Mission accomplished!!!

After almost two months of leaving my blog behind, I feel a sudden urge to write about what I've gone through during the two months. I'll begin with what happens in November.

It was a very hectic and challenging month to me. There were tears and joys in going through November...There was so much to be done and yet so little time. I was burdened by the crazy deadlines...

NOVEMBER
1) Marking of exam scrips of three codes (deadline: 5 days from the date of exam)
2) Exam invigilation (2 full days - 1 & 4 Nov)
3) Designing poster for poster presentation (3 full days - 5-7 nov)
4) Pre-PTK Course in Shah Alam (3 full days - 7-9 Nov)
5) Coordinator's endorsement & Submission of final exam marks (10 Nov)
6) Updating of Teaching Portfolio (11 Nov)
7) Submission of SKT (12 Nov)
8) Submission of MyCASELT paper (15 Nov)
9) Reviewing of KONAKA papers (16 Nov)
10)Preparation for i-COMM (International Conference on Majority & Minority)
11)Paper presentation at i-COMM, Kuching, Sarawak (22 - 25 Nov)
12)Setting up exam papers (26 - 30 Nov)



DECEMBER
13)Vetting meeting (3 Dec)
14)Poster Presentation, KONAKA (8-9 Dec)
15)Writing of PTK assignments (4-11 Dec)
16)Writing of PhD proposal (4-11 Dec)
17)Submission of PTK assignments (13 Dec)
18)Submission of PhD proposal (13 Dec)
19)PTK Course presentation (14-16 Dec)

Finally, after departing from Shah Alam yesterday, I felt so relieved that it was as if a heavy stone had been lifted from my head. I really couldn't believe that I was able to go through all the challenges. It was really tough and I'm happy that I did not give up. It has also given me new experiences that I think I'd never be able to experience it if I have given up easily. One of the unforgettable experiences was leaving my office at 4 am for two consecutive nights when noone except for the security guards were there.

All these challenges have made me a tougher, wiser and better person. I really appreciate the support from my family and especially the student who is really close to my heart, Zainatul Afeeqa who supported me during the tough times. Without these supports, I don't think I'd have the courage to go through everything by myself.

So, mission accomplished.....yesss!!!

Ending the journey with BMD3BA

It seems that I just got to know them yesterday. Monday, July 5th was the first day of meeting. It was my last class every Monday which was at 4 pm. The students obediently stayed on their seats looking at me curiously wondering what kind of teacher I might be. Suddenly, today is the final class, final meeting.

Goodbye seems to be the hardest words - ACD3AC

It's Thursday, October 15th. At around 4 pm, the journey with my ACD3AC students would finally end. Little that I knew that they were so full of surprises on that memorable day. These are great students, highly committed and motivated to learn. Any lecturer will be blessed to have them as students. So far, my journey with these great kids has been fun and among the greatest moments in my life. They have given me the best gift that any teacher would never ever forget.







After I ended my usual final speech, the students started to get up and gather in front of the class. They started to sing me a song that has really touched my heart.





There was also another surprise waiting for me after the song had ended...



I'll always pray that success and happiness will remain with them...Thank you so much, from the bottom of my heart

Pix from the final class of BMD2BB

Tuesday, October 12th marked the end of the journey of 14 weeks of English language learning for these part 2 Banking students:

















Till we meet again...bye BMD2BB

Argue and Win!!!

We normally hear about 'scratch and win' contest but in my classroom, it's 'argue and win' challenge.

This time, my mission was to teach my students how to write an argumentative essay. So, I divided them into BOYS' TEAM and GIRLS' TEAM and they had to argue about 'who should be more responsible, Boys or Girls, in curbing the situation of baby dumping. These were the representatives of each team:



The boys were represented by Zul, Hud, Asri and Safwan whereas the girls were represented by Zakiah, Syira, Nadirah and Mira.

The winning team was the GIRLS' TEAM as their points exceeded the BOYS' by 1.

At this point, they understood what are counter argument (by using the opposing team's points) and refutation (by using their own argument).

So, once again, mission accomplished!!!

Put it in writing!!

The second challenge was to be able to convince me to subscribe to their network service in writing. Their essays were equally good that I had to choose two winners and they are from Team CELCOM:

Zulhilmi & Zakiah

So, at the end of the day, there's no pain in teaching writing as the learning finally came to the students naturally and fun as well!!!

Mission accomplished.

Be a Persuasive Winner!!!

It would be much easier for students to understand how to produce a persuasive essay when they are asked to act persuasively.

This is the first challenge that my students of BMD2BB had to face. They were divided into three teams, namely TEAM CELCOM, TEAM DiGi and TEAM MAXIS. What they had to do was to try their best to convince me and the audience to subscribe to their network service. They also needed to set up their booth and decorate it with informational brochures and posters.

