiba, terdengar motor pak Jaga di luar rumah saya. Perompak menyuruh kami diam. Tidak lama selepas itu, mereka beredar. Rupanya Farah anak gadis Pak Fauzi Marzuki, jiran belakang saya ternampak kelibat penyamun ini dari jendelanya. Dan siapakah yang menggerakkannya untuk nampak rasanya? Ya Benar! Allah SWT.
Air mata saya menitis. Thank you Allah. Kuasa keyakinan itu amat tinggi sekali. Keyakinan bahawa Allah akan bersama orang-orang yang mahu bersamanya. "Ingatlah Aku dan Aku akan mengingatimu" Saya cukup yakin. Janji Allah benar. Ini bukan janji manusia.
Amna masih trauma, sejurus setelah mereka keluar, setelah polis dan jiran bersama kami. Amna terus muntah. Satu reaksi fisiologi yang biasa bagi kanak-kanak yang trauma. Muntahnya hijau, namun lebih hijau lagi emosinya. Saya akan cuba membina keberaniannya kembali. Satu pertanyaan Amna yang membuatkan saya terhenti. “Why did they do that Ummi?”
Saya terdiam. Bagaimana harus saya jawab pada anak kecil ini? Ya benar kita semua dilahirkan fitrahnya suci dari dosa. Jawapan saya pada Amna di artikel seterusnya! Ianya untuk anda fikirkan juga.
Yang masih trauma,
WARDINA
Friday, January 13, 2012

Meanwhile, the My Chess Life page is linked to My Chess Life blog, my chess blog.

Sunday, January 08, 2012

took place. The two had to prepare 3-course meals for 40 people including top chefs from Malaysia and abroad. Both were given time to plan their menu, and also friends who were already out in previous episodes to help them prepare the meals. Wahidan chose Amita, Zamir, Daniel, Deena and Shahriah while Ezani entrusted Brian, Ary Malik, Felix, Azilah and Imelda. Rave reviews from the guests, especially on her dessert, had crowned Ezani as the first Masterchef Malaysia.For Ezani fans, you can read this story also here in her blog.
Saturday, January 07, 2012

CONFIRMED! It is a Scam

http://earnic.com/2011/12/survey-faq-com-scam/
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20111209144355AAWXRbK
http://jobsearch.about.com/od/workathomejobs/a/paidsurveys.htm
Monday, January 02, 2012

Monday, December 26, 2011
2. He was as tall as a 6' 3" tree.
3. John and Mary had never met. They were like two hummingbirds who had also never met.
4. The ballerina rose gracefully and extended one slender leg behind her, like a dog at a fire hydrant.
5. Her vocabulary was as bad as, like, whatever.

6. She grew on him like she was a colony of E.coli and he was room-temperature Canadian beef.
7. The lamp just sat there, like an inanimate object.
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Friday, December 09, 2011
In case you are wondering what I was referring to, look at the mileage odometer.
Thursday, December 08, 2011
Sunday, November 20, 2011

Go, Young Tigers, Go!
Now, the Tigers should also play their part in advertising markets for the sponsorship, and they can start with defending the SEA Games gold medal by beating the Indonesians. I'm not going to be rude on the Indonesians, although their supporters' actions are not much to be proud of. In my humble opinion, sports should be uniting nations, not as a platform for disagreement. So, in your opinion, do these acts (pictures below) indicate a civilized nation?



Monday, November 14, 2011
Zinga Island or Manzu Highlands?

