TO KAMPONG KUANTAN

Both of us managed to attend to my cousin's wedding in Kampong Kuantan, Kuala Selangor. Among others were my father and brother with his wife from Kangar, my elder sister (Kuala Lumpur), Father Mee and his family (Banting), Mak Yan (Seri Manjung) and Pak Itam (Bangi).

FIRE FLIES IN KAMPONG KUANTAN

We started the trip when he touched the card in Jalan Duta.

DOWN MEMORY LANE AGAIN

Yesterday Friday, 24th July 2009, I had to attend a programme hosted by SMK Syed Mashor in Batang Kali. My former school for two and a half years (January 2005 to August 2007). I used the same road as I had used last two years.

This is the junction in Batang Kali. I used this road twice daily when I worked in SMK Ampang Pecah, Kuala Kubu Bharu in 2004 and when going to SMK Syed Mashor.

This was the Aktif Supermarket, formerly it was known as Stanta Supermarket. But it was closed these days. It is situated just before the Hulu Yam junction on the right of the only highway from Rawang. I used to go this Supermarket because this was the only place to get kaya balls.

This is the New Ulu Yam (Ulu Yam Baru). The caption shows one is going to Hulu Yam Bharu from the highway (but the Rawang highway is about five km away)

This is the junction to go to Ulu Yam Bharu from Rawang highway. It is just after the former Aktif Supermarket on the right.

This two big trees is about five t0 six km from Semashur home on the only road to go the Rawang highway. I was quite scared to passed this spot because of the rumours saying a big tree has its demon. I had to drive through this spot at about 6.45 every morning on the way to school. It was still dark and so far then nothing happen.

All these captions were focused when I was still driving. So the objects are not that sharp.

DOWN MEMORY LANE

This particular space. I don't know why I kept remembering this spot on earth to be the same as a spot in Jalan Klian Pauh in Kamunting, Taiping Perak as I drove along on my way home these two years. It is more of a remembrance of my childhood place more than forty years ago. That particular spot in Kamunting is now quite different but not totally.

This is the Serendah Golf Resort with the big golf ball. I remembered we (my nuclear family) used this road to 'back' to our parents' home either in Manong or Kamunting before we used to hit the paid highway.

A junction in Batang Kali - I passed this junction a few thousand times. Twice daily when I taught in SMK Ampang Pecah in 2004 to January 2005.

I just couldn't help it when I passed again the same road when I have to attend a meeting in SK Kuala Kubu Bharu. I used that particular road to go to work when we lived in Semashur those two years. How could I forgot ?

Going to KKB from school costs me another 30 km - that's make my trip home more than 70 km. To and fro, well more than 140 km.

TRAFFIC LIGHTS IN MY LIFE

Traffic light near HUKM
The nearest traffic light from home

The nearest traffic light is less than hundred metres away from home the moment I turn right from Jalan Jaya. That if I want to go along Jalan Yaacob Latiff. Then the second traffic light is the HUKM junction. The third is the junction to turn left from Jalan Yaacob Latif. Then the lights near SMK Cheras. For the first two km I have to face four traffic lights along Jalan Yaacob Latif.

Going to Taman Mulia stores which is less than one km I have to pass three traffic lights. May be that is why I don't like to the stores in Taman Mulia. This means if one is going to the Mosque - Masjid Saidina Affan, you have to cross two traffic lights from my home.

In those days, more than five years ago there is hardly only one traffic light in Bandar Tun Razak, that is the one situated less than hundred metres from my home. Now I have plenty.

GROCERY STORES IN MY LIFE

When we were in Hulu Yam, Batang Kali, to get a matchstick was more than one km away. You simply must have the transport. I had to get it in the nearest store at Taman Kelisa which is outside the Semashur campus. Or the nearest market YST Supermarket which is about three km away in Hulu Yam.

Now, the nearest store here is indeed very near. It is just within a walking distance. If you drive then it is difficult to get the limited parking lot. You can get all your necessary everyday grocery things there - Pasaraya Pak Aji which is situated in Bandar Tun Razak and it is opened twenty four hours daily.

In those days when I stayed here I used to go to the Mulia Supermarket to get my things which is about two km away. It is in Taman Mulia Bandar Tun Razak.

Next I have the Tesco Cheras which is hardly three km from home. And Carrefour, which is six km away. Now I used to go there for just a change of the mood. Bur then I still have Taman Midah shops but not the wet markets still here the parking lots are really limited.

LIFE WITH MY THREE M'S

Ita in UITM

Since staying in our own home and having to drive 82 km to and fro to get to work, I really love weekends. I am waiting for weekends like small kids getting candies from parents. I don't know is it a sign of old age or tiredness. In fact I did thought of countdown to stop working now even though I never bother about it those days. I just wish I can cope life.

