Lately there have been a lot of feasting, a lot of good food being served and most times we over indulged ourselves. All this good food reminded me of my first couple of years in SMK Serian. That was the time when I either survive on cream cracker biscuits and instant mee or join the teachers staying in another quarters for my meals. I had very simple meals then.
I could not expect much as I paid only RM30.00 per month for two meals a day, four days a week. It was actually only RM25.00 but I paid an extra RM5.00 for meat which one of the teachers was not required to pay since she told the rest that she could do without meat. So it was only four of us paying for meat and that meant tenggiri (mackerel) and luncheon meat. There was no chicken or any other meat on the menu. So it was fried tenggiri for Mondays and Wednesdays and luncheon meat on Tuesdays and Thursdays served with two vegetable dishes. The vegetables were sawi (Chinese mustard), white stem 'pek chai', long beans, french beans, canned sweet corn, canned green peas, dried radish fried with eggs and occasionally we had brinjal or ladies' fingers.
The reason for the occasional dish of brinjal which was normally fried with eggs was because one of the teachers does not take brinjal as she was told by someone that brinjal is not good for the skin while the volunteer service teacher who's British doesn't take ladies' fingers and the reason given in her own words: "Who wants to take something which is like the slime that comes out from the nose?" What can all those ladies' fingers lovers out there say to that? It was definitely a tough job trying to cater to each and everyone likes and dislikes.
The weekly menu was the same but luckily for me, I'm not picky about my food. My grandma taught my siblings and I since we were small kids not to be picky about our food otherwise, we would face problem when we leave home to work elsewhere. My grandma had never ventured out to work; she married my grandfather when she was sweet sixteen and yet she showed such wisdom.
I had no complain at all about the food and in fact I enjoyed every meal. Why not, when it was definitely much better than having biscuits and milk or instant mee! Besides, I didn't have to sweat over the cooking; even the marketing was done by those teachers when they were back in Kuching during the weekends. They also shared their fruits either bananas (usually pisang rajah) or the local oranges with me. What more could I have asked for.
In my opinion, it doesn't matter if the meal is simple or the menu is the same every week. As long as the company is right, the meal will be an enjoyable one.
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Monday, October 20, 2008
Immigration woes
Well, even though I had settled matters concerning the stomach, all was not yet rosy. You see, I was given only a one month stay in the state by the officer manning the immigration counter at the airport.
So once the bell signalling the end of school for Friday went off, I joined those teachers from Kuching and headed straight for the Serian bus station to catch the 12.30 pm express bus to Kuching and from there to get onto the Chin Ling Long bus No.18 to Simpang Tiga where the immigration office is located. There was no time for lunch except for a red bean bun which I ate during the one hour plus journey.
Reached the immigration office after two and surprise, surprise, a few others who were posted to the state the same time as me were already there with the same problem including my friend with whom I squatted with at the government rest house and who was posted to St. Augustine, Betong. As it was the usual scenario in those days, we were kept waiting for some time before someone finally approached the counter.
After considering our predicament, the officer told us that we just have to apply for an extension every month. Naturally, we argued as it was most illogical and it was not as if we applied to be posted here; we were after all posted by the education ministry. I even insisted that there must be an exception for federal officers posted to the state which prompted the officer to refer to a book and after flipping through the pages we were told that teachers were not in the list and he even showed us the page in the book related to the education service. I pointed out that educators were on the list but according to the officer, educators do not include teachers. This really makes one wonders what do teachers actually do if not to educate! As no solution seemed to be forth coming, we requested to see the superior officer but as usual, superior officers are hardly ever available when you need to see them. So we had to make arrangement to return the following week.
The second time round at the immigration office was no plain sailing either. One of the guys was allowed to go in to see the officer in charge and he was told to get a letter from the education office. So he went up (luckily the education office was in the same building) to look for our posting officer who then called up the immigration officer and this was followed up with a letter which was handed over to the immigration officer. After waiting for sometime, a decision was made and we were told we would be given a one year pass. Ha, bet you thought everything was finally settled which was what our posting officer thought too.
He was really surprised to see us again the following week (we were not able to get hold of him after being told that we would be given a one year pass as he was already attending to some other matters elsewhere). This time round we insisted that our posting officer go down to deal with the immigration officer as it seemed we were getting no where. Our posting officer didn’t really have a choice because if the problem with the immigration was not settled, it meant packing up and home sweet home for us. After having a closed door discussion, he came out to inform us that the problem has been settled and we finally had our passport endorsed for an indefinite stay. Just imagine having to rush to the immigration office for three consecutive Friday! But, this was not my one and only brush with the immigration department.
