After a week of staying with the lovely makcik and pakcik, I moved out and stayed with Zariah or Yah, one of the staff. There were only 5 ladies. She was from Beris Kubur Besar, Bachok. I made friends for life. Another teacher was Rosnani or Nani from Kota Bahru. She travelled daily so it was only Yah and I. Our first house together was just next to the school. It was a 2 room wooden house. All the houses were made of wood then. I can't remember the rent now but it was cheap. We stayed there for a few months before the owner wanted it for his son. So, on to the next house. It was further down but still walking distance. It was a double storey brick bungalow. It was a hostel for the girls from Thailand. We had the small room downstairs as wardens. The problem was it had dirty water supply. The water supply was terrible and dirty. Imagine the water is the colour of your "teh tarik" and smell of mud! They did not have mineral water back in the 80's'. We lasted a few months there also as we soon began to look for houses with clean water. The third movement was to another wooden house further in. Here, the bathroom and toilet were in the house compound and enclosed. It used well water so, it was quite clean. The problem were peeping Toms. Being a wooden house, there were gaps among the walls. After a few months, we moved again to a house further towards town. The fourth house was slightly better because the bathroom and toilet were in the house itself. The water was also from the well. The problem were the flying frogs which became regular uninvited guests. Not to forget the big, huge rats. I am not very friendly with the unfurry kind and worse when a snake managed to slither in. That's it! Out!!!! In two years, we moved out 4 times. :-) Kak Faridah offered me to stay with her and her children since her husband was in the army. So, I stayed with her in Jias but it also lasted a few months as I felt like I was intruding whenever her husband came home for a visit.
During the second year stay, I met Latifah Ismail, someone I knew way back during the leadership course in Peretak, Kuala Kubu Bahru (1982). We were not very close but being in an alien place, we bonded and became friends. Lat was from Penang and teaching at the primary school near my school. We managed to find a house in Pasir Mas town. It was a brick house. It was a semi-D and walking distance. It was just near the railway tracks. Here I made another friend from another school, Noraini or Enny, from Ipoh. Zariah had moved back to her mother's house in Bachok and traveled daily. So, Lat, Enny and I stayed together in this house for almost a year. This is my fifth house. At first, it took quite getting used to the sound of the train especially at 3:00am. In the quietness and silence of the early morning, the sound of a running train could be quite deafening and shattering a deep sleep. Yet, after some time, one just got used to it and slept like a log. :-D During the wau season, the locals played the wau till the wee hours of the morning. I could still recall the humming of the bobbing wau in the sky. It still echoed in my head. It became a lullaby that soothingly put us to sleep. It was an experience when we watched them played it every evening. It was beautiful and captivating. We stayed here until Lat got a transfer back to Penang. Then, there were only Enny and I. We decided not to look for a third tenant and left Lat's room empty. We had gotten used to each other.
We finally moved out because we caught a peeping Tom. He was our neighbour's son. We decided to move to a house just a few houses away. It was fenced and gated. It was a single house by itself. This is my sixth house. Someone mentioned that I better be careful. Superstition denotes that moving house for seven times means bad luck and can lead to bankruptcy. Really? Yet, we moved. This house was surrounded by fruit trees like mangosteens, rambutans and mangoes. The landlady was very nice and asked us to treat it like our own trees. We stayed together. Here, I finally had a room that overlooked the compound area of fruit trees and privacy from other peering eyes and neighbours. Here I buried an old friend by burning all his letters and photos. I held his funeral one quiet evening when I was alone as Enny had gone back to Ipoh. It was a goodbye ritual. This was my fourth year here. 1987. I was 26 years old. This house witnessed a lot of tears and heartache. Finally, when Enny got married and transferred to Perak, I had to move out again.
My last house and the seventh moving out was near the school again, next to the mosque. This time I stayed with Uztazah Mariam. It was only for a few months as I was working very hard to get a transfer out of Kelantan. Alhamdulillah, after diligently and patiently waiting to meet the officer at the Kota Bahru JPN, I finally managed to get him to release my form out of Kelantan. Perseverance and persistent paid off. I finally got a transfer to Kuala Lumpur. Abang Md. Noor (my brother in law) saw to it I got a transfer to KL. I could not go back to Melaka. I didn't want to. The transfer meant it was the seventh moving house. It was straight out of Kelantan. So, I guess I broke the seven moving house cycle. :-)
Pasir Mas would always be very close to my heart. Here, it was a sanctuary for my hurts and heartaches. It was a place for healing a broken heart. Being in a new environment, away from home, away from family and friends since I did not know anybody here, I had to push everything away to fit in. To settle down. From an urban environment to a rural situation. Kelantan malayanised me. People overall were very nice and welcoming to the extent they wanted to marry me off and be one of them. Well, that is another story. ;-D I learn to be more Malay, if there is such a word to describe it. I learn simplicity. I learn acceptance. I learn the easy way of life. The slow, lackadaisical attitude of the people. That you learn to just wait and not rushed, pushed or haste. Five years in Pasir Mas has matured me. I came as a fresh faced out of college at 22 years old. I left five years later as a matured 27 year old young lady.