It seems life is just like a circle. More than six years ago, all the five of us stay together in this house. I love it. I have all my kids nearby. They were young then.

Then in July 2003 Malik studied in Johore Bahru, I left with two.

In that late 2003 we moved to Semashur, the two kids followed us. In January 2006 Ita left us for SM Teknik Seri Manjung, Perak for two years. In May 2006 Ucin left us for KMPP, Bertam for one year. (From May 2006 to end of 2007 - Malik was in Johore Bahru, Ucin in Bertam, Pulau Pinang while Ita in Seri Manjung Perak) We didn't have even one of them.

Malik finished his diploma in late 2006. He refused to stay with us in Semashur because he wanted to work in KL. After all we have this house for him to stay. Ucin then entered UITM Shah Alam in July 2007. Ita came home after her SPM in that late 2007 but she went to JMTI in Butterworth in January 2008 for three months, later in May the same year she went to KMK, Changloon for a year. She finished her martic in April this 2009 and joined Ucin in UITM Shah Alam last month.

Now I have Malik at home. The two of them are in UITM. This time we are lucky because they are near home.

IMMERSION PROGRAMME

I have to attend to the Immersion Programme held in Jabatan Pelajaran Negeri Selangor. I think this is a good programme and should be held earlier.

UCIN 21ST BIRTHDAY

I almost forgot my Ucin's 21st birthday on 17 July 2009. I forgot to wish him when we met on 18th - the saturday. I only remembered on the 19th but I only entered this on the 20th July.
It was an important date and how could I forgot it?

What should I give him?

It seems suddenly he is twenty-one. Six years ago he was just sixteen and just over with his PMR result then and we moved to Ulu Yam to enter his form four in SMK Bandar Baru Batang Kali.

Now we are back to Taman Midah and you are twenty-one. How time flies. How I wish to go back to watch you grow again and see you with your Additional Mathematics exercises all day long. Send you again for tuition in Bandar Baru Batang Kali four times a week. I remembered I have to give you pocket money for you tuition for you to buy sweets or chocolate just like a small kid. And I went to SMK Syed Mashor after I sent you. You would like to buy burger on your way home and I used to buy dinner after that.

I also remembered you are with your prefect's uniform of blue shirt. You look rather tall. I couldn't remember if I have your pictures then.

May you success son. I love you all the way. Allah bless you.

JALAN YAACOB LATIF

Jalan Yaacob Latif

Junction to HUKM

Stadium Bolasepak Kuala Lumpur

I never dream of driving to pass through the city to go to work.
I have to use Jalan Loke Yew, Jalan Kucing and Jalan Ipoh to and fro. This give me the shortest 42 km.

For the first three km, I must passed through Jalan Yaacob Latif where

1) Balai Bomba Jalan Yaacob Latif on my right, the moment I turn right after the traffic light in Jalan Budiman
2) there is Youth International Centre on my left
3) Sports Complex Bandar Tun Razak

4) then the city Swimming Pool
5) Hospital Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, HUKM which is less than a km from home on my right (I was hospitalized here in 2001 for dengue - 4 days 3 nights)
6) the Stadium Bolasepak Kuala Lumpur
7) then Institut Perguruan Teknik ( I had lectured here before from 1997 - 2003 in Science Department where Mr Cheok Teng See was my immediate Head for all those seven years),
8) Sekolah Menengah Teknik Kuala Lumpur on my left (I had studied here before in 1974 - 1975 for my Form 6),
9) then Sekolah Menengah Sains Alam Shah (formerly Sekolah Alam Shah - better known as ASIS),
10) Institut Perguruan Ilmu Khas on my left

11) Rumah Kanak-kanak Tunku Budriah on my right
12) and last but not least I passed SMK Cheras, Kuala Lumpur on my left

13) I forgot, Bicycle Velodrome on my right just before entering Jalan Loke Yew

The parking lot for the Velodrome is used for the night activities - Downtown on Saturday Night

I passed all these buildings for the first three km.

This road is formerly known as Jalan Tenteram. May be because it was no longer Tenteram, it was then named Jalan Yaacob Latif

KL LIFE

I have stay in KL actually since January 1987 when he was transferred to CDC, Jalan Duta. At that time we only had Malik and we rented a house in Jalan Jaya 2, Taman Jaya, Bandar Tun Razak. By October 1987 we moved to the present house in Taman Midah, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur.

