LENGHA CHOLI

I bought a beautiful Indian blouse during the holidays as I had always admired the intricate beadwork and the fine embroidery such traditional blouses have. One of my friends who is married to an Indian man told me that there is a name for it. It is called a lengha choli. The skirt is called lengha. Unfortunately, I only managed to buy the top and not the skirt. Nevertheless, I learnt something new and I hope that my other none Indian friends have also gained from my experience as well. By the way, the Indian ladies also wear a scarf with the outfit and the scarf is called a dupatta.
The picture you see on the right is very special as it was taken by my 74 year old neighbour who has never taken a photo before in her entire life.

ENCIK AZMAN BIN SHABUDIN

Encik Azman has been teaching in this school since 1992. According to him, this is the first school he was posted to and will also hopefully be the last. This shows that he must really love teaching in this school to want to stay here until the day he retires.
During the latest meeting of teachers, the principal had announced that as of 1st January 2007, Cikgu Azman will be taking over as the Head Warden as well as the Head of the Disciplinary Board. Actually, he was the Head Warden from 1984 until 1987. If my memory does not fail me, I recall that he stepped down from his post after that as he wanted to concentrate on his education. He graduated with a degree in Electrical Engineering from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia in 2001.
Encik Azman is married to Puan Reha bt Tajudin who is also a teacher. She teaches at SK ACS in Sitiawan. They have four children, 3 boys and 1 girl. They are Abdul Hadi (13 years), Abdul Halim (9 years), Rashidah (8 years) and Abdul Hasid (2 plus).
He cites his interests as reading and pottering in the garden. As for his plans for the future, he has really set his sight on bettering the school. He hopes to create an environment that is both conducive and healthy for the students when he takes on his new responsibilities. He says that he will be working closely with Cikgu Wan Yusaini, the new senior teacher for student affairs.

MYSTERY MAN

Who is the mystery man in the picture? If you think you know who he is, please contact me. The first person who can correctly identify him will get a prize.

INTERVIEW WITH CIKGU RAZAK

I managed to interview Cikgu Razak about the burglary that happened in his house. According to him, he only realised the break-in when he and his family came back from the festive break on Sunday. The burglar had managed to get into his house by breaking in through a side window. Incidentally, this is the second time that this is happening to him. The burglar who broke into his house the first time stole into his house by entering from a window on the other side of the house. He found his whole house in a mess with things strewn about as the burglar must have thrown things around while looking for valuable. Only cash was taken. He said he lost RM XXX. The case has been reported to the police. They have come to investigate and suspect that both burglaries might have been committed by the same person. The pictures above show Cikgu Razak and his quarters.

POPULAR SONG

Everywhere I go I keep hearing this song, "My Heart". One of my students even downloaded it into my laptop for me when he was doing the write-up for the newsletter. So, I shall post it into the blog to share with everyone. I think it is from a popular Indonesian movie of the same name. The singers are Irwansyah and Acha Septriasa.

HALLOWEEN

Tomorrow, the 31st of October, is Halloween. When I studied in England, I was able to observe first hand how this day was celebrated. I remember little children would dress up in costumes which usually represented something to do with ghosts, frightening creatures, monsters and walking around the neighbourhood at night. This children would knock on doors and say, "Trick or Treat". The adults are supposed to give them sweets or cookies as treats. If they are not given the treats, the children would play tricks on that household. Nowadays, I think in the west it is celebrated more as a tradition than a belief. Below is more information about this western practice.

Halloween is a tradition celebrated on the night of October 31, most notably by children dressing in costumes and going door-to-door collecting sweets. It is celebrated in parts of the Western world, though most commonly in the United States, Canada, the UK, Ireland, Puerto Rico, and with increasing popularity in Australia and New Zealand.

The term Halloween, and its older spelling Hallowe'en, is shortened from All-hallow-even, as it is the evening before "All Hallows' Day" (also known as "All Saints' Day"). In Ireland, the name was All Hallows' Eve (often shortened to Hallow Eve).

