A Short Weekend In Georgetown

I decided I would make Penang my annual destination instead of Singers and after checking when school break would begin, I searched for accommodation before buying return bus tickets. Unfortunately, as the workplace’s resort in Georgetown was still closed and I didn’t fancy staying at Berjaya Penang Hotel as it’s in Pulau Tikus, I had to book an alternative accommodation. I finally booked Cocoa Mews on Airbnb.

 

My bus on 3 December was supposed to depart Duta bus station at 12:30 but it only left at 12:57. We stopped en route at Simpang Pulai Northbound Layby for thirty minutes and I took the opportunity to perform prayers before buying some buns at the Petronas Mesra shop. We continued on and after joining the after-work Friday traffic, we finally reached Penang Sentral at 17:44. I thanked the driver, quickly disembarked and grabbed my little suitcase. I was at the ferry terminal within five minutes. There’s no ticket charge for trips made from 1 July to 31 December – you’ll need to present your MyKad at the ticket counter. I’m not sure if foreigners were charged; there was a Caucasian fellow on the ferry with us. The ferry ride took ten minutes.

 

I stopped at Hamad Pata stall but it didn’t seem to be moving so I left. I walked to my Airbnb in Little India and checked in. After being shown to my room and the layout, I left to find dinner. I had dinner in the little kitchenette before resting in my room.

On Saturday, I woke up early – there was an early riser who kept walking to and fro his room and the kitchenette and bathroom. I left around 07:30 and walked to the morning street market at Jalan Kuala Kangsar. I spotted the stall selling vegetarian wantan noodles (which I completely missed on my last trip in July 2020 – turned out it had relocated to shop no. 3) and happily ordered a small bowl. I then continued roaming the streets before walking to find Rafi Hokkien Mee at Jalan Burma (it’s inside a coffee shop and across from the Glass Museum). I sat down and had my second bowl of noodles that morning.

I then walked to 1^st Avenue Mall and while waiting for it to open, walked to Lebuh Noordin. I stayed at two boutique hotels there on two previous visits. The mall opened just after 10:00 and I took the lift up to level 8 where TGV Cinemas are. After buying ticket for the 10:45 James Bond No Time To Die, I walked down to the mall. Well, it was a bit depressing as only about 50% of the shops were still in business. Maybe the locals go to other malls or maybe the shops had closed down for good or relocated to another mall? I returned back to the cinema.

 

After the movie (there were probably a dozen people in the whole cinema!), I walked to Bee Hwa Café for lunch. Not much choice was left so I ordered curry noodles. After lunch, I dropped by nearby Mydin before returning to the Airbnb. I performed prayers, read my book then had a nap.

 

I ventured out at 17:45 to find dinner and finally decided to have laksa at one stall near Bee Hwa Café. I had to wait a while before getting my laksa and was not amused to find not a shred of fish in it. The seller asked me how I found the laksa and I immediately replied, ‘No fish at all!’ Now to me, if you sell laksa and there’s no more fish in the gravy, you should stop selling it for that day. Why sell it if the main ingredient is missing? Sellers should have pride in what they sell and serve their customers and not just be focused on making money! I left feeling disgruntled and took a longer route to return to the Airbnb. I wanted to rest and sleep early but two newly checked in guests were talking in the kitchenette while having their late dinner.

 

On Sunday morning, I woke up early (there were others who rose even earlier!) and had a quick shower. I left at 07:00 and walked to the ferry terminal. The walk took less than 15 minutes and I immediately went in and queued. We boarded at 07:20 and were off on time. At Penang Sentral, I went to the counter and was issued a ticket. I had to pay RM1 for port charge or something. Then I had breakfast at Iqbal Restaurant (expensive and tasteless).

My bus arrived early and we left on time but the bus stopped to pick passengers at its office before taking the state roads to Parit Buntar. It traversed for a while before finally joining the highway. I had rescheduled my ETA at KL Sentral in my mind at 13:30. Well, we arrived at 13:47 somewhat to my surprise. I was back at micasa by 14:30. Alhamdulillah.

 

Quite satisfied with this trip except for the laksa and the bus trip back. The weather was all right too. It didn’t rain but it didn’t get too unbearably hot and humid as it did on a few previous trips. Alhamdulillah.

Simply The Best

 

This post is a continuation of my last post about our teacher. Since the dinner ceremony which culminated in the presentation of the vehicle, there have been many postings on social media about him. There have been requests to interview him and even his fellow teachers. There have even been those who questioned why he was the chosen one among our many teachers and why that particular vehicle. There were those who said he was a very lucky man indeed, those who said he must be well loved, and even those who quickly reached the assumption that the alumni must be made of very wealthy ladies indeed.

