Thursday, March 23, 2006

School Meme/Tag - Stripping bare

Zara's leng jie-jie (Chinese: beautiful big sister) Helen tagged me again, she said because she larfu me and she wants to know more about me. Can I not oblige? I had to dig very deep inside my memory for this, and make this such a long post though.. Zzzzzz How many schools did I go to?

(I'm 3rd from right)

2 kindergartens in Kuantan : ~ St Thomas where my mum was a teacher. ~ And then later, another Catholic church kindergarten (forgotten the name) where my mum was the principal. I went to kindergarten really young since mum was working there. I just tagged along, had some fun, learnt some singing and dancing. Going to school this early, did not make my IQ higher, but definitely built my confidence, especially performing on stage. I was the solo singer, the princess in most of the concerts, and the youngest performer in a dance we did for the Menteri Besar of Pahang (Stage fright? What is that?). 2 primary schools : ~ SRJK(C) Yoke Hua 育华小学 in Kajang for the first 3 years. Here is where my foundation was built, under the care of my maternal grandma. My confidence was further boosted by doing well in school story telling competition and singing contest. Ahh.. those were the nicer days.

Standard 4. When I asked Zara who this is, she said, "jiejie (Chinese: Older sister)"

~ SRJL(C) Kuen Cheng 2 坤成小学二校. When I was standard 4, my father pulled some strings and I got into this school (one of the best Chinese school during that time). I was placed in the last class (students were distributed to difference classes based on results, but I was transferred, my academic records didn't count). I could not speak a word of Cantonese (main language spoken in KL), was laughed at by my class mates. My teachers thought I was stupid because I came from a rural school. I remembered the English teacher in my Standard 4 class was shocked one day when I said, "I didn't bring my book" in class. Her jaw dropped, "You mean you speak English?" And then back home, my siblings called me a communist because they went to good English schools, while I attended a Chinese school, and my spoken English was not as good as theirs. This was where my confidence was crushed. I still did well in school (from all my grandma's training to be independent and self motivated), but I no longer has the confidence, more so in public. Secondary school : Kuen Cheng Girls' High School 坤成女中 My father gave me a choice when I finished my Standard 6 if I wanted to switch to an English school, but I chose to stay on. Teaching medium for all subject was in Chinese, and some English was used for Maths and Chemistry. We only have 1 Malay subject, but on the years we had to sit for our SRP and SPM papers, extra Science, History, Geography lessons were conducted in Malay. If you don't meet a certain aggregate mark for that academic year, you have to be retained for a year. It's very taxing (long school hours), lots of pressure, strict rules (no hair perming; no jewelry wearing; hair length must be less than 2 inches below the ears; no novels other than those approved by the school, Mangga or cassettes allowed in school; nobody can be spotted in malls or cinemas in school uniforms etc etc), but I survived the 6 years there. After Form 5, my dad wanted to send me to Taiwan to further my studies. Stupid me has fallen in love with a cock eyed, hopeless man. I shelved the idea, but opted to do A-levels in Kolej Damansara Utama. The jerk joined me as well, just to watch over me (like standing outside my class room to see if I was talking to any guys). He got me to skip classes with him, and then hung out in snooker parlours instead. My A-levels result was the worst result in all the examinations I'd sat for throughout my life. I got 2Ds and an F. I then worked in an English Language Centre which used computers to teach preschoolers. I was hooked on those 286boxes. I broke up with the jerk, my dad then was keen to send me off to Australia to join my brother. And guess what, I fell in love again, and decided to stay for the man (Stupid! Stupid! Stupid!). So with my interest in computers, I enrolled myself into ICL to do a Diploma In Computer Studies part time (with NCC thrown in). After 1 1/2 year of slaving, I used another 1 1/2 year to complete my Higher Diploma in Software Engineering in APIIT part time. I was then going out with my hubby. Unlike those other selfish men, he encouraged me to further my studies. So after I got my Higher Dip, I packed my bags, and went to Staffordshire University England, for a year, to do my degree in Computing Science. I could have gotten a degree at age 22, but because of my stupidity, I got mine when I was 28. Was I the studious nerd, or the last minute hero? I don't believe I was studious, but I was discipline enough to do some studying on and off, and then topped it off with last minute 'burning the midnight oil'. Was I the class 'taiko' (big bully) or the teachers' pet? None. I was too timid to be the taiko, and was not outstanding enough to be the teacher's pet. What was the biggest rule I broke in school? Perming my hair after I got my SRP results. I got a black mark in my report card, a WARNING or 缺点. (Actually I brought cassettes and novels to school to exchange with my mates and stuck them under the chair with masking tape to avoid being caught by the prefect, but I never got caught). Three subjects I enjoyed 1. English - always did very well in school probably because we spoke English at home 2. Biology - I love learning about the anatomy of animals especially the reproductive organs 3. Programming - Oooh, I just love doing coding, but if you ask me to do now, sorry mate, no can do