Moreover, there are countless of beautiful sceneries (scenery) that can be witnessed. The majestic-looking mountains and the greeneries (greenery) around Manzu Highlands are the main attraction there. The mist that is surrounding the mountains all the time stirred the curiosity of everyone who visits there. The scenery during the dawn and dusk are proclaimed to be the most beautiful scenery that you can see in the ( ) Malaysia and it just gets better when the glimmering of stars during night time can be clearly seen up above the sky!
Not only that, despite of the chilly weather in Manzu Highlands, there are tremendous amount of activities that can be done. Fishing can be done at various locations as Manzu Highlands has many rivers with suitable temperature that can promote the growth of aquatic organisms. As I am an enthusiast in fishing, it will be definitely (definitely be) a golden opportunity for me! Furthermore, rock-climbing and mountaineering is a divine intervention for those who is eager and enthusiastic to try out the extreme activities offered there. For those who prefer less strenuous activities, they can visit the popular landmarks such as strawberry farm and the bee apiary. They can purchase souvenirs as much as they like to!
On the contrary (Hence), Manzu Highlands is an ideal destination for holidays as it offers an (a) once -in-a-lifetime experience for those who visit there. I will definitely go to Manzu Highlands for a holiday as it fulfilled all my requirements and it is a better selection if compared to Zinga Island.
Vocabulary
--------------
mad rush - done without thought or control
hustle and bustle - busy and noisy activity of a lot of people in one place
scorching - very hot
blaring - make a loud unpleasant noise
blistering - extremely hot in a way that is uncomfortable
tranquility - quiet and peaceful
indisputable - that is true and cannot be denied
serenity - calm and peaceful
soothes - to make somebody feel calmer
majestic - impressive because of size or beauty
greenery - attractive green leaves and plants
stirred - awakened
proclaimed - to publicly and officially tell people about something important
glimmering - to shine with a faint unsteady light
tremendous - very great
aquatic - growing or living in, on or near water
enthusiast - a person who is very interested in something
divine intervention - help from God to change a situation
strenuous - needing great effort and energy
apiary - a place where bees are kept
on the contrary - used to introduce a statement that says the opposite of the last one
hence - for this reason
Sunday, November 06, 2011
My extraordinary feat for this year's Eid:
Car: Toyota Avanza 1.3 (manual)
Distance covered: 1211 km
Inside the car: 20 hours
Outside the car: 4 hours
Total nap time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Friday (4 Nov 2011)
4.15 am - Departed from my house at Kota Bharu.
5.00 am - Stopped at SMK Keroh.
6.30 am - Prayed Subuh at RNR, Gua Musang.
7.15 am - Had breakfast at Gua Musang.
7.45 am - Stopped at Gua Musang Petronas for gas.
8.15 am - Stopped at Chegar Perah for a 15 minute nap.
10.00 am - Stopped at Kechau.
12.00 pm - Stopped at Aunt Yati's house in Taman Melawati. Departed 40 minutes later.
1.30 pm - Arrived at UKM. Departed 45 minutes later.
2.30 pm - Prayed Zuhur/Asar at Bangi. Had lunch also.
4.00 pm - Arrived at UM. Departed 20 minutes later.
5.30 pm - Stopped at Bentong Petronas for gas.
6.30 pm - Stuck in traffic at Bentong. Made a U-turn for Terengganu.
8.00 pm - Stopped at RNR Gambang for Maghrib/Isha' prayer and dinner.
12.00 am - Took an hour nap at a petrol station somewhere in Terengganu.
Saturday (5 Nov 2011)
2.45 am - Stopped at Jerteh Petronas for gas.
4.15 am - Arrived at Tanah Merah home.
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
The above text can be more exciting if idioms and phrases are used. A sample text:
That day, a graduation for the SPM/STPM candidates was held. It is an annual event held to give motivation for the students to achieve better results in their real SPM/STPM exam this coming November. Students were all in their Sunday best. Some of them cut quite a dash in their suits whereas the others were not much to look at. Nevertheless, all of them were all smiles and, when asked, hoped to pass their exams with flying colours. After the graduation ceremony, the students flocked to a class a stone's throw away to take their graduation pictures.
Wednesday, October 05, 2011
Directed essays are meant to detect these mistakes. So, I recommend that weak pupils use simple and easy sentences to minimize them.
- know another country
- study at world's renowned university
- opportunity to mix with other races
- improve English
- learn to be independent
- learn to be tolerant of others
Disadvantages:
- miss parents and siblings
- miss home-cooked food
- expensive fees
- high cost of living
- inevitable changes in lifestyles
- inevitable changes in weather
Example of a simple essay:
There are many advantages of studying abroad. The first advantage is knowing another country. The second advantage is studying at a world's renowned university. The third advantage is the opportunity to mix with other races. The fourth advantage is improving English. The fifth advantage is learning to be independent. The last advantage is learning to be tolerant of others.
... and copy the above format for the disadvantages also.
Example of a better essay:
There are many advantages of studying abroad. First of all is knowing another country. Secondly, you can study at a world's renowned university. One of the advantages also is the opportunity to mix with other races. Moreover, improving English is an advantage of studying abroad. On the other hand, you can learn to be independent. Finally, you can learn to be tolerant of others.
And, of course, the best essay includes an elaboration and an example for each points given. For example:
There are many advantages of studying abroad. First of all is knowing another country. Studying abroad is the ticket for you to know more about the country where you will be studying. If you are studying at the University of Oxford, for example, you will know more about the United Kingdom.
Hopefully these examples will help you to write better essays in your exams.
Tuesday, October 04, 2011

The team:
5 Setia FC
Mohd Azizul (Goalkeeper)
Che Mohd Nasir
Mazlan Wahab
Asfayuzie
Adnan Mahmud
Mohd Zulkhairi
Insan-Insan Istimewa FC
Rosmahidi (Goalkeeper)
Mazlan Rahim
Mohd Zulkifli
Othman
Mohd Yusof
Adnan Ahmad






