To wrap up the course of EDU 3234 for this semester, I would like to express my gratitude to Dr. Malachi Edwin Vethamani for his undying passion in teaching us and his patience in dealing with all sort of problems which we have created for him. Without his guidance, we will never be able to complete this course.
Throughout these years studying under his supervision, I have seen the development within myself and also changes in Dr. Edwin’s attitude towards us. I still remembered during our first year when his nonchalant glance simply turned our legs into jellies and how his stern face haunted our days. However, the Dr. Edwin we see today has changed into a totally different person; though still possess his air of sternness. Happy to say that he has become a funny man who cracks jokes full of mockery and sarcasm! Still, no matter how much change I see in him, his undivided attention towards his students has enlighten us with mountains of knowledge, preparing us to become the catalyst for the education of our next generation.
I am indeed happy to say that I have learnt a lot through this course. It has taught me things that I will badly need when pursuing my master degree in the future. Therefore, once again, thank you, Dr. Ed and all the best for you!
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Exodus for my research paper...
This will be the last journal I write regarding to my research paper as I have already completed the touch up needed for my paper. Phew! You will never know how I feel at this moment. Words can never describe the ecstatic feeling grow inside me at this very moment. This is my very first piece of research paper and I have completed it with my sweat and hardship. I am confident to say that for the next research paper or thesis which I will be completing in my master degree, I will definitely produce a better piece with less difficulty as the foundation is now in my hands.
“5 people You Meet in Heaven” by Mitch Albom is indeed a novel worth reading as I explore deeper into this novel due to my paper, I slowly discovered the concealed essence within the book. After completing this research paper, my perception of value of life have changed greatly and I am glad that I have found this book as it enlightened me in a way I never though I will be.
I used to think that human beings are vicious and selfish creatures who think of no one else except themselves. Therefore, one must strive with all his might to survive in this world. Nothing else will be more important than proving yourself to the world. Well, I am so wrong! After reading through this book thoroughly, I was finally made to understand that life is all about living together; the inter-relatedness among human being. We need to live life so that we know what we are doing, reflect on our deeds, repent for mistakes done, forgive and ask for forgiveness and on top of all, accept reality. We are what we are and this is the fact that will never change. If only we can practice all these in our daily lives, the world will be a much better place to live in.
“Love each other or perish”
“5 people You Meet in Heaven” by Mitch Albom is indeed a novel worth reading as I explore deeper into this novel due to my paper, I slowly discovered the concealed essence within the book. After completing this research paper, my perception of value of life have changed greatly and I am glad that I have found this book as it enlightened me in a way I never though I will be.
I used to think that human beings are vicious and selfish creatures who think of no one else except themselves. Therefore, one must strive with all his might to survive in this world. Nothing else will be more important than proving yourself to the world. Well, I am so wrong! After reading through this book thoroughly, I was finally made to understand that life is all about living together; the inter-relatedness among human being. We need to live life so that we know what we are doing, reflect on our deeds, repent for mistakes done, forgive and ask for forgiveness and on top of all, accept reality. We are what we are and this is the fact that will never change. If only we can practice all these in our daily lives, the world will be a much better place to live in.
“Love each other or perish”
A great solution to my problem!
Kak Norli has suggested me a solution to my problem, which is to cut down the biography of the author since it is too lengthy and does not help much in the scoring criterion. Her words have just knocked some senses into my jammed brain! Since the paper is focusing more on my findings and justifications on the novel and its implementation in classroom, I will just have to put all my efforts in these two sections and finely tune the author’s biography to meet the ends. What a perfect solution!
Monday, October 22, 2007
Crisis...what should i do?
I am facing a crisis now! My research paper is exceeding 3000 words and I do know that I need to cut down the lengthy phrases but the problem is I don’t have any idea on where I should begin.
To me, all the stuffs that I have written in my paper are important and that is the very reason why they appear in my paper. It’s frustrating when you are trying to do your best and give the best shot that you can afford yet are bounded to some rules which you can’t go against.
Therefore, no matter how long the time I take to grieve, lament, sulk or whine, things will just have to be done according to what have been told, that is DO NOT EXCEED 3000 words. So, instead of continuing to feel sorry for myself, I better start cracking and polish my paper before the final editing.
To me, all the stuffs that I have written in my paper are important and that is the very reason why they appear in my paper. It’s frustrating when you are trying to do your best and give the best shot that you can afford yet are bounded to some rules which you can’t go against.
Therefore, no matter how long the time I take to grieve, lament, sulk or whine, things will just have to be done according to what have been told, that is DO NOT EXCEED 3000 words. So, instead of continuing to feel sorry for myself, I better start cracking and polish my paper before the final editing.
Ready to answer unanswered questions....
I remember that I have once posted some questions in this blog which were left unanswered. In this short passage, I was about to answer my own questions. The first and second questions I posted were how should I associate the novel “5 People You Meet in Heaven” by Mitch Albom to the life lead by secondary school students in Malaysian classrooms and is there any similarities found in Eddie’s life and our students’ life? I had seriously thought about these two questions and I believe I do have my personal set of answer at this moment.
