Happy 50th Bday, Malaysia!

My school, SMK Taman Molek (JB) celebrated the launch of the merdeka celebrations on the 17th of August. Dark clouds had gathered before the sun rose but we went ahead with the celebration anyway. I prayed that God would hold the rain for a bit longer but He didn't, for a good reason.

That morning, the students had more zest than usual. The celebration started with the singing of the state anthem & the school song. I've never heard such loud singing from the school kids in my 1 3/4 years of teaching.

When the Senior Assistant for student affairs read the speech from the Education Department, it started to drizzle & the students moved to the side of the uncovered assembly ground.

After that, a few patriotic songs were sung, one of which is the Jalur Gemilang. Once again, the students rose up to the occasion. By now, the drizzle had stopped. So, many students moved back onto the assembly ground. They sang their hearts out while waving the national flag. They sang as loud as they could. Their heads facing upwards, full of patriotism.

Then the drizzle started again. Not long after that, when we sang the 'Negaraku', it began to pour cats & dogs. A few ran back to the sides of the assembly ground but this group of students continued standing in the rain & continued singing with so much gusto, although our Senior Assistant gestured for them to take shelter.

My eyes were full of tears, ready to roll down my cheeks the minute I blink. My heart was filled with hope.

If our students would remain patriotic & serve our nation passionately, we definitely have hope for a better Malaysia!

May Malaysia continue to be a land of freedom, harmony & prosperity for all its citizens!

Dad's retirement

My dad officially retired on the 4th of July 2007 but he continued working till yesterday because Batu Kawan Bhd (a company under Taiko Plantations) still needed him.

He was with the company for 29+ years! Talk about faithfulness!!

So many people gave him farewells and treated him to meals the last month. He surely must have made a huge impact in the lives of his colleagues & in his company.