I am an ex student of Sekolah Sains Sultan Mahmud, KT. We are currently quite active, alumni-wise. It gladdens me that a lot of the alumnus are very eager to contribute to their former school, as they should be.
There are a lot of good things that can come out from this enthusiasm. Whenever I read about the activities of older schools' alumni associations, I feel envious and wish that in 40-50 years time, my own school would be that lucky.
Well, I guess it depends on what people like me do....
Thursday, 29 November 2007
Wednesday, 28 November 2007
We are flip floppers
Every few years some new minister or leader decides he wants to introduce something new in Malaysia or intends to leave his legacy in one form or another. Then a new leader comes along and repeats the whole process, just so he can say that he's done something worthwhile.
Bahasa Malaysia? Bahasa Melayu? Maths/Science in English? Maths/Science in BM?
This is our country's future you know. Can't just go on making one decision this year only to change your minds three years down the road. What's wrong with what we had back then? Or for that matter what's wrong with what we have now?
Just make one decision after careful deliberations and thought and stick to it! Make it work! Don't think up some half-baked scheme and then realise in a few years that you're wrong, and then try to undo the wrong with another stupid policy change.
Sheessh...I guess we do deserve the leaders we elect....
Bahasa Malaysia? Bahasa Melayu? Maths/Science in English? Maths/Science in BM?
This is our country's future you know. Can't just go on making one decision this year only to change your minds three years down the road. What's wrong with what we had back then? Or for that matter what's wrong with what we have now?
Just make one decision after careful deliberations and thought and stick to it! Make it work! Don't think up some half-baked scheme and then realise in a few years that you're wrong, and then try to undo the wrong with another stupid policy change.
Sheessh...I guess we do deserve the leaders we elect....
Monday, 19 November 2007
How weird am I?
I have this compulsion to buy up any book that strike my fancy. Not necessarily to read them of course, just to revel in the knowledge that I have them secure on my shelves, ready to be devoured whenever I have the time and inclination.
Which does not come often these days. What with work commitments, family matters and leisurely pursuits, book reading has been relegated to the lower ranks of my daily priorities.
It didn't used to be this way. Time was when I wasted whole days just reading and reading anything that enters my grasp. Books, comics, magazines and especially newspapers. My writing style and my reluctance to speak English unless in grammatically correct verse and sentence stemmed from my voracious appetite for the NST, particularly during my early teens. I even discovered Roald Dahl during this period. Granted, he was more suitable for a younger set but I just didn't know he existed when I was smaller.
With me coming from a 'kampung' family, I simply wasn't exposed to many of the literary influences, be they children's authors or adult writers. I had to make up for lost time during my late primary and the whole secondary school years to catch up with Captain Biggles, the Hardy Boys (and even Nancy Drew). Thank God for my primary school library back then. I think I read its entire collection of English language fiction.
Then I found the district library. Being located in the admin town of Besut (Kg Raja), it was blessed with past librarians and administrators who were more exposed and knowledgeable. Thus they stocked up many English books, which I systematically borrowed and read. Going back there these days tend be an enterprise in despair. Knowledge is not valued any more. The library is is a state of disrepair and good books a rare commodity.
Which does not come often these days. What with work commitments, family matters and leisurely pursuits, book reading has been relegated to the lower ranks of my daily priorities.
It didn't used to be this way. Time was when I wasted whole days just reading and reading anything that enters my grasp. Books, comics, magazines and especially newspapers. My writing style and my reluctance to speak English unless in grammatically correct verse and sentence stemmed from my voracious appetite for the NST, particularly during my early teens. I even discovered Roald Dahl during this period. Granted, he was more suitable for a younger set but I just didn't know he existed when I was smaller.
With me coming from a 'kampung' family, I simply wasn't exposed to many of the literary influences, be they children's authors or adult writers. I had to make up for lost time during my late primary and the whole secondary school years to catch up with Captain Biggles, the Hardy Boys (and even Nancy Drew). Thank God for my primary school library back then. I think I read its entire collection of English language fiction.
Then I found the district library. Being located in the admin town of Besut (Kg Raja), it was blessed with past librarians and administrators who were more exposed and knowledgeable. Thus they stocked up many English books, which I systematically borrowed and read. Going back there these days tend be an enterprise in despair. Knowledge is not valued any more. The library is is a state of disrepair and good books a rare commodity.
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