I got that a lot. So, what is that?! It’s a truly smile, a sweet love or a lovely prize…. Yeah..  Could you ever thinking what you are the ‘thing’ you get a lot. Take a few seconds with me, take a deep breath, and try think - what is it? 

….

Got the answer? No? Or yes? If the answer is no, so I think you should repeat the step before and try it again. And if you get the answer, feel free to tell me. So, here… I think it may be the last story about Jane and her best friend, Zack for this semester or may be not… and no one knew about it.  Okay, back to our topic what is the ‘thing’ you get a lot.

When you are born to this world, you get that. When you started to drink your mom milk, you already get that and when you able to walk, you’re also got that. So, what is ‘that’, which is I’m talking about.  For me, that is the knowledge and experience. And for you may be not. Yeah, different people definitely have different opinion. If you’re not agreed with my opinion, it’s okay. Just read it to fill your leisure time.

Knowledge and experience….

“Hye, dude! What are you thinking about? I’ve shouted for your name almost for ten times. Are you day dreaming again, Jane. Wake up!!! Can you stop doing it again? Huh!!”

“Fuh, such a long advice I got today. Thank you, buddy,” Jane patted Zack’s shoulder. 

“But, you know day dream and me cannot be separate. Hahaha…”

“What are in your mind actually? You look puzzle.”

“Hmmm.. Should I… hmmm…”

“Stop with your nonsense mumming. What is it? May be I can help you a little.”

“Actually, what in your mind when someone asked about you get that a lot, I’m took such a long moment to think about it.”

“Oooo… Why don’t you try flash back what are you get a lot along your experience be a student may be. Take a deep breath, close your eyes and think about it carefully and deeply.”

A few minutes have passed…

“Yah, I got that a lot!!”

“What is it? What are you got?”

“Knowledge, buddy, when you experience something you would get the knowledge.”

“Hmmm.. example?”

“Okay, I take myself for the example. When I have to face and talk in public, I was scared and nervous. But then, I got the way to manage my problem, so I’m totally get both, experience facing the people and the knowledge to get in touch with the people. Are you got it?”

“Ooo, so it is means that you get that a lot is you get the knowledge and also experience a lot. Am I right?”

“Yes, totally right. But, it is for me and for you, I’m not sure. What about you?”

“Me?!”

“Yup, it is your turn.”

“Love maybe.”

“Hmmm, why are you said that?”

“Because when you’re born, you’re already got love from your parent. When you are helping people, you’ll get love from them and when you have pet, you also got love from your lovely pet. And.. also

Why I said I get that a lot? Because when we have the experience , we would obtain the knowledge. No matter it is a small experience, but from that we could get a lot of knowledge. From that knowledge, we also got love from our teachers. No matter who are your teachers, may be they’re your school teacher, your friends and it could be your own self.”

“Our own self? Why?”

“When you’re having difficulty to face the people, who are your teacher? You manage to overcome by ourselves, right? So, you’re also a teacher for yourselves. From that, you also get love from your own self.”

“Wow, amazing. L.O.V.E. A simple word but I get that a lot. Thank you, Zack. Now, I can see the light. Wait, you haven’t take a breakfast yet, did you? Let’s full our stomach at my mom restaurant.”

“Brilliant. Let’s go.”

So, they walked to the Jane’s restaurant happily. Their story may be end here or maybe not. But, how about us? I think it’s just a beginning.

Making Judgement

"Is she a normal person?"
"Is she has a mental retarded?"
"Or.. she does not has any feeling at all?"

"Why are you saying like that? - asked Zack confusingly.

 "Yeah, look at there. The girl which wearing white shirt." Jane pointed to a girl who is sitting under a shady tree. Then, she continued, "You don't think that she's weird. Smiling alone and then crying loudly like a child. So, scary you know."

"Don't judge people like that, Jane. Maybe, she was flashback her past. Who's know, dude?"

