That’s My Girl - A Short Story

Thursday, April 19, 2012

I’m Aaron. I used to be a single man till one day I met a girl named Sarah. She is a typical uptown girl who you can easily find roaming on the streets except for one thing: she owns a big, warm smile that pushes sorrow away and I’m always in great mood whenever she is at my side. She has an auburn hair, a pair of blue eyes and a pair of naturally-red, sexy lips – a perfect lady for someone simple like me.

Having Sarah as part of my life has totally changed every single thing in my world and the way I look at it. I used to live a sullen life before she dwells in. The days in my life passed on with more smiles and laughter. Since Mum and Dad care more for their money-making businesses, I have no one to talk to but the Persian cat Mum bought from a pet shop in Manhattan during our last vacation. That was about three years ago. 

Unfortunately, even that ungrateful cat seems to ignore me. It sleeps for hours and only wake up during meal time. Thanks to Sarah, now I have someone for a company and she is also a potent joker. I can laugh all-day-long listening to them.

Unlike any other girls, Sarah is not the kind of girl who fancies expensive gifts. She accepts everything that I give her without any complain. That helps me a lot in my attempt of saving most of my pocket money for a guitar. Tom, my classmate at Junior High always complains to me about his choosy girlfriend who has been urging him for the latest Prada high heels for her upcoming birthday present. I heard from the rest of the class that he works at a seafood restaurant at night to earn the money he needed.

Nowadays, having dozens of homework do not seem to be a bad thing. Sarah and I spend most of our afternoon doing homework. She helps me a lot with Maths which I used to fail in and she is the reason for the A+  I obtained for a recent Maths test. Having her explaining things to me makes learning and revising a lot easier. That’s my girl.

Our parents? Mum and Dad do not mind me having a girlfriend. They both agree that it is something normal for someone at my age. That’s one good thing about them. Sarah’s parents seem to take a liking on me. That is proven by their constant invitation for me to join them at dinner. They sure make fantastic parents-in-law! 

My Invisible Friend - A Short Story

Friday, November 16, 2012

I used to have a friend about the same height as mine who lingered around me for days and nights. Her name was Nancy. She accompanied me everywhere I went and even to school. Similar to me, Nancy was a fair girl. She had a pair of white eyes and sometimes one of them would pop out and fall that she had to pick it and place it right inside her eye socket again.

One weird thing about Nancy was that nobody else could see her other than me. Once I pulled Nancy to Mum to introduce her (I almost broke Nancy’s arm) but Mum laughed at me saying “Oh Susan, is this a trick your friend taught you at school?” and pat me on my head.

Well, maybe it’s just that my eyes are more “powerful” than Mum’s.

Nancy and I always played in the living room. One thing that I notice about her is that she seemed to be more visible at night than at daytime. Sometimes she appeared right next to me out of nowhere and that scared me a lot!

We had so much fun playing together but I disliked talking to Nancy. She had a pairs of fangs on her upper and lower jaws which were such a horror to look at. Everything else was fine, I guess.

Nancy had never eaten any of the strawberry muffins that I had been urging for her to have. Once I forced a whole muffin into her mouth but it went through her as though she was unreal. That was spooky.

Our friendship remained until one day she disappeared and never returned to play with me. It happened when my family visited Grandma’s grave on a Sunday afternoon. On our way back, Nancy didn't return to the car to sit beside me. She stood firm on an old grave next to Grandma’s.

I shouted at her “Nancy, come in! We are leaving! “But she smiled at me and waved goodbye. She said that she has found her home and could never come to play with me again.

That was the last time I saw her.

MUET Essay Sample: Studying Abroad

MUET: Writing Paper

Ace Ahead: MUET; Oxford Fajar

Practice 2 pg. 242

Malaysia’s educational field has undergone vast changes in various aspects towards achieving Vision 2020. The increase in number of educational institutions has provided better education for the nation. Despite of these dramatic changes, a large group of local students opt to study abroad. This scenario is influenced by several factors which deal with the quality and the learning atmosphere compared between local and foreign educational institutions and also personal preferences.

First and foremost, some students believe that foreign educational institutions provide better education, moreover when it comes to established higher learning institutions such as Oxford University and Royal College of Surgeons. This bunch of students is looking for highly qualified lecturers residing in well-known universities which can provide them with the best lectures. Some say that they will be able to secure better job if they were to graduate from foreign universities. In addition, better educational facilities are available in top foreign universities which will boost students’ skills according to their courses.

Furthermore, pursuing studies in foreign countries is believed to expose students to a greater learning atmosphere. This includes higher competitions among the students themselves. Such healthy competitions are necessary to drive students towards their goal of achieving ultimate success in their studies. In addition, studying in a foreign country will also enable students to widen their expanse of networking to form a greater community/a higher level. This is very useful when it comes to doing researches in which colleagues can be such a great help.

