when I was a 7 years old, I requested Tok Mudim to allow me watching him circumcising the boys.
Those with him was telling him not to allow me watch the process.
He told them that he wanted to hear my reason first.
I told him that if I'm older, definitely he will not let me or I would be out there among men but would be among the ladies. Since I was only 7 years old, still a child not yet a young lady then I could be there among them. I just want to watch so that I can learn about the process. I also told him the if he would allow me to watch then he also should allow me to ask questions about why he was doing what he was doing.
That was when he came to meet the boys and find out how many would undergo circumcision the next morning.
He wanted to know the number and their ages so that he can plan.
The older boys would have to do their circumcision first.
The boys were told to soak themselves in the river as early as 6.30 am in the morning. The older you are, the longer you need to be in the water.
I was up early. Long before they came, I was there at the river bank waiting. By 6.45 am, the first boy showed up with his friends and jumped into the river.10 minutes later, two more boys came with their uncle. By 8:20 am there were more men and women came to take their bath in the river. Those boys were hiding under the jetty.
Tok Mudim came a little bit after 8:40 am and he was carrying a banana trunk on his shoulders. He the boys uncle to get another banana trunk and some pole sticks.
He laid down the banana trunk and dig the ground to fasten the pole. I was wondering what he was doing but when two boys came with white sheets and started to hang the white sheets around the poles sort of forming a curtain so that the people cannot see what's been done behind it, I understand.
Tok Mudim asked the boys who brought the white sheets to go check on the boys who were soaking in the river while he took out the knife from his toolbox and started to sharpen it.
He looked up when he saw me coming around behind the white curtains that was just erected and saw my questioning eyes. He explained that he should have sharpen it yesterday or before he came there as he didn't really want the boys who would undergo circumcision see the knifes. He'd many boys run away or change their mind from doing the circumcision after seeing the knife.
From the boys conversation yesterday, I sort of understood that the banana trunk would serve as a stool for Tok Mudim and the boys as well as a cutting board.
When Tok Mudim asked for the oldest boy to be circumcised to be brought in, I jumped up and took my place behind Tok Mudim to get ' the best view. '
There were voices questioning what I was doing there, the only girl while all others are men or boys.
"Hey, there's nothing to be shy about! Sooner or later after I've grown - up I'd get married and get to see the men's 'thing' which would be my husband! But, for now, I just want to learn how Tok Mudim do the circumcision. Maybe when I grow up, I'd become a doctor and do circumcision my self! " - That quiet em down and Tok Mudim spoke defending me and told them that he already told me yesterday that I could watch.
Among the tools Tok Mudim had in his box were knives of different sizes and shapes, rings, safety pins, gauze, cotton pads, scissors, bottles of iodine etc.
I asked about what's the rings for and the answer I get was "you don't have to know about it yet. Only men knows what the rings are for" and told me not to ask any more questions as the first boy to eb circumcised was already there.
The boy was already shivering from soaking in the water too long. Others told him that he should have stayed in the water longer as they said that it should have been at least 4 hours since he was in the water for less than 3 hours.
I stood there watching and that was then I realised that I don't have the stomach to become a doctor. I cringed when I saw Tok Mudim pull the foreskin and and pin the edge of the foreskin onto the banana trunk. The boy chosed not to take any medication and he had a piece of what it seemed to me like wood which he gritted in between his teeth. When I saw blood tickling out as Tok Mudim moved his knife and then scissors, it was time to make a move. My heart cringed.
Watching my son's circumcision, I had the same cringing feeling that I experienced then when I saw the doctor was cutting the foreskin and removed it with a scissors later... I couldn't watch! I had to look away!
Saturday, January 26, 2013
Friday, January 18, 2013
Reflection on Using iPad for TL
I too have explored iPad2 as a tool in TL. My verdict: it's more of a hype than a real utility.
It's sleek, new and lighter. I consider buying it because of 8MP camera that comes with iPad2. (I'm an avid photographer!)
Story #1:
It's great for note taking purposes. I can just type away in note and email it to my email. But I loose all the notes when the app went hay wired. The notes appear duplicated, then tripled, then quadrupled. I delete new copies and leave the bottom one. Later, when I switch on the iPad, all my notes are gone!
