30-31.8.08 (Sat-Sun) - On 30th & 31st August Last Year...Where Was I & What Did I Do?

Did you all watch last year's 50th Independence Day celebration on tv? If you did, you must've noticed my 120 students wearing red, blue and yellow outfits who made several formations beautifully. 120 SMK Saujana Impian, Kajang Form 2 students were among more than 1000 lucky students from a few schools taking part in that golden celebration.

On the very same day, another 33 students of SMK Saujana Impian were also given the honour to take part in the 50th Independence Day celebration at Selangor state level. They were members of my Kadet Koreksional. So that night of 30th August, all the 153 students and teachers in-charge, including me, put up a night in school and had our own Di Ambang Merdeka celebration.

As early as 8.00 pm, my Kadet Koreksional students were lining up for the last rehearsal before going to Shah Alam early tomorrow morning for perarakan Hari Kemerdekaan Ke 50.

The school Principal, Pn Hjh Basinah, the ex Principal En Nik Mat, all the senior teachers, a few teachers in-charge and myself were there at the canteen preparing for the ceremony Di Ambang Merdeka.

At 12.01 am sharp, Merdeka was proudly shouted 3 times led by the school counselor, En Zahir. It was followed by Negaraku and Keranamu Malaysia. The Principal and the senior teachers sang along with the 153 students. Later, we had makan-makan at the school canteen. It was really a glorious night for us even though we had to uncomfortably slept in school (but not the Principal and senior teachers).

As we had to be at the place as early as 6.00 am, some of the classrooms were used as the one-star hotel that night. Wanted to avoid any late comers who might spoil the Independence Day parade tomorrow. My cadets were busy putting aside chairs and desks in a classroom to enable them to have ample space to sleep.

My hubby and the kids also put up a night in school to give me moral support. Actually, I'd been sleeping in school for the past few days with the students.

My cadets were ever ready to go.

For the first time in 7 years since the school existed, pasukan badan beruniform SMK Saujana Impian, Kajang (my Kadet Koreksional to be specific) was given the honour to take part in Malaysia's Independence Day celebration. Though only at a state level, me the head teacher advisor, was so proud of them.

My cadets proudly marched in that 50th Independence Day celebration at Selangor state level.

The guest of honour was YB Datuk Seri Dr...the then Selangor Chief Minister.

Hubby and the kids enjoyed watching army vehicles that were also involved in the parade.

Keranamu kami mendakap tuah, Keranamu kami bangsa berjaya, Keranamu kami hidup selesa, Nikmat budi kemakmuran negara...

The kids were also singing the very familiar and most popular song of the year Keranamu Malaysia. They were really enjoying themselves. For the first time in their lives (my life too) watching Independence Day celebration live!


p/s - On 31st August this year, where am I...