The next time I was there was when my passport expired and being very innocent, I did not renew my passport before the expiry date. You know, teachers are forever busy so, I waited until the school holidays before I went to the department to make a renewal and that was when I was told that I had been staying in the state illegally and that I could be jailed for the offence. I didn’t know then about the state constitution and the 20 point-agreement made when the state together with Sabah agreed to join Malaya to form Malaysia. Luckily for me, I was let off with just a caution and told to make sure to get my passport renew before expiry date in future.
My hope is, in the not so distant future, I can stay here indefinitely without having to go through any hassle about passport requirement, etc. After all I am Malaysian and I have spent all of my productive years serving in the state educating sons of Sarawak!
So once the bell signalling the end of school for Friday went off, I joined those teachers from Kuching and headed straight for the Serian bus station to catch the 12.30 pm express bus to Kuching and from there to get onto the Chin Ling Long bus No.18 to Simpang Tiga where the immigration office is located. There was no time for lunch except for a red bean bun which I ate during the one hour plus journey.
Reached the immigration office after two and surprise, surprise, a few others who were posted to the state the same time as me were already there with the same problem including my friend with whom I squatted with at the government rest house and who was posted to St. Augustine, Betong. As it was the usual scenario in those days, we were kept waiting for some time before someone finally approached the counter.
After considering our predicament, the officer told us that we just have to apply for an extension every month. Naturally, we argued as it was most illogical and it was not as if we applied to be posted here; we were after all posted by the education ministry. I even insisted that there must be an exception for federal officers posted to the state which prompted the officer to refer to a book and after flipping through the pages we were told that teachers were not in the list and he even showed us the page in the book related to the education service. I pointed out that educators were on the list but according to the officer, educators do not include teachers. This really makes one wonders what do teachers actually do if not to educate! As no solution seemed to be forth coming, we requested to see the superior officer but as usual, superior officers are hardly ever available when you need to see them. So we had to make arrangement to return the following week.
The second time round at the immigration office was no plain sailing either. One of the guys was allowed to go in to see the officer in charge and he was told to get a letter from the education office. So he went up (luckily the education office was in the same building) to look for our posting officer who then called up the immigration officer and this was followed up with a letter which was handed over to the immigration officer. After waiting for sometime, a decision was made and we were told we would be given a one year pass. Ha, bet you thought everything was finally settled which was what our posting officer thought too.
He was really surprised to see us again the following week (we were not able to get hold of him after being told that we would be given a one year pass as he was already attending to some other matters elsewhere). This time round we insisted that our posting officer go down to deal with the immigration officer as it seemed we were getting no where. Our posting officer didn’t really have a choice because if the problem with the immigration was not settled, it meant packing up and home sweet home for us. After having a closed door discussion, he came out to inform us that the problem has been settled and we finally had our passport endorsed for an indefinite stay. Just imagine having to rush to the immigration office for three consecutive Friday! But, this was not my one and only brush with the immigration department.
The next time I was there was when my passport expired and being very innocent, I did not renew my passport before the expiry date. You know, teachers are forever busy so, I waited until the school holidays before I went to the department to make a renewal and that was when I was told that I had been staying in the state illegally and that I could be jailed for the offence. I didn’t know then about the state constitution and the 20 point-agreement made when the state together with Sabah agreed to join Malaya to form Malaysia. Luckily for me, I was let off with just a caution and told to make sure to get my passport renew before expiry date in future.
My hope is, in the not so distant future, I can stay here indefinitely without having to go through any hassle about passport requirement, etc. After all I am Malaysian and I have spent all of my productive years serving in the state educating sons of Sarawak!
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
There is goodness in every person
Remember I went shopping? When I was satisfied with my purchase I headed back, reaching the quarters just before dark. My two housemates were already busy heating up their respective dinner. After my housemates had finished with their routine for the day, we gathered at the living room for a discussion regarding payment of utility bills, etc. There were no particular rules in the quarters; so living there and getting along shouldn’t be much of a problem especially since I’d be on my own during weekends as both my housemates would be back home. I guess most of us never really have our ‘umbilical cord cut’! So, at every chance that we get, we will always run home to our parents.
