“Dom” Theodore Joins His Family… May 4, 2009
Posted by rbjtimban in 2009, Career, Culture, Ethnic, Family, Love, My Views, Relationship, Tradition.2 comments
It has been Theodore’s decision to move out and joins his family. He had talked about it soon after he and his family came to Betong from Kuching, back in 2007. He understands that he and his family should not pack mum’s place as his religion now differs from ours. Yes, he understands that.
And by 4th May, 2009, he moved out and rents a house nearby. My wife and I, and, even his grandma felt a bit uneasy. But the ‘reality’ is – all married children have to leave their home for their own. We are like birds. Once the we are able to ‘fly on own on’, off we go. Birds leave their mum’s built nests to build their own nests. And the ‘tradition’ goes on and on.
Actually I am monitoring Theodore’s moving out. There would be times when he needs my assistance, and I never know when. All this while, when my wife misses our little Iskandar (Theodore’s 18 months boy), she we would sneak to their place and brings him home. And the little boy really like it. He did not bother being ’snatched’ at any time of the day, as our old house is very much bigger for him to run around. By 5 p.m., when his mum and dad are back home, we would send the boy back.
“Dom” Marcus passed away March 12, 2009
Posted by rbjtimban in 2009, Career, Culture, Ethnic, Family, Funeral, Language, My Views, Relationship, Tradition.Tags: Car, peace, rest, Stambak, Ulu
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Around 9.00 a.m, 5th March, I received a shocking news from our aki Gadang. A news about a fatal accident that had killed one of our cousins, Marcus. Initially, I could not believe my ears, as Marcus was only 34, a decade younger that me. But after aki Gadang had related to me of the news, I have to take it.
Marcus was killed in a car crash along Mukah-Sibu road, sometimes around 2.00 a.m. His parents and the other Stambak Ulu villagers were informed by the Betong police officers at around 8.30 a.m.
The funeral was held three evenings later – 8th March, at his parents’ house in Stambak Ulu. A lot of friends and relatives came to pay their last respect to a humble young man whom we called Dom (Marcus).
During the funeral, my family and I shared Uncle Kimpek’s bilik to prepare all the meals. This was because, our own bilik was not completed yet. We were not the only family who shared the bilik with Uncle Kimpek. Her sisters, Anggil, Dut, and Limai also came from Kuching to share the bilik. Beside Uncle Kimpek’s place, Ansi’s bilik was also packed with the other families such as Uncle Abit’s siblings. Like ours too, their biliks were not completed yet.
On the 9th March, the late Marcus was buried at St. Augustine’s Church’s new burial ground, a hill locally known as Munggu Sabut. It was about 10 minutes drive from Stambak Ulu. All had mourned for his demise and prayed that his soul rest in peace.
Gong Xi Fa Cai January 23, 2009
Posted by rbjtimban in 2009, Celebration, Culture, Ethnic, Family, Festival, My Views, Relationship, Tradition.add a comment
Wishing all my Chinese brethrens nation- and worldwide a very Happy Chinese New Year. Gong Xi Fa Cai, brothers and sisters. Our school holiday would be on Monday and Tuesday (26th & 27th January). The school admin did not apply for occasional holidays as there are no Chinese staff or students in the school. We did not mind as the long school holiday has ended about three weeks ago. Our neighbour, SMK St. Augustine, will be having a week long holiday, from 26th January – 1st February 2009.
At the point of writing, I have yet to decide on what my family and I would do during the CNY holiday. Visiting nearby Chinese friends is one of the family’s ‘obligations’. This year, my wife had decided to join her sister, Maria, to visit their friends in Engkilili. Am not sure whether to join them or not.
Back to School January 5, 2009
Posted by rbjtimban in 2009, Career, Education, Family, Language, Love, My Views, Relationship, School Activities, Tradition.Tags: breakfast, holiday, kitchen, school
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After a long school holiday, it’s a wonderful morning today! My kids and I woke up as early as 5.45 a.m. Everyone was excited, including my wife who hurried to the kitchen to prepare the breakfast. My Form 2 Timothy was too excited to go to school. He told me that he’d walk to school as there’d some chores to do before the class begins. He took a quick breakfast of his “kolo mi” – instant fried noodle, which he prepared for himself as early as 6.15 a.m.
Theophilus and I went to school before 7.00 a.m., and by the time we reached school it was already lively. Everyone was cheerful. Yes, everyone – both parents and their children alike.
There was no assembly today, as the headmaster wanted the teachers to start classes. He told us that he was expecting officers from the DEO to make a visit to the school on this first day.
Coming Home for Christmas December 23, 2008
Posted by rbjtimban in Career, Celebration, Christmas, Church, Culture, Family, Festival, Love, My Views, Relationship, Tradition, Village.3 comments
Chester, my younger brother, called me from Bintulu. Told me that he would be home for Christmas. He also told me to call Juliana, to come home, as he could not reach her by phone. I told Chester that Juliana and her family had just left for Serian a day ago after a very brief visit to Betong. After a brief conversation over the phone, Chester insisted me to call Juliana asking her to come to Betong for Christmas. I was wondering, is Chester having something in his mind this season? Could it be regarding our bilik in Stambak Ulu? … or something else. Only God knows. What I know for sure is that, Chester is missing all of us all these while. He longs for a ‘once in a while’ family gathering.
Chester's eldest daughter
Year End School Holiday December 22, 2008
Posted by rbjtimban in 2009, Computer, Culture, Family, Games, Love, My Views, Relationship, School Activities, Tradition.add a comment
It’s holiday time for the kids, and me, again. Starting mid-November until early January 2009. One should find a long holiday a time and space to sit back and relax. But not me. There are other things that need attention – a long list for me to post here. Trevor is sitting for his SPM and by mid November, the exam was over. He didn’t look worried but I did. My kids find the long holiday a very relaxing one. Most of their time were spent in front of their PCs – playing games. Sometimes I’d advise them to look for precious info online rather than playing online games. Their choice during this holiday is Dekaron SEA.
