Enterprising Students

We had a jogathon this morning, and my students took the opportunity to raise funds by selling burgers.

They did everything by themselves. And I'm so proud of them for being so independent. They bought all the ingredients - buns, chicken patties, eggs, veges, sauces and wrappers. They borrowed a skillet, stoves and gas cylinders. They started cooking as soon as they got to school at 6.00 a.m. Many pitched in to help. By the time I checked on them at 6.40 a.m., they'd finished chopping the cabbage, and slicing the cucumbers. Some were deep-frying the beef patties, while others cut the buns, spreaded margarine on them, and proceeded to toast them on the skillet. Some other students helped by assembling the burgers and wrapping them them up while a few were in charge of selling.

Cooking ...

Burgers for sale ...

The burgers sold really well, and the kids made a net profit of RM258!! Well done, kids! I'm so very proud of you.

Off To Universities

I read in the newspaper the plight of a STPM high-achiever from Kuching who was not offered his choice university. Here is the link. Like Daniel, I do also wonder how university courses are allocated to the students. What is the process like?

Well, 21 out of 38 of my former Form 6 students are going to the University come this 06 September. There are 6 to UNIMAS, 5 to UMS, 4 to USM, 2 to UPSI, 1 to UNIMAP, 1 to UIAM, 1 to UiTM, and 1 to UM.

This year would mark our highest yield in the number of university-goers. As a teacher, I am very happy and excited for them. However, as I went through the list of courses offered to them, I was really baffled. There were courses like Industrial Relations, International Marketing, Engineering Entrepreneurship. Phew! What a mouthful. ;)

Like Daniel, I know of at least 2 students who were very disappointed with the courses they were offered. One aspired to be a teacher, but he has to now go into Marketing. The other aspired to be an architect but was offered Music. My advise to them? Appeal to change courses.

But at the same time, I know of a few students who were offered the courses of their choice. One is on the way to do Mass Communications, another is going to study Management, one going into Education, but most of all, I am ecstatic for the boy who would be going to University Malaya to read Law.

P** gave up Matriculations to do Form 6 at my school because he aspired to read Law. To read Law in University Malaya, one traditionally needed to score at least 4A's in STPM and a Band 5 in MUET. P** scored 3 A's and a B+, and his score for MUET was 8 marks away from a Band 5. Hence, I was extremely worried that he would not make it into the Law faculty in UM.

And so when he told me the success of his application last Friday, he really made my day. He fully deserve a place at UM, and I know he is going to do well. ;))

Congratulations to all, and I wish you all the best in your undertakings. Most of all, enjoy yourselves in the university!

Intruder @ School

It was midnight and rain was falling relentlessly. 3 men from the neighbouring houses saw a dark figure edging along the roof of the school.

"Is that a man or a ghost?" one of the men said to the others.

As they watched him, they made him out to be human. They decided to act.

They went to the school gate and alerted the security guard, and the four of them made their way to the block of building. Meanwhile, the security guard contacted two of our teachers. The police was also informed.

Realising that he was discovered, the intruder entered one of the rooms through the roof and hid himself there.

When the police and the teachers arrived, they opened up all the rooms on the top floor. The intruder was nowhere to be found. They lingered for a long time and had almost given up, when they heard a bang against the ceiling. It was then that they realised that the intruder was still there.

Immediately, they headed towards where the sound came from, and the intruder was arrested. My colleague showed me the video he took of the intruder when he was cuffed by the police. The look of despair on his face was so apparent that I felt sympathetic towards him.

Apparently, he intended to steal the lightning rod which was made of solid brass. According to my colleagues, that would fetch a few hundred Ringgit based on today's market price.

Anyway, last we heard, the intruder was sentenced for 3 months in prison for breaking and entering.

This morning, we invited the Miri District Police Chief, ACP Jamaluddin bin Haji Ibrahim to our school for an event, and at the same time we took the opportunity to present certificates to the residents (and the security guard) who have helped the school in that incident.

The ACP addressing the students, teachers, and members of the community

In this day and age where people are more prone to keep to themselves, it was certainly good to know that there were still members of the community who would pitch in to safeguard the neighbourhood. Kudos to those who have helped!

Buying Navel Oranges

At Krokop Wet Market ....

I saw some navel oranges on display. Small in size, but they looked fresh. The price seemed reasonable, at RM1.50 per piece.

Vendor : Come ... come ... *Handing me a plastic bag*

Me : *Select navel oranges*

Vendor : These are from Australia, very juicy ... Those *pointing to the bigger and pricier oranges on display* are from USA. Do you want to try those?

