I may be old, but I am the youngest in the level! Hhahaaa. The bangle is nice, the muffins' filling(hungry,right timing eh Azah?) and the cake's delicious.

I received a message from Mama in the afternoon asking me to call her. "Important," she said. When I did, she sang me the birthday song. How touching, right? And....Mama, as always, gave me a card and a present (which she put in one of MY boxes I keep in the wardrobe). The content of the card made me cry. In it, she mentioned how she will always pray for my well-being and that I will be an anak soleha. It was a lil more emotional because when she picked me up from SIM, I threw a tantrum in the car while on the way back. She bought me a gold bracelet. For someone who's trying to save what little money she has left of her monthly factory pay, that's...something only mothers would do. I re-read the card before I left for school the next morning... just to remind me of my ma's love.

And last Saturday, she cooked a lot of stuff and invited my aunts, uncles, grandparents and uncles to celebrate my birthday. Ma had a night shift the day before and for her to come back home, forgoing her sleep, going to the market, cooking and cleaning just for me is proof that a mother's love has no limitations. The small celebration was great because it's been a while since we had a family get-together. Anyway, I was too busy eating and layan-ing Bibik and the other aunts with their eh-bende-Avon-ni-lawa that I didn't take any photos.

My brother is another one who made me feel lucky. A simple sms from him to remind the sister of her big 2-4 and a Korean DVD (which I chose myself hehehe) as a birthday present...I think NS is changing my brother for the better!

Nurul smsed me. It's definitely different this year (as it was last year). I remember when I turned 22, I went to Breeks with her and Bidin, who said, 'It's your day...we'll follow exactly what you want to do, where you want to eat...." A treat from him, a figurine + an Esprit dress from the both of them and ONLY the three of us at Marina's Breeks (really, the outlet had no other customers!); I thought that was one of the best moments I've had with those two. If I had a wish, I would have asked for their presence back. Just like old times. But we're all heading to different directions in life and as much as I hate to admit that we're such different people now, it's true...However so, I do know that these two will remain special people in my heart and I know, without a doubt, I am in theirs. Because the last words the bestfriend said to me in her message was..."you've always been in my heart babe..love ya"...and I know how genuine and sincere she is.

Onni Lia bought me a cake! And we had a mini celebration while we played games at Mind Cafe. AND SHE GOT ME MADE-IN-KOREA NOTEPADS. Which I don't want to use...because very sayang like that!

And we sang me a birthday song IN KOREAN! heheheehee.

Onni Lia: Takperla, since Hairie cannot come and celebrate with you...
Me: HAHAHAA.

But Onni! Does this mean I have a reason to demand something from him? Hurhurhurhur.

( Mind Cafe @ Princep St )


My remedies.

This group of kiddos are the best 'present' for my birthday this year. My 32 wonderful kiddos.

That Thursday, I walked into the class smiling. And the conversation with my darlings went like this...

Smart girl: Miss Noraihan, why are you smiling? Is it because we are very quiet today?"

I nodded (really, the class was extremeeelllyyy quiet that day..not that they were not on other days; they have all along been well-behaved).

Me: I have an announcement!
Another smart girl: I knowwww! We going to change class to 1A or 1B so we don't need to climb up four floor everyday!!
Me: Hahaaaa. No. It's not that. We can't change class. You don't want to be in 1L?
Class: WE WANNTTTT!!!
Me: Ok good. Then listen to what I have to say.....Today is a very happy day for me. Because today is my birthday!
Class: YEAYYYYY!!!!!!

And then they started to sing me a birthday song! No, I didn't ask for it. My kids are very intiative like that hehehehe.

Smart girl: Miss Noraihan, what is your wish???
Me: Hmmmmm...
Another smart girl: You want us to behave righttt??
Me: Hhahahaaa yes. And I wish that you would do well in your studies, listen to your mummies and daddies and me(!!) and always try your best in what you do.

Smart boy: Miss Noraihan!! How old are you???
Smart boys and girls: I know you are 21...29...31...26...17(hahahaha) *insert numbers below 35 here*
Me: Guess....I'll tell you if you behave.

Smart girl: I KNOWWWW! YOU ARE SEVEN YEARS OLD LIKE US!!!!!!

And with that, the whole class broke into laughters.

( 30 + 2 = 32 )

I know, they're cute, right?? I thank God everyday for these kids. Not because they are cute. But because they are the reason why I'm going to work everyday. They are the ones who would upset me with their behaviour (forget to bring books, talking while walking to class etc) but they are also the ones who would put the smile back on my face with their antics. They are the cause of my worry (education) but they are also the reason why I enjoy teaching.

I love my kids. =))


So there was no extravagance when I turned 24. And despite not looking forward to turning a year older, I am thankful nontheless, to be bestowed with wonderful family, superb friends, an always-there bestfriend, darlings kids and a job I love.

Alhamdullilah.

It's been a little more than a year since I last wrote an essay. Back in NIE, it wasn't much of a problem to write (or rather type) a 2500 word essay. I've just completed chapter 2 of Changing English and I'm already feeling tired. There's two more chapters....I really don't mean to start this late (essay due this Tuesday) but I was swamped with work the past two weeks (when have I not been, anyway). Maybe it was much easier back then because I was a full-time student. Right now, I'm a teacher by day and a student by night. I'm still adjusting. I'm still trying to get back my momentum. I know a lot of my friends are in the same situation as I am - juggling work and studies - and I take comfort in the fact that we're here for each other and I know they can make it...so... can I. History of English is quite confusing at the moment, but it's not rocket science either. So, I shall persevere and I know, by hook or by crook, I'm going to get my essay done before Tuesday's over.

I'm going to plough on a little more before I head off to bed.

And I hope my kids are ready for their CA2.

My dear 1L kiddos,
Aza Aza Fighting!!