Posting, posting, posting... hehe

   I'm afraid I'm going to bore you with more news on posting.

   Of course, if you're an IPGM-TESL graduate, you might be glad of some news, huh?

   These are pieces of information I collected from my TESL friends, through our FB group. These people have 'connections' with 'insiders', hehe, so hopefully the news will turn out true. I just hope I have time to complete my driving lessons and take the JPJ test before being posted!

   1. My friend Bet said that her father's friend, who's an important personage at the Bahagian Pertukaran Guru, said posting results will be announced on 26th September 2011. Less than four weeks from now.

   2. A TESL boy announced that he got information from JPN Kedah that a meeting at Putrajaya will be held on September 8th 2011. This is when representatives from all the JPNs will gather to collect names for their respective states.
      * It seems that Selangor & Johor need over 1000 teachers. (I think I'd prefer Selangor over Johor. At least I have some family there.)
      * It seems that there's an overload of teachers in Kelantan and Kedah... so doooshhh all hopes of going there are lost. But of course Allah knows best and you never know what can happen, huh?

   3. Another TESL boy said he had the chance to talk to the Head of JPN Sarawak, who said that posting for TESL grads (not sure if he just means IPGM TESL grads, or all, but I suppose just the former since the others haven't filled their forms,  or so I've heard) will be announced sometime in September. So.

   Well, I hope the news will turn out to be true. Let's hope for the best. If you're reading this, please pray that I'll be placed somewhere I'm needed. Insya-Allah.

Posting lagi...

   Kawan saya Ika cakap dia dapat berita dari JPN Johor mengkhabarkan bahawa perlantikan baru untuk bulan 8 dibekukan sebab kerajaan tiada duit untuk bayar gaji. Dengar cerita bukan sahaja perlantikan untuk guru-guru, tetapi juga untuk semua bahagian lain. Bak kata Wani, lepas raya, paling lambat bulan 10.

   Lagi2 tak ada duit. Itu saja komen saya tentang ini. Ataupun mungkin itu saja komen yang saya dapat tulis di sini. Yang lain? Simpan dalam hati saja...

Some news on posting

   Rasa nak tulis in BM.

   Dan rasa nak guna bahasa rojak.

   Dan rasa nak guna BM yg tak betul sangat.

   Sebab saya pun rasa tak betul.

   Kawan2 saya juga ramai yang tengah 'tak betul'.

   Sebab kami semua sedang menunggu keputusan 'posting' yang tak keluar2 lagi.

   "Bila posting ni?"

   "Posting lambat pun takpe... boleh rehat and enjoy lama2 kat rumah... tapi bila tau result eh?"

   "Nak cari kerja lain takut tiba2 kena panggil..."

   "Takut la kena hantar Sabah Sarawak."

   "Lambat posting, lambat la dapat gaji wei..."

   Dan macam2 lagi. Itulah yang menjadi isi perbincangan kami di FB saban hari. Kalau tukar topik pun, akan berbalik semula ke isu posting.

   Semalam kawan saya memberi sedikit informasi dari kawan ayahnya yang merupakan ketua sektor sekolah rendah di salah sebuah negeri di Malaysia (discreet habis... but you know who you are, Wani, hehe. Femes jap u kat sini). Kata kawan ayahnya ini, beliau dipanggil untuk bermesyuarat tentang posting, sepatutnya pada minggu ini tetapi mesyuarat tersebut dibatalkan pada saat akhir. Bak kata kawan saya, kalau macam ni, gamaknya selepas raya lah baru ada berita tentang posting.

   Ada pula yang mengkhabarkan bahawa JPN Sabah & Sarawak serta JPN negeri2 Pantai Timur (semua negeri atau salah satu, saya tak pasti) telah menghantar surat gesaan kepada Bahagian Penempatan supaya mempercepatkan posting kerana mereke memerlukan guru Bahasa Inggeris.