"But still... I don't get it. She acted like a crazy woman who lose her husband. Yeah, you and me have see it, right? She is like gaining the attention of passerby with her changing emotion. Urggghhh..." Jane expressed her judgement without took a short thinking.

"But still, you can't jugde poeple like that. Remember the old you? People always stare and made a judgement on you too. But, you are not like that, right? So, it's same goes with her."

"Urrggghhh, okay, fine!!"

A few day after the incident...

"Hey, look at that, Zack!! Is she is our schoolmate? Why I don't notice her before?"

"Yeah, I think she is a student here and I know why you didn't notice her before." Zack smiled suspiciously.

"Oh, yeah. Why?"

"Because you are not a type of person which is care about people around you. In your life, just your world and yourself... and.." Zack mute for a while.

"And what?"

"And also me. Hahahah.... ." They laughed out loud.

A few weeks passed through..

"Zack, I think she is a cheerful person."

"Pardon?"

"I mean she is a CHEERFUL person. I saw she was laughing everyday and people like to be friend with her. She also a talkative girl."

"Are you spied her?"

"Not, I heard the girls talked about her in the toilet. Aaaa.. why not I be one of her friend."

"Brilliant. Yeah, let proceed with your good idea."

After that, their friendship went smoothly. The girl, Kaisarah, is totally a cherish person. She always smiles and Jane never see she crying. But, the thing change after Jane read her diary.

Kaisarah knew that people like to judge her and she expressed her feeling in her diary. The reason why she acted weird before is because of her incurable sickness . But, she covered her sadness with her laughter everyday. And Jane was really embarrassed with her judgement towards Kaisarah before. She quickly asked for apologies.

After that day, Jane learned a new good thing. Making judgement is we are make an opinion or a conclusion about something. But, after this  Jane promise to herself don't judge people as simple as ABC. We didn't know the truth, yet we like to take a simply judgement about we saw.

A movie based on a true story that inspired me

“Jane?”

“Yeah, what’s up?”

“Have you ever watched a movie which is gave a lot of inspiration to you?”

“Hmmmm… Of course!! Did you remember a Thai movie that I tell you before? A little thing called love… I love it very much!!!! The movie inspired me a lot…”

“Wow, I’m sure the movie really interesting because you’re not a type of person which is easily made something as your inspiration. Hahaha…”

“How come you know that? I think something fishy is going right here. Tell me, hurry??”  >_<  >_<

“Just know it. It’s obviously written on your forehead. So, tell me, how come this movie gave you a motivation instead of me?”

“Of course first the handsome actor, Mario Maurer. He’s so cute!!!”

“Are you watched the movie or the person?”

“Two in one… Haha… I’m just kidding.”

Jane later took a deep breath.

“Okay, I’m serious right now. Let’s me tell you the flow of the movie first. It’s started when there was a school junior girl, Nam falls in love with her senior, Shone. But… she afraid to confess to him because Shone is everyone’s idol meanwhile Nam is unpopular. She is an unattractive girl, simple and average. She has nothing that can make Shone notice about her…”

“Oooo.. Is she really that ugly? I mean, she feel that she does not deserve to show her feeling towards him?”

“I think, yes.. Wait a minute. Here, her picture with her best friends.”

“Can you see that? Nam, the one who is wearing a spectacles.”

“Ooo, now I got it. So, did she give up or not?”

“Of course no, she never gives up easily. She has a very high spirit and it’s make me burns my spirit too. That’s why I like the movie very much.  She tries to do everything to make Shone notice about her. First, she enters a Drama Club in her school. You know, at first, her friends and Nam didn’t wanted to enter the club, but the things change when she saw Shone at the club and she changed her minds in order to be close to him who joins the Arts Department. O.M.G. So, sweet she is. Haha…

Later, she was chosen to be the lead role in Sleeping Beauty. She then is asked to be the drum major of the school marching band. Her actions made boys start to notice her, including Shone’s best friend. After that, Shone's best friend confessed to Nam and wanted to be her boyfriend, but Nam just remains silence.”

