Limmericks

We were doing limmericks with Dr. Edwin in previous class. It was a fun lesson. We got to create our own version of limmericks. And, my group's limmericks sound very interesting (I think). I felt that a lesson to let students create their own poems and limmericks is an interesting idea, although it only fits to students who are in certain level of proficiency. Hopefully I can introduce this to my students. Literature is not solely reading and intepreting but beyond that. Students can enjoy reading literature and create their own as well. This is good to make them realize that creating a good piece of literary work is very difficult and takes a lot of creativity and brain work. Thus, they will cherish others' writings and find meaning from what they have read.

Freedom Writer

The movie 'Freedom Writer' is such a motivating movie. I never can imagine a teacher would give up her husband for her students. And, she is doing so much in order to get students' trust on her. Her determination indeed inspiring. how many teachers can do the way she did? She treats the weak performance students equally by giving them new books to read and respects their opinions. She even dares to correct their wrong perceptions that might bring risk to her life. Who dares to shout at a teenager that carries a gun?? They are very impulsive and need to put so much efforts to make them believe in your good intention. AND, the most unbelievable thing is, this movie is adapted from a real-life story! Hope that there will be more and more teachers like her in our society. Hope I can be one too :)

The Reader

This is a movie starred by Kate Winslet and obviously it is not a literary book we are studying. However, I think it is relevant for me to share my experience regarding what I have learnt about literature, whether it is within the classroom or not.
So, talking about the movie, there is a familiar scene in which the illiterate main character, Kate Winslet, trying to learn to read by circling the words in the text. This is so similar to the way we have learnt in Dr. Edwin's class. The old female character (in her sixties or seventies) is so determined to read that she is even able write her will in essay before she hangs herself. How much can we learn in our old age? How strong will our determination be to accomplish a task in our golden age? This character is definitely amazing...

Nelson Mandela's Long Walk to Freedom

After reading Nelson Mandela's writing on his life being imprisoned, I really want to send my respect and salute to him. What strength and determination that can drive him to go through all these sufferings??I used to think that human beings are selfish in some ways and love themselves the most. However, his actions and thoughts really make me ashamed of my thought. He is willing to leave his home and family to fight for the sake of his people. Being a clever and opiniated person like him, he deserves a lot luxurious and wonderful things in life. Yet, he gives it up. I was wondering, is there any moment in his life that he felt like throwing in the towel? A respectable person he is, Nelson Mandela... the prison life really makes him suffer, yet also makes him stronger. Fortunatelly, his efforts do not go in vain. Now, people learn more about equality and fair treatment from him. He is the one who influences the mass of people, a true leader.

The SECOND meeting with Dr. Jayakaran

The atmosphere was tense and nervous when we were waiting for Dr.Jaya in the library. The reason was.... he would evaluate our first draft of research paper. It is either hell or heaven: If it is approved, the following work will definitely be easier; if it's not, another 3000words of research paper is waving at us in the middle of the night. Luckily, when Dr. Jaya was here, all of us received GOOD response from him. Most of us just need to do some editition to our work. It is so far the best news I have ever receieved in the past few days. In almost every class, the lecturer will announce the due dates of the assignments, or the 'introduction' of new assignments.. Thanks, Dr. Jaya! We are to submit our second draft on Monday. Hopefully, what waiting for us in front is rainbow and not another thunderstorm.

Marginalised Writing...

Actually, I think the word 'marginalised' can be ambiguous. If we cannot accept the ideology of the author, it is called marginalised; if the writer is writing an issue that is beyond the society norm, it is called marginalised. There was an interesting statement made by our lecturer. He said that there is no feminism in Western country, because women are viewed as having higher status than men. Seriously, it is very interesting that there is no 'masculism' term. Actually, I think that there is no need to emphasize female or male's rights in the society. Male and female r basically two different items created by God. Men are stronger in their physical strength, females are delicate and gentel in traits. That does not mean men are more powerful, because men's physical strength just make them to have more heavy tasks to do when it comes to 'gotong-royong' or house-keeping. So, I'm not agree with the idea that those who have 'something' are more superior than those who don't have it. By the way, this is just my personal opinion.

Another strong wave: Research Paper

We were supposed to submit our first draft of research paper this Tuesday and meet with our supervisor in Tuesday. This research paper covers 40% of our course mark. So, it is a VVIP (Very very important paper). I cannot afford to fail in this paper. So, I squeezed every drop of my brain juice just to get my research paper as good as possible. Finally, after Monday sleepless-night, I have come out with the hot and fresh research paper first draf. Such a big victory.... Yeah~

Presentation of Position Paper

Finally, I have finished my position paper and presented it to the tutor. It was a difficult and long journey, I would say. The day I presented was indeed my bad-luck-day. Firstly, the electricity seemed to be stop functioning, following with the problems of starting the computer in the room. Being the first presenter, I felt kind of nervous and worried, although I would blame on them. However, it was quite a bad sign for me. With all my courage and strength, I presented my position paper. I have received good and bad comments from my tutor. But, I think my way of presentation is not what the tutor expected of. Quite a disappointment to find out this... *sob* Nevertheless, I successfully get rid of this heavy load of assignment, which would be a relief after such a long time of suffering.

