FEATURE STORY 14

A wife, a daughter, an employee, a mom with 4 kids and a MASTER Graduate!

25 November 2010 is an unforgettbale moment of my life. On this day, I am conferred the Master of Education in TESL by the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong, Tuanku Mizan at Dewan Sri Budiman, UiTM, Shah Alam.

I have been dreaming of this moment of my life since a long time ago. I never thought I would make it here. Even when I was on the stage receiving my scroll from the King, I was still thinking, is this real?

I was in UiTM at approximately 7.15am that morning and we entered via the Padang Jawa gate. There, we had to park our car at the car park provided and boarded the UiTM bus to reach the convocation venue.

The bus was full and we had to stand all the way. It didn't feel tiring although I had to stand on my heels. I could that mom, dad, kids and especially hubby were looking anxious and happy for this moment. Even my bibik was looking bright.

We arrived at the Dewan Budiman area and disembarked the bus. There were so many people. It was like people tsunami. I was looking for familiar faces. There were none nearby. I had to leave my parents, kids and hubby and went to locate for the place where I should assemble. It seemed you  need to go as the number stated on your card.

There I was standing while listening to the briefing by the people in charge. Suddenly I heard something unbelievable! That man said "para graduan wanita tidak dibenarkan memakai seluar". What??? This couldn't be happening. I was wearing a "seluar". What on earth would I get a change? Shucks! Don't tell me I could not convocate in these? Then, I approached THE man and he said, "puan boleh pergi ke kaunter dan dapatkan pinjaman kain". Okay, this is SOOOOO great. Would I fit in to the kain? This is turning to be ridiculous.

Yeay! A few minutes later, I got the loaned "kain" and quickly changed into it. Tada! I fit into the kain very nicely. So, I would be able to convocate after all. Yippie!

My parents, kids and hubby couldn't enter the hall as it was already overloaded with people. They had to wait at other rooms and watched my ceremony via the television placed in the room. After waiting for almost 2++ hours, then my turn came. I was nervous but at the same time feeling sooooooooo nervous and touched. I couldn't believe the moment actually came. Full 3 years of struggling, I finally did it!

When I exited the hall later, my family were waiting for me - parents with flowers and kids each with a teddy bear+flowers in their hands. I couldn't help my tears running down my cheeks. My hubby grabbed and hugged me and said he was very proud of me. Gosh! I couldn't stand it and whispered to him "thank you for everything - your time, your sacrifices and also your money!" Then, my parents hugged and kissed me. My mom couldn't control her tears. She kept on crying so I continued crying too. Never thought all of them would be proud of me.

But to tell the truth, I am so proud of myself too. I did it! I showed my kids that nothing stopped mommy from pursuing her dreams - not her marriage, not her job, neither it is her kids.

Thank you Allah, for all the blessings you have given me throughout. Subhanallah. Alhamdulillah. Amin.

FEEDER ENTRY 13

1 December 2010 marks another milestone in my life. Today I start working as Manager, Learning & Growth in Great Eastern Life Assurance Malaysia Berhad.

After almost 11 months in OSK Investment Bank, I am now starting another phase of my life. This is the quickest working journey that I have ever been through in my entire life! I just needed to exit "the bull" and hopefully go to a better place where things would be better for me.

On the day, I was greeted nicely by the staff and was given briefing by a lady called Huei Miin. It was a better scenario altogether on this day as compared to my experience first day on the job in OSK.

After that, I was brought to my work station and was introduced to my boss Peter and the L&G gang, Mellissa, Daisy and Megat. I was also told that one other female staff is on maternity leave and will be back in January. Mellissa was assigned as my buddy during my new days there. She looked fine and friendly. I hope I would have a better journey and experience here.

Thank you Allah for this rezeki and I believe this is where I should belong, if not forever, at least for now...

FEEDER ENTRY 12

A Brand New Year, A Brand New Job



11 January 2010 was the day that I started my new job as Assistant Vice President of Training at OSK Investment Bank. It was such a trying activity as I now live very far away from KL and have to commute to work everyday to be at work at 8.45 am.



Wow ... talking about valuable time. People at OSK really know how to value it! So, I start work on this day and I was late. I reached the basement parking at about 8.40 but couldn't get a space for my car until about 8.50. Finally, one spot was waiting for me. I rushed to the 4th floor to meet Siew Feng. Little that I know we had to attend a briefing before starting work that day. And I was LATE. Every eye was looking directly at me when I entered the KL Room.



After the short, uninteresting, boring briefing, I was brought upstairs to Level 20 where I will be situated from then on. I was introduced to my immediate superior, Cheok, and then the rest of the team. I was very impressed with the warm welcome and the flower and card on my new table! Never had I been welcomed like this before in my entire 12 years of working life.

A few moments later, Cheok called me into her room and briefed me about my schedule for the next 2 weeks. I was happy. They are organised and I am lucky to be in this department.

I hope and pray to Allah that my tenure here will be a memorable, learning experience as well as lucrative one for me, insha'Allah...