“Why? Just accept the offer. Be her girlfriend. There is a good chance for her.”

“No, her love just for Shone, you know. But, when he asked Nam go out, Nam just agreed because Nam wanted to see Shone. The things become worst when Nam became popular and make friends with Shone’s friends. Then, she could not make it to celebrate her best friend’s birthday and their friendship worst day by day. Nam was busy going out with her new friends. Nam was upset with the situations and later, she found a way to get her best friends back.”

“Did she never want to confess to him? I think it’s already the time.”

“Yes, finally she confessed to him at Shone’s high school graduations, but the thing is….”

“What? Why? Does Shone already have someone else?”

“Yup.” Jane showed a video to him.

“Oh, no. I’m feeling so sorry to Nam.”

“Yeah, when I watch the movie, I frustrated you know. I’m so touching when Nam did anything to improve herself just for the one she loves very much. I thought Nam was give up with her love, but it’s was unexpected when I know that Shone likes Nam since she was M.1 student!!”

“Really, I can’t believe that. How come he likes her even though she was not pretty?”

“Yeah, I’m agreed with you. But, I thinks she deserve that. She’s willing to do anything in hope of him turning around look at her just one more time. Plus, she used the love in a right way.”

“Oh, by the way, the movie is just a fantasy, right? It’s not a true story, I guess.”

“Not, it is a movie which is based on a true story. Believe me. And this movie inspired me a lot because it teaches me how to use our love in a right way. Moreover, it gives a lot of benefit to ourselves, just like Nam.”

 Again, Jane showed a video to Zack.

“Wow, great then. So, where are we going to eat today?”

“Hmmm, I’m craving for hamburger…”

“Okay, let’s go to the Burger King, then.”

“Okay, let’s go.”

    

How would your life be different if you have fifteen brothers and sisters

My life will be different if I have fifteen brothers and sisters. Could you imagine that?!!! What I'm going to be? Will my life turned to be like a Cinderella story? Oh, no... I can't imagine that. Wait, wait!! It's not a Cinderella story. Cinderella is totally different with me. She has a step-mother and two step sister. The evil’s one. Not like my brothers and sisters... So, what is the story of my life will be? Could it be...

  "Jane, what are you wanted to eat this night? I'll prepare the scrumptious dinner for you, my little sister." 

"Hmmm, I want to eat western. Yesterday, the food came to my dream. They wanted to eat me. I'm so scared. So, today, I want to eat them back. Haha."

"You’re too naughty, dear. Okay, I'll let your dream come true."

"Thank you, sister. Love you, muuuaaahhhh,"

"Hmm, where are our twin brothers? I want to ask them to go fishing with me this evening," my eyes are searching for my brothers.

"Are you hear the voice that called us twin? Asking us to accompany this evening, but I can't see the owner of the lovely voice. Where is she?"

I make the long face. 

"I'm here. How could you didn't see me when I'm standing in front of you. I.. hey, hey let me down." I screamed when my brothers lifting and hugging me tightly.

"We are sorry, girl. We just joked. Don't take it seriously."

"Ok, then, but could you do something for me? Please help me to get the permission from mom and dad. I want to go out this Sunday. Please... my handsome brothers...."  

When I make this face, they says, "No probs, younger sibling, we can convince them."

And, yes, I glad to hear that having many sisters and brothers makes my life wonderful. 

"So, are you coming this evening?"

"Opps, Sorry dear, we have to cancel it. We forgot to tell you that we have match today. Why don't you go shopping with El today?"

"What’s?!! She wants to go shopping and yet she didn't tell me a word?"

"Wait, wait!! Jane woke up!!! Am I daydreaming? Again?! Oh, no. Please stop it, Jane. Come on. Come back to your nerves. Ok... Our topic now is "How my life would be different if I have fifteen brothers and sister."

1)    She always be the first, last and the best friend you ever had

Goes without saying, she’ll always there for me. Sometimes I never know the true value of moment until it becomes a memory.

