Dr Rai...

I don't have any favourite artists. Throughout my life, I've fallen in love with a few educators who possess exceptional and remarkable qualities which I truly admire. They are my idols and inspirations. People say that women make good teachers, and probably that is true. Just look at the list of my favourite educators - Dr Joanne V. Rajadurai, Pn. Adabiah, Pn. Rohayate Rahmat, Dr Shakila Manan and Assoc. Prof. Dr Raihanah Mohd Mydin. ; )

In this blog post I'll just talk about Dr Rai and you will understand why she is special. First of all, let me share with you some information about her academic background.
Please click the link below:
https://ukmsarjana.ukm.my/main/lihat_profil/SzAwNzE2NQ==

Dr Rai taught me Comparative Literature when I was at UKM. Well, I can still remember how serious she could be when she tried to engage the whole class in a deep discussion of selected literary texts. Her  enthusiasm, energy, wits and humour blended together so well that I had a totally new experience as a learner in her class. Seriously, I'm not exaggerating here. : ) Despite her serious and intense look, she's a friendly person who's always generous with her sweet smile. She carries an aura of self-confidence which complements well with her thorough knowledge on the subject taught. I like the style and clarity of her speech.  It's just like there's this magnetic force which can attract you to pay attention and listen to her and all you know you're glued...  I can never find her boasting about her achievements as she's a humble and down to earth person. She is good in motivating her own self and others around her and continuously strive for self- betterment as an educator, a researcher, a daughter, a sister, a wife, a mother, a friend, and most importantly as a servant of Allah. She is very much engaged spiritually and philosophically to the teachings of Islam and constantly fueling herself and others around her with the knowledge/information she has gained from various resources. I see her as a moderate person who tries her very best to strike a balance between world (dunya) and hereafter(akhirat). I remember thanking her for introducing me to her teacher, Ustaz Nouman Ali Khan through the YouTube videos she shared on her Facebook wall. In 2011 she shared the idea of  memorising Surah al-Mulk in 30 days(one ayah each day) on her FB wall. I tried but I was slow and it took me longer than 30 days. Still, it is something positive. One can clearly see her burning passion in teaching and relentless thirst for knowledge. I can't explain it any better than how she herself explains her own cravings for knowledge, so check the link below:

http://onestoplearning.blogspot.com/2014/07/youtube-meaningful-learning-and.html

When I reminisce my memories of the past when I was at UKM, I can never forget this one particular event. It was one of the days when I had to attend translation class at FSSK and after class, when it was time for me to go back to my college (Aminuddin Baki), it started raining. I always walked around the campus instead of waiting for the campus bus because the bus was always late and full (the passengers were packed like sardines ; p) . Unfortunately, since I forgot to bring my umbrella on that day, I had to wait for the rain to cease. One of my classmates who car-pooled with another classmate of mine offered me an umbrella so that I could walk in the rain, but I refused to take it as I knew she would also need it later. Soon, everyone had left and I found myself waiting alone at the faculty and there was no sign that it would stop raining.  So, I started walking on the sidewalk in the rain until I almost reached the UKM mosque when I realised there was a car speeding past me and then right a few metres in front of me the car screeched to a halt. The driver reversed her car to greet me in the rain. It was Dr Rai. She offered me a lift back to my college. I was really touched. It's that little act of kindness that she offered unexpectedly which touched me the most.

I felt honoured when she invited me to her brother's wedding and later to her own wedding. Being an extreme introvert, I'm very selective when it comes to attending weddings. As I fully respect and love her, for sure I didn't want to miss her big day. My friend and I went to visit her at home after her baby girl, Sofea, was a few months old. As a wife and mother, she was adapting herself really fast to the changes that had been taking place in her life then... There were some problems but she managed to overcome those problems with her patience and doa. It has been years since I last met her and Sofea. Looking at the pictures now, I think Sofea (10 yrs old) is almost of the same height as me or slightly taller than I am? ; P Sigh!... most probably if we happen to meet again, I'll be too shy and speechless. I don't really know how I'll react... That will be an awkward situation, right? Well, as long as they are doing well and happy, I'll be happy for them. Dr Rai and I still keep in touch - I've been stalking her on FB and once in a while poking her, messaging, liking the videos and photos she shared on her wall.. and that's exactly how we communicate. Sounds childish right?  It's only once in a blue moon, when the guts' button is turned on, I will call her.