My housemate, the afternoon session laboratory attendant, was a real nice lady. She was the one who swept the common living area in the quarters every morning, washed the toilet and wash basin and whenever taps run dry, she stayed up to help collect and store water for me. Her reasoning was, since I teach in the morning and the water trickles in only after mid-night, I cannot be expected to stay up to collect water. What a thoughtful lady and it wasn’t an easy task for her as she had to look after her toddler daughter besides having to cook and clean before going to work in the afternoon. She was one in a million. How many of us will be willing to do such a thing? Nowadays, I see people being very good with their calculator and if their calculation doesn’t show anything auspicious being directed their way, don’t ever expect to see an extension of helping hands.
My housemates also suggested that I try asking the occupants staying in the other quarters to see if I could join them for meals since they shared cooking. Of course I seeked them out at the first opportunity and they were more than willing; provided there was no objection from the main occupant whom everyone referred to only in an undertone. Of course that made me apprehensive but one could not ignore matters of the stomach so like it or not, I have to approach her. She must have liked the looks of me since I’m not one noted for having the gift of the gap. She was willing to include me for meals as long as I wasn’t fussy about my food. Oh, rice glorious rice, how could I possibly make a fuss when I was going to be able to have rice for lunch and dinner instead of cream crackers with milk or instant mee!
For all her shortcomings, that teacher does have a good heart as she not only agreed to let me join them for meals but knowing that I’m on my own during weekends, she always remembered me whenever she organised any activities for her uniform group and never failed to send me an invitation to join them. On Saturday mornings she would also invite me to go to Serian bazaar with her.
I believe there is goodness in every person but sad to say, we humans only want to highlight a person’s fault and we will always let it blurr our vision. But, which human doesn’t have any faults. No one is perfect, right? So why don’t we highlight the goodness in each and everyone instead!
My housemate, the afternoon session laboratory attendant, was a real nice lady. She was the one who swept the common living area in the quarters every morning, washed the toilet and wash basin and whenever taps run dry, she stayed up to help collect and store water for me. Her reasoning was, since I teach in the morning and the water trickles in only after mid-night, I cannot be expected to stay up to collect water. What a thoughtful lady and it wasn’t an easy task for her as she had to look after her toddler daughter besides having to cook and clean before going to work in the afternoon. She was one in a million. How many of us will be willing to do such a thing? Nowadays, I see people being very good with their calculator and if their calculation doesn’t show anything auspicious being directed their way, don’t ever expect to see an extension of helping hands.
My housemates also suggested that I try asking the occupants staying in the other quarters to see if I could join them for meals since they shared cooking. Of course I seeked them out at the first opportunity and they were more than willing; provided there was no objection from the main occupant whom everyone referred to only in an undertone. Of course that made me apprehensive but one could not ignore matters of the stomach so like it or not, I have to approach her. She must have liked the looks of me since I’m not one noted for having the gift of the gap. She was willing to include me for meals as long as I wasn’t fussy about my food. Oh, rice glorious rice, how could I possibly make a fuss when I was going to be able to have rice for lunch and dinner instead of cream crackers with milk or instant mee!
For all her shortcomings, that teacher does have a good heart as she not only agreed to let me join them for meals but knowing that I’m on my own during weekends, she always remembered me whenever she organised any activities for her uniform group and never failed to send me an invitation to join them. On Saturday mornings she would also invite me to go to Serian bazaar with her.
I believe there is goodness in every person but sad to say, we humans only want to highlight a person’s fault and we will always let it blurr our vision. But, which human doesn’t have any faults. No one is perfect, right? So why don’t we highlight the goodness in each and everyone instead!
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
F.O.C
I was reminded recently that I have not updated my blog. Well, it’s not that I’ve forgotten but you know; teachers are busy bees and more so at this time of the year. Some people may find it hard to believe and I’ve even been told many times before by those not in the profession that teachers are so lucky as they work only half-day and they have so many holidays. All I can say about these people is that they’re only human and which human doesn’t see the lawn in the neighbour’s yard as being greener! Anyway, I’m finally able to spare some time this week.
If you remember, I’ve already checked into my living quarters and after unpacking, I went to town to get some supplies and necessities especially a basin for storing water. There was no supermarket in Serian in those days so I went to a sundry shop to buy my stuff. Since there was no possibility of me cooking during school days, I bought two weeks supply of instant mee and the forever popular cream crackers plus a tin of milk powder. I intended to alternate between the instant mee and biscuits for my lunch and dinner; since taking a balance meal wasn’t an option.