So, here's TEAM CELCOM:


Hud, Mira, Fadhilah, Zakiah, Qayyum and Aizat.

TEAM DiGi:


Nadirah, Illiana, Cahaya, Safwan, Asri, Syaffiq S and Syafiq Z.

See how creative these students are... it's really impressive!!!

And the winning team was TEAM MAXIS:


Faharuddin, Wawa, Faezah, Syira, Hamdan and Jaja.

They won the challenge as their booth was so informational and the promoters were so fluent and convincing...

BEL311 SPEAKING TEST SESSION (ACD3AC)

BEL311 SPEAKING TEST (ACD3AC)
VENUE: L3-45

SESSION 1
07 OCTOBER 2010 (THURSDAY)

10.15 - 10.45 a.m.
A ADIBAH MUNIRAH BINTI MAZLAN
B AFIQ AZHARI BIN AMAN
C AYU ASYEERA BINTI ALIAS
D FARHAN AIZUDDIN BIN MOHD. NORDIN

10.45 - 11.15 a.m.
A FATNIN SYAIDA BINTI RAHIMI AZMAN
B MASYITAH BT SANI
C MUHAMAD ANIZAM BIN AZIZ JAFAR
D MUHAMMAD FUAD BIN ABDUL RAHMAN

11.15 - 11.45 a.m.
A NOR KHAIRUNNISA BINTI HAWARI
B NOR SYAFIKA BINTI ABDUL LATIB
C NORAMANINA BT RUSDI
D NORHAMIZAH BINTI AMIR

SESSION 2
08 OCTOBER 2010 (FRIDAY)

3.15 - 3.45 p.m.
A NUR HIDAYAH BINTI ABU ZAHRIN
B NUR JAHEERAH BINTI JAMALLUDDIN
C NUR LIYANA BINTI ABD HALIM
D NURLIYANA FARHANA BINTI ABD KARIM

3.45 - 4.15 p.m.
A NURUL FARIHA BINTI MOHAMED YUSOF
B NURUL SYAZANA BINTI ABDUL MANAN
C NURUL ZAHIDAH BINTI HARUN
D RABI'ATUL' ADAWIYAH BINTI HAMDAN

4.15 - 4.45 p.m
A SALINA BINTI ZAINAL
B SITI AISYAH BINTI MOHAMAD DARUS
C SITI ASIEYAH BINTI HAMDAN
D SITI NORAZLIA BINTI RUSLAN

4.45 - 5.15 p.m.
A SITI NORSHILA BT JAAFAR
B TITI NUR SYUHADA BT KAMARUZAMAN
C WAN NURAFIQAH AUNI BINTI WAN SHAMSUDIN
D ZAINATUL AFEEQA BINTI BOHAIRI

BEL311 Speaking Test Session (BMD3BA)

BEL311 SPEAKING TEST (BMD3BA)
VENUE: L3-45

SESSION 1
04 OCTOBER 2010 (MONDAY)

8.15 - 8.45 a.m.
A AN'NUR SYAFIKAH BINTI AHMAD AZALI
B IDA DALILA BINTI DORMUDI
C MOHD AZMI BIN MOHD AHMAD
D MUHAMMAD FAEZSYAZWAN BIN ZAHRI

8.45 - 9.15 a.m.
A NOR ARINA SYAHIRAH BINTI MUHAMMAD
B NOR FARAH DIANA BINTI MOHD AZEMI
C NOR HAYATI BINTI NONG CHIK
D NORASHIDAH BINTI MISWAN

9.15 - 9.45 a.m.
A NORBAYAH BINTI SABRAN
B NORSHAKEENA BINTI NORZIZAN
C NUR AMIRA FAZANNA BINTI JAMALUDIN
D NUR ATIQAH BINTI MAHMUD

SESSION 2
07 OCTOBER 2010 (THURSDAY)

8.15 - 8.45 a.m.
A NUR NABILAH BINTI ZAINAL
B NUR SURAYA HANI BINTI AZAHAR
C NUR SYAMIRA BINTI RAZALI @ GAZALI
D NURAINI BINTI ABD HALIM

8.45 - 9.15 a.m.
A NURBAIZURA BINTI ABDUL MALEK
B NURUL HIDAYU BINTI KHAIRIL ANUAR
C SAFARINA BINTI SHAHRIN YUSOFF
D SALIZA BINTI SAJAR

9.15 - 9.45 a.m.
A SHARIFAH ZULAIKHA BINTI SYED JAFAR
B SITI NOR AZRINA BINTI HASRI
C SITI NUR AMIRA BINTI MAHAYUDDIN
D SYAZLIYANA BINTI SALLEHUDIN

8 Things You Must Do for BEL311 Speaking Test

Dear students:

