Completing the Story

Write a story beginning with: “I looked out of the window and...”

I looked out of the window and stood-still. As the moon made its hasty retreat, the sun appeared in its various conflagrations and hues. The air was sultry and crispy. From a distant, I could see the verdant hills of Bukit Jelutung nestled amidst the lush greenery of the jungle. I could hear the cacophony of sounds – the chirping of a multitude birds, the crowing of roosters and the din of my father’s conversation with his client in the garden. It was a fine, peaceful and tranquil morning.

Sun rays penetrated through the window panes and stroke into my shirt. My most precious shirt. I would not trade it even with mountains of gold. It was a black Billabong shirt given by someone which I loved forever in my life. I looked down, scrutinizing every inch of the shirt and downcast. Memories stirred in my mind. Flashbacks and all of those moments spent together suddenly came across my brain. Reminiscing my memories back then, without me realising it, tears started flowing down my cheeks as I recalled this, “Friends forever right? Only death can separate us”.

It all started when I first moved in to Seberang Jaya. My father, who is a successful businessman, was transferred to work in Penang. I was reluctant at first and so hard-headed not to move from my beloved Kuala Lumpur. I was condemning and cursing along the way until my father turned daggers to me. My mother, who is a music aficionado, was more understanding and cooled me down.

But all of this came to a complete stop when I finally met Bryan. He lived next door and was a very talented footballer. With his aquiline nose, well-kept pearl white teeth, auburn hair and always dressed to the nines, he will surely steal the limelight whenever he went to the town. Bryan is a mixed Chinese-Scottish teenager. At a height of 180 cm, people may sometimes regard him as an adult worker or even as a university student. He was my classmate and to be frank he was a very good Samaritan and helped me a lot to adapt with my new surroundings.

One salubrious evening, I was playing cricket with him on the field in front of our house. After a few games, we were very lethargic and both of us made a beeline to the nearest restaurant to quench our thirst and sip some drinks. We ordered orange juice and began chit-chatting and talking about the cricket game, the latest and music and fashion. I told him that I always yearned for the Billabong shirt that he used to wear. Then, he replied,

“Oh, the black one. It is a hand-me-down shirt from my parents.”

I nodded and grinned. He then said,

“I could give it to you if you want it.”

I trembled in jubilation. Grinning from ear to ear, I thanked him and we both headed home as he said he would give it to me the next day.

The following day, I woke up at the wee hours of the morning. I needed to finish my Physics report as I had to pass it up that day. I groped a little at the cupboard to find my red round alarm clock and suddenly it blared at its top forty. After donning my school uniform, I shoved my feet in Cheetah felt shoes and carried my precious iron steed in front of Bryan’s house. I waited for him with tenterhooks and at last I perceived a hinge of door cracking. He approached me and on his right hand, I could see the thing that I was hankering after a long time – the shirt.

He smiled at me and handed over the Billabong shirt. I was ecstatic and clueless. After thanking him, we rode our bicycles and ventured the road to go to the school. He manoeuvred and whirred past a few cars. We were riding like hell as we were very late to school. Out of the blue, a car came across and before I could utter any words, “Boom!” An ominous crescendo shattered the silence. I blacked out on that congested road.

When I regained my consciousness, I perceived sound of cars juddering to a halt and voices of people talking about cars, students, body and blood. I was thunderstrucked when I heard the word “BLOOD”. I tried to open my eyes. I could see students clad in white uniforms and I was still lying on the road. Then, I reeked a smell which I feared the most, blood. It was oozing from my head and I could see a pool of crimson-red thick blood on the road. At that very time, I remembered Bryan. I called him again and again but to no avail. Oh my God, I could see a body lying numb on the road. I could not stand it. Bryan was dead. He left me alone. Tears started racing down my cheeks. I was in a great bereavement.

And now, it has been a year since Bryan left me. The moments cherished will be vividly remembered forever in my heart. Bryan, thanks for your shirt. Thanks for all the good memories. Remember, you are always my friend. “A friend in need is a friend in deed.” Bryan, you are the epitome of a true friend.

Speech-Home Stay Programme

You are the president of the English Language Society of your school. Your society is organising a home stay programme in one of the villages in Cameron Highlands for two weeks. You have been asked to give a talk to a group of students who have been chosen for the programme on the preparations for and advantages of the programmes.

A very good morning firstly I bid to Miss Azlinda, the advisor of English Language Society and to all the venerated members of the society. On this salubrious morning, I , as the President of the English Language Society am honoured to give a brief talk on the home stay programme organised by our society. Therefore, before I proceed, kindly please lend me your ears for a while.

My fellow friends,

As you all know, the home stay programme organised by us is not only a run-of-the-mill project. Opportunity like this only comes once in a blue moon. I am really sure that all of you are eager and cannot wait for the red-letter day to come. So, firstly, I will talk on the preparations needed for this programme.