One good thing about a small town then was that people were willing to deliver your purchases and at no extra charge. I just can’t imagine having to carry all my purchases back and on foot! The shopkeeper was definitely very kind to provide free delivery service. But times have changed and if you’re looking for anything f.o.c. (free of charge) these days, I’ll say it’s like looking for the Lochness monster!
People are getting more materialistic these days and everything is money now. The more they have the more they want and I’ve also been told before that no one ever complain of having too much money. Have you???
If you remember, I’ve already checked into my living quarters and after unpacking, I went to town to get some supplies and necessities especially a basin for storing water. There was no supermarket in Serian in those days so I went to a sundry shop to buy my stuff. Since there was no possibility of me cooking during school days, I bought two weeks supply of instant mee and the forever popular cream crackers plus a tin of milk powder. I intended to alternate between the instant mee and biscuits for my lunch and dinner; since taking a balance meal wasn’t an option.
One good thing about a small town then was that people were willing to deliver your purchases and at no extra charge. I just can’t imagine having to carry all my purchases back and on foot! The shopkeeper was definitely very kind to provide free delivery service. But times have changed and if you’re looking for anything f.o.c. (free of charge) these days, I’ll say it’s like looking for the Lochness monster!
People are getting more materialistic these days and everything is money now. The more they have the more they want and I’ve also been told before that no one ever complain of having too much money. Have you???
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Warm, warm welcome!
Finally I’ve reported for service but since the morning session was over, the afternoon session supervisor introduced me to the teacher with whom I would be sharing living quarters. It was the only quarters with vacancy as all six units at the Hilton of SMK Serian were already fully occupied. (I found out later that the units were meant for graduate teachers but some units were being occupied by non-graduate teachers who were school hostel wardens. It was some kind of incentive for willing to be a warden). Since the teacher with whom I would be sharing living quarters was free, she was asked to bring me to the quarters.
Nothing cheery about the place, wooden quarters on stilts, looked rather run down with torn mosquitoe-netting and old peeling paint work. And if you think the place only looked depressing from the outside, think again! The quarters was hot like an oven (what a warm welcome!) and the only furnishing was some wooden chairs that would practically swallow anyone who sat in it. (The chairs were definitely more than Asian-size!) There was no luxury of having any cushioned seats and even the rattan-seat of some of the chairs had extra ventilation (there must have been some very sharp-bottom people staying in the quarters before) while some had the rattan base already replaced with plywood.
The kitchen was small with a small wooden table, a couple of wooden stools and this contraption known as the kerosene stove. The only stove I’ve ever used before was the gas stove. I guess some where along the road to obtain a degree, I must have missed something!
The occupants here did not share cooking. It was not the case at one time but since the present occupant, the teacher, caught a former housemate using the toilet brush to clean the wok, she just couldn't stomach anymore shared cooking. Can’t blame her, right? So since then, it has been: to each her own. The teacher did her own cooking using her own single kerosene stove while the other occupant, a laboratory attendant who had a toddler with her, did hers using the double kerosene stove that came with the quarters and so, I would also have to do my own cooking. But then, how did one cook rice using a kerosene stove? Besides, there was also a problem with water supply which meant I would have to store water for daily needs including cooking. Looked like I wouldn’t be having rice for a long, long while even if I could do the daily marketing! (There was no refrigerator!)
Next, the most important place: the high court. It was reasonably clean with hardly any stains except for some green moss in the corners of the cement floor at the farther end but at least the bowl was still white. Thank goodness! The bathroom was also not that bad though I wouldn’t step in without slippers. Next to the bathroom was a small narrow store room but used for drying garments instead.
There were actually only two bedrooms in the quarters, one was occupied by the teacher while the other was occupied by the laboratory attendant and her toddler daughter. The so called available vacant room was actually the dining room but, it had never been used as such. It had been used as a bedroom because of the shortage of living quarters in the school. There was only a single rattan-based wooden frame bed with a single table and a chair in the room. The rattan-base of the bed was sagging and even if it didn’t give way under my weight, it sure didn’t do any good for my back. There was no fan in the room (another warm welcome!) and since it was actually the dining room, the light switch was beside the door on the outside. Well, beggars can’t be choosers!
At least, the room being more spacious, was one grade better than the kitchen and most important, I had a place to stay. I was also given a spare key to the quarters which meant I could go in and out as I please and I didn’t have to play mouse anymore. Ha ha!