Me : *Shake my head and continue to select oranges*

Vendor : These are very fresh too ....

Me : *Finish selecting oranges*

Vendor : RM6.00

Me : *Pay, pick up plastic bag and get ready to go* Thank you.

Vendor : These are slightly sour.

Me : ?!?!?

Hmn. Why did he not bother to tell me in the first place? Shrewd.

SPD Eyewear

I've not heard of Staffan Preutz before today. But apparently, he's a Swede eyewear designer. Today, while browsing at an optical shop, I was introduced to his range of eye glasses.

Source : http://www.polariseyewear.com/index_2.php?lang=1

The frame is made of plastic and it is really super light. Unlike the usual rims, this one is basically a thin shield! That gives it a uniquely futuristic feel. The temple arms are made of titanium and they are really flexible. I tried one pair on and found it to be very comfortable.

The downside is of course the cost. The frame itself is costly at about RM1.3K. Hmn ... the age old question : to buy or not to buy??

Teachers' Day Dinner @ Park City Everly Hotel Miri

On Saturday night, I attended the district level dinner at Park City Everly Hotel. The food? Hmn ... I knew from previous experiences that the food here was not really something I would look forward to.

This is the menu.

The menu

And this is the menu translated into pictures.

Double Hot & Cold Combinations
There was a meat roll, and a sweet & sour jelly fish salad.
The meat roll tasted alright, but it was slightly soggy.
The jelly fish tasted strongly of Chinese parsley.

Cream of Sweet Corn with Chicken and Crabmeat Stick
The soup was a bit too starchy.

Steamed Talapia in Special Chef Sauce
I think everyone liked the fish the most. The sauce was sweet, spicy and piquant. Not bad as it was served on a steamer, and that kept the fish hot.

Stuffed Whole Chicken With Assorted Mushrooms
I found the taste of herbs in this dish delightful, but I wish it could be served piping hot.
We had it lukewarm, and that sort of spoiled the whole dish.

Braised Homemade Beancurd with Dry Scallops
Scallops? Where?
This dish was forgettable.

Stir-fried Three Types of Vegetables with Sambal
We found the vegetables to be overcooked.

I did not take pictures of the the fruit platter but I assure you that it's just ordinary. Of course at RM30.00 per head, what do I expect?

Station One Cafe @ Bintang Plaza Mega Mall

Station One Cafe is new in town, located at Bintang Plaza Mega Mall. Today, I went there for the first time. It was about noon, but my friend and I did not feel like having anything heavy. So instead of rices and meats, we ordered some snacks to share between the two of us.

First up, we had the Hawaiian Pizza (RM18.50).

Hawaiian Pizza

Well, it looked good, enough to share among 4 persons. I could smell oregano as soon as the pizza was brought to us. And no wonder, cause I could see oregano flakes sprinkled over it.

My slice of Hawaiian Pizza

The topping consisted of a tomato base, chicken, pineapples and cheese. Taste wise, the topping was a bit on the sweet side. I did not like the bread, in which the texture was a bit crumbly.

For me, it felt like eating one of those mass produced frozen pizzas that I could easily buy from the supermarket. And to charge RM18.50 for it is ridiculous.

Next, we had a Tuna Croissant (RM8.50).

Tuna Croissant

The croissant was filled with a tuna mayonnaise, cucumber and tomato. It tasted alright, except that I did not really like the croissant, which I thought was over-toasted. As a result, it became dry and flaky. That buttery taste, so pertinent in a good croissant, also did not came through.


Certainly not as terrific and delectable as they claimed it to be.

Finally, we had Meatball & Mates (RM11.90)


At least I could taste chicken in the tiny meatballs coated in a sweet and sour sauce, served with some sort of bread. I'm really not sure whether it's supposed to be garlic bread or not, cause I could not taste any garlic nor butter on the bread. Instead, as I bit into it, I caught an annoying whiff of sweet-smelling aroma. Vanilla? Not sure. But it reminded me of low-quality margarine.

Thank goodness my friend liked her Hot Honey Lemon.

Hot Honey Lemon

While I decided to go for the signature Yestea.

Yestea

I'm not sure whether it's freshly brewed or not because it tasted suspiciously like one of those Green Tea products that came in a packet or a can. You know, like one of those ...

Pay RM5.50 to get the kick out of watching "the bubbles float to the top". Lol ... anyway ... I thought the food here is mediocre, and yet sold at unbelievably cutthroat prices. Not sure you will agree with me, but check it out yourself ;)) Cheers!