A Visit Like No Other

30th June'09 @ 0135



"Hang on eyelids,don't give up on me..just for another 30 mins will do..hopefully"..I'm kind of sleepy but the drive is too strong that i have to make an entry now before i hit my bed.

I had a very memorable day yesterday with subha,vicks and lava who joined us when the fun was ending.



We had one of our longest outing today from 10 am till 5 pm.First spot that we hit was for breakfast since vicks was showing signs of hypoglycemic.Subha and I was like.."okay will teman you,dont make us eat,drinks will do"..so there we were for about 1 hour while waiting for vicks to empty her indian breakfast.By the way,this girl actually made me try 'vadai' with curry..it was my first time to try such combo and yeah it tasted good with 'chutney'.Lava's absence was filled by subha and it was pretty much of a scene over there with her:p



After receiving vicks' final touch up on her convo saree's blouse,we planned to head off to our favourite mall.As I was thinking on how to get there from the old town,as if I was triggered by a stimulus,I just said" let's go to RPS"..there was a moment of silence,let;s sat about 4 secs then 3 of us said "OKAY,let's go!" in unison.Our very first plan was just to pass by school but in a blink of an eye,we DECIDED to ENTER and PAY VISIT TO our dearest mentors.



The last time I passed the 2nd gate of school was in 2006 when subha,lava,sree and I visited.Right after we parked our car at the parking compund,we took our visitors tag and walked across the paths which had tonnes of savoured nostalgic moments.As we were being watched closely by the juniors,we fastened our pace and entered the school canteen.I didn't mind the looks i were getting from the young RPSians because once even we acted the same when any former students visited the school:)



The first person who came to my mind when I mentioned RPS was Miss Lam.I really wanted to see her since i missed her during my visit in 2006.Sadly,Mrs.Anna has transferred to Anderson,and I believe RPS has lost a former student cum gem of MUET/English language ace.Since many of my senior teachers who taught us earlier have already retired,we were actually lost with only new faces of tutors to be seen in the staff room.Vicky and I summoned our courages and stepped into the room and enquired whereabouts of our former teachers.I went an extra mile by checking on Miss Lam's time table which was imprinted on her table.I begun to smile when I knew her MUET class will be ending very soon.Waited and waited at the Laman Budi..yes the place where once we used to have our meals during recess time.As we were deeply immersed into our thoughts,I decided to search for Miss Lam.While searching for her,I noticed Pn.Sabariah-the BM whiz--learning BM has never been boring with her.As I approached and greeted her,she was rather suprised and gave me her widest smile.When I asked her 'cikgu masih ingat saya?"..and her reply:"mestila ingat..macam mana sekarang ni,tengah buat apa?"..I wanted to jump in happiness upon her recognition.VIcks and Subha joined us and this mentor of mine took us to canteen and treated us.She was really happy to see us and i'm not boasting but this is the truth,she said "cikgu sangat bangga dengan kamu semua"..and we replied back:"ini semua jasa cikgu dan cikgu-cikgu RPS".



Pn.Sabariah made us sit at the teachers' table in canteen which was later joined by Mr.TJ Pereira.He has always been the outstanding one with numerous science and techno projects which needed to be exhibited in 'science stop' once in a week /fortnight.Mr.TJ wanted to treat us too but we refused saying the drinks were enough.He was never my teacher during my stay in RPS.Subha and Vicks had better memories of him.We had to repeat what was going on with our lifes and he on the other hand being the jovial and a person who speaks his mind,talked about "girls,all the very best,good luck and get yourselves men!" at the end of his talk.At that very moment,I wished Mrs Anna was there because i still remember what she told us in 2006 "let it happen naturally girls,don't rush into things".



I wasn't satisfied since Miss Lam was no where to be seen even after we paid our second visit to the staff room.Mr.Param came to my mind.Mr.TJ mentioned about him being in the computer room at the end of the staff room.As i was getting closer to the room,Mr.Param stepped out and he obviously recognised and remembered me.He gave his most widest smile and breathed sign of relief after knowing his former students are graduates/master/phd holders.I'm sure he missed us very much..:p who wouldn't when we actually teased him in form 6 and the amount of tantrums we threw..I hope the cute hippo birthday card by 6 Bio'04 is still with him.



