| Thursday, March 30, 2006 |
| M! The Opera |
(before the show…)
M was for Magical
M was for Monumental
M was for Malaysiana
(during the show…)
M was for… were they Miming?
M was for Melodrama
M was for Miraculous voices
(during intermission…)
M was for 15-Minute break?
M was for the Muse of the Music
M was for the Method of Madness
(and in the end…)
M was for Mesmerizing fashion
M for Magical Moments
M for …. eh kau Mimpi ke? (my friend is sleeping)
~Adapted from “Blog of An Executive Producer – Sunita Rajakumar” Labels: cekmi's disorienting rumbles |
| mused by cekmi @ 5:31 PM |
|
|
|
| Tuesday, March 28, 2006 |
| Kerana Corona |
It may not be like a BMW
But it has served like one
Taking me to where I am
From the place I was
It may look like an old automobile
But it has mobilized like one
Bringing all the educated in the family
To the places they are
It may look like a useless waste
But it has been strong like a metal
Serving the family for 30 years
At the expense of a father’s patience
It may look worthless to car lovers
But it has taught me the first lesson
Putting me at the driver’s seat
Making me a good manual driver
It may not be a favorite these days
But it has been the family’s pet
Reminding me of the family’s tradition
Of the fond memories that money can’t buy
It may not be comparable to father’s new Wira
But this Toyota Corona will forever be with us
So thank you PV2702
For bringing the family closer, once
Twice, thrice, and a lot moreLabels: cekmi's memory lane |
| mused by cekmi @ 2:21 PM |
|
|
|
| Saturday, March 25, 2006 |
| When Cekmi Got Sewel |
When Cekmi got sewel, he did this.
     With a stylish RM9.00 hair-do at He-Cut Shop done by a professional mamak with a free bottle of mineral water, Cekmi finally released at least 82.5% of the tension accumulated during his final examination period. He could now study without much hair-rising headache. And he could now spare much of the time wasted in the morning getting a right hairstyle for his studies. Less worries. Isn’t he perasan cute? Mawi FC must be smiling. World! Labels: cekmi's stupid acts |
| mused by cekmi @ 6:38 PM |
|
|
|
| Wednesday, March 22, 2006 |
| My Beautiful Classes |
This semester has been extra special for me. First, it is my last semester as a master’s degree student. In a matter of days, there will be no more classes to attend, no more difficult lectures to listen to, no more happy pressures for examinations, no more mind-boggling assignments to submit, no more student’s crazy datelines, no more campus life, no more nerve-cracking triple lives. There is only one thing left – my thesis writing, which I am independently undertaking so ‘passionately’. I am hoping that I can complete the research work by August this year, if and only I can create a miracle and transform myself into a wonder man.
Secondly, as a lecturer, this is my first time teaching Business Communication. It has been such a rewarding and satisfying experience, despite my being so amateurish and inexperienced. My students have been so surprisingly enthusiastic, co-operative and diligent. Most importantly, we definitely had a lot fun.
Besides Business Communication, I am also teaching the other two language-proficiency classes. One, Diploma Level 4 which consists of only 9 female students. Despite the small of number of students and all-girl class, these pretty ladies have been very mysteriously passive, which perplexes me most of the time. I wonder whether I am too serious that puts some gaps between us, or I am too friendly that makes them too shy to approach me, afraid that I will take it as boyfriend-girlfriend thingy, which I will certainly not condone to (or even perhaps there are no boys in the classroom to tease, challenge and motivate them!). I thought I had tried most of the teaching techniques to bring out the precious gold in their mouthes, but it was somewhat a failure. Nevertheless, I like their company since I can concentrate on them more compared to other big classes. Only there is something missing which I am always curious of knowing. Second, my Diploma English 3, which consists of 44 students. The large number of students makes me a little uneasy, and at times, losing some control over their excessive behaviour. It indeed tests my patience. But, I surely enjoyed teaching them. Undoubtedly.
