Tuesday, September 02, 2008

1.9.08 (Mon) - The Kids' Orientation Day at Raffles IS on the First Ramadhan

Today is the day that I (not the kids...) have been anxiously waiting for - the kids' orientation day at Raffles IS. When Along and Ain were so excited to start their first day in school after a two-month long break, Ibu was so worried. Their father was as excited as the kids that he even helped me ironing the kids' school uniforms the day before he left for Iran.

I was so worried that I could hardly sleep last night. First, I was worried that I may have overslept and missed our first sahur. Hubby was not around so, I had to rely solely on my own clocktime. Secondly, I was afraid that I might have overslept after sahur and woke up late which may result in the kids coming late on their very first day to school. Thirdly, I've been asking myself can Along and Ain cope in this totally new environment...Alhamdulillah I woke up on time at 3.30 am for sahur. Along and Ain had also been cooperative enough that I didn't have to take long to wake them up. Again at 6.15 am, they woke up high-spiritedly to put on totally different from their usual school uniforms and black school shoes.
Manalah Ayah ni tak sampai-sampai lagi...While waiting for Ayah to land in DXB from Tehran, the kids gave this pose that obviously shows their excited faces.

At this hall which was next to the school lobby, the registration was done.

We were being ushered to the kids' respective classes by the kind lady stuff (or teacher?). On the way to the classes, this is the view that we could see...Burj Al Arab. Ohh...if only I could teach in a school that has Burj Al Arab as the panoramic view...mesti mata lebih banyak memandang keluar dari memandang students sambil membayangkan bilik-bilik hotel mewah bak bilik istana, tak pun berangan bermain tenis ngan Andre Agassi kat the famous tennis court at Burj Al Arab...

As Grade 1 class was more welcoming for parents as compared to Along's Grade 4 class, so we took this opportunity to snap photos in Ain's class. (Nanti Atuk-atuk, Nenek dan Wan nak tengok sekolah baru cucu-cucu diorang).










There were just free activities for Grade 1 students today. We saw Ain taking this opportunity to read story books there and do some colouring. Still shy to mix around with totally new unfamiliar faces and names in her class.

Kesian Apit, dia pun sibuk nak sekolah nak colour-colour macam kakak. So, we let him sit beside her sis. There he was concentrating on his colouring.

These are the results of Ain and Apit's colourings. Ain handed in her paper and Apit's paper to her teacher, Miss Claire who then put them up on the class notice board. Ain's paper on the right and Apit's on the left. Wah...pandai la Apit kaler...he he

Coming back from school at 11.00 am, I asked Along and Ain about their feelings on their first day at an IS. Along said she's happy and it shows on her face. She's got a new friend named Maryam, an Emirati. But Ain who was so eager in the beginning said, "boringla...", probably because they haven't learned anything yet. Actually we knew that the main reason she said that was because she was tired. She was fasting today and yet some non-muslim kids in her class were given chocolate muffins and drinks and they ate it in front of her. And chocolate muffin was her favourite...We knew it actually she wanted to say she wanted to break fast but didn't dare too..hi hi hi. However, Alhamdulillah she made it today!

p/s - Syukur Alhamdulillah, I feel a bit relieved today.











23 comments:

Mother of Two said...

sian kat apit.. takpe2 nanti mama buleh ajarkan...

musti 2 org tu gembira sangat dpt kawan baru n.. tak boring lagi duk kat rmh.:)

me and i said...

Your children will have the greatest adventure in their lives. jealousla...

Anonymous said...

Mcm best je sekolah derang, Aunty wiz pun doesn't mind attending school again, kalu mcm tu la sekolah nya.

domestic engineer said...

Ya la Shiela, really hope that they are happy and can cope well in the new environment. You dah ada pengalaman with Nana, takda la nak risau lagi kan.

domestic engineer said...

That's exactly what my Principal of Saujana Impian said...from her own experience being overseas with her family for a few years. Rezeki the kids I guess.

domestic engineer said...

Kan Wiz? My daughters siap buat comparison lagi cikgu sekolah kat Msia garang, asyik nak marah je. Tanya pun nak marah. Teacher kat sini baik...diorang terlupa tu Ibu diorang pun cikgu sekolah kat Msia juga..hi hi hi.

