London At Last

The Flight MH 002 briefly stopped at Charles De Gaulle Airport to refuel and a change of flight attendants. Then it resumed the journey and landed at Heathrow Airport at 7.30 am (London Time). I did not feel the cold until I left the airport to assemble with the others at the entrance where a coach was supposed to pick us up. It was a freezing autumn morning.

While waiting at the entrance, I wondered why in the first place I had to come to face the fierce cold whereas I could be cozy and warm back home. I was dazed, confused and sad as to leave my happy family and friends. At the same time I felt a sense of achievement at being able to come here to join the course.

After waiting for more than an hour with no place to sit and to bear the cold, the coach or bus finally arrived. It was a relief. As a man, I helped the ladies and the others to load the heavy luggage onto the bus. The driver was really helpful. In fact as I later found out, it was part of their culture to do so.

We were driven to a B & B (Bed and Breakfast) called Morgan House which is about a 15-minute walk to the MSD (Malaysian Students’ Department in London). The same tedious task of unloading the luggage was carried out again. This time we had to help them to haul them up to the first and second floor of the B & B, winding up a narrow staircase.

I was really exhausted and I was sweating after those two rounds. Breakfast was not in my mind then as I did not have the time at all. Immediately, we were asked to walk to the MSD to attend a briefing. We managed to find the place after asking around. We met the others who were bound for Manchester and Birmingham. Together we sat and listened to speeches and advice given by several officials. The briefing was supposed to proceed until 2 pm but we protested due to our hunger. They allowed a half hour break for lunch which we had at a restaurant at the MSD serving Malaysian food. The meal or brunch (breakfast cum lunch) was badly needed as I was really hungry. I tried converting the cost of that meal to Malaysian currency. It cost nearly 5 ringgit; oh goodness. The second part of the briefing lasted another hour with various forms given out and with we were constantly bombarded with reminders and advice.

After that I left with the others for the B & B and had a badly needed shower to wake up after the boring session at the MSD. After that we wandered around the places nearby and we managed to visit Piccadilly Circus, Hyde Park, Trafalgar Square and various shopping centres. From Hyde Park, we joined a guided tour at £8 per person. It was a terrific tour around London and I shall never forget the cold wind that blew at us making all of us shiver are regretted sitting on the upper deck of the bus. The tour lasted one and a half hours and ended at Hyde Park again. It was already 6.30 pm and it was already dark. We made our way around and managed to get a quick dinner at the MSD again. After that we went back to the B&B and rested. That night we all had a good rest.

The next morning after the breakfast provided we packed and left the luggage there. Then we wandered around the neighbourhood but most of the shops were closed as it was a Sunday. At 10.00 am we loaded the entire luggage onto the bus which took us to Heathrow Airport again because we had to take a connecting flight to Edinburgh at 2.00 pm.

Leaving Malaysia (September 1993)

On 3rd September 1993, the twenty of us who were bound for Moray House gathered at Subang Airport. We checked in at 9.00 pm and had our luggage and baggage checked.

There was the usual scene at airports; either in films or movies. People were everywhere and I had to bump and avoid others every step I took. I was busy helping to collect passports from the others to be checked.

As for me, I left my family in Ipoh. I said my goodbyes to my family; wife and three kids and parents and also my siblings. I knew very well that my wife would not be able to accept my departure at the airport. It would be too emotional. Furthermore I had to attend a briefing in the morning. So I had to be in K.L. the night before.

Back to the scene at the Subang Airport. My colleagues to Moray House had many family members and relatives to send them off. They were busy chatting, hugging, holding hands, whispering and laughing. Photographs were taken at every possible opportunity. I could see sad faces especially on couples so attached. Children were rather unsure of what was happening as they would just think that their parents were just going on a short holiday.

I could distinctly hear constant reminders to take care, eat good food, and writing back to Malaysia. Although I could see all these, I could not feel the same way because I had already switched off all these emotional scenes. I had already accepted this departure as something that cannot be avoided. There was no point in making such a scene since it was of no use.