The third class is Section 4 of Business Communication. I love these people, but the gigantic number of students in this section makes me disorientated all the time. Monitoring 45 students is not that easy to handle, especially when the coursework marks account for 60% of overall grade. However, they are so hardworking who happily managed to bear with my ever demanding tasks – all those business letters, memos, reports, interviews, mock meetings and power point presentations. Congratulations to the CEOs and Presidents of each company – Wedding Paradise Sdn. Bhd., Lane Line Transportation Sdn. Bhd., Teratai Crystal Corporation and Songket Mas Travel & Tour. You guys have done a splendid job! I am truly impressed.
Finally, and thank God, there is a class which I am always comfortable with. It is not that I am being biased, but, as a normal human being, I cannot help feeling this way. Some things just attract our attention than others. The class that I am referring to is Business Communication Section 6. This is my most happening class this semester. They are the last bunch of students I meet after having been through the previous ‘tough’ three consecutive classes. There are 20 of them, which is ideal for teaching and learning. I don’t know, these people always make me smile, warm my heart, and release the tension I usually have during hectic morning classes. This class really brings out the best in me. I adore them. To Rose Wedding Paradise Sdn. Bhd. and Royal Supplies Enterprise – you really make me proud. Thanks people, for bringing all the joy and laughter throughout the classes. It proves that a lecturer can be a good friend too. (Tips for new students: next semester, don’t register for a class with a big number of students because, in normal circumstances, students as well as the lecturers have some difficulties to perform to their fullest capacity in a big class).
To all my dear students, I apologize for all my wrongdoings. I wish you all the best for your upcoming Final Examination (and wish me luck for my papers too!). You have been such wonderful buddies to me. Indeed, I have touched your lives, and you have touched mine.
 Shy girls: Diploma English 4
Rose Wedding Paradise Sdn. Bhd.
Royal Supplies Enterprise
Wedding Paradise Sdn. Bhd.
Lane Line Transportation Sdn. Bhd.
Teratai Crystal Corporation
Songket Mas Travel & Tour 
Most Happening Class! Labels: cekmi's academic world |
| mused by cekmi @ 1:08 PM |
|
|
|
| Monday, March 20, 2006 |
| Biri-Biri Berbulu Biru |
Going interpersonal can be so complicated, yet full of fun. Let's see what happened.
_______________________________________________
Venue: Restoran Sate Kajang Hj. Samuri, Uptown
Time: A ‘drunken’ night
Sate eaters:
A: Blurred-cekmi
B: Sweet-teaser
C: Sweet-talker
D: Sweet-lady
***
8.51 pm
C: So tomorrow, you cook ayam gulai darat for us ok?
A: Ala, where got ayam to buy now?
B: Never mind, we bring you the ayam tomorrow.
D: Hah cekmi, later you can post the recipe in your blog ok?
C: Ok, tell us the recipe now.
A: Er, so many. First - rempah.
C: What rempah?
A: Rempah ratus.
***
9.31 pm
A: I live near Masjid Syakirin, Jalan Gombak.
C: I don’t like Jalan Gombak.
D: Why?
C: You have to know all those Batu.
D: Oh?
C: Yes, like Batu 1, Batu 1 and a half, 2, 3 and all that.
B: No road name?
C: No.
B: Hello Cekmi, where is your house?
A: Jalan Gombak.
***
10.17 pm
C: Eh, you put on minyak kerisik on you hair ke?
B: Patutlah harga minyak naik.
C: Hei, not that minyak lah.
B: Sama lah tu.
C: You must go to Batu Caves always kan? Very near to you place.
A: Yes, next time we can climb.
B: Climb what?
A: Gunung Caves.
***
10.54
C: Do you know gelenya?
A: No.
C: Sapa yang Kelantan murtad ni?
D: Kelantan is full of English words kan?
A: Yes, my late grandmother –
D: Hah? Malek?
***
11.30 pm
Waiter: Mintak maaf lah cik, kedai dah nak tutup ni.
Yes, someone needs to be trained in interpersonal skills.
But, what an enchanting evening.
Cekmi really got kena teruk, until he got hair ache.
Thanks Cekya for the wonderful treat.
Tatot, you cannot stop talking ek?
WTL, you are such a sweet lady.
Now I know.