Early April this year, when she texted and informed me that she was nominated for the National Academic Award, I was overwhelmed with happiness. She also told me that she would have to teach 8 professors in just 15 minutes. They wanted to see if she was good enough. Humbly, she asked me to pray for her. She said that she could do with a sincere 'doa' from a former student turned friend. Speechless...and touched. Without her having to tell me, I'll always pray for her and her family...Her success comes from Allah. Allah knows of her continuous effort to be a good person by trying her best to live life fully and righteously.  Congrats to Associate Professor Dr Raihanah M.Mydin for winning the National Academic Award 2013 for teaching. (I take my hat off to you Dr Rai ; ) )

May Allah continue to shower His blessings towards her and family...

MLPML
   

Sample Questions PT3 2014 (Ministry of Education)

Please click the link below:

http://www.moe.gov.my/cms/upload_files/articlefile/2014/articlefile_file_003461.pdf

Hold My Hand by Maher Zain

The Simple Present Tense

The simple present tense

Form of the simple present tense

We add -s or -es to the base form of the verb in the third person singular. I                     work You               work He                 works in an office   She                works                         It                    works We                 work You                work They               work

                       

Uses of the simple present tense

a)         Permanent truths

            We use the simple present for statements that are always true:

            Examples: Gases expand when heated.

                               The sun rises in the east and sets in the west.

b)         ‘The present period’

            We use the simple present to refer to events, actions or situations which are true in the

present period of time and which, for all we know, may continue indefinitely. What we are saying, in effect, is ‘this is the situation as it stands at present’:

            Examples: Adam lives in Klang.

                               My sister wears glasses. 

c)         Habitual actions                                

The simple present can be used with or without an adverb of time to describe habitual

actions, things that happen repeatedly:

Examples:  I get up at 5am.

                   Tan smokes a lot.

We can be more precise about habitual actions by using the simple present with adverbs of indefinite frequency (always, never, etc) or with adverbial phrases such as every day:

Examples: I sometimes stay up till midnight.

                  She visits her parents every day.

We commonly use the simple present to ask and answer questions which begin with How often?:

Example: How often do you go to the dentist? – I go every six months.

Questions relating to habit can be asked with ever and answered with e.g. never and sometimes not...ever:

Example: Do you ever eat meat? – No, I never eat meat.

d)         Future reference           

This use is often related to timetables and programmes or to events in the calendar:

Examples:

The exhibition opens on January 1^st and closes on January 31^st.

The concert begins at 7.30 and ends at 9.30.

We leave tomorrow at 11.15am and arrive at 4.00pm.

They leave for Japan next week.

e) Observations and declarations
    We commonly use the simple present with stative and other verbs to make observations                   and declarations in the course of conversation.
    Examples:
    I hope/ assume/ suppose/ promise everything will be alright.
    I bet you were nervous just before your driving test.  
    I love you. I hate him. 
 

                                                  

Verbal Construction (The Verb + - ing or to...) - Part 1

Verbals is a term used to describe three verb forms: the gerund, the infinitive and the bare infinitive.

* The gerund( -ing)          
   running
   Example: Running is good for your health.

* The infinitive (to...)           
   to run

   Example: They had to run to school today.

* The bare infinitive            
   run 
   Example: You must run to keep fit.

Whether we use the gerund, the infinitive or the bare infinitive depends very much on what comes before it in the sentence.  

Choice of gerund, infinitive or bare infinitive after certain verbs

Below is a list of the most commonly used verbs which can be followed by:
1. a gerund (-ing) only;
2. either a gerund or an infinitive (to...);
3. An infinitive only;
4. Verbs followed by a bare infinitive only.
5. Either a gerund or an infinitive (different meaning)



1. Verbs followed by gerund only
- admit                                               - fancy
- anticipate                                        - finish
- appreciate                                       - can't help
- dislike                                             - imagine
- discuss                                            - keep (on)
- enjoy                                               - mention
- avoid                                               - mind
- consider                                          - miss
- complete                                         - recall
- delay                                               - resent
- deny                                                - spend (time or money)
- detest                                              
- postpone
- practise
- quit
- recollect
- risk

Examples:
1. They avoided talking to the old beggar.
2. I really detest having to take exams.
3. I can't help thinking how lucky I am.
4. I resent being told to do it.
5. He spends all his time playing video games.

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

2. Verbs followed by either gerund or infinitive (no change in meaning)
- attempt
- intend
- can't bear
- can't stand
- begin
- start
- stand
- continue                                                                                       

Examples:
1. He attempted swimming/ to swim across the river.
2. I started studying/ to study for my final exams. 
3. She cannot bear listening/ to listen to rock music. 