Three teachers that inspired me None, don't believe any teachers have inspired me (those male teachers whom I spent lots of time drooling over day dreaming about don't count). If there's one, it would have been my maternal grandma, teaching me, coaching me during my first 3 years of primary education, laying very solid foundation for me. Even when I was in England, she was still 'coaching me', telling me, "if you cannot take it there, come home ok? Ah Ma will pay for everything."

Who should I tag?? Hmm.. 1. King's Wife ~ I know a lot of 'wolves' out there would like to know about her past after she post her wedding photo) 2. Seng Kor (I'm doing this for Siao Char Bor, Jomel and Siaolin's SIL) ~ The hunk bare all. 3. Egghead ~ I wonder how you can write in Chinese and English so well, can share your academic background so I make sure Zara walk the same path?

36 comments:

King's wife said...

apa lah you!!!
Have to crack my brains and dig, dig, dig...
Wah, actually u studied alot hor? But good for you lah. See now? So clever, can blog. Hahaaaa.....

I can see Zara in that b&w photo of you on the right. Got resemblance.

jazzmint said...

wow..u also ex-apiit kah!! Me too leh. I was the 98 batch, u? But I never finish my degree ler, boh chien :P. Oni did SE higher dip.

see ur photo, u look very familar wohh :)...I'll spot u the next time I see u in office kekeke

Cocka Doodle said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Cocka Doodle said...

almost fell off my chair when you mentioned hanging around in snooker parlors. You certainly don't look like that type of girls.
Can't blame him for standing outside the class watching over you leh. Quite leng lui mah....sure sked wan...

Anonymous said...

You have lovely big eyes! Zara look so much like you.

Helen said...

Those big eyes cannot lari one lar!! LOL

I used to look down on those Chinese eds when I was in Primary School bcos they can't speak English... now, looking back, I was the one who should be looked down. Knowing an additional language is always a plus and I realized that spoken English is very different from written English. U can study in an English school, read, write English, but, there is no guarantee u can speak English well.

Your mother is a kindergarten principal?? lol You must be a smart kid....! U gave up your studies for love, that is so brave. Your 1st bf should value your sacrifice, so, I gather your breakup is a greater loss to him than u. On other hand, if u had not broken up with him, u would not have married your hamsen lou kong ... lol

What is meant to be, is meant to be. I'm so glad all things worked out for the best, right?? lol

Thank you for doing this meme. It's very frank and honest..... ZMM trademark! lol

** now rubbing hands waiting for KW to bare all!! **

Egghead said...

don't you just love the good old school days!! why kena me? :P

sengkor said...

for scb and jomel no problem, anytime. but siaolin's sil..? maybe need to make frens 1st.. shy la..

domestic rat said...

Wow! This is like watching Oprah Winfrey doing an interview. Very honest indeed.

I also can't imagine this doting mother hanging around in snooker parlours.

