Freedom

In my 20s, 30s and 40s, all I wanted was the freedom to travel, make my own decisions, and live without constantly being held back by my mother's protectiveness. I often felt frustrated whenever I was told what I should or shouldn't do. Sometimes, I felt she still saw me as a little girl instead of a grown woman.

Over the past few years, she had gradually become less protective, but by then I no longer wanted to leave her. I felt responsible for her happiness and well-being. It wasn't always easy. There was a constant inner conflict between what I wanted for myself and what I willingly gave up for her sake.

Now she's gone, and I have all the freedom I once longed for. I can go wherever I want and do whatever I want. Yet somehow, that freedom doesn't bring me any happiness. It's such a strange feeling... one I can't even describe properly. Emptiness. Hollowness. Numbness. A void. It's almost as if the freedom I spent years longing for only had meaning when she was still here.

What I find even stranger is that I wasn't actually very close to my mum in the way many daughters are. I rarely shared what was happening in my life, and I hardly ever opened up to her about my feelings. I've always found it difficult to express my emotions, and I think I inherited that from her because she struggled to express hers too. We loved each other, but neither of us really knew how to say it or show it openly.

I know things have changed. She's gone, and I can't change that. I suppose this is something I'm still learning to live with. Maybe this is what grief really is....not just missing someone, but trying to find your place again in a world that suddenly gives you the thing you once wished for, except the one person you wish were still in it.

MLPML

Latest updates from the 2026 FIFA World Cup

 

I can sing : )

 

MoD 2026

 

MUET CALENDAR 2026

 

Form 6 Teachers’ Educational Action Research Colloquium Penang State Level 2024

Alhamdulillah.

My Form 6 action research paper was selected for the state-level colloquium, and I walked away with Best Action Research and Best Presenter, which qualified me for the national level (Kolokium Pendidikan Lepas Menengah (KPLM) Peringkat Kebangsaan 2024).

The whole thing felt like a dream. A beautiful one… but also a very complicated one.

The first thing on my mind wasn’t the presentation, the competition, or even the possibility of winning. It was mak.

Mak wasn’t well and had recently had a bad fall. Leaving her alone at home was not an option. That same week, my brother and his family went off on a holiday to Korea, and my sister was in KL. My sister suggested I leave mak at her place but that idea didn’t survive long. She lives in a penthouse, no lift, only stairs. Mak climbing stairs? Absolutely not.

Then came the suggestion to fly. Also a no. Mak can’t walk long distances, and just imagining myself dragging luggage while holding on to her already made me tired.

So, after much thinking (and overthinking), I decided to drive to Malacca.

Now, for context...my sense of direction is… questionable at best. I can get lost even in USM... The furthest I’ve ever driven in my life was to Taiping, to my sister-in-law’s parents’ house, and I’ve never driven to KL... Not once. So the idea of driving all the way to Malacca felt slightly ambitious… and mildly terrifying...

And there I was, planning to drive to Malacca...

I tried booking a room at Bayou Lagoon Park Resort a day earlier, so that I wouldn’t have to rush, but all the rooms were fully booked...So, we had no choice but to travel on the day of the event itself, 27 October 2024 (Sunday).

I prepared everything I could think of to make mak comfortable....pillows, snacks, stops along the way, and a lot of silent prayers...Honestly, I don’t know where the courage came from. Maybe when you’re alone and there’s no one else to help, strength just… shows up. You don’t have the luxury of fear...

Using Waze (Alhamdulillah for technology) and after a few rest stops, we finally reached Malacca. I searched for a proper place for lunch and found one... Mak and I had asam pedas ikan merah with vegetables...it was simple and very Malaccan.

By the time we reached the hotel room, it was almost 3.30 pm. I was exhausted. My whole body ached. Throughout the event, I kept leaving mak in the room during sessions, then rushing back to check on her. I ordered food to be sent to the room so she wouldn’t have to move much. Alhamdulillah, the food was good, and mak was comfortable.

Although I didn’t win at the national level, the experience itself was priceless.

On the last day, I wanted to take mak sightseeing after the closing ceremony. After all, this felt like a once-in-a-lifetime trip. I had never driven this far before. However, mak was in pain and couldn’t walk much, so I cancelled the plan. 