   Ada yang tertanya-tanya jika kami akan di'posting'kan selepas Raya ATAU selepas pilhanraya, hehe.

   Begitulah kisahnya.

   Itulah sebabnya saya malas untuk meng'update' blog.

   Ini sahaja berita yang saya dapat sampaikan buat kali ini.

   Sekian.

   p.s.: Apapun, saya pasti Allah lebih mengetahui BILA dan DI MANA kami akan ditempatkan. BILA dan KE MANA kami dihantar adalah yang terbaik buat kami. Time will tell. And Allah knows BEST :)

   p.s.2: To those who do not understand BM, this is just a random post about posting. No big deal and nothing very useful, so you didn't miss out on much.

   p.s.3:  I wonder... kepada yang mengambil kursus pendidikan di universiti seperti IIUM, UM, UPSI dll, sudahkah anda mengisi borang posting secara atas talian (online)? Dengar kata bulan 8 atau 9?

Posting Results: Waiting 'til We're Nuts!

   I haven't posted anything new because doing it reminds me that I'm still waiting for the posting results.

   And also because I left my practicum files and record books with my lecturer. I was planning to make some good entries out of them, but there you are.

   Over a week ago, the posting results for one of the KPLI programmes (pre-school or pendidikan khas, I don't remember) were announced on the Ministry's website. Duh.

   It's not like I am SUPER excited to start working. Yes, it's true that it'll be nice to start earning money and help my parents out (and get some things for myself!) but since I just got home for about two weeks, I'm still in the mood for relaxing and feeling useless (at times) and baking edible (yes edible, since I'm still pretty much a novice at it) things to eat.

   However, it is annoying to have this nagging feeling whenever the words 'posting results' pop into my head. Ugh. I WANT to know where I'll be sent. I WANT TO KNOW! It's not easy to be patient, huh? Life is all about waiting, I guess.

   Where will I be sent? Will I get a school so near to my house that I can't stay here and save on rent and a lot of other things besides? Will I get a school in some part of Peninsular Malaysia that's umfamiliar to me, like Pahang or Negeri Sembilan? Will I get sent back to the northern parts- maybe Kedah? Or Penang? Will I get sent back to Melaka? (No! No! No!!!!!!) Will I be sent of to the dreaded states: Sabah or Sarawak?

   Arrgghhh!!!! But I suppose this is what most, if not all, teacher trainees go through. I do know that we are a little bit luckier compared to our university friends, who have yet to complete their forms. They have to wait until the end of this year for their results. At least they'll get to stay at home, I guess. We should be grateful. Sigh.

   For lack of nothing to do (yeah, right) and in order to help my jumbled-up thoughts about posting, I've made a list of the possible places that I COULD be sent to and the pros and cons. 

[I should go to sleep, it's 1.37 a.m. and I've to get up early for sahur- it's Nisfu Syaaban! But oh well.]

   1. Kelantan: somewhere so near to my house that I can bike to school

       Bike? Well maybe not, but maybe Abuya could send me or I could drive there when I get my licence.

       Pros 

       No need for rent fees! Yippee!!!

       Save a lot of money! This means that I can give more (insya-Allah) to Ummi and Abuya, as well as save up to do thing that I want to do (like going for umrah and travelling!!!)

       A chance to polish on my meagre Kelantanese speaking skills.

       Get to complete my driving lessons easily!

       Be close to home, all the time!

       

       Cons:

       I might meet someone (a guy) who's a pure-bred Kelantanese. Oh no. (I'm not biased. Honest. I just don't fancy them)

       I'll have to really learn to speak Kelantanese! Yikes!

       I might end up being here forever. I'd like to have the chance to explore other places too.

       Conclusion:

       I still have mixed feelings about this. Though I really want to stay close to where my parents and family are, a part of me says that I want to explore. I dunno. I feel guilty. I haven't said anything to Ummi or Abuya about what I feel. :(

   2. Kelantan: somewhere not-so-near so that I'd have to stay away

       Examples? Gua Musang (I hope not!) Machang? Tanah Merah? Jeli?