BTW,am curious? Are you of mixed descent? You don't look entirely Chinese nor entirely Malay.

ZMM said...

King's Wife,
I'm doing all the wolves a big favour, so they will thank me for the rest of their lives. Remember to post those Lum-Ah-Chan photos hor.. *snigger*
Yeah loh, now I dig out some of my old photos, I realise she looks like me. YIPPIE! No longer cookie mould of SIL!

Simple American,
*two pointer on cheeks, moving head* Like Mother, Like Daugther!
Yeah, those losers make me realise what I'd missed! And luckily I didn't marry one of them!

Jasmine,
Me 95 batch ler.. You full time?
Now you have to visualise someone with 10Kg extra! :P I was like a stick la back in school.

Louise,
Thank you.. come again another day!

Cocka,
Not just hang around in snooker parlors, I smoked, drank, loitering in the street at 3am. Whatever bad things I would never had dared do, I did it when I was with that jerk. He encouraged it.
Those were the dark days, and my parents almost gave up on me.
Now I don't do any of the above.. goodie goodie already.

Sesame,
That's what I realised too.. when I dig out my old photos. And I always thought she looks like Daddy's side. YIPPIE!

Helen,
Yeah loh.. don't know why last time English ed always looked down on Chinese ed. :( But now, the wind has shifted.
"Huh? You go to Malay school?" *snort*
My mum was a very active Catholic, so she worked for free, of course give her 'high post'.. didn't have to pay her. :P
Give up studies for love?? STUPID! If you don't love yourself enough to take care of yourself first, you are not entitled to love. *ahem* Talk like a pro now.. but last time really ask me to jump of the cliff also I will. Now ah? You jump first la.. I claim your insurance. :P
Yeah, lots of wolf howling already.. waiting for King's Wife.

Egghead,
Because I want to see what your background was ma.. how come so good in both languages.

Seng Kor,
Shiaolin's SIL very pretty one.. So do properly ok?
Remember to past those humsup, I mean hemsem photos.

Domestic Rat,
Haha.. yeah.. like an interview about my life.
(see what I replied to Cocka for worse things I did during those dark ages)
My paternal grandma nonya, my maternal great grandma Thai.. I guess that makes us "capalang". Yeah.. none of us looks like Chinese.

Cocka Doodle said...

**Crash Boom Bang!!! Cocka fell off chair**

blurblur said...

Yeah, i thought that was Zara in the b/w photo of yours..hehe..

You still look quite the same as you were in Standard 4 leh..eyes still big, still pretty..hehe..

Jess said...

How long u do this hah?
Zara got a little bit look like u!

geeth said...

You've got quite a memory of school days.. and teh pictures too. I didn't have much.

Allyfeel said...

WOW! you were such cute girl and fell in love pretty easily har? Soft heart? kekeke.... and whao, very intellegent also, that's why like mother like daughter. :P

domestic rat said...

I'm glad you managed to get yourself back on track. Love can be so blinding at times.

shiaulin said...

zara's mama very liang nui wor when she was young. Now still pretty lar, but have to call u liang sou liao :P

hey no wonder ur english so good lar... be my english teacher can ar ? :P

shoppingmum said...

Hey, lots of young girls did stupid decisions because they met the wrong guys when they're young, like me too lah... Anyway, we finally met the REAL ONE, right?

ZMM said...

Cocka Doodle,
Ooops... Sorry, I just prick the pin into the voodoo doll's buttocks!

Blurblur,
Looks like Std 4? Maybe 30Kgs more and 20inches extra around the waist. :P

Jesslyn,
Long ler.. Because need to take photo of old photos, then did into my memory for information.
Yeah, now I also noticed she looks like me.

Geetha,
It took me a while to recall.. After all it was such a looooong time ago.

Allyfeel,
I was stupid ma.. my heart was made of tofu those days.. Now hardened and more streetwise already.
Me no intelligent la.. average kid.

