2011: A YEAR TO REMINISCE

Every year, It's not the same. Every year, there is another set of memories created. Every year, there will be new lessons to learn. Every year, changes are made.

I REMEMBER WHEN...

I remember when I watched Mr.Bean and the X-Files series with all my siblings when I was little. We sat on the long brown couch in one line to capture every scene that made us laugh, scream and frown. Now, everyone is busy with a hectic life that seems to never end and our once cosy couch does not even exist anymore.

I remember when I ironed my own uniforms before leaving for my kindergarten, twenty years ago. I remember when I hid the anchovies and cabbages behind my back when I ate my lunch prepared by the kindergarten during the short break, because I hated them so much.

I remember when I sat quietly in the class and pretended to focus and understand every word my teachers uttered. I remember when I dared not to look in my teachers' eyes more than two seconds to show respect and innocence. I remember when I made sure of my hair and finger nails to be neatly cut before going to school especially on Sundays.

I remember when I memorized every Quran and Hadis verse required in the syllabus a night before the class with my Ustaz because I was afraid he got angry and and hit me. I remember when I kept in touch for almost ten years with my practical Ustazah who taught me for few months when I was 10 years old. Now, we do not write each other anymore.

I remember when I was one of three students attending the last class before the Raya break during my college days simply because I wanted to keep my attendance perfect.

Now, I feel like living in a new, undesirable world. Since I became a teacher about a year ago, I felt lost in the students' behaviours and unacceptable manners. I studied every one of them and I still failed to comprehend their formula of life.

Be Late, Don't Be Later.

People say, "Better late than Never" but I say, "Better late than Later". Imagine If you are one day late to send your assignment to a seriously punctual professor. You might be losing your chance to obtain a good grade from him. Then, when you become a fresh graduate after few suffering years of studies, you are again, an hour late for a job interview. You might be losing your chance to work under the company. After getting a stable job, you will be attending your wedding day and as expected, you are once again, late for 45 minutes for the 'akad nikah' ceremony. About nine and a half years after settling down, you will be late for millions of times to fetch your kids at school. That is when your patient wife and kids could not stand it any longer that they use body languages more than words to communicate or deal something with you. Finally, you will come to realize that the time has come for you to stop being late. Otherwise, you will lose everything you are having now; the marriage, the children and perhaps, the career. When you realize things later, this is when they become too late to be true. So, when you decide to improve your life, do it while you still can. When you ignore all chances that pass your way, that's when things become later and you'll be sorry.