Thanks for the welcoming words.
But I dunno.
credits

       Pros 

       I'd get to experience a new place (but still in Kelantan, duh)

       I can come back every weekend or every other weekend- as often as I can!

       Save on travelling fees when I do come home (?)

       Get to complete my driving lessons easily enough if I can come home more often.

       Cons:

       New place? Really?

       If I am posted to someplace in Kelantan, they might as well post me somewhere near so that I'll be able to stay at home!

       Same other cons for being posted near home

       Conclusion:

       I dunno. Kelantan? Only if I get to stay somewhere near home. If I can't, then just put me somewhere else.

   3. Back to good-old Kedah or Penang

       Not such a bad idea. I'd be able to teach in a place where I grew up or went to school. I kind of like this. In fact, 8 out of 10.

       Pros: 

       Familiar surroundings... familiar places
       MakNgah's family and Tok & Wan are there
       I spent all my life except for the last four years in both states- it's kinda close to the heart
       I like Kedah & Penang!!!

       

       Cons:

       Far away from home (Kelantan)

       Conclusion:

       I like the idea- but am not sure Mum and Dad do! (Well they want me to be in Kelantan, which explains everything, hehe)       

   4. Other parts of Peninsular Malaysia

       This won second place on my list of 'nerve-wrecking when I think that I'll be posted here'. And yet it sounds like fun if I could do a bit of exploring.

       Pros: 

       New places! New sights! New surroundings! New people!

       

       Cons:

       Well, it depends on which state it is. I don't really have a thing for Negeri Sembilan (makanan pedas oi!), Johor sounds like an expensive place to live in, Perak and Perlis sounds okay, Terengganu would be good... Pahang is a bit risky because it's so big.

       Conclusion:

       It'll pretty much depend on the state they send me to. 

   5. Back to Melaka where it all began

       The truth is, Melaka isn't such a bad place. In fact, it's quite an awesome state for its small size and I've grown to understand its people from my four years there. For some reason though... I dread being posted there. Too many people who know me...? 

       Pros: 

       Jusco! I love Jusco. And they have so many shopping complexes. 

       I've yet to explore some of the attractions like Zoo Melaka (yeah, duh), the Night Cruise, Duck Tours etc. A bit dumb, really since I had lots of time to go but didn't.

       The people are really nice... in their own way :)

       I've built some good relationships with some people there, which is good, I guess?

       

       Cons:

       It's such a long way from home by bus... 9 hours of travelling back and forth by bus for four years is enough. Quite enough.

       Like I say, I have this uncomfortable feeling of being sent there. Like a premonition. Which I don't understand and therefore do not like

       Conclusion:

       Hmmm.... if I do get sent to Melaka, I'm going to smile bravely and say to myself, "at least you're still in good old Peninsular Malaysia..."

   6. Sabah! Or Sarawak!!!!!!! Aggghhhh!!!!

       Pros: 

       New place. Could be exciting.
       More money! (I hope I don't sound too happy about that)

       I'll get to travel by airplane! Haven't done that for a while.

       Cons:

       Such a long way from home...
       I might get sent so deep into the wilderness that I won't have access to the internet!

       Conclusion:

       While I hope not to be sent here, I feel quite optimistic (for now) about being sent there. 

 7. Overseas?

       Okay that was random. What a silly, silly idea. As if! But it's fun to think that there might be a possibility of it happening. Okay, maybe not. Let's pretend there is, anyway.

       Pros: 

       Scotland would be really cool.... haha. Or they could send me to New Zealand. Or anyplace cool. Yeah.

       Hey, what's not fun about travelling? (Probably lots of things but I won't think of them now)
       I'll be a foreigner! Cool!

       Cons:

       Urm... I don't think I'd afford it, haha

       Conclusion:
       I'm being silly. It'll NEVER happen. Period.


   This is what happens when you think TOO much about where you'll be posted to. This is just me. My friends are cooking up even weirder and funnier things to do!