For more about Halloween, please log on to: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halloween

BURGLED

The moment I reached school this morning, I heard the news that the Chief Warden, Encik Razak b Mat Isa's quarters was burgled when he and his family went back to their village to celebrate Hari Raya. According to my sources, this is the second time his house has been broken into. Watch this blog for more news about this break-in after I get a chance to interview the victim.

ACCIDENT REPORT

I wish to report that one of the members in my editorial team was injured during the Hari Raya Aidil Fitri holidays. He is Aqib from 5PKEE1. He was worried about the newsletter and called to inform me today about his condition. It appears that he was riding on his motorcycle and had encountered a pothole. This had caused him to lose control of his vehicle. As a result, he injured the big toe on his left foot. The entire toe nail came out and he is actually in great pain. He told me that the doctor has given him medical leave for 21 days but he is going to try and come back to school by next week as he wishes to prepare for his examinations and also help in the publication of Quantum Quarterly.

CONTINUATION OF FORM FOUR YEAR END EXAMINATION

It is back to the grind for all the teachers and students of STESMA. This morning, the examination for the Form Four students was resumed after the one week festive break. The first paper started at 7.45 a.m. and the last paper for the day ended at 1.45 p.m. The students sat for English Language Paper 1, Bahasa Melayu Paper 1 and Sejarah Paper 1 today. Below are scenes taken inside and outside the examination hall today.

Get Your Own! | View Slideshow

BOTTLE TREE

During the one week school break, I watched a drama series that featured the bottle tree. I was rather fascinated with the shape of the tree and learnt more about it from the World Wide Web.

The bottle tree is any of various trees of the genus Brachychiton, within the cacao, or chocolate, family (Sterculiaceae), native to Australia. They grow to a height of 18 m (60 feet). They are cultivated in other warm regions as ornamentals. The name refers to the peculiar shape of the trunk.

Source: http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9015876/bottle-tree

HARI RAYA WISHES FROM MISS CHEAH

Here is my wish for all Muslims who visit this blog in animated Arabic.

Translated it means:

"I wish you well this year and every year".

THE SPIRIT OF RAMADAN

Ramadan is a special month of the year for over one billion Muslims throughout the world. It is a time for inner reflection, devotion to God, and self-control. Muslims think of it as a kind of tune-up for their spiritual lives. There are as many meanings of Ramadan as there are Muslims.Fasting has many special benefits. Among these, the most important is that it is a means of learning self-control. Due to the lack of preoccupation with the satisfaction of bodily appetites during the daylight hours of fasting, a measure of ascendancy is given to one's spiritual nature, which becomes a means of coming closer to God. Ramadan is also a time of intensive worship, reading of the Qur'an, giving charity, purifying one's behavior, and doing good deeds.
For Muslims, Ramadan is not merely a holiday, but an opportunity to gain by giving up, to prosper by going without and to grow stronger by enduring weakness. Fasting is a way of experiencing hunger and developing sympathy for the less fortunate, and learning to thankfulness and appreciation for all of God's bounties. Fasting is also beneficial to the health and provides a break in the cycle of rigid habits or overindulgence.
Source: http://telatah.com/puasa-1.htm

GIVING AND RECEIVING DUIT RAYA

Cikgu Ishak Ismail gave duit raya or Hari Raya Money to the students in his Al Bukhary class on Friday morning before he and the students went back to their respective hometowns for the festive holidays.

NAK DUIT RAYA

During this festive season, not only little children can be heard saying "Nak duit raya" but many of the students in STESMA. I pun nak duit raya. Heh! Heh! Heh!

HAPPY DEEPAVALI TO ALL HINDUS

CIKGU MANAN AT PASAR RAMADHAN

At the Pasar Ramadhan in Seri Manjung, I met Cikgu Abdul Manan who was buying food for berbuka puasa this evening. Yesterday, it was Cikgu Rosli Samot and Puan Mashita whom I met. Cikgu Manan sportingly posed for me when I asked if I could snap a photo of him and post it in STESMA forever.

HARI RAYA MOOD

The students and teachers were in a Hari Raya mood on Friday morning. Immediately after assembly the students lined up to ask their teachers for their blessings and forgiveness. Below is a slide presentation of the occasion.