Mem Aluya said...

Boleh buat case study kenapa SOME teachers in Malaysia unlike SOME teachers here. Errr... rasanya Mem Aluya boleh kasik points berjela... samples boleh amik cikgu-cikgu Along's and Ain's... me and a few other I know. Lalalalala.

Mem Aluya said...

ONE MAIN REASON: I believe they, the teachers get good money. USD??? Blink-blink!!!

Obviously huh. Parents pay huge amount of money even for kindie for tip top services. Nak kata the best of education, I supposed the syllabus and curriculum should be the same in every school. So nak garang apahal. Customers lari maaa. Won't be among the best IS any longer. Reputation mau jaga juga beb.

me and i said...

Salam to Kak tiri...you are so right...The level of stress is different.

Doll should be an expert on this because she tasted both worlds.

domestic engineer said...

Ok jom kita cikgu-cikgu kat Mesia ni buat research...kenapa kita garang n cikgu-cikgu kat IS/Mat Salleh tu very friendly...? Kalau points panjang berjela tu Mem, master's punya case study tak cukup tu, kena buat Phd punya.

riri mahadi said...

Alhamdulillah dah start ye...... anak2 kite start 7 hb ni, kalu ziela stress, riri rasa tak sabar2 betul tunggu dia org pegi sekolah ni ... dan 2 bulan lebih kat rumah, hari hari begaduh ... feniiiiinnnngggg .......

domestic engineer said...

Yes Naza, the different level of stress is one of the factors. Could it be because of Mat Salleh punya personality or culture as well? Remember our Mr John Greg and Joseph Fitzpatrick...how so endearing they were that they'd become our favourite lecturers.

Mem Aluya said...

As compared to Miss Zilah and Miss Asmahan. Dang!!!

But I love Pn. Salina and Mr. Jefri. And Dr. Amin... ever!!!

domestic engineer said...

Riri, I can imagine you fening kepala seeing all your boys gaduh-gaduh at home esp bila penat-penat balik keja tu kan. It's possible that you may turn into a dragon breathing fire! Can imagine ha ha ha..

domestic engineer said...

Mem, Mr Izaham tak masuk list favourite kaa?

Anonymous said...

Mr. Idzaham Is my favourite! Suka ngusik dia and tengok dia tersipu2 lalu kat tepi dinding ha ha ha. He was cute in his own special way.

Mem Aluya said...

Tak penah dapat Mr. Idzaham. Rugi!!!

Then ada lecturer Cina masa kat uni... best gila barbie. I got her for one semester. Forgot her name.

Sapa lecturer Psycho yang psycho tu. Adoii laaa... marah orang stupid idiot. Nasib I tak penah kena.

Anonymous said...

Hey....we spent (read: Sony spent) about Dhs100K for both girls.....They are "obligated" to make us happy....
And their pay? Follow this link for the estimation....
http://www.dubaifaqs.com/school-in-dubai-UAE-details.php?organisation_ID=355

domestic engineer said...

Har har har Wiz, Mr Izaham cute eh. Apa kabar dia, dah kawin ke belum agaknya? Tapi dia suka panggil nama I masa suruh baca. That's why dia tak leh masuk fav. I...hi hi

domestic engineer said...

Mem, Ms Harriet Wong ke? I think she was also in the fave list dulu. Tapi tetap tak leh lawan Dr Supyan.

Yang you sebut lecturer Psycho tu kenapa...adoi la tau tak dia 'bapa tiri angkat' I masa thesis dulu!!! Aarrgghh..jgn kau ungkit namanya lagi..

domestic engineer said...

Obligated to make us happy...Yang, hope they really do!

Imeirda said...

Salam, korang lupa Miss Yate... taught Literature dulu. Ker korang tak pernah dapat!!! Sampai la phobia. Pas tu Pn Haniza ker yang ajar Vocab... everyday kena drill... 'if like this.. u are going to flunk" flunk! tension!

On serious note, edu in Dubai is business. kalau dah duit bus sama rega dgn gaji cikgu kat mesia or yang along punya gaji GM kat sana , camne?

domestic engineer said...

Penah dengar Miss Yate. Nasib baik tak penah dapat...