Nothing cheery about the place, wooden quarters on stilts, looked rather run down with torn mosquitoe-netting and old peeling paint work. And if you think the place only looked depressing from the outside, think again! The quarters was hot like an oven (what a warm welcome!) and the only furnishing was some wooden chairs that would practically swallow anyone who sat in it. (The chairs were definitely more than Asian-size!) There was no luxury of having any cushioned seats and even the rattan-seat of some of the chairs had extra ventilation (there must have been some very sharp-bottom people staying in the quarters before) while some had the rattan base already replaced with plywood.
The kitchen was small with a small wooden table, a couple of wooden stools and this contraption known as the kerosene stove. The only stove I’ve ever used before was the gas stove. I guess some where along the road to obtain a degree, I must have missed something!
The occupants here did not share cooking. It was not the case at one time but since the present occupant, the teacher, caught a former housemate using the toilet brush to clean the wok, she just couldn't stomach anymore shared cooking. Can’t blame her, right? So since then, it has been: to each her own. The teacher did her own cooking using her own single kerosene stove while the other occupant, a laboratory attendant who had a toddler with her, did hers using the double kerosene stove that came with the quarters and so, I would also have to do my own cooking. But then, how did one cook rice using a kerosene stove? Besides, there was also a problem with water supply which meant I would have to store water for daily needs including cooking. Looked like I wouldn’t be having rice for a long, long while even if I could do the daily marketing! (There was no refrigerator!)
Next, the most important place: the high court. It was reasonably clean with hardly any stains except for some green moss in the corners of the cement floor at the farther end but at least the bowl was still white. Thank goodness! The bathroom was also not that bad though I wouldn’t step in without slippers. Next to the bathroom was a small narrow store room but used for drying garments instead.
There were actually only two bedrooms in the quarters, one was occupied by the teacher while the other was occupied by the laboratory attendant and her toddler daughter. The so called available vacant room was actually the dining room but, it had never been used as such. It had been used as a bedroom because of the shortage of living quarters in the school. There was only a single rattan-based wooden frame bed with a single table and a chair in the room. The rattan-base of the bed was sagging and even if it didn’t give way under my weight, it sure didn’t do any good for my back. There was no fan in the room (another warm welcome!) and since it was actually the dining room, the light switch was beside the door on the outside. Well, beggars can’t be choosers!
At least, the room being more spacious, was one grade better than the kitchen and most important, I had a place to stay. I was also given a spare key to the quarters which meant I could go in and out as I please and I didn’t have to play mouse anymore. Ha ha!
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Taxi too expensive
Woke up very early (well, early to bed, early to rise though I'm not so sure about being healthy, wealthy and wise especially the part about being wealthy as I've been waking up very, very early for school for the past twenty six years and I'm still poor!) and made a quick sneak to the bathroom before the cat awakens. Did everything in a jiffy; too bad there was no Malaysian Book of Records that I know of then! We had 'yesterday's dinner', I mean milo and biscuits again for breakfast. Having gotten ready very early, I felt I waited an eternity again for the posting officer who had told us the evening before that he would be at the Rest House early to inform us of our new posting.
His appearance brought both relief and disappointment. Relief because we have not been forgotten or abandoned and disappointment because he has found only one posting and I'm not the lucky one again. We hopped into his car and enroute to the education office at Simpang Tiga, we made a brief stop at Penrissen No. 1 to drop off the lucky one, a graduate from UM at her new school.
Reached the education office around mid-morning and as usual the waiting game started. We waited while the officer went through his files. A number of possibilities were available and the furthest was a place called Binatang! Luckily, the guy was told to be a gentleman and was asked to go there for I certainly would have been reluctant. Who wouldn't be? (You don't call a place Binatang for nothing, right?)
The nearest was Serian and of course I grabbed the chance. My happiness was however, short-lived. You see, I was told not to take a taxi to Serian but to opt for the bus as taking a taxi would be too expensive. I just couldn't believe my ears and I stared at the officer wide-eyed. At least I tried, but you can only achieve limited success when you're born with slit eyes!
Gave the officer this damsel in distress kind of look too (being a member of the fairer gender does have its advantage) and then appealed to his logical side. Since I have no idea where SMK Serian is, surely he cannot expect me to take the bus which will probably take me right up to the Serian bus station, after which I will have to lug my luggage around town asking for directions to SMK Serian. It's incredulous, even though it 's stated somewhere in the General Orders that one should take the cheapest mode of transport.