In real life, I assume that every one of us possess a part of Eddie’s life whether in the aspect of experience, background, past, family or way of living our life. Each of us has a story to tell, a secret to hide, an issue to run from and a mystery to solve. In short, we are all alike in a way. For secondary school students, their lives will be inevitably confused as various things are happening to them physically and emotionally. Therefore, they will need some sort of guidance to make them know that they are not alone in facing life as there is someone else in this world who shares the same feeling or same story just like them. By introducing them to this novel, students will be able to travel together with Eddie in another dimension. They will get to understand that life is unavoidably full of hardships and obstacles but as long as we are ready to learn from our mistakes, ready to accept things and learn to forgive, we will be just fine.
As for the third question, why should we use this novel in the literature classroom or as an extensive reading material? Well, this novel can be considered as a mountain rich of knowledge if properly utilized for teaching purposes. First of all, it teaches readers ample of important values throughout life such as reflection, revelation and redemption which occur in every stages of life. It shows us the importance of the relationship between human beings and the unique inter-relatedness between us. Besides, the novel enlightens our young readers on the concept of heaven which is considered as an awkward issue to be discussed in our society. It opens rooms of imagination for readers as they are given the opportunity to visualize, imagine and mentally form a heaven of their own. This will intrigue their critical and creative thinking skills.
In real life, I assume that every one of us possess a part of Eddie’s life whether in the aspect of experience, background, past, family or way of living our life. Each of us has a story to tell, a secret to hide, an issue to run from and a mystery to solve. In short, we are all alike in a way. For secondary school students, their lives will be inevitably confused as various things are happening to them physically and emotionally. Therefore, they will need some sort of guidance to make them know that they are not alone in facing life as there is someone else in this world who shares the same feeling or same story just like them. By introducing them to this novel, students will be able to travel together with Eddie in another dimension. They will get to understand that life is unavoidably full of hardships and obstacles but as long as we are ready to learn from our mistakes, ready to accept things and learn to forgive, we will be just fine.
As for the third question, why should we use this novel in the literature classroom or as an extensive reading material? Well, this novel can be considered as a mountain rich of knowledge if properly utilized for teaching purposes. First of all, it teaches readers ample of important values throughout life such as reflection, revelation and redemption which occur in every stages of life. It shows us the importance of the relationship between human beings and the unique inter-relatedness between us. Besides, the novel enlightens our young readers on the concept of heaven which is considered as an awkward issue to be discussed in our society. It opens rooms of imagination for readers as they are given the opportunity to visualize, imagine and mentally form a heaven of their own. This will intrigue their critical and creative thinking skills.
Sunday, October 21, 2007
What actually make Eddie's life miserable, I wonder?
To be honest, I was wondering what is the reason that makes Eddie’s life so painfully miserable, is it his cruel fate playing tricks on him or his inability to accept life? Has the world been too harsh on him or his denial of the world ruin his happiness?
Eddie’s life is unquestionably harsh and full of obstacles and to a certain extent, I was wondering why he did not commit suicide just like the character Charlie in the novel “For One More Day”. However, although he has the courage to continue living and bearing with this fateful life of his, he leads an unhappy life for the remaining of his days after the departure of his wife.
If Mitch Albom does not create the issue of heaven in this novel, will Eddie get a chance to reflect his life, discover the truthfulness of certain matters in his life thus repent for his deeds? In real life, how many of us will get the chance to reflect on our actions and behavior? Too much to count! And yet how many of us appreciate the opportunity to do so? Too little to be proud of, I assume. If only we decide to reflect, reveal and repent our deeds while we still can, Mitch will not have to write this novel at all to remind us about our shortsightedness of life.
Eddie’s life is unquestionably harsh and full of obstacles and to a certain extent, I was wondering why he did not commit suicide just like the character Charlie in the novel “For One More Day”. However, although he has the courage to continue living and bearing with this fateful life of his, he leads an unhappy life for the remaining of his days after the departure of his wife.
If Mitch Albom does not create the issue of heaven in this novel, will Eddie get a chance to reflect his life, discover the truthfulness of certain matters in his life thus repent for his deeds? In real life, how many of us will get the chance to reflect on our actions and behavior? Too much to count! And yet how many of us appreciate the opportunity to do so? Too little to be proud of, I assume. If only we decide to reflect, reveal and repent our deeds while we still can, Mitch will not have to write this novel at all to remind us about our shortsightedness of life.
Saturday, October 20, 2007
Review on the movie entitled "Freedom Writers"
This movie indeed worth a million applause thanks to the dedicated actors and of course the person who is the real "actor" behind the story...Without her dedication, determination and passion as a teacher to the class 203, this story will never appear in front of audience.
A teacher trainee ought not to miss this movie as one will eventually find inspiration from the said movie. Thanks to Dr. Edwin, we are given a chance to view this spectacular piece of art and this experience is priceless as it makes us, future teacher-to-be proud to be in this profession and inspired to be a teacher like the one in it.
One day, I hoped that I will be able to achieve at least half of her achievement and possess her enthusiastic spirit in teaching. Just like what Morrie said, "A teacher to the last".
A teacher trainee ought not to miss this movie as one will eventually find inspiration from the said movie. Thanks to Dr. Edwin, we are given a chance to view this spectacular piece of art and this experience is priceless as it makes us, future teacher-to-be proud to be in this profession and inspired to be a teacher like the one in it.
One day, I hoped that I will be able to achieve at least half of her achievement and possess her enthusiastic spirit in teaching. Just like what Morrie said, "A teacher to the last".
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