***********************************************************************************
 
3. Verbs followed by infinitive only
- afford                                                 - hesitate
- agree                                                  - hope
- aim                                                     - learn
- appear                                                - long
- arrange                                               - manage
- choose                                                - mean
- claim                                                  - wish
- consent                                               - offer
- decide                                                - plan
- demand                                              - prepare
- deserve                                              - pretend
- fail                                                     - promise
- struggle                                             - swear
- tend                                                   - threaten
- volunteer                                          

Examples:
1. I can't afford to buy a new car.
2. He aims to become the next Prime Minister. 
3. I didn't mean to hurt her feelings. 
4. He refused to listen to my opinion.
5. I long to swim in the sea. 

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

4. Modal Verb followed by bare infinitive only
- will
- shall
- would
- would rather
- had better
- should
- can
- could
- would sooner
- may
- might
- must

Examples:
1. You must work hard if you want to succeed.
2. Perhaps you would like to see my books.
3. He will be the first foreign teacher to teach here.
4. He couldn't explain why you should take my advice.
5. I had better go home. It is quite late. 

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


5. There is one more small group of verbs which can come before either a gerund or an infinitive. However, the meaning of the sentence changes according to the verbal used.

- forget
- remember
- try
- stop
- regret
- go on


Look at some examples of how the meaning changes according to the verbal used:

a) forget
I forgot to tell him.  ( Meaning: carrying out a duty or fulfilling a task)
I forget playing tennis for the first time. (Meaning: I have no recollection of doing so)

b) remember
I remembered to lock the door, but I forgot to shut the windows. (Meaning: I remembered that I had to lock it, so I locked it)
I know I locked the door. I clearly remember locking it.( Meaning: I locked it, and now I remember this)

c) try
I tried to paint the house. ( Meaning: I made an attempt/ effort to do it)
I tried painting the house pink. (Meaning: I experimented to see how it would look)

d) stop
He stopped to smoke a cigarette. (Meaning: He took a break and smoked a cigarette)
He stopped smoking cigarettes. (He quit/ He gave up smoking)

e) regret
I regret to inform you of his health (Meaning: I am sorry to say/ to tell you/ to inform you...)
I now regret saying what I said. I shouldn't have said it. (Meaning: I did it and now I'm sorry about it) 

f) go on
After discussing the economy, the president then went on to talk about foreign policy. (Meaning: go on to do something= do or say something new)
The president paused for a moment and then went on talking. (Meaning: go on doing something= continue with the same thing)


http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/grammar-reference/verbs-followed-ing-or-infinitive-1

http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/grammar-reference/verbs-followed-ing-or-infinitive-2

introverts...

To know oneself is to know one's strengths and weaknesses. All these will be reflected in one's personality. When I started teaching, my colleague,who was the school counsellor let me answered a personality test and the result was really shocking. I almost scored full marks for being an introvert, which means I'm quite on the extreme edge.

I'm always the odd one in my family. I seldom attend 'kenduri' (feasts) or ceremonies be it for birth, engagement, wedding or funeral. Well, to be honest, maybe I've attended more funerals than wedding ceremonies. Mom used to call me 'kera sumbang' when I was small as I didn't want to socialise. I don't like crowded places like the wet market or the night market. Luckily, I like going to shopping mall ; ) (but not when it is crowded). If I'm at home, most of the time I'll be in my room occupied in my own world. Unlike what others probably think, I'm not lonely. I also always find myself in a difficult position when I have to start a small conversation and usually I'll do anything possible to avoid engaging in a conversation with strangers or the persons I like. Why? I'll be speechless...that's why! I don't really open up or speak to anyone except when I have to. I don't have big circle of friends.The ones I have, I really treasure and they become part of my life and my family. Am I obsessed in being an introvert? Not at all. Obsess is such a BIG word. I am who I am and I can't just lie, deny or pretend to be somebody else. It's a feeling that I'll never be able to explain. Only an introvert can understand another introvert. However, I have to admit that as years pass by, circumstances have pushed me to a certain extent to learn how to imitate extroverts. I'm capable of putting on different masks when I have to and when I choose to. It's not an act to deceive others to believe that I'm one of them but it's more of an act to 'appease' some people, and make the rest happy. No harm in doing little sacrifices to bring smile and happiness to others, right?

MLPML



http://elitedaily.com/life/15-signs-you-are-an-introvert-and-are-secretly-obsessed-with-it/

http://psychology.about.com/od/trait-theories-personality/f/introversion.htm

The Hill

I stand here everyday, where Mertajam lies her plain
facing the hill helps to ease my pain.
I can enjoy the sun rays all day long
this is the place where I belong.

The hill stands majestically
every time I land my eyes on it
I know it may sound silly
but I fall in love with it.

I will climb the hill one day
and reach its peak
In all of its glory
May my soul rest with it.

MLPML

p/s: This is just written for fun... ; )

David Crystal - The Biggest Challenges for Teachers