Get Your Own! | View Slideshow

PRIZE PRESENTATION

The student representatives or form teachers of the classes received the Keceriaan prize for their classes from the principal on Friday morning during assembly. The contest was held over a period of time and teachers who were elected as judges went around the classes to inspect certain aspects of the classes, like cleanliness and how well they were arranged and decorated.

SENIOR ASSISTANT FOR STUDENT AFFAIRS

Ladies and gentlemen, may I introduce you to our new senior assistant for student affairs, Encik Wan Yusaini bin Wan Hassan. He formerly held the post of senior teacher for Mathematics and Science. This morning, Cikgu Wan gave his maiden speech during morning assembly after taking up his new post.

Congratulations to Cikgu Wan Yusaini. I am sure he will be able to carry out his new responsibilities as well as he did when he was senior teacher.

PUAN RASILAH BT AHMAD: KETUA BIDANG MATEMATIK DAN SAINS

Following Cikgu Abdul Hamid bin Fazal Mohamad's promotion as a principal in S.M. Teknik Slim River, there was a slight reshuffle in the school's administrative structure.

I am happy to report that Puan Rasilah bt Ahmad is now officially the Ketua Bidang Matematik dan Sains or the senior teacher for Mathematics and Science. Congratulations Puan Rasilah! I am sure you will be able to carry out your duties with the three Es - enthusiastically, efficiently and excellently.

YOUNG INTERNATIONAL SAILOR

It's no joke! Honestly our school has a sailor of international standards! His name is Nik Ashraf Qaedi bin Nik Azizan. For anybody who is dying to know more 'bout this boy, don't you worry I got you covered!

He started sailing since 2000 which makes him 10 years old back then(gosh)! His brother who started teaching him how sail (aww) since his brother is not a bad sailor himself.

It took him one whole year to fully master the ways of sailing and he took part in his first competition at state level in the same year. So far his biggest achievement is 6th place in Sukan Asia Pasifik. Currently he is coached by Abdul Rani bin Idris who was also a great sailor in his golden times. Anyone who wants to learn sailing can check him out. His darkest moments was he almost got drowned when he got tangled with a line. Well that's just an introduction 'bout this boy. After raya he will set out to compete in the Milo Mada 2006 Regatta.He is also looking foward to competing in the Sukan Sea in 2007 , Sukan Asia 2010 and in the Olympics 2012. Let's wish him luck!

By: Mohammad Azali bin Ismail

DIWALI OR DEEPAVALI

Diwali (also called Deepavali, दीवाली or दीपावली or தீபாவளி in Tamil) is a major Hindu, Jain and Sikh festival/celebration. Known as the "Festival of Lights," it symbolises the victory of good over evil, and lamps are lit as a sign of celebration and hope for mankind. The reason for celebrating Diwali or Deepawali (lines of earthen lamps) is the return of Lord Ram, after killing Ravan (Demon) during his exile for 14 years. The day of killing Ravan is celebrated as Dussehra (19~21 days before Diwali). Celebrations focus on lights and lamps. Fireworks are associated with the festival in some regions of India. For Sikhs, Diwali is a celebration of Sri Guru Hargobind Ji's release from Gwalior jail.

Deepavali is celebrated for five consecutive days in the Hindu month of Ashwayuja. It usually occurs in October/November, and is one of the most popular and eagerly awaited festivals of India. Hindus, Jains and Sikhs alike regard it as a celebration of life and use the occasion to strengthen family and social relationships.