Sunday 17 June 2012
Sek Men Agama Arabiah Pasir Mas, Kelantan 1984 - 1988
The 1981/83 batch of trainee teachers graduated in 1983. We were the first batch of the three year course. We waited for our posting which came in December. There were 25 trainees in class PI/G. Zaleha, Lim Sang Khim and I were sent to Kelantan. Lim was from Kelantan so it was alright with him. He was sent to Tanah Merah. His hometown was Bachok. Leha was sent to Machang. I was sent to Pasir Mas. It was a shock yet in a way, a relief. It was so far away from home. I was running away from my grief of losing my father and getting over my broken relationship as he was getting married. Mak had Ain, her second grandchild to keep her busy without me around.
The question was how to get there, where to stay, whom do I know....none. That place was as alien as Sabah or Sarawak. Bapak was no longer around to arrange everything for me. I was sure that had he been alive, no way would I be sent to this God's forsaken place. Well, nobody was going help me. I did asked for it. My family? Who was around...hmmm...so, finally I talked to some friends. Allah kesiankan I. ..anak yatim kan... Help came in the form of Nooraini. My good friend from school days. She contacted her cousin whose wife was a Kelantanese and as luck or fate would have it...she was from Pasir Mas. The school was located near her parents' house. It was just walking distance. I had no choice but to accept their hospitality. Strangers whom I did not even know extended their generosity without even knowing anything about me. The trust and faith they had in just helping someone based on the strength of my friendship with Nooraini.
I took a bus to Kota Bharu with just a bag of clothes and my books. I reached KB early morning, all alone and feeling quite lost. I assumed everybody was very nice and I put my trust in human nature. I asked how to go to Pasir Mas and a Pakcik offered to send me there. I had never heard of "teksi sapu" or whatever you called them. I did not even know of illegal taxis. I was his only passenger and I supposed at that time, in all innocence, I did not expect anything to happen to me. Upon reaching Pasir Mas, I took a trishaw, the main form of transport. I gave the trishaw man the address given to me by Nooraini. When I reached the couples' house, they welcomed me with warmth and open arms. These lovely makcik and pakcik hardly knew me but I was touched by their simplicity and acceptance. They were shocked that I took a "teksi sapu" all alone from KB so early in the morning. For all they knew, I might already be somewhere across the border of Thailand. I could not recall their names now. But I never forgot them. They taught me to extend the same warmth and generosity to anybody new whom I encountered especially those who came to my school for the first time. Kindness begets kindness. I doubted if they were still around now since that was almost 25 years ago. May their souls rest in peace.
When I reported for duty at SMA Arabiah Pasir Mas, which was under Yayasan Islam Kelantan, I was the only non-Kelantanese teacher. I was under a programme of Government teachers being "loaned" to the state government schools in a bid to take over their administration. There were only 2 teachers then. By the time I left after 5 years of service there, there were almost 10 of us. The others were Yayasan teachers and uztaz and uztazah. Most of them were teachers who came back from Azhar University, Cairo or Jordan or Iraq. It was a large school with more than a thousand students. They had students from as far as Brunei to study here. Most of them were from all over Kelantan and Thailand especially from Patani, Nala or Narathiwat i.e. southern Thailand. It was not easy to enter any of the state agama school. Maahad Muhammadi ( girls and boys) were the premier schools. To enter, you have to sit for a written examination, oral and quran recital, basic Arabic language and finally, an interview. Thousands apply every year. Almost 400 would apply yearly to SMA Arabiah Pasir Mas but only a maximum of 150 would be accepted. It was stringent and difficult. That was back in the 80's. The school followed their own syllabus but incorporated the education ministry syllabus. They have 10 agama subjects and 6 academic subjects. Since the agama subjects took up most of the time-table, academic teachers had only 12 to 16 periods. :-)
The question was how to get there, where to stay, whom do I know....none. That place was as alien as Sabah or Sarawak. Bapak was no longer around to arrange everything for me. I was sure that had he been alive, no way would I be sent to this God's forsaken place. Well, nobody was going help me. I did asked for it. My family? Who was around...hmmm...so, finally I talked to some friends. Allah kesiankan I. ..anak yatim kan... Help came in the form of Nooraini. My good friend from school days. She contacted her cousin whose wife was a Kelantanese and as luck or fate would have it...she was from Pasir Mas. The school was located near her parents' house. It was just walking distance. I had no choice but to accept their hospitality. Strangers whom I did not even know extended their generosity without even knowing anything about me. The trust and faith they had in just helping someone based on the strength of my friendship with Nooraini.
