Back to class

Yesterday, after quite some time I was back in a class learning Arabic. This time however, there are significant differences from the previous classes that I had attended. The teacher, for one, doesn't speak any other language in class except Arabic. Next, the class is limited to maximum five people only. That allows for plenty of speaking opportunity which is being made full use of by the teacher. Its a great way to learn and practise a language. I have a feeling in no time at all my Arabic will improve by leaps and bounds Insha Allah.

Look at him

Akid going on his round.

Growing up

My house has been turned upside down all because of Akid. He crawls all over the house, going to every nook and corner, touching and taking everything in sight, putting in his mouth whatever he can get hold off. He is also learning how to stand. I have to clear the house of things that can be of a danger to him as he goes about on his exploration. Babies don't know the meaning of tired and so is Akid. The only time he will be still is when he is sleeping. Otherwise it is all system go!   

Are they afraid?

First they brought back an old issue, saying it has caused a lot of confusion and asked him to explain to the people. He replied saying it is not a problem. Not only that, he is willing to go live on national TV. That way he can reach everybody in the country including the people who are seemingly confused by his 'amanat'. First they said okay but suddenly it was no! Sigh...... what game are they trying to play? Are they afraid? Let him explain to the nation. Wasn't that what they wanted in the first place? 

Crumbs

The long awaited general election will definitely be held in March or April. Given that all the cash handouts will only be given starting in February, the month after that would be a good time for the ruling coalition to call for the general election, or so they think. I for one feel that no matter what they do, it will not be of any help. People will not be taken in by the cash handouts cause they know that it is peanuts compared to what the ruling elite are getting. It is just crumbs compared to the millions they reward each other in order to enrich themselves.

First day of school

So early in the morning yesterday, I was already caught in a traffic jam. I should have known. It was the first day of school after the long holiday. It was also the first day of school for thousands of standard one pupils, hence thousands of parents were also attending school yesterday. I was on my way to the  jogging track where I had to pass through a primary school. There were already many cars parked outside the school. Then there were the school buses, the teachers, the parents plus the people rushing off to work, they all added up to make it almost a crawl!

Resolutions and the new year

Last night I went to bed early, oblivious to the various celebrations going on around the world to welcome the new year. I was too sleepy to care. A new year brings new resolutions. Most of the time, the resolutions get lost or even forgotten as the days and weeks and months progress. By the end of the year if we were to ask ourselves what were our resolutions, don't be surprised if the answer is we don't know.

My last act for last year was to register for Arab lessons in Bangi. I have been learning Arabic off and on for the last twenty five years or so. I remember attending classes in Subang Jaya and in Shah Alam. Then there were classes I took in Universiti Islam Antarabangsa (UIA) plus the ones in University Malaya. Once I even had a teacher come to my house for private lessons. I also completed the Linguaphone Arabic course. In between I bought and read many many Arabic books, from the simple to the more difficult ones and listened to more Arabic tapes beside Linguaphone. I read the Quran almost everyday with its translation as well. Still, I have to say, my Arabic is not up to the mark.

Perhaps my ability to learn a language is poor. I remember taking French and German lessons at one time or another in my life but till today, I can hardly speak a word of them. That's how bad I am with languages.

So my resolution this year is to learn Arabic until I can speak the language. Maybe after many tries, this time I will succeed Insha Allah.