2)    The best and the only one babysitter that you wanted

Have you ever imagine if someone else be your babysitter. What if they treat you bad like news which is you heard lately? It is nice when you have a lovely and caring babysitter.

3)    You have someone to explain sports to you

Did you know how to play football or who is Christianol Ronaldo if there is anyone willing to tell you? I know stick hockey when my brothers always bring it back and tell me how to play with it.

4)    You have someone to teach you how to be tough

Not every single time you’ll be a princess, but you have to be a maid too for your brothers and sisters. When you think at the other side, you’ll understand why they are treating you like that. My brothers always put me in a triangle choke and headlocks, forcing me to get out from it, and the results now, I never give up a lot in a tough situations.

5)    You have someone to hang out with you

When the holiday coming and all your friends are going to somewhere else, you still have your brothers and sisters to hang out.

6)    You always have somebody sweatshirts and sweatpants to steal

The minute brother’s sweatpants seem a little short on him, I’m the first to point it out… don’t you want a nice new pair while I steal yours for my marathon days?

7)    You have someone to hear your problems

They always be next to me when I need somebody to share my problems.

8)    You have someone to carry your heavy things for you

When I went to university, it is easier for me because I only have to carry my own pillow, while my brothers and sisters have balance half my suitcases and backpacks for me.

9)    You always have a shoulder to cry on

Although my brothers hate to see me cry, but they always confront me. They are always the first one at my side when I’m upset

.

10) You have someone to give an honest opinion
    Friends totally will think twice when you wanted an opinion. in this state, they only have two choice. Tell the truth and you'll sad or lie to you so that you will smile for a whole day, but story changes when it's happen with your siblings. 
     "Am I looked fat with this outfit?"
     "Yes, you are. Please go and change your clothes, dear."
     "Oh, okay."
   Look. It is totally different. You can have an honest opinion from your sisters or brothers. 

It's true that this would happen if I have fifteen brothers and sisters, but remember your happiness don't depend on the quantity of your family, but te way you express your true love with them. It's true that every single life in this world will left us, but not the sweet memories which are we created with them.

Tips on how to be confident to speak in English

I’m neither a debater nor a native speaker. I’m not a writer, who can write the best story of her/his life. I’m not a person that has the blood of Englishman in her/his body. I’m also not a poet that can write her/his poem easily. I’m just an ordinary girl, who has a big dream in her life. But, there is something that had blocked my way to get there. I believe, I’m not the only one, who has this problem. I think almost student who grew up in north-eastern Peninsular Malaysia may experience the same with me. So, can you guess what is it? It’s English actually. “How I want to be confident to speak in English?” Plus, I’m a student and I have to do my presentation in English. So, ‘by hook or by crook’, I need the confident. SERIOUSLY!!!!

DUSSHHHH!!!

“Hey!! Why you hit my head? It’s hurt, you know.”

“Sorry. I didn’t mean it, but I had called you for a several times. Why you don’t reply? Are you daydreaming again, Jane?”

“No… I’m just did a deep thinking.”

“Here.”

“What is it?” Jane asked blankly although Zack wrote a title on the paper that he gave just now.

“I know you weak in English and that’s why you not confident to speak in English, right? So, the best way here, follow my tips on how to be confident to speak in English.”

Zack explained words by words to Jane on that paper so that she can understand the subject that Zack trying to say.

10 Tips On How To Be Confident In English

1.      A day for English                                                                                                                  

For example, Tuesday is your English day, so you have to speak in English during that day. If you fail to do it, for the best result you have to punish yourselves so that you can remember your mistake.

            2.  Writing

                 Write a blog or story to improve your English skills. This way will increase your                                   confidence level when you always write something in English. 

3.      Music

When you always listen to English song, you are able to catch up what the song are about. You can also sing along with the song that you listen and automatically you will pronounce correctly the words that you are listening.                                             

4.      Take it easy

You have to hear what the other person say about and just respond calmly what people saying. You don’t have to respond too must, just short and sweet.