Remember, remember, remember

1. Check your session before the test : date, time, venue

2. Be at the exam venue at least 5 minutes before the test

3. Bring in ONLY pen and(or) pencil

4. Fully utilise the time allocated for the test.

5. Observe the time limit:

2000 - 1900 : Intro by Group Leader

1900 - 1700 : Candidate A

1700 - 1500 : Candidate B

1500 - 1300 : Candidate C

1300 - 1100 : Candidate D

1100 - 0100 : Group Discussion

0100 - 0000 : Conclusion & Decision (agreed by everyone) by Group Leader

6. Make sure that the individual suggestion consists of the followings:

a. Intro

b. Thesis Statement
(1 Suggestion +
Topic Sentence 1 (WHY 1),
Topic Sentence 2 (WHY 2),
Topic Sentence 3 (WHY 3))

c. Topic Sentences (3 'WHY-s' of Suggestion)

d. Supporting Details (3 - WHY 1, WHY 2, WHY 3)
- Elaboration
- Examples

7. The conclusion must consist of:
- ALL the suggestions made by Candidate A, B, C and D
- The Best Suggestion (Decision) agreed by everyone - failure to make the decision will result in reduction of marks for Task Fulfillment (Content)

8. Produce clear voice with correct intonation and pronunciation.

Now, you are good to go... ALL THE BEST!!!

BEL260 Speaking Test Session

BEL260 SPEAKING TEST
23 SEPTEMBER 2010 (THURSDAY)
VENUE: L3-45

SESSION 1
8.30 - 9.00 a.m.
A ABDUL QAYYUM HAQIM BIN JA'AFAR
B AMYRA SHUHADA BINTI ZULKIFLAY
C CAHAYA BINTI MOHAMED ATAS
D FADZILAH NAJWA BINTI MD AKHIR

9.00 - 9.30 a.m.
A HUD BIN RAZALI
B JAHIRAH HAZIQAH BINTI JAMIDIN
C MOHAMAD ASRI BIN ABDULLAH PASEK
D MOHAMMAD SYAFIQ ZAHRIN BIN MOHAMED

9.30 - 10.00 a.m.
A MOHD AIZAT FITRI BIN ABDUL RAHMAN
B MOHD HAMDAN BIN ABDULLAH
C MUHAMMAD SAFWAN BIN HALIM
D MUHAMMAD SYAFFIQ BIN SHASUDIN

SESSION 2
10.00 - 10.30 a.m.
A NORFAEZAH BINTI ABD RAZAK
B NORZAKIAH BINTI ISMAIL
C NUR NADIRAH BINTI MOHD NAZRI
D NUR SUFIATUN ILLIANA BINTI ABDUL MANAF

10.30 - 11.00 a.m.
A NURFADHILAH BINTI MOHD NOR
B NURSYAHIRA BINTI SAMSUL
C MOHAMAD FAHARUDDIN BIN ZAMSARI
D ZULHILMI FIKRI BIN ARIS

10 things You Must Do for BEL260 Speaking Test

Dear students:

Remember, remember, remember

1. Check your session before the test : date, time, venue

2. Be at the exam venue at least 5 minutes before the test

3. Bring in ONLY pen and(or) pencil

4. The first round is Task A:

Task A - Individual Suggestion (8 minutes) :
Candidate A - 2 minutes
Candidate B - 2 minutes
Candidate C - 2 minutes
Candidate D - 2 minutes

5. The individual suggestion MUST consist the followings:

a. Intro

b. Thesis Statement
(the Suggestion +
Topic Sentence 1 (WHY 1),
Topic Sentence 2 (WHY 2),
Topic Sentence 3 (WHY 3))

c. Topic Sentences (3 'WHY-s' of Suggestion)

d. Supporting Details (3 - WHY 1, WHY 2, WHY 3)
- Elaboration
- Examples

6. The second round is Task B (10 minutes):

Task B - Group Discussion and Conclusion (Decision) - 10 minutes

7. Observe the time limit for the Group Discussion and Conclusion:

1000 - 0100 : Group Discussion

0100 - 0000 : Conclusion & Decision (agreed by everyone) by Group Leader

8. The conclusion must consist of:
- ALL the suggestions made by Candidate A, B, C and D
- The Best Suggestion (Decision) MUST be agreed by everyone - failure to make the decision will result in reduction of marks for Task Fulfillment (Content)

9. Fully utilise the time allocated for the test.

10. Produce clear voice with correct intonation and pronunciation.

Now, you are good to go... ALL THE BEST!!!