I am one of those people with a strong will and very determine when it come to doing something. You may say that it is being stubborn but it has its advantages. Anyway I made a call to my wife prior to boarding to say that everything was fine and to advise her to take care and to take thing easy. It was not as emotional as what I saw at the airport,

I boarded the MAS plane at 11.30 pm with the others. It would be a 12 hour non-stop flight to London Heathrow Airport. It was also my second time on a plane. The first was from Ipoh to K..L. the previous day.

I was put into business class like most of the others. Service was superb. The take off was smooth and powerful. The air stewardess and stewards were very polite and efficient. Everything was carried out with the best politeness and manners. They were kept on their feet all the time serving food, drinks and various other demands. At the touch of a button, they would be at our side to answer our needs.

On top of that, movies were screened and we had individual TV and I played games. There were individual headphones and game controls too for the purpose.

Life at IYC, Kuala Lumpur

Life at IYC was eventful and I had plenty of memories. There were 160 teachers staying there and I was placed in Room 328 with a bunch of crazy people. They were really crazy but it was fun with the laughter and jokes. There was never a moment of sadness. Some were smokers, jokers, noisy ones, and some slept at odd hours for example at 2 am, or even at 4 am.

The two months were indeed hectic for me as I was a replacement. I had to settle one matter every weekend; the passport, the medical examination, the letter of release from the school, and matters at the State Education Department.

On weekdays, I had to attend mass lectures, talks, briefings and classes. Some were quite boring though but some were of interest especially those about life in the U.K., on social etiquettes, and allowances.

In the afternoon, there were occasional classes but on days when there was nothing on, I would pop in at the swimming complex next to IYC and spend about an hour swimming in the pool. I managed to encourage two others; Zulkarnain and Tengku to join me. They had no experience and were first timers at swimming but they were eager to learn swimming. They bought goggles and swimming trunks and joined me each time I went to the pool. After a few lessons the two guys managed to swim quite well on their own.

Later many others joined me when I went swimming. Before that they had no one to follow. After seeing me going there so often, they followed me there. I guess I could proudly say that I had some influence as a leader. I would use this ability in later years to convince others in doing task.

Room 328 at IYC was indeed special. There were two Chinese guys (Leong and I), two Indians (Govinda and Ganesh), and the others were Malays. All of us had very different characteristics.

There were two ‘bears’ because they would sleep a lot especially in the afternoon or mornings. They would make a lot of noise and go out every night. They were Fauzi and Mohd Izham. Then there is another baby ‘bear’. He was small but he had the same characteristics and the other two ‘bears’.

Govinda was from Batu Gajah which is my own hometown. He was also my senior at the same secondary school; Sultan Yussof Secondary School. Here we were able to meet again.

The twelve of us in the room had a special understanding and relationship. Each tolerated and respected the other about religion, habits and customs.

There were others too; of whom I met at the interview in Penang. They were Lee Kean Wah and Kyla from Ipoh

The others who got to know my jovial character later towards the end of the course regretted because they did not have the chance to get together and joke and share the happy times at IYC.

The Dinner

The school SJK(C) Wan Hwa 1 organised a farewell dinner for us. Of course I was the main star that night. As usual, we had a sumptious Chinese dinner; an eight-course dinner. During the dinner we were all chatting and joking about the days in school and the sudden hysteria a short while ago. They (the other teachers) kept pestering me for the technique that was so effective in causing such an emotional assembly. My answer to them was very simple and direct.

Love them like you love your children. Get to know them and praise them when due and punish them when needed. Be firm and go down to their level and be a friend to them. Then you have gained their trust and love.

Many teachers only know how to scold and to reprimand pupils and students in getting things done. There are other more practical ways doing so, To gain respect, we have to first give respect.

I think I had sent a message to quite a number of teachers. I sincerely hope that they understood my message and be better teachers. I am not trying to say I am the best teacher but I am still improving myself.