5.      Realize that people don’t care what you did

When you are talking in front, don’t think too much every single mistake that you did. Maybe, they didn’t care and know the mistake that you did because they also are busy WORRYING ABOUT THEMSELVES.

6.      Mirror

Did you know how a mirror works to gain the confident in ourselves? Almost people that I know use this method to achieve the same goal with you and they did it. Just speak in front of the mirror and you can see and improve the way you in English.

7.      Gain your knowledge

If you have the knowledge, of course you are confident to elaborate more about it. Therefore, emphasize your reading. It’s up to you to read a novel or the best reading material that I think right now is Reading Digest.

8.      Breathing skill

Breathing skill is very helpful skill when you are nervous especially when you are talking in front of people. When you are nervous, your brain needs more oxygen, so when you apply this method, you will be calmer than before.

9.      Friends

Find a friend that can speak in English, like me for example. By this method, it is more fun rather than you speak alone. Moreover, you can be more confident when you are talking with the person that you are comfortable.

10.  Try to be positive

Try to be positive about your English skills and focus on the English concepts that you mastered, not the one that you need to improve on. Believe on yourselves that you can do it. Do not be afraid by you on shadow.

“Ooo, now, I get it. Thanks a lot, friend. Let’s go to the café. It’s my treat today.”

“No sweet. We are friends, right. Remember our motto. No sorry, no thank you. But, since you want still want to treat me today, okay then. Today is my lucky day. Hamburger, here I come!!!”

                                                                                   

    

Challenges in acquiring English language

"Okay, class. Today, we start our class with a new chapter. Please open your textbook on page 123,"said Miss Suzy. "Again? Huh, so boring. Why she likes to teach us formally? -using textbook instead of something else. Urrgghhh!!! It's make me sleepy again. I want to hit the sack," I murmured. The class went smoothly until...“Jane, please read the third paragraph,” asked Miss Suzy. I stood up and read the paragraph that she mentioned just now.“It is not pronounces as hurt, it is H.E.A.R.T.  You have learnt phonetic, right?” my reading is paused when she suddenly interrupted my reading. This is really my weak point. I do not know to pronounce certain words very well although I have learnt phonetic before. Plus, I have very low confident to speak in English. I was too scared when I talked in front- think that people around me are greater than me especially in English. Therefore, I’m worry that they would judge my broken English. Pap!!! “Jane, I’m talking to you. Are you daydreaming?” The whole class laughed at me and the blood vessels in my face were widening and my skin was warming.  

“What’s up?” said Zack.

“Huh!!! What?”

“Do you have something that you want to tell me?”

“Should I tell you?”

“Yes. You MUST.”

“Errr..  Zack, you know how much I hate English, right? It’s my mindset since child – English is hard and boring. Plus, it’s not our mother tongue. I learnt English at a late stage of life, not when I was a baby. So, tell me. How I want to delete the mindset that I build for almost two decades? I…”

When I turned left, I was heartbroken. How come he can sleep when listening my sad story. It’s okay. Today, I will let him go. I knew he was stayed up last night because of his sick sister.  While waited for the next class, I write down the challenges that I face in acquiring English. 

Ø  I sit passively during the class – I did not rise my hand when I want to ask something that I curios. So, at the end, I will do not acknowledge what the teacher talking about especially English subject.

Ø  Too lazy to look up the meaning of the unknown words – lacking of vocabulary

Ø  Little chance to practice speaking inside or outside the class

Ø   Too much rules in Grammar – boring

Ø  People love to mock me when I speak in English

Ø  Can’t catch up when people talk in English – not all the words but certain words

Done!! I had to pass this paper to my savior. Guess who? Of course, Zack!!! I knew he will find a way to help me. He is my Superman. Hehe… Just joking..  . So, I will wait for the next day. Hoping that my future will brighter than before.