I took a bus to Kota Bharu with just a bag of clothes and my books. I reached KB early morning, all alone and feeling quite lost. I assumed everybody was very nice and I put my trust in human nature. I asked how to go to Pasir Mas and a Pakcik offered to send me there. I had never heard of "teksi sapu" or whatever you called them. I did not even know of illegal taxis. I was his only passenger and I supposed at that time, in all innocence, I did not expect anything to happen to me. Upon reaching Pasir Mas, I took a trishaw, the main form of transport. I gave the trishaw man the address given to me by Nooraini. When I reached the couples' house, they welcomed me with warmth and open arms. These lovely makcik and pakcik hardly knew me but I was touched by their simplicity and acceptance. They were shocked that I took a "teksi sapu" all alone from KB so early in the morning. For all they knew, I might already be somewhere across the border of Thailand. I could not recall their names now. But I never forgot them. They taught me to extend the same warmth and generosity to anybody new whom I encountered especially those who came to my school for the first time. Kindness begets kindness. I doubted if they were still around now since that was almost 25 years ago. May their souls rest in peace.
When I reported for duty at SMA Arabiah Pasir Mas, which was under Yayasan Islam Kelantan, I was the only non-Kelantanese teacher. I was under a programme of Government teachers being "loaned" to the state government schools in a bid to take over their administration. There were only 2 teachers then. By the time I left after 5 years of service there, there were almost 10 of us. The others were Yayasan teachers and uztaz and uztazah. Most of them were teachers who came back from Azhar University, Cairo or Jordan or Iraq. It was a large school with more than a thousand students. They had students from as far as Brunei to study here. Most of them were from all over Kelantan and Thailand especially from Patani, Nala or Narathiwat i.e. southern Thailand. It was not easy to enter any of the state agama school. Maahad Muhammadi ( girls and boys) were the premier schools. To enter, you have to sit for a written examination, oral and quran recital, basic Arabic language and finally, an interview. Thousands apply every year. Almost 400 would apply yearly to SMA Arabiah Pasir Mas but only a maximum of 150 would be accepted. It was stringent and difficult. That was back in the 80's. The school followed their own syllabus but incorporated the education ministry syllabus. They have 10 agama subjects and 6 academic subjects. Since the agama subjects took up most of the time-table, academic teachers had only 12 to 16 periods. :-)
Monday 4 June 2012
Ikram off to Kolej Matrikulasi Kedah
20th May - 24th May 2012 :- The last week of school was a lot of running around to get Ikram's things ready for registration. I was called up for a meeting in Penang for two days. I had exam papers to be marked. To top it off, I had the collect the data on all the Panitia Heads. That's 25 of them! I got the e-mail on Monday morning and they want it pronto on Tuesday. I had to run around the school looking for them at their rooms or staff room or canteen. That plus my classes for invigilation, the relief class they still gave me and all my free periods!!! By 1:00pm I still had another 10 to go so I sat at the office and started calling up each one of them. Finally by 2:00pm, I still had another one to go. She was off for a meeting. I left a message on her phone. I had to get all their data and years of experience by that day because I was leaving for Penang the next day. Finally, Ponnamal called and confirmed her data. By the time I reached home, it was almost 3:00pm. After a short rest and Zohor prayers, I started filling in the form that the PPD had e-mailed. I managed to send it out by 5:00pm. I was so exhausted. I still needed to buy a few more things for Ikram. It was difficult shopping with this young man!!! After a couple of hours, he was tired and bored and wanted to eat or go home. His attitude was there's always tomorrow. Why must buy this, why must buy that ....AARRGGHHH!!! I took a deep breath and told myself .. .. .. patience..patience... :-{
When I was in Penang, Ikram finally passed his driving test and got his "P" license. Of course he was eager to start driving!!!! We only had a few days more to go so, that Friday I took him for our last tea session together and treated him at Secret Recipe. My best friend was leaving and I would go home to an empty house again. Nobody to listen to my ramblings about my students or staff!! The nicest compliment from him - "You are not like any other mother or my friends' mothers. You are just different. I like it though. Different, open and just not stereotypical. I would say you and your family are weird but a nice kind of weird. I like what your friend (the one we met at the shopping complex - Chin) a laissez-faire mother." Coming from him, I'll take it as a compliment. :-D
He refused to pack his things yet. Saturday night I had to sit with him with the check list and started packing his bags with him. One thing about the boys and I - we can talk about anything, criticize each other, give our opinions openly but deep down I know that there are certain things we will not share. It is enough that I am still important enough to be made a part of their lives. Finally, we got everything ready for tomorrow morning. He was not a morning person so I had to anticipate his grouchiness and moodiness. Well, his father was there to provide his financial needs. For that, I am grateful.