On our way home, mak mentioned she wanted a coconut shake. Alhamdulillah, somehow, I managed to find Klebang coconut shake and even keria gula Melaka for her. We also stopped at an R&R, where mak bought fruits and ole-ole for my aunts and uncle.

Those moments with mak...small, quiet, ordinary... are the ones I hold closest to my heart.. And for that, Alhamdulillah always...

MLPML 2024

Extra MUET speaking practice with my students...

Group 1 practice - 23/5/2024 (Thursday) 3.30pm-4.30pm

Group 2 practice - 6/6/2024 (Thursday) 1.10pm - 2.40pm

Group 3 practice -10/6/2024 (Monday) 9.40am -10.10am 2.45pm- 3.45pm

Group 4 speaking practice - 14/6/2024 (Friday) 12.10pm- 1.50pm

Group 5 speaking practice - 21/6/2024 (Friday) 12.20pm- 1.55pm

ANALYSIS OF PAST YEAR MUET EXTENDED WRITING QUESTIONS (2008 - S1, 2024)

Analysis of Past-Year Questions (MUET 800/4 – Question 2)

Year	Question
Session 1 2024	You watched a forum which focused on the challenges of living in today’s world. The panellists were experts on mental health. One of the panellists made the following comment: “Education on mental health is necessary in the 21st century.” Write an essay expressing your opinion on the statement. Write at least 250 words.
Session 3 2023	You listened to a talk by an invited speaker. She mentioned that people today want total freedom without taking into consideration the consequences for their actions. She ended her talk by making the following statement: “Modern society has taken freedom for granted.” Write an essay expressing your opinion on the statement. Write at least 250 words.
Session 2 2023	You attended a talk on skilled-based education. Some of the programmes found in skilled-based education are photography and automotive. During the talk, the following statement was made by the speaker. “Skilled-based education is a ticket to unlimited opportunities in life.” Write an essay expressing your opinion on the statement. Write at least 250 words.
Session 1 2023	You read an article in a newspaper about the importance of building a caring society. The following statement was made in the article: “Kindness is a quality that is gradually disappearing among us today.” Write an essay expressing your opinion on the statement. Write at least 250 words.
Session 3 2022	During a recent forum in school, one of the guest speakers claimed that today’s young adults lead a protected and pampered life. The following comment was made at the end of the forum: “Young adults today lack survival skills.” Write an essay expressing your opinion on the comment. Write at least 250 words.
Session 2 2022	You attended a talk at school in conjunction with Malaysia’s Independence Day. During the talk, the guest speaker made the following statement: “The lack of appreciation for our culture has caused Malaysians to lose their true identity.” Write an essay expressing your opinion on the statement. Write at least 250 words.
Session 1 2022	You have been asked by the school editorial board to write for the school bulletin. You have decided to write on the following topic: Modernisation has robbed us of our peace of mind. Write an essay stating your opinion on the above statement. Write at least 250 words.
Session 3 2021	You watched a documentary about the growing concern on the reliability of online information to the society. The following remark was made in the documentary:  “Online information is deceiving and unreliable” Write an essay expressing your opinion on the statement. Write at least 250 words.
Session 2 2021	You watched a documentary on the effect of global pandemic. The following comment was made at the end of the show: “We become stronger when we are faced with difficult times in life”  Write an essay expressing your opinion on the statement. Write at least 250 words.
Session 1 2021	During the Teacher’s Day celebration at your school, an invited speaker made the following statement in his speech: “Traditional face-to-face classroom promotes better learning environment” Your teacher asked you and your classmates to write an essay expressing your opinion on the statement. Write at least 250 words.
Session 2 2020	Civic mindedness is an act of showing care towards the well-being of the community.                                                            Adapted from http://dictionary.com “Civic mindedness is lacking in our society today.” Do you agree with the statement? Justify your stand by giving relevant examples. You should write at least 350 words.
Session 1 2020	“Our positive attitude towards health is influenced by the way we were brought up.” Do you agree with the statement? Justify your stand by giving relevant examples. You should write at least 350 words.
November 2019 (Session 3)	“Traditional beliefs are widening the gaps between generations.” Do you agree? Justify your stand by giving relevant examples. You should write at least 350 words.