Biri-biri berbulu biru (Read: It's nice meeting you all - Source: Tatot)Labels: cekmi's wild moments |
| mused by cekmi @ 10:07 AM |
|
|
|
| Thursday, March 16, 2006 |
| Trained To Be Trained |
I love training. Early last month, when I was told that I was going to attend a training on Communication and Interpersonal Skills at Sheraton Subang Hotel, I was so thrilled that I quickly postponed all the classes on 14 and 15 February. Stupid cekmi, only later that he realized the training was supposed to be on 14 and 15 March. Hah! Out of extreme excitement, I could not wait to attend this training (or any other trainings, it doesn’t matter). For some people, going to training could mean that the employers are dissatisfied with their poor performance and hope they will miraculously change within a day or two after the ‘brainwashing’ sessions conducted by tip-top trainers. Yes, to certain extent, it might as well apply to my current situation. What’s more, the two-day training that I have just attended did prove a lot more than being able to please an unhappy boss. It has also convinced me that it was worth postponing and having to replace all my classes this Saturday. These are the top 5 reasons. 5. Johor Room  Conducted in a small suite, with almost-complete facilities, with only 5 trainees, it was a perfect spot for a luxurious getaway. This effectively made possible for positive small-group quarrels and fights among the trainees. More importantly, with closer eye contact, I managed to get all the attention of my pretty trainer. 4. The Trainer Jessica, our trainer, was unbelievable. She was a splendid talker, ‘actress’ and entertainer who knew how to amuse her audience with all those intelligent ‘nonsense’ – her passion in marine life and her political ramblings over Samy Vellu. True, she was indeed superb. Looking at her energetic and fun character, one could easily be deceived with her appearance – she is 41, but she speaks like a genius 17 year-old girl.  All loud-mouthed trainees with Jessica (the cutest one tu…)
3. Time-out
Funny, all the participants were my colleagues from the same department, except Anna, an Indian girl from a computer company. So, you can imagine the hilarity and loudness we had messed up during the whole training session. To be honest, we were actually taking the time out, by doing some funny things we couldn’t possibly do in the office. We were like kids in disguise. Teaching the same course – Business Communication – we were more than eager to merrily ‘show off’ our skills. Poor Anna, she could have been intimidated by our extreme laughter and jokes, but she really could make a good friend.
 Anna & The King
2. A Bitter Truth to Digest
On a serious note, training is supposedly a good ground for us to improvise ourselves. Having done so many group activities on interpersonal skills, I learnt one important thing about myself – I am a bad listener. When I was asked to repeat 10 things said to me, I managed to repeat only 3 things. So poor in listening, I self-rated myself at 3 out 5 points. Okay, I admitted that I hardly listen to people these days. So, I must improve on my listening skills, so that I will be a good manager, successful in life, live to the fullest, bla bla bla.
1. The Food 
Yes! Here comes the most prominent feature of a good training session – foods. So marvelous and exquisite, the vast array of buffet served in the 5-star hotel was indescribably intoxicating that my dieting seemed out of fashion. Well, it is not everyday that these financially-deprived people had the chance to enjoy this hotel extravagance. At the end of the day, everybody had a jolly stomach. So full, I felt like a spoilt happy fool. After all, training is all about good foods, isn’t it?
So send proposals to your bosses and go training. Be trained. You’ll love it.
 Grand Certificate-giving Ceremony (yo yo…)
 happy cekmi (until terduduk) Labels: cekmi's wild moments |
| mused by cekmi @ 1:29 PM |
|
|
|
| Monday, March 13, 2006 |
| They Are Laughing |
 Are you familiar with the above symbol? A star? No. If you are not sure, let me show you this image for a clue.  Got it? Can you see the resemblance? Yes, correct. It is a famously damned Zionist image on the flag of Israel, isn’t it? The overlapping triangles represent Stars of David - the two eyes (you can find one of these eyes in US note), and the six angels are the significant association with Jewish community. So, why am I telling this? Don’t worry, I am not promoting anything Jewish here. It is just that I have found the above image somewhere familiar, not in my students’ grammar book, not on TV3, not in ringgit note, but at a familiar building near to my place. Care to guess where it is? Let me give you a clue (let’s play teka-teki).
okay lah, bigger.
 My college? No.
A bungalow? No.
Okay now, bigger.
 Library? No.
Shop house? No.
