2009 – Bullish at SMKSAS!

Yes, the bull has come charging in even before the start of the new lunar year. The bull is known to be a hardworking animal and that is exactly how everybody in SAS seems to be this year. I can’t seem to get my choice parking lot when I arrive in school at about 7.05 am as there are already over 20 cars parked there. The staffroom which used to be half empty when the bell rang at 7.25 am is now almost full by 7.15 am. Absenteeism in school and at meetings has greatly reduced. I have not seen the relief list for a whole week! Last Friday I saw the teachers’ record books stacked up pretty high on the office counter at 12.30 pm.
Sorry, I have not been able to make more observations as I too am rushing to get things going! But at this rate SMKSAS is on its way to being selected as Sekolah Kluster.

2008 ~ the Year That Was

Thank you 2008 for being kinder to me then you were to the country and the world on the whole. In retrospect, I find there is much for me to be thankful about.
As for my job, I have had more than enough to keep me busy through the year. The year end holidays gave me time to catch my breath and get ready for the year ahead. I am actually looking forward to seeing the students again but am hoping for a change in the teaching routine. Am not sure what I want, just for work to be more interesting.
Things have been good at home. The children have been doing well with Dhivia finishing her 1st year of the M Pharm program in IMU, Dhama getting excellent results in her PMR and Karthi comfortably in the 3rd year of his engineering course. My husband had a chance to do a certificate course in the U.S. and also made a couple of trips to the U.K. He felt rewarded for all his hard work.
The family was fortunate enough to have a few holidays together. The highlight was our trip to Bali which was our 1st overseas holiday for the 5 of us since 2003. We had a great time. We also made a trip to Penang for Deepavali, spent a few days in Langkawi in November and visited Malacca for Christmas. Can’t remember having so many family outings in one year!
Health wise too we have been blessed. Thank God! No major catastrophe except for some aches and pains (that comes with age!) for me and a couple of asthma attacks for Dhivia.
The petrol price hike and subsequent rise in prices of almost everything else was a little worrying. But with a simple lifestyle, we are handling it quite well. I hope to save enough money for a holiday in 2009.
There has been a downside though – I attended funerals of 6 relatives/close friends, the biggest number in a single year! Sadly too, 4 of them were still in their 50s. That’s scary especially since I’m going to be 50 this year!
Well… briefly that was 2008 for me and will be grateful for a repeat in 2009.