DON'T QUIT

"When things go wrong as they sometimes will;
When the road you're trudging seems all uphill;
When the funds are low, and the debts are high
And you want to smile, but have to sigh;
When care is pressing you down a bit-
Rest if you must, but do not quit.
Success is failure turned inside out;
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt;
And you can never tell how close you are
It may be near when it seems so far;
So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit-
It's when things go wrong that you must not quit."

-Unknown

Learning to walk again...

6 hours after I published my last blog post, something catastrophic happened. I fell down and I heard this sharp thudding sound and I couldn't move a single inch of my left leg. I was rushed to the ER and based on the xrays, the doctor relayed the devastating news that I broke my patela and I need to go for an operation. I totally whacked my left knee and the doctor had to bolt in an iron rod and screws to keep the bones intact.

Ironically, I didn't cry when the sharp pain was clinging to my knee when it happened. I guess I was too shocked to feel the pain, trying to comprehend what had happened to me. I was even awake when the doctor did the operation, I was composed when it happened. I could even guide my student, Shafiq with his PowerPoint presentation on my 2nd day at the hospital. (Btw, congrats for being one of the JSLC members!) However, I finally broke down in tears on the 4th night stay at the hospital - four hours after the operation. It was the most excruciating pain ever. I felt so helpless and I kept asking for painkillers, trying to numb the pain. My arms are now blue-black due to the massive injections. In a nutshell, I was a wreck.

Gradually, I started to reflect on my adversity and try to see how I was emotionally and physically affected by it. Then I started to open my eyes and my mind to my surroundings. I started to talk to other patients, the nurses, the doctors and from there, I was subconciously healed. I realised I was not alone, people were trying to help me and there were other patients who were experiencing ever graver situations that I was. I realised that I was too sucked into the vortex of my own melancholy that I forgot to see the flipside of this turbulous phase.

Trying to walk again would take at least 4 months, said the doctor. Even right now, I am struggling with my steps, even the simplest task of peeing is taking a toll on my life. I still need to go through series of physiotheraphy and trips to see the othopedict specialist from time to time. I still can't bend my left knee but I am still alive. Alhamdulillah.

It is such a humbling moment, I know it might take me longer than usual to walk or to get up to my feet but I am determined to do it, even if I have to fumble along the process. I know God will only test those who could endure such test, it might take me some time to realise the blessing behind this hardship but I am doing my best to pick my self together. I will go through this, stronger than before.

To all my parents, colleagues, friends and students, thank you for being there during this turbulous phase.

Johor Student Leaders Congress (JSL) Candidates

Congratulations to all the candidates for the Johor Student Leaders Congress (JSL). Out of 80 students from all over Johor, 31 students have been shortlisted to vy for the distinguished spot of JSL.

1. Ahmad Fadhil B. Abd Majid -SMK Mohd Khalid JB
2. Diyanah Husna Bt. Kamarudin-SMKA JB
3. Hafiz Rahim b. Mohamed Ansari-Maktab Sultan Abu Bakar JB
4. Nurul Atiqah Bt. Mohd Zan-Sekolah Tun Fatimah JB
5. Tan Chien Yin-SMK IJ Convent JB
6. Sebastian Goh Qing-Wei-SMK Sultan Ismail JB
7. Kothai a/p Vejayan-SIGS JB
8. Lavanya a/p Vejayan-SMK Dato Bentara Dalam Segamat
9. Mohd Shafiq B. Mohamad Azhar-SMK Tasek Utara JB
10. Ahmad Haziq B. Azmi-SMKA Segamat
11. Peter Vinod Pereira-Sekolah Tinggi Batu Pahat
12. Mohammad Ridzuan B. Zainal Abiden-SMK Skudai
13. Mohanakrishna a/l Pathmanathan- Sekolah Tinggi Kluang
14. Thanendren a/l Kanalingam-Sekolah Tinggi Segamat
15. Nurul Aina Bt. Aman-SMKA Segamat
16. Qistina Bt. Mohamad Helmi-SMK Sultan Ismail JB
17. Kamarul Baharin B. Kamal-SMK Bandar Baru Uda JB
18. Illiyin Bt. Md Kasim-SMK IJ Convent JB
19. Zolfazreen B. Zolhasni-SMK Bandar Tenggara 2 Kulaijaya
20. Shimarani a/p Rengasamy-SMK Gelang Patah
21. Nurul Nabilah Bt. Azahari-SMK Gelang Patah
22. R. Savind Kumar a/l Rathakrishna-SMK Dato Penggawa Timur Pasir Gudang
23. Ahmad Wajih B. Mohamad Nasir-SMS Sultan Iskandar Mersing
24. Sofiya Bt. Imran-SMK Temenggong Ibrahim Batu Pahat
25. Nurul Ain Bt. Harolanuar-SMS Sultan Iskandar Mersing
26. Norafiqah Asilah Bt. Rusli-SMK Aminuddin Baki JB
27. Hariz Haikal B. Nasuha-Sekolah Tinggi Muar
28. Lim Wei Der-Sekolah Tinggi Muar
29. Muhammad Shafiq B. Nasaruddin-SMS Muar
30. Eniza Fasiha Bt. Ellias-SMS Muar
31. Nur Sara Adriana Bt. Rosman-SIGS JB

The interview would be carried out from 12th July - 13th July 2010 at IRDA Office, Danga Bay, Johor Bahru. The candidates will go through 3 stages of interview, impromptu speech, individual presentation and group discussion. The panel interviewers would expect the candidates to be able to deliver their thoughts immaculately. Kudos to all the candidates who made it this far and I wish you all the best!

Coming Off Hiatus

I'm back! I know that I've been neglecting this blog for quite a while. Although there are so many things happening lately, I guess I didn't have much time to blog since I tend to immortalise my thoughts on my trusty Facebook and Twitter for quick updates. By the way, these kept me busy for the past one month...

• marking Form 4 midyear exam papers.
• tutoring the YPJ classes at EC.
• extra classes for my Form 5 class.
• Johor Internationalisation Programme.
• working with JPNJ on the establishment of the Johor Student Leaders Congress (need to jot down a different entry on that)
• planning an official excursion to SMANSA Batam, Indonesia.
• my two superactive sons!

By the way, I am taking part in the National Level Educational Blogging competition organised by Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris, in conjuction with their 2010 ICT Day. I've submitted My Lit Project and I'm vying for the scintillating Ipad, tee hee. Ah well, just trying my luck. Hope for the best!