Metaphor of Me as a Teacher

I hope I could be a teacher who makes students learn something after their lesson with me. So, if I am to give myself a methapor, I think i would choose 'MAGNIFYING GLASS'. Knowledge is wide and broad, and I hope students could explore a wider range of knowledge through my teaching, not to limit their imagination in a small circle. From our lecturer Dr. Edwin, I have learnt different perspectives of interpreting literatary works. Hence, I hope I can do the same as he does, making my students realize that things can mean beyond than they seemed to be. Direct decoding of the message makes literature dull and meaningless, but allowing various interpretations would give us space to develop our creativity and broaden our mindset. That's just like a magnifying glass, broadening the facts into a wider range. I hope my students would learn a better way to learn instead of achieving knowledge from me. After spending the semesters here in UPM, what I learn the most is, we are taught how to learn in a more effective way. So, hopefully my students can learn to be versatile readers through me.

What's New in 'The Mahabharata'

In previous lesson, Dr. Edwin discussed with us the differences between Love and Sacrifice. We were asked to define both terms and differentiate them. I did not say my opinion by the time and now I would like to give my opinion on these two terms. Love, for me, should be without condition. You cannot explain love because it is a feeling that rises from the bottom of your heart. It makes your care and do everything, which you think is good, for the person that you love. Meanwhile, sacrifice is the act that you do after consideration. You will evaluate the importance of the outcome which you hope to achieve, before giving in the things that means a lot to you. By saying sacrifice, you give up the things that is important to you in return for another person to get what is important to them. Although this is quite different from what Dr. Edwin had told us, I think love and sacrifice sometimes could be similar. They both make you to contribute something for the another person.

How to Kill A Mockingbird

Fo my research paper, Im thinking to do a study on racial discrimination. And, I've known a award-winning work by Harper Lee 'To Kill A Mocking Bird'. So, the next day after I have made my decision, I went to the MPH bookshop to buy my novel. For your information, this is my SECOND literature book that I have bought for non-academic readings. The first was 'Pride and Prejudice' . Now, it is still kept in my bookshelf right back in my home in Perlis because I do not get to finish it. However, this story is quite interesting. Instead of saying I read it for the purpose of my research, I would rather say that I choose this topic so that it gives me a reason to buy and finish reading the book. So, now I have finished half of the book, and it is just two days after I have bought the book. The reading is still pleasureable and hopefully I can finish it ASAP and start on the next book 'Native Son', which is also another book I'm thinking of doing for my research paper.

Meeting With Dr. Jaya, My Dearest Supervisor

Despite the position paper, I have already started my research paper. After such a long time of tortured by my curiosity, Dr. Edwin finally announced to us our respective supervisors last week. And, Dr. Jaya as my supervisor. Dr. Jaya was my Teaching of Writing course lecturer. He is an interesting lecturer that he will fill the class with joys and funs. I really enjoyed his lectures in previous semester. However, when my friends and I met Dr. Jaya for the first time last week, he was very quiet and serious. So, none of us were dare to joke with him. Perhaps this is the way he deals with serious things. *LOL* We were asked to get ourselves complete with our first draft before 26.02.09 as he was leaving to overseas by this week. So, to make sure that we work when he is away, he makes us decide our topics and hand in the draft. Then, he will discuss with us. I think this is quite efficient. Although we have to work on our own, but independent writing will really make us be cautious and aware of what we are going to work. No more spoon-feeding to you...too bad. Somehow I think it's cool, even though I have to spend my days and nights struggling with the first draft. WORK hard and PLAY harder... Cheerio~

Position Paper Progress

After such a long time absent from this blog, here I am again. It's like a decade ago since I last wrote my post. I just finish my first draft of position paper. Mr. Ommit is quite a patient lecturer, although his pace of doing things is kind of slow. He is able to respond to each student what they write for their thesis statements and also supporting details. He is very good that he gives us time in the time to edit on our work. He is generous in giving us the space to develop our writing. Of course, he will check on us from time to time so that none of us is wasting our time chatting or sleeping. Thus, I managed to finish my first draft in the class. Now, Im working on my second draft... Good Luck to me!

First Meeting With Mr. Omit

What is a thesis statement? When Mr. Omit asked us to write down a thesis statement based on our university, I wrote 'Scoring a paper in university needs more hardwork than luck'. And, Mr. Omit commented that it is rather a fact, so the sentence is good but cannot be used. What a sad thing! But, somehow from his comment, I slowly get the idea on what a thesis statement is. Thanks to him. Somebody told me long ago that, the beginning is the hardest step. But, once you step out for the first time, everything will get much easier. Although I'm still quite scared to face the coming-soon position paper and research paper preparation, I will try my best to overcome my fear, hopefully, with the help of our tutor, Mr. Omit.

The Bhishma in ''The Mahabharata'

I just read through 'The Mahabharata' and i found the similarities between Bhishma and the maiden in 'The Son of The Turtle-Spirit'. They both are witty enough to help their beloved ones to achieve their dreams. Instead, Bhishma is a noble person that he is willing to give up the throne for his father's happiness. Besides, he even swears to have no sons just to help his father to marry another girl. Nevertheless, the story I read is just a part of the whole complete story of ''The Mahabhrata'. So, I believe that the story will not end in this simple way. There will sure be some conflicts happen in the later parts of the story. This story is indeed inspiring and exciting. I'm looking forward to the class when our lecturer, Dr. Edwin, discusses about it.

' The Son of the Turtle-Spirit'

This is the first piece of literature we are required to read by our lecturer. After reading it, I am attracted by the maiden's character. She is a clever mother who is able to help her son to succeed. Also, she shows gratitude to the man she loves. Despite knowing the real identity of her 'husband', she still keeps his bones with her and does not throw it away. It is an interesting story based on Chinese culture, yet there's something that I'm not clear with: Since the turtle can change his form into a man, why is that he doesn't help himself to escape from being killed by the maiden's father??