 

Why was he singled out? Well, he was the only teacher we had who dedicated his whole career to the school, to teaching us. Why that particular vehicle? Apparently he did share that he liked that vehicle. Anyway, believe me, if we could’ve gotten him something else, even the stars and moon, we would for all his sacrifice and just so that the stars and moon could light his path forever. So many batches chipped in so one did not have to contribute thousands. Average it out. We just contributed according to our means. He deserved so much more but that was all we could afford to give him.

 

To those who said he was a lucky man, well, yes, he was. But as students, we are the lucky ones to have been guided and taught by great teachers. We were taught to respect our teachers and this is just a small way of showing our love, appreciation and gratitude to the humblest, kindest, respectful person with the patience of an angel who we’ve had the pleasure of knowing. He was our elder brother, mentor and friend. He walked through that path of hardship while ensuring we succeed. It’s not just his former students who thought the world of him, even his peers thought he was the kindest, most decent person. Throughout, he remained humbled, respectful, polite and full of humility. He thinks the best of everyone else. He said he was surrounded by the best fellow teachers and principal. He said he had the best students although some may take a longer time to figure things out, to find their way. He said he was just an ordinary teacher who had the opportunity to work with the best. The best person among us does not go around telling the world he’s the best because the others will realise it themselves. The best person among us does not need validation from others. From the many stories shared by sisters, I realised how lucky we were to have crossed paths with this incredible awesome person. Even though he gave the best years of his life to teaching, he was frustrated because he didn’t think he’d done enough. He was so dedicated and sincere in his teaching that he even held special one-to-one classes to those who needed extra sessions. He really had our best interests at heart.

 

 

I wish I had the benefit and pleasure of having been taught by him back in school. Still, after all these years of having left school, amazingly, he is still teaching me life lessons on always striving to be a better person. It’s not everyday that you can find a gentleman who believed in mischievous girls, who kept telling us we are capable and that we just haven’t figured out the way, who is an inspiration to both students and teachers, and who empowered as many girls as he did.

  

Thank you, teacher, for all you’ve done for us and the school, for enabling us to keep the school flag flying high, for the life lessons you continue to teach, for inspiring us, in short for everything, and for being simply the best. Our lives are richer and more meaningful for having known you. Alhamdulillah.

* photos nicked from FB again

Thank You For The Greatest Love Of All

It all started with batch 2004’s message in October on their drive for #ACarForOurBelovedEncikAhmad which informed that our beloved legendary Encik Ahmad was going to retire in December (this month) after 35 years in TKC (apparently 35 years, 11 months and 10 days). He had been loyal with TKC since 1985, dedicating his whole career to the school and even declining an offer to become principal/headmaster of another school, before finally deciding to rest and retire this month. Hence, the plan was to collect from ex-TKCians, 1985-2021 especially, to give him something big and memorable and very useful for him after his retirement, which was a car! The plan was to collect at least RM2k from each batch to reach the target (preferably a family car) - although any car would be more than OK for Encik Ahmad – of more than RM50k so that we could buy him a proper car. The deadline was by 1-3 December 2021 as his retirement party would be on 10 December plus extra days were needed to prep the BIG Gift from all of us to him.

 

This message appeared on 29 October and back then I was wondering if we could pull it off. But you know what, we did it and even tripled the collection money. Never ever underestimate the power of dreams and sheer dedication of TKC girls when we set our mind on something! Our batch came up with RM10,500 within a fortnight (among the highest contributing batch, alhamdulillah). A family car was purchased, and the registration number with letters of his name in it and the years he taught at TKC was secured. The car was presented to him on his farewell party on 12 December. The extra money collected would be deposited into his Tabung Haji account too. Alhamdulillah.

