Wednesday, December 3, 2008
They Call Me Sifu
Assalamu 'Alaikum
They Call Me Sifu
I went straight home and slept. It’s stressful; it’s not easy being a top student.
Well at this point nobody knows that for sure but I’m informed I’m there or thereabouts. For a kid who always had to play second fiddle to Lim Poh Ann and Viji at Primary School and the horde of geniuses at MCKK, this was a defining moment long overdue. When I was 15 I remembered the elation of submitting my claim to Mom for the 5 distinctions in LCE only to be brought down to earth on returning to hostel and finding out there were at least 15 other kids with the same grades. The one with 15 straight A’s didn’t even blink.
Yes, praise be to Allah, I aced the KSA Capital Markets Exams. I now carry a heavy burden at work, the young ‘uns whisper behind my back and make way as I pass through, the elder ones nod solemnly when I greet them. I thank my wife for the chays and black coffee she keeps supplied and my three Power Rangers for being asleep when I was studying, usually after Fajr prayers. I tell you I really admire those PhD students overseas studying with kids around the house; I wonder how they cope especially when wife too is doing a doctorate. I’m nursing a personal ambition, when we have enough money to spare, to go to some University somewhere to spend a few years holiday doing a post grad degree. Mumkin, as they say here, lets see how it goes.
Two of my three Power Rangers are down with flu. Adlin have recovered, only the cough to contend with, Zahir still looked tired although the temperature is over. This is the time of year in Riyadh where we get reacquainted with the cold virus. I have still to fully recover my voice after the virus tried to spend part of winter in my throat. Here’s hoping everyone is fit and well when we take the plane to Madinah on Saturday. Most Malaysians in Riyadh who are not doing Haj this year are heading for Madinah. Aidil Adha is a 10 day public holiday in KSA and every year around Wukuf and Tasyrik days, Madinah is deserted as all pilgrims will be in Arafah and Mina. This is when Riyadh residents like us take an opportunity for a quick Ziarah in the Prophet’s holy city. Most Malaysians will drive but I haven’t build up the courage to do it just yet. Its no stroll in the park, 900 km one way and 900 km back. I will insyaAllah drive one day when the R&R enroute have improved but that’s another story.
Taking this opportunity to wish everybody, Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Adha from me and family.
Wassalam,
Zahid
They Call Me Sifu
I went straight home and slept. It’s stressful; it’s not easy being a top student.
Well at this point nobody knows that for sure but I’m informed I’m there or thereabouts. For a kid who always had to play second fiddle to Lim Poh Ann and Viji at Primary School and the horde of geniuses at MCKK, this was a defining moment long overdue. When I was 15 I remembered the elation of submitting my claim to Mom for the 5 distinctions in LCE only to be brought down to earth on returning to hostel and finding out there were at least 15 other kids with the same grades. The one with 15 straight A’s didn’t even blink.
Yes, praise be to Allah, I aced the KSA Capital Markets Exams. I now carry a heavy burden at work, the young ‘uns whisper behind my back and make way as I pass through, the elder ones nod solemnly when I greet them. I thank my wife for the chays and black coffee she keeps supplied and my three Power Rangers for being asleep when I was studying, usually after Fajr prayers. I tell you I really admire those PhD students overseas studying with kids around the house; I wonder how they cope especially when wife too is doing a doctorate. I’m nursing a personal ambition, when we have enough money to spare, to go to some University somewhere to spend a few years holiday doing a post grad degree. Mumkin, as they say here, lets see how it goes.
Two of my three Power Rangers are down with flu. Adlin have recovered, only the cough to contend with, Zahir still looked tired although the temperature is over. This is the time of year in Riyadh where we get reacquainted with the cold virus. I have still to fully recover my voice after the virus tried to spend part of winter in my throat. Here’s hoping everyone is fit and well when we take the plane to Madinah on Saturday. Most Malaysians in Riyadh who are not doing Haj this year are heading for Madinah. Aidil Adha is a 10 day public holiday in KSA and every year around Wukuf and Tasyrik days, Madinah is deserted as all pilgrims will be in Arafah and Mina. This is when Riyadh residents like us take an opportunity for a quick Ziarah in the Prophet’s holy city. Most Malaysians will drive but I haven’t build up the courage to do it just yet. Its no stroll in the park, 900 km one way and 900 km back. I will insyaAllah drive one day when the R&R enroute have improved but that’s another story.
Taking this opportunity to wish everybody, Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Adha from me and family.
Wassalam,
Zahid
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