Story #2:
I use once in the class (2010). After the demonstration on the basics of Photoshop in my Multimedia English class, I pass around iPad so the students can see for themselves the app describing the steps. As usual, the students ask for a copy. Without their own iPad, it's pretty hard to download a copy. Some students scribble the steps explained in the app in their notebook. Since my approach is leaning more towards experiential learning, I reminded them that it's the skills they should be after and not memorising the steps.
Story #3:
iPad is not as versatile as laptops. It's limited in function. For real work, get a regular laptop. That's what I'm telling others who ask for my opinion either to get regular laptop or iPad. The apps are great. My 6 year old son loves different educational apps for learning alphabets, phonics, reading and even the explores the universe with an app.
My iPad is now mostly in my son's possession. Now, he uses it to play the Battleship game and competes trying to out do with his uncle who is playing the same game. Before it was the dragon vale, Snoopy Street Fair etc till he gets tired of the game of till his uncle and cousins introduce a new game app. As for me, I'm using the iPad as a disciplining tool with my son - as a reward and punishment. When he misbehave, I'll take the iPad away from him. So far, as a disciplining tool, it works great. It's just happened that my son has been without iPad for a week now.
With hundreds of thousands of apps available, I can do wonders in creating learning materials. There was an email from Prof Amin about a workshop on using iPad in TL and I've signed up to attend it next month.
I'm sort of in a quandary now thinking how will I get it away from my son. I've spoken to my brother to borrow his new iPad for the worship. Hubby iPad probably would not work well for this workshop since his iPad is without video capability.
I think, I'll just withhold it from my son indefinitely.... He's already crying foul, "Momma doesn't love me anymore because she doesn't give me the iPad"!
It's sleek, new and lighter. I consider buying it because of 8MP camera that comes with iPad2. (I'm an avid photographer!)
Story #1:
It's great for note taking purposes. I can just type away in note and email it to my email. But I loose all the notes when the app went hay wired. The notes appear duplicated, then tripled, then quadrupled. I delete new copies and leave the bottom one. Later, when I switch on the iPad, all my notes are gone!
Story #2:
I use once in the class (2010). After the demonstration on the basics of Photoshop in my Multimedia English class, I pass around iPad so the students can see for themselves the app describing the steps. As usual, the students ask for a copy. Without their own iPad, it's pretty hard to download a copy. Some students scribble the steps explained in the app in their notebook. Since my approach is leaning more towards experiential learning, I reminded them that it's the skills they should be after and not memorising the steps.
Story #3:
iPad is not as versatile as laptops. It's limited in function. For real work, get a regular laptop. That's what I'm telling others who ask for my opinion either to get regular laptop or iPad. The apps are great. My 6 year old son loves different educational apps for learning alphabets, phonics, reading and even the explores the universe with an app.
My iPad is now mostly in my son's possession. Now, he uses it to play the Battleship game and competes trying to out do with his uncle who is playing the same game. Before it was the dragon vale, Snoopy Street Fair etc till he gets tired of the game of till his uncle and cousins introduce a new game app. As for me, I'm using the iPad as a disciplining tool with my son - as a reward and punishment. When he misbehave, I'll take the iPad away from him. So far, as a disciplining tool, it works great. It's just happened that my son has been without iPad for a week now.
With hundreds of thousands of apps available, I can do wonders in creating learning materials. There was an email from Prof Amin about a workshop on using iPad in TL and I've signed up to attend it next month.
I'm sort of in a quandary now thinking how will I get it away from my son. I've spoken to my brother to borrow his new iPad for the worship. Hubby iPad probably would not work well for this workshop since his iPad is without video capability.
I think, I'll just withhold it from my son indefinitely.... He's already crying foul, "Momma doesn't love me anymore because she doesn't give me the iPad"!
Thursday, January 3, 2013
Ziarah YohTam
YohTam spent months in the hospital since he came down with fever and went into coma for weeks at Hospital Sultan Ismail, Johor Baru then transferred to Hospital Sultanah Aminah, JB. once he was out of the coma.
Later, we asked to transfer him to Hospital Sultanah Afzan, Kuantan but were told that the experts for his condition are not available there thus YohTam was transfered to HSNZ, Kuala Terengganu.
I was told that he had viral infection in his brain and the base of his heart.
He was antibiotics and was showing improvement.
First they told him that he had to stay another month in the hospital then the next day he was told that he could go home.