As I couldn't wait any longer,we walked to our previously form 5 block which now is occupied by the form sixers.Guess what?Yes finally there was my most respected teacher of all time..Miss Lam,training and preparing her fellow form sixers for MUET examination.I didn;t want to annoy her by interrupting her class but I had no choice because I definitely didnt want to go back without saying 'thank you' to her.I tip toe-ed towars the door,the students were looking at me but it took few seconds for Miss Lam to actually lift her eyes from a book she was engrossed into,and finally i heard her voice after 2 years "Are you looking for me?"..I said "yes teacher"..with a more humble and low tone voice.Her steady gait still remains the same despite her age.Her voice beamed with happiness when she learned about us and I know very well that she infact other teachers too,remember our faces and our 2004 batch.Once you mention your name they can remember automatically and say "yes I remember":)



We chatted with her outside the classroom for about 30 minutes.By that time,the MUET listening test has ended and the students were busy chit-chatting and a few never left their gazes of us.Miss Lam changed physically.She has grown thinner due to her diabetic.Her voice has become more softer and monotonous.Being a former RPSian,she has dedicated her life to the school.Who can actually be compared to her?She's simply the best,I have no words and even words are not enough to describe this precious women cum teacher.I remembered during my early days in school,I used to take divertion when i see her coming from the opposite side.We were really scared of her because of her outer look and the poise she has in her.Little did we know that this woman is one of a kind and I indeed very honoured to be taught by her.Getting to know her in my lower six days was the best days when she used to call me "nava" just the way how my friends will address me.The little diaries which we used to pass to her every friday for her reading over the weekends made our bond even tighter.I hadn't enough of her because she passed her reign in teaching MUET to Mrs.Anna in upper six due to her busy schedules of hockey .Then we got the most charismatic woman of RPS..Mrs.Anna as our MUET teacher.Andersonians,you guys are lucky to have THe product of RPS,no matter what she still belongs to RPS.She's very loving indeed and never once scolded us when she is feared by the rest of the hockey mates of ours.Becaue of her,we were the top ones in hockey few years ago.It was all because of her.It was all because of her guidance and coachings.Her deeds are too many that I can only engrave her in mind and thoughts.Never will I forget this precious and prestigious gem.This gem actually said "thank you" to us for remembering and visiting her.Long hail to you Miss Lam,love you very much.



I was feeling lighter and reminiscing my memory lane while walking towards the main gate.RPS,wherever I go,wherever I am,no matter how successful I become in future,I owe everything to you,thank you...viva forever RPS!



We were satisfied,had our lunch ,chit chatted with lava at the secret recipe,snapped few shots and came back home with unforgetful memories.It was definitely a visit which is worth of million words and thoughts.



0301.

pre-convo preparations

25th June'09 @ 2120

"we meet up tomorrow maybe at 11 am,i will confirm with you nava"-lava's voice over the phone."allright,no problem with me..how about vicks?she will be joining us right?"- i replied back."yeap,till tomorrow then,i will reconfirm in the morning"-lava answered.

During sems,at times i will automatically wake up from my sleep and get ready for classes though at times i subconciously turn off the alarm clock(i have that tendency!) but here once back for holidays,looks like my biological clock always go hay wire.darn,today woke up at 11.30 am because no one woke me up!And what actually woke me up?My mobile was ringing non-stop.Miraculously i woke up after so many times wishing someone will actually turn it off.With my eyes half closed,i was searching for my hp only to realise i actually left it downstairs on the computer table!duh!!! hurried downstairs and ta-da...3 miss calls with 2 smses.Sorry sorry buddies.Luckily,lava messaged informing that she will be late and scheduled to meet up at 1pm.phewww..thank god,hurried upstairs and grabbed a quick shower and got ready to meet up with my buddies whom i really miss so dearly for the past 10 months.It's a tradition which we have adopted to meet up within the 1st week of my return to Ipoh every year.So i didnt want to miss it because earlier i thought it was too late to join them.Moreover,today we also did shopping for vicks-we helped her to shop for her graduation saree! that's what makes it special today.I already missed few of my buddies convocation ceremonies,therefore when vicks informed me,i was too eager to join them and (i believe)chose the best saree especially for her.Glad i was part of her upcoming special day.

After exhanging comments on outer appearance,we updated each other on the many things at the famous indian restaurant in ipoh.Luckily the restaurant wasn't jammed with people that we had the table for ourselves.Who could actually resist 'nan with tandoori chicken'?I enjoyed my lunch till the end.Approximately after 45 minutes,we headed toward little india in old town,ipoh for sarees.It was my first time accompanying my bestie to select for a saree.The feeling was undescribable.As vicks were trying on the many sarees,lava and I were eyeing the beautiful salwar kameezes on display.Lovely,superbly made and mostly are designer collections.We indians definitely have the most beautifuly made traditional costumes which never fail to mesmerize others:)Very impressive indeed.I made up my mind to visit again the shop pretty soon to get a pair which my eyes had locked on earlier.