Okay, ready for the truth?
 Surprised? Yes, it is a mosque – Masjid Saidina Hamzah – the very mosque I went to perform Jumaat prayer last Friday, which is very near to my college. More surprisingly, these Jewish images are everywhere in the mosque, even at the top of it where a bilal’s voice is calling for prayer.
 I don’t know what is happening here. It could be coincidence, a mere innocent design and structure of the building which is harmless and proves nothing. But, being a skeptical cekmi, I can’t resist the thought of a conspiracy theory – there might be a hidden agenda and propaganda behind all this. Some culprit architects mush have conspired this clever plan by changing the design secretly into something subtle, which is hardly noticeable by our fellow muslims.
As a matter of fact, I have noticed the existence of these images long time ago, not only at this particular mosque, but also at many other mosques around Malaysia (don’t be surprised if you stumble into Zionist symbols smartly printed on our sejadah). I even spotted them at a humble mosque very near to my house in Kelantan! My own cousin even decided to construct the grand fence, with hidden Jewish symbols of course, around his new luxurious house in Paloh Rawa. When I was at his house during Hari Raya last year, I tried to reveal this fact.
“Abang Ji, do you know that this is a Zionist symbol?” I said cozily, trying not to offend him.
“Ye ke?”
“Try to look at it closely.”
“Hmmmm…”
Looking at his expression, I was optimistic that he would change the design soon.
Then, he said, “Ala cekmi, it is only a design lah.”
I am not sure about you, but I found this whole thing quite disturbing. I might overreact over nothing, which is not even an issue. But, does red rose symbolize love? Does tudung or kopiah represent someone’s religiousness? (Okay lah, don’t judge the book by its cover kan?). But again, should they consider a more Islamic symbol: may I suggest two overlapping squares with 8 angles, instead of 6 angles (angels?)?
Like this?
 That is the supposedly Islamic symbol, which can be easily found everywhere in International Islamic University Malaysia, even in its logo (my college also adapts the same symbol, thank God!).
When I went swimming at IIUM’s olympic-sized pool yesterday, I found this adapted symbol all over the place. Alhamdullilah.
 Until it is renovated, Masjid Saiyidina Hamzah might as well be called – a Jewish mosque! (and they are laughing). Labels: cekmi's candid observation |
| mused by cekmi @ 5:32 PM |
|
|
|
| Saturday, March 11, 2006 |
| Don't Do This |
“Don’t you ever, ever, dare doing this in our kampung!” said my sister.
For few delighful minutes, we were laughing hysterically.
“Why not? It’s a new modern style!” I finally said, still holding the giggles.
“Modern style? Shame on you! Malu oi!”
“For your information sister, I bought this at a shop and the sales girl did not say anything about babies.”
“Hello! Can’t you see the rope on top of it? It’s obviously for a little baby, you idiot!”
“No!! It’s for the food!”
So, what’s wrong with this pink food cover?
 Labels: cekmi's stupid acts |
| mused by cekmi @ 9:45 AM |
|
|
|
| Wednesday, March 08, 2006 |
| True or False? |
I am quoting a reading quiz given to my Diploma English Level 4 students:
“Our greatest hopes and most exciting dreams almost always involve human relationships. This means that we are always at the mercy of those who, because of their position, can destroy our hopes. The unfaithful lover, dishonest business partner, ungrateful employer or disloyal friends have the power to shatter, in just a few moments, years of carefully nurtured dreams.”
And one of the questions is:
“People cannot shatter our dreams. True or False?”
Based on the reading passage and the teacher’s answer key given to me, the answer is – False.
Happy? Not that easy.
I found the statement and the answer quite ironic. When I announced the answer to the class, I was hesitant, whether to be objective or subjective. I was tempted to say – True. If that was my answer, I would violate the writer’s viewpoints and the teacher’s answer key. Never mind. Subjectively though, I can claim that it is so true that people cannot shatter our dreams, can they?