EID UL FITRI or AIDIL FITRI

Eid -ul-Fitr is one of the important festivals of Muslims. After Ramadan, the month of fasting Muslims celebrate Eid-Ul-Fitr.Eid-ul-fitr is celebrated on the first day of Shawwal, the tenth month of the Islamic calendar, which Muslims follow. The sighting of the new crescent moon marks the beginning of the month. Eid-Ul-Fitr MeaningIn Arabic the meaning of Eid is Festivity and Fitr means to break in English.Eid-Ul-Fitr means to celebrate the breaking of the month of fasting (Ramadan). Eid-Ul-Fitr DayOn the Eid day early in the morning all the Muslims take a bath and wear their new clothes which they have got stitched beforehand.after dressing they have breakfast which includes dates and then proceed to the Mosque (masjid) for a Eid prayer ceremony and recite the takbeerat “allahu akbar, allahu akbar” meaning Allah is the greatest. Apart from this many other Eid prayers are recited to remember Allah on this occasion. How To Celebrate Eid-Ul-FitrEid-ul-fitr is the day of celebration for all the Muslims and therefore to celebrate this day in the best way a lot of arrangements are made by Muslims beforehand. On this day all the Muslims usually wear new clothes, men wearing white to spread peace and women also wear new clothes and apply henna (mehndi) on their hands along with bangles and other accessories. Muslims also decorate their houses in their own special ways to create a feel of Eid Festival among all the family members. Children also enjoy this festival by wearing new clothes and playing games. Eid is the festival when all the children have a real fun time as they get gifts, clothes, sweets, perks and love from all their near and dear ones.

FESTIVE GREETINGS FROM 5PKEE3

The boys and girls of 5PKEE3 wish all their Muslim friends and teachers

"Selamat Hari Raya Puasa" and happy holidays.

MEDIA WORK

A few of the students stayed back after school to help me with STESMA forever and Quantum Quarterly. Aqib was busy designing the template for the newsletter, Shukri helped me to print articles from STESMA forever to be put up on the bulletin board and Liny wrote one article for the blog. Jamal Izwan also worked on materials for the newsletter.

GETTING MARRIED

Another piece of good news that I got concerns Ustazah Azurin binti Ahmad Sarkawi. She will be getting married on 28th October 2006. She has invited all the teachers and staff to her wedding which will be at her house at No. 185 Jalan Semanggol, FELDA Trolak Selatan in Sungkai on Saturday.

BABIES GALORE

The moment I got back to school after being away for three days, I received some very good news to put into this blog. Three of my colleagues and their spouses were blessed with new babies.

Congratulations to:

* Puan Ezra who gave birth to a baby boy on Friday, 13th October.

* Encik Faizal who became a father to a baby girl on Monday, 16th October. This is the first

child for him and his wife.

* Puan Nor Hashita who gave birth to a baby girl on Tuesday, 17th October.

PUAN ALISA AND SON

I spied our chief clerk at the parking lot this morning and went to have a closer look. It appeared that she had a slight mishap and scratched the front fender of her car. Her son, Shahrul Izhar who is on holiday came and helped his mum to repair the paintwork.

END OF YEAR DINNER FOR PEERS

Shairazi Zuljafni Bin Norizat from 5PKE2 and Noorazialiny Binti Abdul Aziz from 4EN3 are doing the paper work for 'MAJLIS JAMUAN AKHIR TAHUN PEERS 2006 BERSAMA PENGETUA'. This dinner is organised by The Guidance And Counselling Unit of the school. It will be held on 2 NOVEMBER 2006 at the school hall.

Reported by:

Noorazialiny Binti Abdul Aziz.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE DEPARTMENT 2006

Here is a montage of the members of the English Language Department of Sekolah Menengah Teknik Seri Manjung for 2006.

INJURED BIKE

Cikgu Ishak Ismail was involved in an accident on Tuesday, 17th October. The accident happened near the Petronas Station in Manjung at around 6.00 p.m. when he was going to buy food to 'berbuka puasa". A young driver in a Proton Wira rammed into the back of his bike. The rear part was badly damaged; the mud guard and the lamps had to be replaced. Since the shop he went to did not have the original spare parts, the contour of the bike is now slightly higher. Cikgu Ishak is rather upset about this as he is very fond of his big bike. He still needs to fork out RM80 to repaint the new mudguard after the Raya holidays.

Besides, the injury to his precious motorbike, he himself is injured. He told me that he had accidentally tripped on a chair in his house on Sunday. As a result he fractured the bone on the last toe of his left leg. He was given outpatient treatment at the Kajang Specialist Centre. Two X-rays were done on his left foot. It seems that today the toe is swollen and he might have to go for another X-ray soon. He seems to be having a spate of bad luck. Before this his wife was hospitalised twice over the past five months.