First and foremost, bring enough warm clothing. This is very important as we are going to stay in a cold region that is Cameron Highlands. I am sure that no one over here wants to stammer in the cold when the icy cool air caresses your skin. So, bear in mind to put in your checklist sweaters and all sorts of thick clothes.

Next, be prepared for ourdoor activities. For your information, almost all of the activities there are arranged just to make sure that the participants can savour the beauty of nature in Cameron Highlands. There will be a visit to the infamous strawberry orchard, jungle trekking and not forgetting dipping in the cascading pool of Lata Iskandar. All of these activities require physical and mental strength in order for you to be as fit as fiddle. Thus do not forget to exercise and be in a good health during the activities.

My fellow friends,

Do you know that there are a million and one benefits of joining the home stay programme? One of the most important ones is you could experience staying with a host family. To be frank, I have been with foster families a few times and what I can say is the experience is simply indescribable. You will have the chance to mingle around with the family members thus tightening the rapport between the participants and the family members. You will surely have a whale of time living with them.

Secondly, you will enjoy new surroundings. The tranquillity and serenity provided by the lush verdant hills of Cameron Highlands will surely rest your mind. Away from the hustle and bustle of the city, you could easily and peacefully enjoy the environment there. The feeling of smooth cooling air ruffling your hair is exceptionally amazing. Besides, Cameron Highlands is the perfect haven for those who seek solace and is a paradise for the nature-lovers.

Furthermore, you will be able to be independent. This programme is the platform for all of you to practise standing on your own feet. Without “abah” and “mama” by your side, you can still survive and mind your own necessities. Moreover, you will have the chance to participate in interesting activities. This will be a fun-filled programme as I can guarantee to all of you that it will never be dull and you will relish in all of these activities to the max.

To put it laconically, I would like to urge all of you to be prepared for this home stay programme. Remember, we have done a thousand and one jobs to ensure this programme bears the fruit of success. So, my comrades-in-arms, let us venture the valleys of Cameron Highlands! With that, thank you.

Peranan Ibu Bapa Dalam Mengatasi Masalah Remaja

Peranan Ibu Bapa dalam Mengatasi Masalah Remaja

Remaja,

Ingatlah masa depanmu,

Kenanglah,

Jasa ibu dan ayahmu,

Susah payah mereka membesarkan kita.

Lirik lagu di atas cukup jelas memanifestasikan satu mesej kepada para remaja supaya sentiasa menghargai ibu dan bapa mereka. Umum mengetahui, para remaja marcapada ini terlalu lalai dan leka dibuai arus modenisasi. Penglibatan mereka dalam delinkuen social sudah menjadi buah mulut dan mauduk utama perbualan orang mutakhir ini. Justeru, ibu bapa dilihat sebagai satu komponen paling utama malah turut dianggap formula yang cukup mujarab bagi mengatasi masalah dalam kalangan remaja.

Pertama, ibu bapa perlu menghulurkan kasih sayang yang tidak berbelah bahagi kepada anak-anak. Hal ini demikian kerana remaja merupakan golongan yang sangat menginginkan perhatian. Naluri mereka yang mudah memberontak sudah pasti dapat ditenangkan menerusi perasaan cinta ibu bapa terhadap anak-anak. Api kemarahan dan banteng keegoan yang menebal di dada mereka pasti mudah diruntuhkan dengan kasih sayang ibarat menatang minyak yang penuh kepada anak-anak. Andai kata remaja ketandusan kasih sayang, sudah pasti mereka akan mecari haluan lain untuk melepaskan diri dari kepompong ketidakselesaan. Natijahnya, mereka akan mula berjinak-jinak dengan najis dadah dan tidak mustahil akan terjerumus dalam kancah kemaksiatan. Berdasarkan statistic yang dikeluarkan Ibu Pejabat Polis Bukit Aman, kadar remaja lari dari rumah kian meningkat sebanyak 5.7 peratus dari tahun 2007 ke 2008. Justeru, sebelum nasi sudah menjadi bubur, ibu bapa perlu mengutamakan anak-anak mereka berbanding hal-hal lain.

Selain itu, ibu bapa juga perlu meluangkan masa bersama anak-anak. Hal ini cukup bertepatan dengan langkah Kementerian Pembangunan Keluarga, Wanita dan Masyarakat yang telah mengisytiharkan cuti pada hari Sabtu dan Ahad kepada semua pegawai kerajaan. Perkara ini cukup membuktikan keprihatinan kerajaan Malaysia dalam menyediakan ruang dan peluang kepada ibu bapa untuk bersama anak-anak. Percayalah, anak-anak akan berasa lebih dihargai apabila ibu bapa menghabiskan masa berkualiti bersama mereka. Tamsilannya, ibu bapa boleh membawa anak-anak melancong, beriadah bersama-sama malahan menjalankan aktiviti kerohanian secara berjemaah. Melihat kepada scenario masyarakat kontemporari, ibu bapa lebih cenderung untuk mengejar materialistic dan menjadikan pejabat sebagai rumah kedua mereka. Sikap “ibarat enau dalam belukar melepaskan pucuk masing-masing” ini perlu dikikis segera bagi memastikan para remaja tidak terlibat dalam gejala social. Maka, jelaslah anak-anak remaja perlu dijadikan priority utama dalam usaha membendung kemelut ini.