Apart from that, one’s choice of studying abroad may also be influenced by personal preferences. Studying overseas enables an individual to be more independent in managing daily life as family members are nowhere nearby. This value is very essential later upon marriage; the setting up of a new family. On the other hand, some students use this opportunity to travel and widen their view of the world they are living in. They can explore new places with different cultures and traditions.

To conclude, there are substantial solid reasons for students choosing to pursue their studies abroad. Such move will never be wrong because it is beneficial to both the students and the nation. Local experts graduated from top foreign universities will be able to contribute to the nation, serving as precious human resources which will drive Malaysia to a new era of modernisation.

Conversing in English

To speak in English, there are a few aspects that you should take great care of such as the suitability of the words that are used and most importantly, the grammar.


It is very important to use the correct words (vocabulary) when speaking. This is to ensure that the person you are talking to is able to understand what you are trying to say.


Of course, being in the rank of “beginner” will make you feel awkward in our early attempt to speak in English. Such situation is commonly faced by people in this group.


When can you speak in English and with whom?


During lecture classes:
ANYWHERE AND ANYTIME that you feel suitable
These include:


-those sitting nearby during a lecture class;


-with the lecturer; to ask question;


-when speaking to the non-Malays;
*also with the Malays, there’s nothing wrong with it


-with the tourists you meet while having an outing


-those with good English communication skills


-the receptionist at the hotel/fast food restaurant counters


Start with simple sentences like:


-Good morning!


-How are you today?


-May I have Set A, please?


-I would like to buy a ticket to Melaka.


-How much is this dress?


-Are there smaller sizes for this dress?




Speaking these simple sentences is good enough for a beginner. You should NEVER be shy when trying to speak in English.You should be proud of yourself for having the courage to speak the language because there are people out there who are worse than you.
(*Thumbs up!)


Later on, try to speak a more complex and longer sentences like:


-Please come over my room tonight. We can discuss deeper about the topic we learnt this morning.


-Sorry but I have to go now. I have a lecture to attend at 9 am.


-Let’s go out to Mid Valley this weekend. I heard that there will be many shops offering discounts on expensive dresses.


-I can’t do much to help you but I promise that I will try.


-The weather is very hot today. Please remind me to bring along an umbrella when we are about to go to the lecture hall.


As the conclusion, practise makes perfect. You will feel weak at the beginning but as you keep on practising your English, you will be building the skills and also confidence in you. Soon enough, you will realize how much you have improved.


Good luck!


*You may leave your comments/questions below

Erick's Poem : Help

He has lost his past behaviours...

and something is going on,

a wrong thing that stirs conflicts in his life..

for always night and days,

things keep on getting at their wrong pace,

and if this continues to go on,

it is a great deal,

for he will lost everything,

in the past,now and also the future,

seeking for that wrongness is a must,

as might as life could carry it on,

to repent,

a twisted Erick,

from being born into this world of error,

a help is a must,

for this problem is not a thing of ABC,

nor 123.

Synopsis of 'Claudia’s Story: Green Pyjamas'

Note:

Granny’s : Granny’s house (same goes with Stella’s)

Had a row: Had terrible fight

Mum and Dad had a big fight and one day after arriving home from school, she noticed that there were changes in her house. Dad’s things were gone and some of the furniture had been moved. Mum told her that Dad had moved to Granny’s while they calmed down but Claudia was wise enough to know that something serious had occurred. Afterward, Dad did come home for quite a number of times just to argue with Mum.

One night, Claudia learnt (knew) that Dad was having an affair with a woman named Stella from Mum’s conversation with her sister on the phone. Since then, Dad hardly came home. Once, Dad phoned her to ask whether she would come over to Granny’s house on Saturday and she agreed. She tried not to sound too keen on him so that Mum would not feel hurt.

Claudia’s family had a separate Christmas as Dad stayed at Granny’s till after Christmas. On Boxing Day, Dad introduced Stella to Claudia. Claudia treated Stella coldly and rudely during a walk although Stella was trying to be friendly with her. Back at Granny’s, Dad had a row with Granny. She was angry with Dad for ruining Claudia’s visit to the house by having Claudia to meet Stella. The next day, Dad moved out to Stella’s.

On Dad’s thirty-seventh birthday, Claudia went to Stella’s. Her father was having a party and he had invited his friends along. Claudia preferred to stay upstairs in her bed. After a while she sneaked out and took a peek at the people downstairs. She noticed that Stella was badly treated by the guests. They did not seem to bother Stella. She reflected their action with hers and thought that they were being unfair toward Stella. Stella was not the one to blame for the fight between her parents. With the green pyjamas given by Stella put on, she went downstairs to thank Stella for the pyjamas and afterward, her father’s friends talked to her and treated her well.

Grammar Tid-bits-Tribute for Superisms 0711

Thanks to Mdm. Norizah Baba for editing the notes.Grammar Tid-Bits - Tribute for Superism 1.0