Then by late 2003 (sometime October 2003) we had a change of routine when we moved to Hulu Yam Selangor, about 44 km from here. We were all alone there except the staff. We used to come back here almost every weekends in 2004. Then we didn't have the time to visit here anymore because the kids were studying everywhere - it seems at that time. Like in 2006 Ita was in SM Teknik Seri Manjung, Perak (201 km from Semashur), Ucin was in KMPP about 400 km further north in Bertam Pulau Pinang and Malik was still in KIJ Johor Bahru, further south. Our weekends were busy visiting them but not so for Malik.

Well the food here is expensive. A plate of nasi goreng and orange juice cost me RM 8.00. I considered them expensive compare to Ulu Yam when we can have lunch RM12.00 for four people (without the drinks).

TODAY 9 JULY 2009

Just for my own record, today I left home 6.18 am and reached the school at 7.10 am. That was good after all.

Now I left the school at 6.15 pm after the PIBG meeting and reached home 7.30 pm. I got caught near the school traffic light, near the fruit stall in Rawang and near the exit to Jalan Duta off Jalan Kucing. This is my worst time. It is not that sweet to earn a living after all. This is more than twelve hours of my day.

MIGRATING

After traveling 82 km to and fro everyday for five days, I felt ok, it was not so bad after all.

So, when I started teaching in April 1982 the distance from my rented house to school was about ten km (I thought so) - Taman Kamunting Jaya of Kamunting, Taiping to SM Treacher Methodist Taiping. Here I used to take a bus , taxi whatever because the bus was only one an hour. And on top of it my rented small house was about two km from the nearest bus stop. Oh why? Because the school Treacher Methodist is situated in Jalan Muzium, only Klian Pauh Bus passes there. Then I moved to Assam Kumbang, so the same school was nearer home, may be about four km. I used to have a ride with a friend, Pn Khir, when I stayed in Assam Kumbang. I taught in Taiping for more than four years.

Then we transferred to KL - that was 16 January 1987. It was may be six to seven km from Taman Jaya, Bandar Tun Razak to SMK Jalan San Peng, KL. My husband dropped me on his way to work in CDC. I took a bus home. It was not a problem really because there was so many buses if you ever missed one.

Then I transferred to SM Convent Peel Road, it was less than six km from home. I was there for seven years. The first few years I took a bus to and fro. Later I drove myself.

In 1997 I transferred to SMK Bandar Tun Razak, which is very near my house. I walked to school then. It was about hundred meters from home. We even thought of having only one car then. But I was there for about three weeks only.

In that January 1997 I started teaching in Maktab Perguruan Teknik, KL now Institut Perguruan Teknik. It was about two km away and I drove all the way. At that time there was no divider in that Jalan Tenteram. Later there was divider and the road is called Jalan Yaacob Latif now. Suddenly college was four km away from home but only two on the way home. Why? Because it is one way and you have to make a big turn at the roundabout.

Come 16 January 2004, I taught in SMK Ampang Pecah Kuala Kubu Bharu which was 23 km from SM Sains Hulu Selangor. I was there for about a year.

Then I worked in SMK Syed Mashor, Batang Kali. This school was only nine km from Semashur. I was here for about two and half years.

In August 2007, I transferred to SMK Sungai Choh, Rawang. This is twenty-two km from home, Semashur.

Well, all these migration were because of the schools. Now in my late hours of my working life I have to travel 82 km daily. What a rezeki. May Allah bless me and all the schools that I have serviced.

THE FIRST WEEKEND

July 4th and 5th are the first weekend we spend together - all the five of us are home in Taman Midah. My two UITM kids are also home. It seems strange again when they are all grown up to be together again. Last six years they were here except abang because he was in Johor Bahru doing his diploma. The two of them were very young indeed.

One more thing the house is still messy because many things are not settle yet. Our very own house is rather small compare to the school.

HIGH TABLE SMS

Friday night 3rd July 2009, Blue House (Perwira) of SM Selangor held their High Table in the school dining hall. YDP PIBG Prof Madya Dr Azizan was there too. I was given the chance to accompany him. Actually I used to follow him almost everywhere or anything about his school function and this was the first one for SMS.

FAREWELL DINNER

The Farewell Dinner was held at Kuala Lumpur Tower on 2 July 2009 at 8.30 pm organized by the Academic Staff of SM Hulu Selangor. Among others attending was their YDP PIBG Datuk Seri Haji Ab Hakim Borhan Mantan Datuk Bandar DBKL.

MY FIRST DAY

Today 1 st July 2009 I started driving from our very own house to school. It costs me 41 km. I left the house at 6.22 am and lucky me I reached the school at 7.05 am , lucky me no jam whatsoever anywhere.

I left the school at 4.45 pm at reached my house at 5.50. I was caught in the jam from Bank Negara until Bandar Tun Razak junction from Loke Yew. It kept moving however.

I think my leg ache because of the long driving, 82 km to and fro.