Sunday, 27th May 2012. We left after a light breakfast of curry puff and bread at 7:30am. It was supposed to be a 45 minute drive from Alor Setar to Changlun. The jam started from Changlun town itself! That's another 2.5km to the college. We did not anticipate the jam. So, praying that Noor will be patient, we talked about my college life, we sang songs from the CD and generally tried to enjoy the jam. Registration was supposed to start at 8:30am and we finally got into the college at almost 9:00am. Ikram queued with the others for registration. I started wandering around doing what I enjoyed most - people watching. :-) Noor went off on his own looking up for his friends or somebody that he was bound to know. I met Omayah who was also registering Aiman. So, we waited until almost 11:00am. We checked out his room and his room mates. I could only pray that he would meet friends that would always remind him of his prayers and obligations. Ikram was not like his two brothers. He is what he is. He is also the closest to me and most of the time, I'd rather talk to him. He is also wise beyond his years.
When he started his briefing, Noor and I left. I could only recite a prayer that everything would be smooth and easy for him. For Allah to give him patience and leave him in the care and guidance of Allah. I think I had done my best for the boys and I am grateful that all three managed to continue their studies and most important, they still wanted to study and learn. I now leave Akmal, in Sabah; Syafiq in KL and now, for a year, Ikram in Changlun to the protection, compassion and acceptance of Allah. Aamiin.
When I was in Penang, Ikram finally passed his driving test and got his "P" license. Of course he was eager to start driving!!!! We only had a few days more to go so, that Friday I took him for our last tea session together and treated him at Secret Recipe. My best friend was leaving and I would go home to an empty house again. Nobody to listen to my ramblings about my students or staff!! The nicest compliment from him - "You are not like any other mother or my friends' mothers. You are just different. I like it though. Different, open and just not stereotypical. I would say you and your family are weird but a nice kind of weird. I like what your friend (the one we met at the shopping complex - Chin) a laissez-faire mother." Coming from him, I'll take it as a compliment. :-D
He refused to pack his things yet. Saturday night I had to sit with him with the check list and started packing his bags with him. One thing about the boys and I - we can talk about anything, criticize each other, give our opinions openly but deep down I know that there are certain things we will not share. It is enough that I am still important enough to be made a part of their lives. Finally, we got everything ready for tomorrow morning. He was not a morning person so I had to anticipate his grouchiness and moodiness. Well, his father was there to provide his financial needs. For that, I am grateful.
Sunday, 27th May 2012. We left after a light breakfast of curry puff and bread at 7:30am. It was supposed to be a 45 minute drive from Alor Setar to Changlun. The jam started from Changlun town itself! That's another 2.5km to the college. We did not anticipate the jam. So, praying that Noor will be patient, we talked about my college life, we sang songs from the CD and generally tried to enjoy the jam. Registration was supposed to start at 8:30am and we finally got into the college at almost 9:00am. Ikram queued with the others for registration. I started wandering around doing what I enjoyed most - people watching. :-) Noor went off on his own looking up for his friends or somebody that he was bound to know. I met Omayah who was also registering Aiman. So, we waited until almost 11:00am. We checked out his room and his room mates. I could only pray that he would meet friends that would always remind him of his prayers and obligations. Ikram was not like his two brothers. He is what he is. He is also the closest to me and most of the time, I'd rather talk to him. He is also wise beyond his years.
When he started his briefing, Noor and I left. I could only recite a prayer that everything would be smooth and easy for him. For Allah to give him patience and leave him in the care and guidance of Allah. I think I had done my best for the boys and I am grateful that all three managed to continue their studies and most important, they still wanted to study and learn. I now leave Akmal, in Sabah; Syafiq in KL and now, for a year, Ikram in Changlun to the protection, compassion and acceptance of Allah. Aamiin.
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