After making a couple of phone calls, the officer was pleased to inform me that a driver is willing to send me to SMK Serian and that he and an education land cruiser will be available in a short while to bring me to the school. What a relief! I just cannot imagine lugging my bags around town asking for directions to SMK Serian and then probably end up having to walk all the way to the school!
Left the education office before noon and sat in the cruiser in total silence all the way. (Remember, never talk to strangers!). As we approached Serian Town, the driver suddenly said that we should make a stop at the coffee shop. That really set my heart pounding, my pulse racing and my imagination went wild but it was unnecessary worry. It was after all almost 1o' clock and a man got to eat, right?
Once inside the coffee shop, the driver acting like a concern big brother advised me to order something to eat but I declined because I just didn't feel hungry. I don't think he believed me but he didn't pressure me probably because he knew how I must be feeling then. I just ordered a drink to quench my thrist.
Lunch was a quiet affair, not much conversation as usual. So the man ate fast (this could also partly be due to hunger)and in no time we were out of the coffee shop. The next moment I found myself reporting to the afternoon session supervisor at the office in SMK Serian.
One regret I have is not knowing the name of the driver. He's one man who works with a heart and we need more of such personnel in our midst. So lets emulate him, work with a heart to provide exemplary service to others.
His appearance brought both relief and disappointment. Relief because we have not been forgotten or abandoned and disappointment because he has found only one posting and I'm not the lucky one again. We hopped into his car and enroute to the education office at Simpang Tiga, we made a brief stop at Penrissen No. 1 to drop off the lucky one, a graduate from UM at her new school.
Reached the education office around mid-morning and as usual the waiting game started. We waited while the officer went through his files. A number of possibilities were available and the furthest was a place called Binatang! Luckily, the guy was told to be a gentleman and was asked to go there for I certainly would have been reluctant. Who wouldn't be? (You don't call a place Binatang for nothing, right?)
The nearest was Serian and of course I grabbed the chance. My happiness was however, short-lived. You see, I was told not to take a taxi to Serian but to opt for the bus as taking a taxi would be too expensive. I just couldn't believe my ears and I stared at the officer wide-eyed. At least I tried, but you can only achieve limited success when you're born with slit eyes!
Gave the officer this damsel in distress kind of look too (being a member of the fairer gender does have its advantage) and then appealed to his logical side. Since I have no idea where SMK Serian is, surely he cannot expect me to take the bus which will probably take me right up to the Serian bus station, after which I will have to lug my luggage around town asking for directions to SMK Serian. It's incredulous, even though it 's stated somewhere in the General Orders that one should take the cheapest mode of transport.
After making a couple of phone calls, the officer was pleased to inform me that a driver is willing to send me to SMK Serian and that he and an education land cruiser will be available in a short while to bring me to the school. What a relief! I just cannot imagine lugging my bags around town asking for directions to SMK Serian and then probably end up having to walk all the way to the school!
Left the education office before noon and sat in the cruiser in total silence all the way. (Remember, never talk to strangers!). As we approached Serian Town, the driver suddenly said that we should make a stop at the coffee shop. That really set my heart pounding, my pulse racing and my imagination went wild but it was unnecessary worry. It was after all almost 1o' clock and a man got to eat, right?
Once inside the coffee shop, the driver acting like a concern big brother advised me to order something to eat but I declined because I just didn't feel hungry. I don't think he believed me but he didn't pressure me probably because he knew how I must be feeling then. I just ordered a drink to quench my thrist.
Lunch was a quiet affair, not much conversation as usual. So the man ate fast (this could also partly be due to hunger)and in no time we were out of the coffee shop. The next moment I found myself reporting to the afternoon session supervisor at the office in SMK Serian.
One regret I have is not knowing the name of the driver. He's one man who works with a heart and we need more of such personnel in our midst. So lets emulate him, work with a heart to provide exemplary service to others.
Sunday, July 6, 2008
We sat, we stood, we walked and we played cat and mouse.
Finally reached the other side of the river safely. Now, our immediate mission was to look for Kuching Plaza. Who can we approach for direction, after all we’ve been taught never to talk to strangers! Scouting around, we noticed a visitors’ information office tug in a corner and without hesitation we made a beeline there. With the direction obtained from the officer on duty, we headed for the designated place.