July 2019 (Session 2)	Urbanisation is a process whereby people move from rural areas to cities.    (Adapted from online Cambridge Dictionary) (http://dictionary.cambridge.org) “Urbanisation has brought harm to society.” Do you agree? Justify your stand by giving relevant examples. You should write at least 350 words.
March 2019 (Session 1)	“Family has the biggest influence on one’s character.” Do you agree with the statement? Justify your stand by giving relevant examples. You should write at least 350 words
September 2018 (Session 3)	“Failure makes one a better person.” Do you agree with the statement? Justify your stand by giving relevant examples where appropriate. You should write at least 350 words.
July 2018 (Session 2)	“Sports unite people”. Do you agree with the statement? Justify your stand by giving examples where appropriate. You should write at least 350 words.
March 2018 (Session 1)	“Unemployment among graduates today is caused by their own attitude.” Do you agree with the statement? Justify your stand by giving relevant examples where appropriate. You should write at least 350 words.
November 2017	“Rules and regulations are meant to promote discipline”. Do you agree with the statement? Justify your stand by giving relevant examples. You should write at least 350 words.
July 2017	Modern gadgets can be defined as small pieces of equipment that use new technology. Some of these modern gadgets are tabs, smartphones, computers and laptops.                                                                         MacMillan Dictionary.com With reference to the definition of modern gadgets given, do you agree that only children over the age of seven should be allowed to use modern gadgets? Justify your stand by giving relevant examples where appropriate.
March 2017	“Respect for the elders is lacking among youngsters today”. Do you agree with that statement? Justify your stand by giving relevant examples. You should write at least 350 words.
November 2016	“The Internet is often blamed for the lack of creativity and critical thinking in today’s youth.” Do you agree with this statement? You should write at least 350 words.
July 2016	The traditional male role has changed with modernisation. Discuss. You should write at least 350 words.
March 2016	“Competition is healthy.” Do you agree with the statement? Justify your stand by giving relevant examples where appropriate. You should write at least 350 words.
November 2015	“There is a strong link between reading and academic success”.  Discuss.  You should write at least 350 words.
July 2015	“Media is an educational tool”. Discuss.  You should write at least 350 words.
March 2015	“Many tragedies can be avoided if people take preventive actions.”  Discuss.  You should write at least 350 words.
November 2014	“Playing computer games is beneficial for everyone.”  Discuss.  You should write at least 350 words.
July 2014	“The imbalance between the number of boys and girls pursuing university education creates social problems.”  To what extent is this statement true?  Discuss.  You should write at least 350 words.
March 2014	“The trend today among youths is to own the latest technological gadgets such as mobile phones and other devices”.  Is this a healthy development among young people?  Give your opinions.  You should write at least 350 words.
November 2013	“The most important factor which contributes towards a person’s success is he / she himself / herself.”  Do you agree with the statement?  Justify your stand, giving relevant examples where appropriate.
July 2013	“Everyone should aim to become a millionaire by the age of 35.”  Discuss.  You should write at least 350 words.
March 2013	Man’s careless attitude is the main cause for the destruction of the environment.  Discuss.
November 2012	“Women make better leaders than men.”  Do you agree?  Discuss.
July 2012	“Students’ participation in co-curricular activities has been made one of the criteria for entry into universities.”  What do you think of this requirement?  Give your opinion and support it with reasons.
March 2012	“Education is the most important factor in the development of a country.”  Discuss.
End 2011	“A person’s career choice should be determined by his or her interest.”  Discuss.
Mid 2011	“The most valuable thing in life is friendship.”  Do you agree?  Discuss.
End 2010	“In an arranged marriage, the choice of a husband or wife is made by parents or elders.”  What do you think of this practice in today’s society?  Discuss.
Mid 2010	“The world today is turning more to electronic communications such as e-mail, Facebook and Short Message System (SMS).”  What is your opinion of this growing trend?  Discuss.
End 2009	“People commit crime for selfish reasons.”  Discuss.
Mid 2009	“Information and communications technology (ICT) is the cause of today’s any social ills.”  What is your opinion?  Support your answer with examples.
End 2008	“People are becoming more materialistic.  They are concerned with making more money and what money can buy.”  What is your opinion on being materialistic?