Closing ceremony on EDU3234

I enjoyed very much posting my journals in this blog. This is the second time I am posting my journals. The first time I created my blog is during the drama course. I think this is the course where we first started posting. The only difference between the first blog and the second blog is the first blog we post and we comment on our friends blog and vice versa. The second blog we only have to post our journals only. Through this semester I have learned a lot on this course. I really love and enjoyed the different types of genres which can be found from Dr.Ed’s collection in the yellow book which he provided for us. It has widen my knowledge and understanding of the course. It has also helped me a lot especially in understanding the different author’s works. It’s good that we are exposed to these different types of authors and the variety of genres so that we have a good and strong background of what is really to read those texts. In this course also I have learnt a lot on doing position paper and research paper. Now I have a brief background of what it is to write those papers. Besides it has also helped me to learn how to think, understand and do judgement. It has also prepared me earlier so that when I want to do my masters I will don’t have any difficuly. I am also very happy and grateful to have Dr.Edwin as my supervisor. Throughout my work on the position paper and research paper, you have helped me a lot as well gave me advice. Also sometimes when you are busy you still guided me and this has really made feel happy. Overall, I enjoyed this course a lot which has developed me to become a good teacher. So Dr.Ed, till we meet during my practicals. Have a nice day. May God bless you. Take care.

The cast in 'The Namesake'

From left: Irfan Khan, Kal Penn, Tabu and Sahira Nair

A portrait on MAHABHARATA

This is one of my favourite picture

The movie 'The Namesake'

I have watched the movie ‘The Namesake’ which was directed by Mira Nair and I should say that it is a very nice movie. It is a very touching story and at the same time very cultured. This has made me to appreciate Mira Nair’s work and I can say that she is indeed a good director. She has directed quite a number of movies and the one I remember is Monsoon Wedding and Missippi Masala. Both these movies are very good in terms of the story line and the way she made both movies to look really ‘cool’. During a conversation with her that is during the Toronto Film Festival, she said that she made this movie because she was inspired after reading the book and also when she was on the plane heading towards one of her far relative’s funeral. Here she felt like a solace between the book and the funeral. This has immediately made her to make this film. Within a week she got the rights and she begin directing the movie. She also stated that Kal Penn flew all alone himself from L.A. directly to her office to see whether he can have the chance to act or not. To his surprise she gave him the chance to act. Mira also stated this movie is very much close to heart and it is all about life. In fact it is one of the greatest journeys that will bring you home. Currently she is working on her next film that is ‘Shantaram’ and this film is based from a novel, Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts. I really can’t wait to watch this film. Since I like Mira Nair’s movies, I always update myself on what is happening next. Overall I enjoyed every bit and part in the movie and I would consider it as a 5 star movie. All the actors have done a great job especially Tabu who played the role as Ashima and Gogol’s mother, Kal Penn as Gogol and Nikhil and Irfan Khan as Ashoke and Gogol’s father. Although the movie is not really same as in the novel but the originality of the story is there. I wish that one day I could meet all this actors and get their autographs. I would cherish this moment and also keep it as a memorable experience.

My 2nd draft on research paper

Today I received my second draft on my research paper. After the lots of walking to Mr.Eddie’s room and knocking at the door, sometimes seeing that there is a different person opening the door, our senior Mindy, waiting for my research paper to be seen, I am very happy that this time my work was well done. Only one thing I have to rework that is my sub-headings. I do not know how I forgot to put the sub-headings. I have also wrote this reminder on my post it note and sticked in on my computer screen. It entirely didn’t strike my mind to look at it. Anyway I still got another week to see if there is anything missing in my research paper. I also have to work on my literature review since I didn’t put anything under that section. I now realized that I have to put my three main points which is the names, identities and taboos. So after this I am going to hand in my final draft. I can’t really imagine that time is really flying fast. As goes with the proverb ‘Time waits for no man’. This proverb can be seen in one of the cover test pads and it alerts when we want to write anything on it. It seems that time is really precious and I have to make use of it all the time not only in my studies but also in everday life. Dr.Sheikh also will be returning to earth soon and I can’t wait to see our cheerful astronaut coming to earth. My heart beats. May God brings him down to earth safely.

Viewing on the movie 'Freedom Writer's'

Today we watched the movie ‘Freedom Writer’s. Overall the movie was interesting but at the same time touching. The teacher in this movie tried very hard to get the students attention in learning English. Since they are problematic students with different ethnicities, it is really hard for the teacher to teach them. When I watched the movie, I could see how the teacher and the students react with each. It is quite difficult especially when it comes to handling a situation like this. However the teacher keeps on trying her very best to teach her students. Her hard work and courage has made her to bring the students attention in the lesson. In this movie also, I got some tips like how to teach such students using different techniques. For example the teacher uses the line game method where she gets each and every student to step the line if he or she has faced any problems in his or her lives. Another way which I saw is when the teacher asks the students to write whatever they faced in their lives and also any things that they like to say in a journal. And at last, they wrote the problems and the things which they went through in their lives. One part in this movie that I really felt is when the students are to come to the front and toast by telling something in their life. When I saw each and every student expresse their feelings, I really pity them. They have gone through a lot in their lives and at last they flowed out whatever they have in their hearts. It is totally unimaginable. I too saw a few of my friends sneezing, coughing and taking tissues wiping their tears and I know that they also felt a lot. Anyway I didn’t cry. The movie is indeed a good one which have a lot values and thoughts to be reflected upon. It teaches more of ourselves by respecting other people and living together as a family. After watching the movie, I thought of wanting to get the book The Freedom Writer’s Diary. I thought of getting it after my exams is over so that I have ample time to read and reflect on the entries. Thank you very much Dr.Ed for giving us a good movie to watch. I would give this movie a 5 star rating.

Malaysian Folk Tales: Sang Kancil and Sang Buaya

This story is one of my favourites which I will never forget. I remember when I was small, I used to read a lot not only Malaysian folk tales but also from other continents like Europe and Africa. The Sang Kancil and Sang Buaya story was also featured in the television and whenever I come back from school I will immediately on the television and watch. When Dr.Edwin ask us to find Malaysian tales, what came to mind is this story. I am very happy that once again I am able to read the story again. What a flashback. Basically this story is about a mouse deer trick over a crocodile. Sang Kancil wants to cross the river but it does not know how to cross. As a result Sang Kancil asks the crocodiles to queue so that it count. The crocodiles without realizing what actually Sang Kancil wants blindly follows Sang Kancil’s instructions. What happens is the crocodiles has been fooled. The moral of the lesson here is ‘do not get fooled by anyone’. ‘Always think ahead what the other people wants’ These kind of tales can teach students on how to think logically as well as alert them to the surroundings. In a way they will understand themselves better.