All right, so my dreams have been for so many times crashed by those powerful people around me. But. But. But, I have never stopped dreaming and trying to realize them in other possible ways. We may be subordinates, but with regards to our dreams, they cannot possibly, in one way or another, destroy those dreams, unless we easily give in to the fate and let the fate takes charge of our lives. I believe humans’ spirit can be extremely stubborn and sophisticatedly equipped with dangerous weapons – beliefs and hopes. We are also given such tremendous choices in life, and we can choose to continue our dreams. As sexy Mariah Carey evokes in her song “Can’t Take Them Away”, and her duet with Whitney Houston “When You Believe”, I am truly inspired not to let anyone ruin my ways of doing things.
My unfaithful lover might have destroyed my romantic idea of love, but that cannot stop me from searching for a real love.
My dishonest colleague might have crossed over the promotion I wanted badly, but that cannot stop me from looking for better positions.
My ungrateful employer might not have acknowledged me for my tireless contributions in the company, but that cannot stop me from being a better player in the dirty politics of organization.
My disloyal friend might have cancelled the trip to Langkawi, but that also cannot stop me from going to Langkawi, alone.
(So students, you can take your pick – choose my answer and fail the reading quiz, or you can hold fast to your dreams and pass this life with flying colours, okay?)
Now again, can’t people shatter our dreams?
Labels: cekmi's immature thoughts |
| mused by cekmi @ 4:01 PM |
|
|
|
| Tuesday, March 07, 2006 |
| My Sins |
| Greed: | High
| | | Gluttony: | Medium
| | | Wrath: | High
| | | Sloth: | Medium
| | | Envy: | Low
| | | Lust: | Medium
| | | Pride: | High
| |
The Seven Deadly Sins Quiz on 4degreez.com Answer these questions:-
1. greed - what luxury item did you last buy?
My Bvlgary, bought 10% off in Langkawi
2. gluttony - what is your favorite food?
Nasi Ayam Mancongkam, especially bungkus one
3. wrath - what makes you angry?
When stupid TNB always sends me electric bills I have paid
4. sloth - when are you at your laziest?
Geeting up from sleep, knowing I have an 8 o’clock class
5. envy - what brings the green-eyed monster in you?
Seeing a good décor in a friend’s house
6. lust - what / who do you lust after?
What? Hot chocolate. Who? Evita Peron.
7. pride - what are you most proud of?
Breaking up, living alone, finishing master’s degree (ok lah, the most one is: - my baby face, ahaks!)
Okay enche zuhri? Labels: cekmi's true colours |
| mused by cekmi @ 6:13 PM |
|
|
|
| Wednesday, March 01, 2006 |
| Ten Reasons Why I Hate My Lecturer |
Accepting the fact that life is offering so much imperfection, I am not used to grumbling about it, particularly when it comes to dealing with people you handsomely detest. It is funny that, being a lecturer myself, I am so much uncomfortable with my own lecturer in my master class. Now, I am going to declare war with him, for ten reasons:
1. He gave the course outline few weeks after the semester began
2. He seems to be very playful with time-management (especially classroom punctuality)
3. He teaches as if we know everything what he says (easily put, syok sendiri)
4. His teaching is haphazard (simply put, he blabbers all the time)
5. His instructions for any assignments are vague, confusing and irritatingly mysterious
6. He usually digresses ‘intelligently’ when answering to my simple questions
7. His explanations are lengthy and hardly down-to-earth
8. He always asks me to redo the assignments (which means another burden)
9. He sometimes discriminates his students (his ex-students versus fresh ones)
10. He calls only his few favourite students in the classroom (senang cerita, pilih kasih)
Morals of the story:
1. Knowing that I concurrently experience similar sentiments that my students feel in the classroom, I am hoping that I won’t do those ten things (that my lecturer does to me) to my very own students
2. Realizing that, for some clever reasons, I might be at fault (not my lecturer) and that I can do something to remedy the coldness in my master class, I hope my students will do the same thing – accepting my weaknesses and limitations, and therefore being able to do something clever in the classroom, rather than solely blaming me for all their non-performing behaviours in the classroom
3. Whether we like our lecturer or not, they still hold most of the coursework marks (all we have to do is to learn the art of human relationship)
“Ninety percent of the art of living consists of getting along with people you cannot stand” ~Samuel Goldwin~ Labels: cekmi's beastly grumbles |
| mused by cekmi @ 8:45 AM |
|
|
|
|
|