   Anyway, I put my complete trust in Allah. he knows best. Like Ustaz Kabuye said once, the place we are sent to will be where we are needed most. I hope to be a good teacher. Where? Allah knows best! :)

Arts & Crafts : Origami Yacht

   During practicum, I taught 2 subjects: English and Arts.

   I dreaded the thought of teaching Arts. But I dreaded the thought of teaching Local Studies even more, so when Eza and I had to switch minors from Local Studies to Arts, we were literally bouncing with joy. However, deep in my heart I felt quite nervous.

   When I actually began teaching the subject, I found that it was fun. The fact is, teaching primary school children is fun. It really is. They are always very eager about doing the activities- though I wouldn't say they're quite as good at bringing the materials necessary when you tell them to!

   Thankfully, I teach Art to Year 2 and Year 3, and there are only respectively 7 and 11 pupils in each class, so it's not difficult to bring extra items in case the children forget to do so. When I first started out, it was difficult when they kept forgetting to bring scissors and glue, but later I began purchasing extra tools and items so that nobody would be left out from the fun. You just have to sacrifice some money,  but believe me if you love kids it won't be difficult to do so!

   In this entry, I'd like to share one lesson in which we prepared origami yachts. There are any number of websites that provide suggestions, step-by-step instructions and even pictures to accompany the instructions, which are really helpful. I'm afraid my lesson plan is in Bahasa Melayu though, if I have time I'll make a rough LP later and upload it here.

   So, let's start!

   First, make the yacht. You'll need some coloured paper and scissors.

   You can visit this link to look at the step by step instructions on how to make the origami yacht. The instructions include photos so you'll be okay. Besides, it's super easy!

   *Remember, always remind your pupils to be careful when using scissors.
   My kids tend to point the sharp end of the scissors to their eyes and so on. Playfully, of course, but it should not be permitted whatsoever.

   Secondly, paste the completed yacht onto a piece of drawing paper.

   Thirdly, draw a picture of waves and the sun in the background. Show them some examples, but be sure to tell them that they can be as creative as they like. Like this:

Isn't she neat in doing her work? Those waves are lovely!

   As they do that, go around the class to assist and answer their questions. If they don't have any, just drop some praises here and there, and give words of encouragement. It's important!

My tall and model-like partner Eza. We did a partnered-teaching for this class.

   And there you go! Easy, huh?

   Oh, you haven't met my Year 2 pupils, have you? Well, let's meet 'em! Below are some pictures the children preparing the yacht (oh cripes, I have to keep checking how to spell 'yacht'. Isn't that awful?):

This is Izzat, the class monitor.
Always the last person out of the class.
He helps me sweep the floor and close the windows.
I never had to ask.
He's a real sweetheart.

Syafiq.
A bit 'manja' sometimes, but I suppose it's because he's the youngest in his family.
Has a crush on one of the Year 1 girls, which he shares with his best friend Izzat.
Yikes. Haha.

Izani.
He's a bit of a troublemaker, but he usually behaves well in my classes.
When he attends school, that is.
He's also in remedial class. He's very quiet.

Aina.
One of the brightest in the class.
Probably my favourite (oops...) out of the girls.
She's very well-mannered. She also got As for all her subjects during UPP1.
A sweet girl.

Hajar, the assistant class monitor.
Quite talkative. A good girl, although a bit too playful sometimes.
Her brother is Eza's favourite pupil in Year 4.
She's probably the neatest worker in the class.
Even neater than I am. Oh no.

Adila.
For some time she was the only girl in the class.
Probably the reason why Hakim (another boy whose photo I didn't take during this class)
has a crush on her.
A huge crush.
Kids these days.

   So there you go. Easy as a pie. Though pies aren't really easy (for me anyway... boohoo).

   Anyway, you can visit http://www.origami-fun.com as well as http://www.origami-instructions.com for more ideas on making origami. Have fun!