The dinner ended with a lot of handshakes and photographs taken.
To be continued

The Elated Feeling

This is part 2 of the assembly.



After the final few words by the headmaster, the pupils were asked to line up to give gifts or whatever little stuff they had to the teachers; me and the other two lady teachers.



The line started with the standard 6. You would not believe what I experienced adn felt. They all came to me with gifts, presents, little items as momentoes. One monitor of 6B came up with a little box and told me that it was a watch from the class. My heart was heavy and sad as I received it. I could only thank him. The others came only to me and handed me the gifts. The other teachers were shocked and probably embarassed.



Next the head of the staff club came up with yet another gift; another little box. She said that it was a watch from the staff club. I thnked them from the bottom of my heart.

Hectic and confused

The phone call was on Tuesday and I had to report the following Monday to join the course in KL.

So with three days, I had to update the Physical Education stock and manage the store. On top of that I had to clear all the exercise books. I was teaching PE and English then.

During the three days, I was totally in a daze running around from all those tasks and controlling the emotions of the pupils. Every now and then some pupils would come with sad and teary eyes begging me not to leave. I was really exhausted.

After school, I had to manage another burden, the family. Your mum was really down and sad. I knew that in another two months time, I would be leaving for another country to study; that is UK. The questions were numerous; how to manage your sisters and you, where are they going to study, and how about after school?

In addition, she (your mum) had to drive to school. All this while, we had only one car, the faithful Daihatsu. She would always go with another colleague and I would pick her up after school. Now she would have to drive to school. Can she manage it?

In school, all the tasks were completed by Friday and I was really glad then.

In the classes, there was no mood and no interest in the lesson. Most of the time I was trying to calm the kids and telling them to be brave and work hard.

Friday evening came and there was a special assembly just before school was over. All the pupils (1500 of them) were assembled in the school hall with the teachers on the stage. It was actually the farewell for me and two other teachers who were going to join the Teachers' Training Colleges. The headmaster gave his speech and the pupils waited. The two lady teachers were called to give a short speech. All was in control

I was finally called to deliver a speech. I was choked with emotion but I tried. I started of with a few words and advised the pupils to work hard but I could not go on. The reason was simple; the classes I was teaching then started sobbing and crying their hearts out. This spread like wild fire and soon all the kids were rubbing their eyes and sobbing; some quietly but some outwardly. The most surprising thing was, even the boys who were rough and who were frequently punished were sobbing away.

That was it. I could not stand it. I cried and my heart broke. The other teachers beside me asked me how I could have touched their hearts to that extend. I could not answer because I was confused.

The headmaster ended the assembly with a few word I could not remember anymore. I also noticed that the parents and the school bus drivers were at the doors of the hall. I bet they must have been confused as to why such a commotion was about.

To be continued. Keep reading.

To accept or Not

Well, it was a really difficult decision to make. To accept or not to accept, that was the question.

I had no one to consult at that very moment. We did not have mobile phones then and it was not easy to contact even your mum's school. Even if you were able to get through, there would be a long wait for her to answer. Would the school allow that?

But I also asked the officer or rather said that the course had already started and why I was called. She said that one of the participants could not make it so, there was a vacancy.

With that answer, and without hesitation, I accepted the offer.

The clerks at the office nodded and smiled, knowing that that was a chance of a lifetime. I thanked them for being so helpful and taking the trouble to call me even though I was at the other end of the school.

You see, I really believe that my lucky stars are always shining. And my friendly character would and will always bring foutune; in all aspects.

The pupils in my classes came to know that I would be leaving them soon. That afternoon, during classes, the little boys and girls came with teary eyes and sad faces. They asked and asked me why I was leaving them. They begged and begged me not to leave them.

My heart was heavy and deeply troubled because I was also unwilling to abandon them. I had been teaching them since Year 1 or rather seen them growing up. In fact, most of them were very attached to me because I was also the coach for their athletic team and the softball teams.

Jensen, if you now understood my situation, how would you feel.
To be continued.