Friday 26 July 2019

Students' creation: An event that taught you an important lesson in life

Okay, so I did an essay question with my Form 5 students. A narrative actually. They were divided into groups and each group wrote a paragraph. After peer checking and teacher's guidance, they rectified their mistakes and rewrite the story in their notebooks. They managed to come with a funny story that I think should be read by all of you. Okay, for this one, I did take some liberties in making it a little bit more polished, but as a whole, this is totally their creation. I hope you will enjoy reading this!

Simplified question:
Write about an event that taught you an important lesson in life.

English Paper 1, Question 2 (An SPM-related question)

Many people have experienced an event that gave them precious lessons in life. Well, I was not spared from it, and how I wish I could forget it. It was a hot afternoon Monday and I just came back from my swimming lesson. My throat was as dry as the Sahara Desert. As I walked home, my eyes suddenly saw a piece of a heaven on Earth – a cendol restaurant. It seemed to call my name, so I dashed to the place with the hope of quenching my thirst.  I made my way to the ordering counter, looked at the menu, and opted for durian cendol.

While waiting for my order, I killed my time by watching a music video by BTS. The choreography was so mesmerising, my eyes were glued to the screen. Moments later, I heard the waiter called my number. My cendol was on the countertop waiting for me. I walked slowly with my eyes still on the video, took the cendol, and zigzagged my way towards a table at the back of the crowded restaurant.

Weirdly, I heard chuckles and small laughs while walking. At first, the laughs did not bother me, but as seconds passed, I realised that many people were observing me. Some even pointed their fingers at me while talking to their friends, and those fingers were suspiciously pointing at my buttocks.

I put my right hand at the back of my pants, and felt… different. I was expecting denim texture as I was wearing jeans, but my bottom had an unusual sensation. It was as smooth as Egyptian cotton. That was when I realised, with an unrestrained horror on my face, that my pants were torn apart, exposing my hot pink boxer briefs. The restaurant erupted in laughter while my face became pinker than my undergarment.

Many teenagers started capturing photos and videos. There were also sounds of superzoom effect on Instagram Stories. I was terrified! I was not aiming to be popular around the nation this way! Malaysia did not need to know that I, a 16-year-old macho boy, wore a pink undergarment. I tried hopelessly to cover my buttocks using my hands but unintentionally let go of my cendol. I could only watch the fallen cendol in despair for a second before I sprinted away from the restaurant.

The lesson that I learnt from that embarrassing situation was simple – never forget to check the clothes to be worn before going out. Needless to say, I really regretted not examining my clothes before I left the pool. It was a lesson well learnt which I will never forget.

On those normal questions

I have not written a post on this blog for a long time. Hence the way I write might be a bit childish haha but you know, let’s just write. (Motivates myself by listening to ‘reputation’ by my queen, Taylor Swift, ‘reputation’ with small ‘R’.)

Being 28, a male, and still single (with no intention of looking for someone). A ripe situation for those who are older than me (both males and females) to start spouting those million-dollar questions. Maybe you can guess what the questions are. If you don’t know, let me state them here:
1. When are you going to get married?
2. Do you want me to find a girl for you?
3. You are almost 30. Why do you want still to wait?

Okay. I will say this first – I don’t mind being asked those things. I know there are some sensitive people out there who would be angry if they are ‘attacked’ with the inquiries. They probably think that they are being ridiculed or the askers are poking their noses too much into their lives. So far, I’m not that kind of person. I don’t feel annoyed frankly. Those questions are just a part of a normal day. So this post is not me trying to be angry at those who always pose those things to me.

Many of my friends are now married, and I am happy for them. They find happiness in having partners that are legally bonded to them (that sounds weird hahaha). They have someone to go through their lives together, and that is a beautiful thing.

But a matrimony is a responsibility (it rhymes!): one that I don’t think I am ready to take yet. The obligations that have to be fulfilled towards a spouse and possibly child(ren) feel too much. In the words of my favourite princess, Mia Thermopolis, I’m still waiting for my normal body parts to arrive! Obviously being loving towards your wives is a thing that husbands should do, but honestly, tell me that being loving alone can get you five meals a day? Other duties for husbands are to mentor and support their families, to bring them happiness, assisting the upbringing of the children, realise their desires (in all forms), having a good financial management… those are just simplified versions of some duties.

Some people might think that you will learn to make yourself responsible as you navigate your marriage. Yes, that can be true, and yes, experience begets wisdom so they speak, but when it comes to relationship, I’m not taking any chance.

I am not up to do this thing called ‘being married’… and truthfully, finding someone to get married is not in my mind at all. I probably would lie if I say it will still stay that way in the future. Probably there will come a time when I might try to find my significant other… but now, I have my personal desires and wishes.