 

I never had the opportunity or pleasure of being taught by Encik Ahmad (he taught Mathematics and Additional Maths subjects). Nevertheless, I’ve heard of him of course. When he first started teaching, being one of the young male teachers, he was often the brunt of our teasing. He was quick to blush and was often the target of our relentless teasing. Adolescent girls at an all-girls’ school can be very mischievous and we often played tricks on our teachers especially on April Fool’s Day. He was not spared of course. He brought his own chalks to class because someone soaked the chalks once. One time, the students turned away and faced the back of the class instead of the blackboard. Undeterred, he went to the back of the classroom and started writing on the lockers. Another class went to the bathroom and stayed there until he came and asked if he should start teaching them in there. Some others hid his motorcycle and another year, some others hid his shoes (I don’t know how they got hold of his shoes in the first place!). He would also resolutely teach while remaining standing on April Fool’s Day because some pranksters may have poured some glue on the teacher’s chair. I think if all the stories and memories with him were compiled, it could become a very interesting hilarious read indeed. Despite being a very shy person, he grew up with us and became wise to our ways. He was infinitely patient and never lost his temper with us. Forgive us, Encik Ahmad and all teachers, for our naughty ways. We never meant to embarrass or offend you. We were just being girls, and you know what they say: Girls Just Wanna Have Fun. Even after we had left school, he was there, a constant assuring presence. He gave my friend, who was feeling alone and homesick for being away far away from home at 18, emotional support and advice.

 

When he was presented the car, he looked a bit lost and confused. Later he confessed he thought us girls were playing a prank on him again and that the car was a Matchbox or Hotwheels type of car. The first word he clearly uttered was the Selawat for Prophet Muhammad SAW, a genuine spontaneous expression of gratefulness for what Allah has bestowed upon him. When he gave his thanks, he also said the car was a gift for himself and other teachers too.

 

I was young and didn’t have nowhere to run

I needed to wake up and see what’s in front of me

There has to be a better way

Say it again, a better way to show I’m grateful

So I thought of this song

To show my appreciation for lovin’ me so long

You don’t know how much you mean to me

 

‘Cause even though when times got rough

You never turned away, you were right there

And I thank you, thank you

When I felt I had enough

You never turned away, you were right there

And I thank you, thank you

 

All through my life I knew that you’d be my world

Knowin’ everywhere I go things you taught me, they would show

So many times and changes you’ve seen me through

I sure enough couldn’t have survived without you

And so I thought of this song

To show my appreciation for lovin’ me so long

You don’t know how much you mean to me

 

Thank you, Encik Ahmad. Thank you for your Ocean Deep commitment, dedication, infinite patience, love, guidance, kindness, support and wisdom in educating us (no mean feat considering We’re No Angels!). Thank you for teaching us humility and appreciation for others. I never had the opportunity of being taught by you but many of us had the benefit and pleasure of your teaching. Take good care and may Allah bless you always. You believed in us, you cared for us, and you showed us The Greatest Love Of All because –

 

I believe the children are our future

Teach them well and let them lead the way

Show them all the beauty they possess inside

Give them a sense of pride to make it easier

Let the children’s laughter remind us how we used to be

 

Don’t fret too much about promotions or rewards. If you work with sincerity, humility and patience, all in the name of the Almighty, insyaAllah, Allah SWT will find ways to bless you with the rizqi you deserve. ~Encik Ahmad

 

Ameen ya rabb alamin.

 

#keepingupwiththekurshians

* All photos are nicked from FB. Thank you, sisters!

Sand, Sea, Sky And Sun

 

The workplace has opened a few of its resorts from 12 November and I made a booking for a ground floor unit of two bedrooms. I wasn’t feeling particularly hopeful as it has never been easy to secure. So I was pleasantly surprised when I found that my booking was accepted. Alhamdulillah! I asked my sister if she wanted to go or if I should cancel and she immediately replied in the affirmative.

 

We headed to PD on Friday afternoon (26 November) and arrived after 1.5 hours. Dad wasn’t feeling well – it could be because he had an empty stomach or he had motion sickness. He rested soon after we arrived and stayed behind when we went to the beach to catch the sunset.

 

On Saturday, my brother-in-law, sister and I went for a morning walk all the way to Tanjung Tuan Recreational Forest before turning back. After breakfast, at dad’s request, we drove out to Masjid Tanah. We didn’t get down except at a small stall selling fresh fish on the way back as my sister wanted to buy some seafood. Dad had motion sickness again in the car.

 

We went out in the late afternoon to the beach as my niece, nephew and sister wanted to bathe in the sea. There were a lot of people about. And a lot of rubbish too. Grr!

 

On Sunday morning, after prayers and helping sister prepare breakfast, I walked to nearby Lexis Hibiscus and walked around the hotel area. I wasn’t impressed with the external look of the units but hey each unit comes with its own pool. I returned to our resort about an hour after I left.

 

Dad wanted to leave early so after packing, tidying up and a few family photos, we left. My nephew drove us back, stopping first at a pharmacy to buy anti-motion sickness pills for dad. We reached home just after 12 noon.

 

So that was a weekend by the sea, with the sun, sand and sky (and a little motion sickness too).