Domestic Rat,
Yeah.. Love make you blind to the obvious.. :P

Siao Char Bor,
Eh, you drinking at 3pm ah? Why your typing a bit koyak?
Kuen Cheng girls last time very terror.. I was also terror, but later kena terrorised by stupid man though. :P
Wait for King's Wife declaration la..
You not happy I ask Seng Kor to bare all ah?

Shiaulin,
Last time cute.. now cuter! Round round ma. :P
My English mama la.. could be better.

Jomel,
After the hunk reveal all, you going to share with me your Ritz huh?
Ok ok.. we're not from same school.. Anyway you are too young..

Shoppingmum,
Yeah, luckily finally made the right choice (err.. actually don't know right choice also or not, but aiya.. better be satisfied la)..

ky said...

Wah! That baby pic of you on stage, so cute and pretty!

Cocka Doodle said...

My friends used to tease the cheun hoong boys...

"Chuen Hoong chuen sok yau..
Sok toe Kuan Sing tai loh yau.."

Lazymama said...

Your kindergarden's look so pretty!

Your father wanted to sent you to Australia but you choose to stay, what a waste!!! If me, will pack my luggage in the fastest speed and go! :P

ZMM said...

KY,
That photo I thought makes me looked very Indian. :P
But thanks anyway.

Cocka Doodle,
You MBS kaki ah? Normally MBS boys will tease Chuen Kong (not Hong) boys.
Now waiting for your post to 'reveal' yourself..

Jefferene,
I was so cute back then.. aah.. if only I'm still cute now. Haha.
Yeah la.. I stupid ma.. and the men I went out with back then were selfish and wanted me to remain behind by their sides. Except for my hubby.
That's also why I married him la. :P

Erika said...

My sister actually went to Kuen Cheng for 2 yrs. Dang. That school is super strict indeed. She told me that they are not even allowed to tie their hair with red ribbon. Geez.

Cocka Doodle said...

No lah, i wasn't from monkey boys school lah. Did my secondary education in PJ.

Lin Peh said...

Kenot believe u young time so pretty wan la ! LOL!

Maybe Lin Peh already knew u back thenm during the Snooker parlor time. Were u the "Ah Lan Jeh" ?

Anonymous said...

Your looks didnt change much wor.

ZMM said...

Erika,
Your sister must be very young. My time, no hair longer than 2inches below the ear. :P

Cocka Doodle,
Aaah.. I thought you maybe schoolmates of my hubby. And pst.. I find that the way MBS boys behave a certain way..

Linpeh,
Because now prettier is it?
Aiyo, I'm not the cleaner in the snooker parlor that you drooled over la. If you'd seen a lady always with a cocked eye fella, that's me la.

Michelle,
Last time very much thinner, that's for sure. :P

amanda said...

Hi Zara's Mama I am surprise that we have so similar paths! I was born in Kuantan, moved to KL at 3 years old, went to Kuen Cheng (2) and then Kuen Cheng Girls. But I went to Singapore at 13 years old and stay there till now.

Anonymous said...

ah.... the secondary school and uniform!!!! my god... so familiar, too familiar, and the rules LOL...

may said...

waahhhhh... check out that hair-do! cute-nya, ZMM!! oh, I bet lots of boys found you really cute!

Sebastian's mommy said...

I also ex-apiit! U r my Si Jie! *HUGZ* ...ha ha...like long lost fren..

ZMM said...

Amanda,
But I bet you must be so much younger than me. Your whole family moved to SGP?

Maria,
Yeah man.. I wish I'd kept one set of the uniform. Btw, when are you doing yours?

May,
Boo hoo hoo.. nobody actually found me cute.. so sad..
Then again, it was also against the rule to talk to boys outside of schools. *sigh*

Sebastian's mommy,
Ex-APIIT too?? Same course?

seefei said...

I AM TOUCHD BY WAT U DID 4 LOVE. it is better try n fail than nvr love b4!!

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