I'm back!

Back from NZ last week. Will post the experience later in the blog.... But for now, I just want to announce that the results of SSABSA exams 2007 are out!!!!

The SMSs and calls have arrived since this morning.... word of thanks and appreciation. Its good to get thank yous at the end of the year. Makes me feel that I've made a difference in the lives of my students. These results are the turning points of their lives since they determine whether they can pursue their dreams studying overseas - Australia and New Zealand. Of course, as a teacher, I hope that this time round all my students get to go.... so that when I go there for holidays I have people to help me out :). The first person to thank me was Pat. I guess she thanked me quite early in the morning because she had a rough start in the beginning of the semester. Getting the topic and format right for the research paper proved to be a challenge. Hard work paid off! Then Jack called, notoriously known in class as the 'hyperactive' when he's awake in class... always have questions that picks your brain... Its good to have students like him in class, challenging you every step of the way.

Well, I celebrated my birthday with a bang! More of a surprise actually. My students came to the house and brought a birthday cake.... had tears in my eyes.... hehehheh. I asked them to come to the house since it was still Hari Raya and I thought of treating my students with roti jala, nasi himpit and rojak was my way of saying thank you to them too. At least, this year they didn't give me too much headache. And also, I intend to be more charitable.

This coming Sunday, I will be flying off to Penang and then the next day to New Zealand. My ultimate vacation! I have it planned since the beginning of the year. And that was one of the reasons that made me go through some of the unprecedented mishaps this year. It's going to be a 2 week vacation, North-South Island backpacking. Hopefully, I won't break my back! Got the most expensive backpack, Deuter, so it won't pressure my back so much. Haven't packed my things yet, waiting for the last minute. Still got some office work to settle before I go off ... and some shopping to do like I need another cargo pants and track bottom, have enough t-shirts. I wish somebody would invent disposable clothing for backpackers.

2007 querkies

2007 is really weird for me....

Early this week I got an unexpected call from my boss. She asked me about a package that I received last week. I did get a package - a registered letter actually - Nor Fazlin Romli. Well, it did looked like my name, though there's a misspelt of my dad's name. I opened it anyway, just to check whether its mine since it was in my pigeon hole. The content was not mine since it was a piece of official document from an unknown man. Immediately, I returned it to the office... and that was that - case closed.

My boss called because it turned out, it belonged to a student whose name was uncannily similar to mine, residing in the same campus. It was an important document that she needed urgently- for zakat application. Hmmm my boss was quite 'disturbed' over the incident because of the mishandling of the letter, but she didn't blame me... I was just doing my thing... I had to explain myself though (not that its my fault) and apologized profusely.

Who would have thought that there is actually someone else with my name and our path crossed in this letter mishap.

Then, later this week, I received a Raya card from the main office addressed to Nor Fazlin Awang Ramli. Again wrong father's name..... though its just a wish card, but still.... So I had to call them and set the record straight.

My friend asked me, what do I learn from this experience?.... Just that, 2007 is a weird year for me... a lot of unexpected events happened. Wonder what's next.

Hey... at home again. Did some house chores... like washing the curtains and cleaning the windows. I know Raya is 1 month from now, but can't blame me for starting early. Fasting month is not really the time to d heavy duty house cleaning.

Got to finish my work since I have the whole day to sit in front of the computer. Last nite, I managed to do quite a lot of work.. so today hopefully a whole bunch of them. I'm still behind in terms of marking students' work, updating emails, answering students' questions etc...

But I still need to go out for lunch.. and go to the money changer. Need to get NZ dollars for this november vacation. So far I have NZD500... need about another RM1000 if I want a 'comfortable' holiday. Today exchange for another NZD500.

Ok get back to work now... still can't figure out how to use EndNote.. anybody.. help!

Called in sick today. the doctor gave me 2 days MC.... I needed the break to heal physically and emotionally...

I've been through tough times lately. Break-ups, work load etc. I guess my body is telling me to slow down. The things that are going on in my life are taking their toll on my health.... I'm not having any serious illness, just the common flu, due to lack of rest. I'll be taking these 2 days mc to really relax..... but i can't relax... work... pending work... but at least I'm home and do some catching up with what really matters in life.

A lot of things happened

The last time I wrote something in this blog was last november.... that was quite sometime ago. A lot of things happened... I mean a LOT....

Well, I got my appendix removed in december... I didn't see it coming though I had some symptoms. But I thought it was the usual 'gas' making its way in the gastronomical areas. Frankly, it was PAINFUL..... indescribable, but I always put on a brave face... no good crying. The pain killers helped a lot in dealing with the pain especially after I had my meals.....


Anyway, that is just half of the story.... after surgery, the doctor told me something that I never imagined... to be continued...

Have to sign off now, got to return the keys to the office. Locked myself out yesterday