No sweat, as we managed to find the place easily. We only realised we were famished upon arriving (it was way past lunch time) and without a minute to waste, the guy (real gentleman) went in to buy food for everyone while the rest of us waited in front of the main entrance. The reason for this is, we wanted to be clearly visible to the posting officer when he arrives. No way is he going to miss us!
We gobbled down our burger in no time. Then we sat, we stood, we walked along the steps and we sat, we stood, we walked along the steps (not necessarily in the order stated) for what seemed like an eternity. Can never explain why when we wait for someone, the waiting time always seem to be like forever. Getting worried, one of us went inside to make a call to the officer and came back with the message that we should stay put and he will be with us as soon as he has settled some matters at the office. Well, back to: we sat, we stood, we walked along the steps until we couldn’t believe our eyes when the officer finally showed.
The officer didn’t come with good tidings though. Since he has not had sufficient time to study our predicament and it being quite late, he told us to hop into his car and he will send us to the Rest House where those posted to other divisions were put up for the night before they continue their journey the next day. There’s a catch, however. No booking has been made for us to stay there for the night so we have to sneak in and squat with those who have been officially registered for the night.
Luckily for me, I have a friend posted to 2nd Division and she’s staying at the rest house that night. (In those days, there was only one express bus to 2nd Division and it leaves early morning). Naturally, I squatted with her but putting up as an unofficial guest meant we had to play cat and mouse with the caretaker and playing mouse was no fun. I had to make sure I’m as quiet as a mouse in the room and when I needed to go to the bathroom or answer nature’s call (there was no attached bathroom), my friend had to make sure the coast is clear before I make a quick dash to and fro. Thank goodness I only had to play mouse for just one night. Life as a mouse must be real stressful especially when there’s a cat lurking along the corridor!
We went to bed early as that was the best way to stay quiet and it had been a long day! Anyway, I’m thankful and grateful to my friend for her stake-out and also her willingness to share not only her single bed with me but her milo and biscuits which were our dinner that night! (Remember, never travel without packing any biscuits as you never know when or where you might need it to survive!).
No sweat, as we managed to find the place easily. We only realised we were famished upon arriving (it was way past lunch time) and without a minute to waste, the guy (real gentleman) went in to buy food for everyone while the rest of us waited in front of the main entrance. The reason for this is, we wanted to be clearly visible to the posting officer when he arrives. No way is he going to miss us!
We gobbled down our burger in no time. Then we sat, we stood, we walked along the steps and we sat, we stood, we walked along the steps (not necessarily in the order stated) for what seemed like an eternity. Can never explain why when we wait for someone, the waiting time always seem to be like forever. Getting worried, one of us went inside to make a call to the officer and came back with the message that we should stay put and he will be with us as soon as he has settled some matters at the office. Well, back to: we sat, we stood, we walked along the steps until we couldn’t believe our eyes when the officer finally showed.
The officer didn’t come with good tidings though. Since he has not had sufficient time to study our predicament and it being quite late, he told us to hop into his car and he will send us to the Rest House where those posted to other divisions were put up for the night before they continue their journey the next day. There’s a catch, however. No booking has been made for us to stay there for the night so we have to sneak in and squat with those who have been officially registered for the night.
Luckily for me, I have a friend posted to 2nd Division and she’s staying at the rest house that night. (In those days, there was only one express bus to 2nd Division and it leaves early morning). Naturally, I squatted with her but putting up as an unofficial guest meant we had to play cat and mouse with the caretaker and playing mouse was no fun. I had to make sure I’m as quiet as a mouse in the room and when I needed to go to the bathroom or answer nature’s call (there was no attached bathroom), my friend had to make sure the coast is clear before I make a quick dash to and fro. Thank goodness I only had to play mouse for just one night. Life as a mouse must be real stressful especially when there’s a cat lurking along the corridor!
We went to bed early as that was the best way to stay quiet and it had been a long day! Anyway, I’m thankful and grateful to my friend for her stake-out and also her willingness to share not only her single bed with me but her milo and biscuits which were our dinner that night! (Remember, never travel without packing any biscuits as you never know when or where you might need it to survive!).
Friday, July 4, 2008
Only a degree in Science!
The aeroplane landed safely and great, there was an officer from the education department to meet us at the airport.
Six fresh graduates with a degree in Science, majoring in Biology and Mathematics were told to report to Kolej Abdillah that day and I was one of them. I feel lucky to be posted to a school in 1st Division; who knows what’s in store for those who have to travel beyond! Well like they say, some people are born luckier than others!!!