I went to fetch him and took him home.
The plan was for Ba' to massage him for a week before going to to stay at Kak Mah's house at Felda Neram.
Anyway, he had an appointment for an x-ray a week later.
He had to fast from midnight till the x-ray is done.
The X-ray couldn't be done since there was a mediation he was supposed to take 4 hours before the x-ray wasn't prescribed to him when he was discharged.
Since coming back from the appointment, his condition deteriorate.
He couldn't swallow even the pill and was liquid diet.
Then, he couldn't get up on his own.
The day he was suppose to go to Neram, I called 911 for ambulance to take him back to the hospital.
That was more than two weeks ago.
All his brothers and sisters came to visit.
Now, everyone is gone.
Last night, I drove Ibu and Nyang to visit YohTam who has been in isolation ward since last week.
When I saw him, it was shocking! I can't help but shed tears.
His whole body is scaly and the skin is peeling off.
The lips was all black, gross and grainy.
His genitalia was even worst, raw and damp.
That was when I ran out on the pretext of filling the flask with hot water.
I cried all I want.
In less than 2 weeks, his skin turned black, scaly, flaky with blood pricking out from his upper and lower lips like tiny soap bubbles then turn dry and crusty. A flake fell off, fresh new blood coming out.
To be in the Isolation Ward is sort of a death sentence to the patients, another patient there told me. You don't have to pay the hospital bill anymore. Lucky if you get out alive.
YohTam complained that the nurses aren't as caring as the nurses in the ward. The food isn't cleared right away. Indeed the food from the evening was still there on his table when we got there at 9 pm. The used diaper filled up the trash can, it's smelly, the urine pitcher is almost full, the dressing of the wound that's supposed to be done twice a day wasn't done at all - YohTam had to do everything all by himself.
But, YohTam is a bit spoilt since he's been sickly since he was a little kid.
Last night he was asking the why question. Why is he always sick since he was a little boy not like any of his brother and sisters. He has 12 siblings.
One good thing was that he sounded positive this time unlike a few weeks ago when he was ready to die. Now, he talks about the future when he gets better.
I asked at the counter and the word Steven-Johnson Syndrome was mentioned. However, the skin specialist that visited earlier said that the lips and the body are on recovery but the genitalia area must be watched carefully.
Now, it's the rainy season. The weather is damp. It's a bit difficult to aerate the groin area unless he sit under the fan and open his leg wide open. Keeping the skin dry and clean is very vital besides antibiotic and antiseptic for quicker recovery.
I google on Steven Johnson Syndrome and Wikipedia and another website.
Here's one:
http://www.skinassn.org/what-is-stevens-johnson-syndrome.html
Please pray and make do'a for YohTam's recovery.
We'll bring him a small fan tonight. He said, "madam orang bersunat pulak".
BTW, Isolation Ward is off limit to children.
Later, we asked to transfer him to Hospital Sultanah Afzan, Kuantan but were told that the experts for his condition are not available there thus YohTam was transfered to HSNZ, Kuala Terengganu.
I was told that he had viral infection in his brain and the base of his heart.
He was antibiotics and was showing improvement.
First they told him that he had to stay another month in the hospital then the next day he was told that he could go home.
I went to fetch him and took him home.
The plan was for Ba' to massage him for a week before going to to stay at Kak Mah's house at Felda Neram.
Anyway, he had an appointment for an x-ray a week later.
He had to fast from midnight till the x-ray is done.
The X-ray couldn't be done since there was a mediation he was supposed to take 4 hours before the x-ray wasn't prescribed to him when he was discharged.
Since coming back from the appointment, his condition deteriorate.
He couldn't swallow even the pill and was liquid diet.
Then, he couldn't get up on his own.
The day he was suppose to go to Neram, I called 911 for ambulance to take him back to the hospital.
That was more than two weeks ago.
All his brothers and sisters came to visit.
Now, everyone is gone.
Last night, I drove Ibu and Nyang to visit YohTam who has been in isolation ward since last week.
When I saw him, it was shocking! I can't help but shed tears.
His whole body is scaly and the skin is peeling off.
The lips was all black, gross and grainy.
His genitalia was even worst, raw and damp.
That was when I ran out on the pretext of filling the flask with hot water.
I cried all I want.