Di samping itu, ibu bapa perlu menyediakan pendidikan yang secukupnya kepada anak-anak. Pendidikan ini merangkumi pendidikan formal mahupun pendidikan tidak formal. Tindakan kerajaan Malaysia mewajibkan keseluruhan kanak-kanak di negara ini mendapat pendidikan di sekolah amatlah wajar dan perlu disokong. Sehubungan dengan itu, ibu bapa perlulah memastikan anak-anak mereka memperoleh pendidikan sewajarnya, selari dengan Falsafah Pendidikan Kebangsaan. Sementelahan itu, ibu bapa juga perlu menerapkan pendidikan berbentuk tidak formal kepada anak-anak. Pengajaran ilmu-ilmu agama dan nilai-nilai murni selaras dengan norma masyarakat pada hari ini amat penting bagi memastikan kerohanian yang mantap dalam diri anak-anak. Ingatlah, “segala-galanya bermula di rumah”. Begitulah ungkapan kalimah tokoh filsuf terkenal, Franklin D. Roosevelt. Maka, ibu bapalah yang bertindak sebagai agen pencorak utama karakter anak-anak agar mereka tidak mencetuskan cangkaliwang pada hari muka. Justeru, penerapan pendidikan yang sempurna pasti dapat menangani masalah ini.

Seterusnya, ibu bapa perlu mengawasi perilaku anak-anak. Peribahasa Melayu ada menyebut,” kalau tiada angin masakan pokok akan bergoyang”. Setiap perbuatan yang dilakukan oleh anak-anak pasti ada penyebabnya. Sehubungan dengan itu, adalah menjadi tanggungjawab ibu bapa untuk sentiasa mengikuti perkembangan diri anak-anak remaja mereka. Pergaulan bebas anatara lelaki dan perempuan sudah sinonim dengan masyarakat. Seluar ketat, baju singkat hingga menampakkan pusat ibarat suatu adat. Maka, di sinilah ibu bapa perlu memainkan peranannya iaitu meninjau perubahan sikap anak-anak mereka. Serbuan pihak polis di kota metropolitan Kuala Lumpur iaitu di kelab-kelab malam di sana mendapati hampir 15 peratus anak-anak remaja di bawah umur ditahan positif dadah. Perkara ini jelas menunjukkan andai ibu bapa membiarkan anak-anak mereka tanpa tempat bergantung, mereka akan mudah terlibat dalam kebejatan sosial pada masa ini. Maka, ibu bapa perlu bertindak proaktif dan pragmatic dalam usaha membasmi gejala sosial dalam kalangan anak-anak remaja.

Akhir sekali, ibu bapa perlu melengkapkan keperluan asas anak-anak. Sekali air bah, sekali pantai berubah. Begitu juga dengan perkembangan dunia yang kian ekstrem menjengah kita. Justeru, dalam kita mengharung arus pascamodenisme, sudah tentu anak remaja tidak mahu dihimpit dengan ketidakselesaan dan pemikiran yang jumud. Maka, sebagai ibu bapa, mereka perlu menyediakan keperluan asas anak-anak bagi menjamin keselesaan. Tempat tinggal yang kondusif, pakaian yang bersesuaian serta makanan dan minuman yang berkhasiat perlu disediakan. Hal ini amat penting bagi memastikan anak-anak berasa seronok berada di rumah lantas tidak terlibat dalam gejala sosial. Berdasarkan kajian yang dilakukan oleh sekumpulan mahasiswa Fakulti Sains Kemasyarakatan, Universiti Malaya, anak-anak remaja daripada golongan miskin lebih cenderung untuk terlibat dalam penagihan najis dadah. Hal ini pastinya akan dapat dibendung andai segala keperluan asas remaja dilengkapkan walaupun ibu bapa tidak melambakkan kemewahan kepada mereka.

Intihanya, ibu bapa perlu memantapkan kemahiran keibubapaan mereka lagi dalam mendidik anak-anak. Contohilah ketokohan Luqmanul Hakim yang cukup hebat mendidik anak-anaknya berorientasikan Al-quran dan al-Hadis. Kita tidak mahu remaja-remaja yang bobrok dan kaya dengan pidana dihasilkan. Sebaliknya, kita inginkan barisan remaja yang berkaliber, cukup syumul dan utopia hasil didikan kedua-dua ibu bapa mereka. Marilah kita berubah, “sebelum padi di tangan menjadi lalang” dan “ayam ditambat disambar helang”, ayuhlah ibu bapa, berkorbanlah demi masa depan anak-anak tercinta.

Berkorban apa sahaja,

Harta ataupun nyawa,

Itulah kasih mesra,

Sejati dan mulia.

Ingatlah, ibu bapa cemerlang, anak-anak gemilang!