Two taxis dropped us at the school. Lugging our bags, we found the office where only a lady teacher (if I remember correctly, she was the senior assistant) was around since school has ended for the day and it was lunch time.
I don’t remember who was more shock, the senior assistant or the six of us. You see, she just cannot possibly accept all six teachers with the same option. After some deliberation, she decided to accept only two and I was not that lucky this time. One of us seek permission to use the school phone to contact the posting officer (hand-phone was non existence then) who instructed us to get back to the other side of the river and from there to proceed to Kuching Plaza where he will meet up with us later.
Now having no posting was not so major a problem at the moment, the immediate problem faced was how to get back to the other side of the river; the taxi drivers who sent us sure didn’t hang around. Enquiries from us were given the following response: very sorry, school has ended and there’s no one from whom we can hitch a ride and upon checking the time, the lady teacher told us we’ll have to wait for hours if we’re to take the bus and bus service is very unreliable; so the best option is for us to take the sampan across.
After getting directions, we made our way to the river bank to take our 1st sampan ride across the famous Sarawak river. Hey, 1st sampan ride, isn’t that exciting!
Being in the same league, that is, away from home, no posting and armed with a degree in Science majoring in the same subjects; we are going to stick together through thick and thin and you bet we’re sticking together in the same sampan. With the assistance of the boat man, we hopped onto the sampan with our luggage and as we gathered to sit together on the same side we almost overturned the sampan! Talk about being united we stand, did we miss something here! I think the boat man really got a fright of his life that day.
We cannot really be blamed for almost overturning the sampan, right? After all we only have a degree in Science, majoring in Biology and Mathematics not Physics mind you and they sure didn’t teach us anything about common sense in the university. We’re too smart for that!
Six fresh graduates with a degree in Science, majoring in Biology and Mathematics were told to report to Kolej Abdillah that day and I was one of them. I feel lucky to be posted to a school in 1st Division; who knows what’s in store for those who have to travel beyond! Well like they say, some people are born luckier than others!!!
Two taxis dropped us at the school. Lugging our bags, we found the office where only a lady teacher (if I remember correctly, she was the senior assistant) was around since school has ended for the day and it was lunch time.
I don’t remember who was more shock, the senior assistant or the six of us. You see, she just cannot possibly accept all six teachers with the same option. After some deliberation, she decided to accept only two and I was not that lucky this time. One of us seek permission to use the school phone to contact the posting officer (hand-phone was non existence then) who instructed us to get back to the other side of the river and from there to proceed to Kuching Plaza where he will meet up with us later.
Now having no posting was not so major a problem at the moment, the immediate problem faced was how to get back to the other side of the river; the taxi drivers who sent us sure didn’t hang around. Enquiries from us were given the following response: very sorry, school has ended and there’s no one from whom we can hitch a ride and upon checking the time, the lady teacher told us we’ll have to wait for hours if we’re to take the bus and bus service is very unreliable; so the best option is for us to take the sampan across.
After getting directions, we made our way to the river bank to take our 1st sampan ride across the famous Sarawak river. Hey, 1st sampan ride, isn’t that exciting!
Being in the same league, that is, away from home, no posting and armed with a degree in Science majoring in the same subjects; we are going to stick together through thick and thin and you bet we’re sticking together in the same sampan. With the assistance of the boat man, we hopped onto the sampan with our luggage and as we gathered to sit together on the same side we almost overturned the sampan! Talk about being united we stand, did we miss something here! I think the boat man really got a fright of his life that day.
We cannot really be blamed for almost overturning the sampan, right? After all we only have a degree in Science, majoring in Biology and Mathematics not Physics mind you and they sure didn’t teach us anything about common sense in the university. We’re too smart for that!
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Sarawak here I come!
The much anticipated day has finally dawn. At long last I'm on the flight to the land where people still live on trees. Well, that's how much I know about The Land of the Hornbill way back in the early nineteen eighties and back then, there was even a joke about the car, Mazda 323 model being popular in Sarawak because the people here still swing from 3 2 3 (tree to tree).
Flight wasn't that eventful and I only remember seeing trees and many more trees each time I look out the window of the airplane. The view certainly didn't do much for the butterflies in my stomach.
Flight wasn't that eventful and I only remember seeing trees and many more trees each time I look out the window of the airplane. The view certainly didn't do much for the butterflies in my stomach.
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