In less than 2 weeks, his skin turned black, scaly, flaky with blood pricking out from his upper and lower lips like tiny soap bubbles then turn dry and crusty. A flake fell off, fresh new blood coming out.
To be in the Isolation Ward is sort of a death sentence to the patients, another patient there told me. You don't have to pay the hospital bill anymore. Lucky if you get out alive.
YohTam complained that the nurses aren't as caring as the nurses in the ward. The food isn't cleared right away. Indeed the food from the evening was still there on his table when we got there at 9 pm. The used diaper filled up the trash can, it's smelly, the urine pitcher is almost full, the dressing of the wound that's supposed to be done twice a day wasn't done at all - YohTam had to do everything all by himself.
But, YohTam is a bit spoilt since he's been sickly since he was a little kid.
Last night he was asking the why question. Why is he always sick since he was a little boy not like any of his brother and sisters. He has 12 siblings.
One good thing was that he sounded positive this time unlike a few weeks ago when he was ready to die. Now, he talks about the future when he gets better.
I asked at the counter and the word Steven-Johnson Syndrome was mentioned. However, the skin specialist that visited earlier said that the lips and the body are on recovery but the genitalia area must be watched carefully.
Now, it's the rainy season. The weather is damp. It's a bit difficult to aerate the groin area unless he sit under the fan and open his leg wide open. Keeping the skin dry and clean is very vital besides antibiotic and antiseptic for quicker recovery.
I google on Steven Johnson Syndrome and Wikipedia and another website.
Here's one:
http://www.skinassn.org/what-is-stevens-johnson-syndrome.html
Please pray and make do'a for YohTam's recovery.
We'll bring him a small fan tonight. He said, "madam orang bersunat pulak".
BTW, Isolation Ward is off limit to children.
At the Immigration Department today.
Today, we held a briefing for the student group who're going to present at PSU undergraduate seminar next month.
Then, they filled in the form for group passport.
They were told to have 2 copies of passport size photos, copy IC, cash for processing fee and have actual IC with them.
The form cost RM1.
The maximum number that can be included in a group passport is 20 person.
The cost if RM200.
Then all of us boarded UniSZA bus to go to the Immigration Department Office.
The number was 1046. Our turn was 1070.
Some of us went to ground floor cafe and had lunch while waiting for our turn.
It was 2:30 pm when we went back to the campus.
It took 4 hours.
Lesson Learnt: Next time, have a letter by the Dean to the Immigration Office asking them to send one of their officer to process the group passport. Rather than all of the students go to the Immigration Office, let's have one immigration officer comes to the campus and get the finger printing process done! :)
Then, they filled in the form for group passport.
They were told to have 2 copies of passport size photos, copy IC, cash for processing fee and have actual IC with them.
The form cost RM1.
The maximum number that can be included in a group passport is 20 person.
The cost if RM200.
Then all of us boarded UniSZA bus to go to the Immigration Department Office.
The number was 1046. Our turn was 1070.
Some of us went to ground floor cafe and had lunch while waiting for our turn.
It was 2:30 pm when we went back to the campus.
It took 4 hours.
Lesson Learnt: Next time, have a letter by the Dean to the Immigration Office asking them to send one of their officer to process the group passport. Rather than all of the students go to the Immigration Office, let's have one immigration officer comes to the campus and get the finger printing process done! :)
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Telah lama saya tidak menulis mengunakan Bahasa Ibunda saya. Bagaimanakah Penulisan saya dalam Bahasa Melayu?
Saya pernah mengajar kelas corot masa mengajar di sekolah dulu. (1997).
Kedatangan pelajar kelas saya setiap hari hampir 100%.
Ada pelajar yang sudah berminggu-minggu tak datang sekolah, mula datang sekolah semula bila saya mengajar kelas mereka.
Saya mengajar Bahasa Inggeris.
Cikgu-cikgu lain yang mengajar kelas tu hairan bila saya bawa masuk buku latihan kedalam bilik guru.
Kata cikgu-cikgu lain, pelajar kelas itu selalu ponteng kelas, apatah lagi nak buat kerja latihan yang diberikah oleh cikgu.
Ya, mereka buat kerja yang saya bagi semasa dalam kelas dan latihan kerjarumah.
Sedangkan masa kelas lain, hanya 3-4 pelajar sahaja yang tinggal apatah lagi yang buat kerja latihan dalam kelas.