My Career Transition – Temporary Teaching –> Teachers’ Training March 6, 2008
Posted by rbjtimban in Career, Celebration, Culture, Education, Family, Language, Love, My Views, School Activities, Teachers' Training, Tradition, Writing.Tags: congratulate, homework, Kapit, Malaysia, revision, Saratok, Sarawak, SK Brayang, SK Ng Dalai, Song, training
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1984 – It was early March, and I was still attached to SRB St. John, Betong. Unexpectedly, one evening my boss, Mr Empading called me to his quarters. I quickly finished my dinner and hurriedly to his house. When I reached his door, he welcomed me. After some conversations, he congratulated for being accepted into teachers’ training. As I have mentioned earlier, I trusted my instinct.
A week later after I handed my duties over to my boss, I went home and told my mum about my successful application for the training. I could see little tears in her eyes. She seemed happier than I was.
I went to the Rajang Teachers’ College together with a friend of mine. We rode in two buses and a taxi to reach the college. Everything was very new to (my friend, Wan M) and I. I knew that after completing college life, I would become a trained teacher – to help the little people to live and help others.
Three years (1984 – 86) passed by so swiftly. Felt like 3 months or less. In early 1985, my colleagues and I were assigned to practise at SK Brayang in Saratok district for about a month. It was a new experience for us. We went through our daily routine among the little kids. They were lovely kids. In mid 1986 (our final year in college) once again my friends and I were assigned to practise at SK Abg Abdul Rahman, also in Saratok district. That time, the teaching practice was even tougher. It went for 3 months. We had to prepare our lesson plans and teaching aids almost every evening after school. From then on, I was very sure that a teacher’s day off would be his bedtime. Unlike other professions, a teacher brings home everything except the 4′x8′ chalkboard, and brings them back to school the following day. Anyway, that is not a big deal. Why? Because teachers assign homework. Homework is to be done at home!
Towards the end of 1986, I sat for my final year exam. Preparation for the exam was very tough. There were so many notes to dig into. To balance the exhaustive revision at night, I had to join my colleagues playing all types of games in order to unstress. Almost all senior trainees like me were alike – looked a bit weird in how we acted. It could have been the effect of overworking.
In early November that same year I received a letter of appointment from my present boss – the State Education Dept through our college principal. In the letter, my boss assigned me to serve in Song district of Kapit division – SK Nanga Dalai. It should take effect from January 1987. The other trainees of the same batch also received their postings respectively. Everyone was assigned to serve in a new district or a new division which was too foreign. Anxiety built in everyone’s heart and mind. But nobody could resist their postings because we have sworn to serve in places of the department’s choice – not ours. From then on, we had to swallow our pride to bid farewell to each other. I had to shake hands with Edakson Rigin, Assom Lutek, Alex Yii, Ayong Andam, George Bennet Sangkan, Toddy Ahmad, just to name a few, who have been with me for 3 years, especially in our college band – The Creatures. And not forgetting the lady trainees too. They were Fatimah Masri, Judy Pian, Jee Soi Jong, Sarimah Kalpon (our one and only vocalist), Neslin Hebron, and the rest of PSR-PM (Elektif Muzik) 1984-86 trainees. The lecturers too still linger in my mind until these days. They were Mr Sagim Suar (Music), Mr Edmund Motig (Teaching Technology), Mr Saidol Bolhassan (Malay Studies), Ms Ursula Ting (Music), etc.. and of course – Mr Encharang Agas, our college principal who really had inspired me to be what I am supposed to be today. All these guys – Malays, Ibans, Bidayuhs, Melanaus, Orangs Ulu, Chinese etc have taught me the meaning of pluralism in our society. Before I enter college, I thought Sarawak was full of Ibans!
Job Hunting After School February 14, 2008
Posted by rbjtimban in Career, Celebration, Computer, Education, Ethnic, Family, Language, My Views, Relationship, School Activities, Teachers' Training, Tradition, Writing.Tags: Bahagian Pendidikan Guru, Betong, Malaysia, SRB St John, teaching
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1981 (cont.) – After dad died life had to go on. I made up my mind not to ask mum to finance me for higher education. I had to continue looking for jobs. But I was still uncertain of which job I liked most. I was still confused. Still unsure of which path to take. When we were in Form 4 or 5, there was no counselling on career opportunity.
In mid-December, before the school reopens, I received a reappointment letter from my present employer. I felt a bit relieve because I can still earn and look for other jobs.
1982 – Reattached to the same school. I was able to enjoy this job. Yes, the thrill of teaching or being together with young children had grown in me. There were only two trained teachers in the school to guide me. With me around, there were 3 of us.
1983 – When the school reopens I was reappointed for the second time, but now the office directed me to teach in a more remote school – SRB St. John, Betong. It was a 4 hour boat ride upstream from Betong. Unlike the previous school I was attached to, SRB St. John, Betong was a bigger school. The school was a full primary school with six classes. There were ten teachers including me. The school was equipped with a boarding house for both boys and girls, a dining hall and a kitchen.
In or around July, I met my wife. Our love grew and in a short while I proposed for her hand. Our parents agreed and a simple wedding ceremony was arranged.
In September I applied for teachers’ training.Some trained teacher friends helped me fill the form. A couple of days later I submitted the form to Bahagian Pendidikan Guru in our MOE, KL. I was very confident that I will secure a place in any teachers’ college in my country. It was because I have been an untrained teacher for almost 3 years now. That may sound over-confident but I really trust my own instinct. Yes, I trust myself despite being a bit introvert.