As we were suggesting sarees for vicks,being young ladies we are,the topic went on choosing for sarees.As usual,the ones who get picked the most was lava.Yet,my friend protracted by saying..masters first! yeah..way to go.She is lucky because her other half was very understanding.So the next most eligible candidate is subha,who might get hitched next year.Do i hear a wow sound here?:)I'm on the other hand was telling both of them to pre-inform me earlier so that i wont be missing THE important days in their lives.We were actually teasing and having a splendid time in the shop till the shop owner couldn't help smiling at us.Girls will always be girls:)

Vicks finally got her most desired saree for her convo.We made the owner of the shop to tie again the saree for vicks,took a good look at it and nodded.Vicks was satisfied and yes the saree was a design of a kind which fitted her well.

As we parted infront of the shop with memories of spending time together,I know in 2-4 years,I will be back again there either for my friends or perhap for mine.But i believe there's a very high probability to visit the shop again for my dearies.

Thanks for the great day lava and vicks,and subha you missed our wonderful outing today!:)

blogging continues...

25th June 2009 @ 0101

My very first entry in blogspot.I'm not an amateur in blogging for I had been blogging in friendster for the past 5 years and being an avid diary writer,I'm sure i can make something out of it here when i feel like jotting down few words.
It just feels too good to be back home for 2 months of summer break.So blissful indeed when you can actually stop for a minute to admire how the world passes by you so smoothly and swiftly.Nothing beats like being at home,in Malaysia.Home sweet home.I'm totally engulfed with non-stress/non-adrenaline rushing atmosphere.Wish I could always be in this mode no matter how much pressure is exerted on me during semesters and exam periods.
I realised so many tiny and little things that i had missed during my medical studies.They say medical field is a VERY serious profession and I have NEVER DENIED it.But,once I became part of it,i realised how true the words are.The actual definition of stress is the word medicine(well that's exactly what I would say if anyone asks me :How's medicine?)
10 months of studies each year and with 2 more years to go,I'm looking forward to start working in hospital to make my childhood ambition come true in near future.Sacrifices that i made for my medical studies can never be comparable to anything else.
Once i'm back home,i realised i was too occupied with my studies that I did miss the latest happenings around me.Me being nerdy?no im not at all.in fact,i've never wanted to be a nerd and luckily,it's ubiquitous to be called hardworking by others and not a nerd!Talking about being occupied,clearly in medical line,one definitely needs more than 24 hours/day especially a month before or during exam seasons.You just wish for that..,just hoping for that miracle to happen..but to no avail,neither the Earth nor time waits for man.
As i realised the things i've missed during my non-sem break times,I begin to value and appreciate better things or people that i'm meeting now.I listen mostly(like usual).I try to be a good listener.Being a listener doesn't mean you are a man of few words.It's a piece of cake to just blurt out words without listening to the others for the sake of giving a piece of your mind but what i learned is,listening and showing people that you're an attentive listener is far more important that to convince people on what you think is right.
As I cancelled by friendster account(since dec 2004) and facaebook(since nov 2008),my random act actually surprised many people till they started enquiring "'what actually happened?that was an abrupt decision!" I had my own reason to justify my act.Initially I was convinced that both these popular networking system connect people.I had to agree on that point.I did find back my old and best buddies yet the trend has worn out,i believe.People no longer keep in touch indeed,the networks which are in the beginning marked their way up with their prime motive of bridging connection between people.I found the services offered are both purposeless.For instance,my mailbox if flooded @ spammed with notifications from facebook on their quizzes done by it's members.Previously i had the reason to join friendster but I guess I lost it and i guess abstinence makes a perfect get away from it.I came to a conclusion that sms and emails serve better purpose than any other networking system.Affirmatively,it's all lies in the hands of the person who takes the initiative to remain near to his loved ones.You'll be nobody if you choose to take friends and loved ones for granted.
2nd day at home,I'm just hibernating,enjoying our exotic food,catching up with my high school buddies,having heart felt talk with dad and mum,updating brother on my usual routine and vice versa.Head still feels heavy as if my brain had gained extra few grams after the constant non-stop info input.I desperately need to 'drain' my head before i start to re-enter infos on internal medicine.
Still,I'm definitely going to enjoy my break at home despite many unsolved incidents which still linger in my head.
Happy holidays to me and I will be back with my next entry soon.