Bila di tanya, mereka jawab hanya kelas saya dan kelas kemahiran hidup di mana mereka menconteng batik yang mereka suka.
Mereka kata, mereka tak faham pun apa yang saya ajar, tapi mereka suka cara saya ajar.
Saya tak marah-marah. Saya tak tenking mereka. Muka saya selalu senyum kata mereka. Dan mereka suka dengar nada suara saya bila saya berkata-kata.
Mereka kata mereka tak perlukan bahasa inggeris kerana mereka tak akan ada keperluan untuk berbahasa inggeris.
Tambah mereka lagi, mereka hanya akan menjejak langkah ayah dan abang-abang mereka menjadi nelayan mencari rezeki di laut.
Apapun, mereka kata mereka seronok belajar bahasa inggeris di dalam kelas saya.
Bila baca pengalaman ustazah yang mengunakan teknik "Mendorong Pelajar Corot Menggunakan Teknik NABI" di dalam mukabuku Puan Ainon Mohd, saya teringat kepada pelajar-pelajar saya masa itu di SMKIF.
Salah seorang dari mereka adalah rakan mukabuku saya sekarang.
Kedatangan pelajar kelas saya setiap hari hampir 100%.
Ada pelajar yang sudah berminggu-minggu tak datang sekolah, mula datang sekolah semula bila saya mengajar kelas mereka.
Saya mengajar Bahasa Inggeris.
Cikgu-cikgu lain yang mengajar kelas tu hairan bila saya bawa masuk buku latihan kedalam bilik guru.
Kata cikgu-cikgu lain, pelajar kelas itu selalu ponteng kelas, apatah lagi nak buat kerja latihan yang diberikah oleh cikgu.
Ya, mereka buat kerja yang saya bagi semasa dalam kelas dan latihan kerjarumah.
Sedangkan masa kelas lain, hanya 3-4 pelajar sahaja yang tinggal apatah lagi yang buat kerja latihan dalam kelas.
Bila di tanya, mereka jawab hanya kelas saya dan kelas kemahiran hidup di mana mereka menconteng batik yang mereka suka.
Mereka kata, mereka tak faham pun apa yang saya ajar, tapi mereka suka cara saya ajar.
Saya tak marah-marah. Saya tak tenking mereka. Muka saya selalu senyum kata mereka. Dan mereka suka dengar nada suara saya bila saya berkata-kata.
Mereka kata mereka tak perlukan bahasa inggeris kerana mereka tak akan ada keperluan untuk berbahasa inggeris.
Tambah mereka lagi, mereka hanya akan menjejak langkah ayah dan abang-abang mereka menjadi nelayan mencari rezeki di laut.
Apapun, mereka kata mereka seronok belajar bahasa inggeris di dalam kelas saya.
Bila baca pengalaman ustazah yang mengunakan teknik "Mendorong Pelajar Corot Menggunakan Teknik NABI" di dalam mukabuku Puan Ainon Mohd, saya teringat kepada pelajar-pelajar saya masa itu di SMKIF.
Salah seorang dari mereka adalah rakan mukabuku saya sekarang.
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Back to School
Back to School
a chilly morning
a rainy morning
a fogy morning
another day
a new day
a new year
Happy New Year
2013
driving in the rain
10 minutes stucked at the traffic lights
not just one traffic light
but six traffic lights along the way
late for school
It's a Dewey school of sort
come, if you want
don't come, if you feel like it
But be nice to your friends!
Be nice to your teacher!
Mind your manners!
Happy Schooling, My son!
May you learn
to read, write and do arithmetics
Happily!
By: Ummabdrahmaan
1st January 2013
Tuesday
Kuala Terengganu
Terengganu Darul Iman
Malaysia
a chilly morning
a rainy morning
a fogy morning
another day
a new day
a new year
Happy New Year
2013
driving in the rain
10 minutes stucked at the traffic lights
not just one traffic light
but six traffic lights along the way
late for school
It's a Dewey school of sort
come, if you want
don't come, if you feel like it
But be nice to your friends!
Be nice to your teacher!
Mind your manners!
Happy Schooling, My son!
May you learn
to read, write and do arithmetics
Happily!
By: Ummabdrahmaan
1st January 2013
Tuesday
Kuala Terengganu
Terengganu Darul Iman
Malaysia
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