BEL120 Speaking Test - ECD1KA

BEL120 CONSOLIDATING LANGUAGE SKILLS
SPEAKING TEST
VENUE: L3-45

02 SEPTEMBER 2010 (THURSDAY)

SESSION 1
4.30 - 4.45 p.m.
A ABDUL HAKIM BIN MOHAMAD
B AIDA AZIRA BINTI AZLAM
C AMIRUL ASHRAF BIN AHMAD
D CHE WAN NOOR AISHAH BT CHE WAN MOHAMMAD

4.45 - 5.00 p.m.
A FATRAH HAMIZAH BINTI MOHD HAMDAN
B HAZIRAH BINTI MUHAMAD
C KAMARUL EZANI BIN MOHAMMAD ISA
D MOHAMAD AFFANDI BIN NAWI

5.00 - 5.15 p.m.
A MOHAMAD AKRAM HAKIM BIN MUHAMMED IDRIS
B MOHAMAD AMIR SHABIRIN
C MOHD AMIRUL FATAH BIN MAMAT
D MOHD AMIRUL SYAUFIQ BIN MOHAMMAD

5.15 - 5.30 p.m.
A MUHAMAD FADELI BIN OMAR
B MUHAMAD FAIZOL BIN ABDUL RAHIM
C MUHAMAD FARHAN BIN MD TAJMUDDIN SHAH
D MUHAMAD IRSYAD BIN MOHD BAKRI

03 SEPTEMBER 2010 (FRIDAY)

SESSION 2
3.15 - 3.30 p.m.
A MUHAMAD NAIMULLAH B MUHAMMAD IKHWANUDDIN
B MUHAMMAD ZUL NAIM BIN AHMAD NORI
C NIK NURAIN AMIRA BINTI NIK ABD.HANAL
D NORHAFIFI BINTI ZAABAR

3.30 - 3.45 p.m.
A NORHAYATI BINTI CHE MUDA
B NUR NAJLAA BINTI RAZI
C NUR SABILA BINTI SABAHARU
D NURUL ASYIKIN BINTI MOHMAD ASRI

3.45 - 4.00 p.m.
A ROSLIZA BINTI ROSLY
B SYAHIRA BINTI JUSOH
C WAN IKRAM BIN WAN ISHAK
D ZAINUL ALIFF BIN ZAINAL ABIDIN

Preparation for BEL120 Speaking Test

Dear students:

Remember, remember, remember

1. Check your session before the test : date, time, venue

2. Be at the exam venue at least 5 minutes before the test

3. Bring in ONLY pen and(or) pencil

4. Observe the time limit:

1000 - 0900 : Intro by Group Leader

0900 - 0700 : Candidate A

0700 - 0500 : Candidate B

0500 - 0300 : Candidate C

0300 - 0100 : Candidate D

0100 - 0000 : Conclusion & Decision by Group Leader

5. Make sure that the individual suggestion consists of the followings:

1. Intro

2. Thesis Statement

3. Topic Sentences (3)

4. Supporting Details (3)
- Elaboration
- Examples

6. Produce clear voice with correct intonation and pronunciation.

Now, you are good to go... ALL THE BEST!!!

An Extremely Hectic Sem Break

I am supposed to update my blog as frequently as possible. However, due to time constraints and suffocating deadlines, I realise that my time allocated for this blog is really limited. Starting mid-April to June should have been the time for me to enjoy my break since these are the months of semester break. What happens is that, it is during these times that activities and programmes which are normally obstructed by classes would take place. Many people get the impression that once the semester is over, lecturers would enjoy the holiday as well. However, it is not the case here. These are what I have used my time from April to June:

End of April to mid May:
Preparing and mailing Lecturing in English invitation letters to more than 700 learning institutions in Malaysia
Submission of BICOLL conference paper
Marking of final exam papers
Exam Meeting of BEL120 (chaired this meeting since I am in charge of this code)
Submission of COMPASS article (monograph)
Exam Meeting of Faculties

Mid May to End of May:
Preparing BEL120 Course File and Teaching Portfolio for Internal Auditing
Researching and writing a few articles to be sent to journals and conferences
Attending Translation Workshop at DBP, KL

Early June:
Attending BICOLL Conference, Sarawak
Uploading videos and other applications to Lecturing in English blog

Mid June:
Preparation for Lecturing in English Course
Preparing an article for KONAKA conference

End of June:
Submission of abstract for a conference (can't remember the name) in Sarawak somewhere in November

...and suddenly it's JULY!!! and it's time for a new semester...
It's a really hectic and short break, would you agree with me?

Walking down the memory lane with my BMD3BA students

It has been a wonderful journey being with these students. They have really worked hard the entire semester to achieve the best grade they can. They are really a treasure for every teacher. Their commitment and determination have really made my day as an educator. I really hope that they continue to be successful in their lives. My best wishes to HAZIQ, SHIDI, AMIRAH, AZRIN, FAIZ, LAILA, MARLIA, MARZITA, AKIB, SHAHID, YUS, ASYRAF, KHAIRUL, SHARIL, BAIZURA, SYAHIDAA, EMY, MAI, ZATUL, FATIHAH, NADIAH, NINA & AZAM.

Happy Teacher's Day!!!

It's a very special day for all the teachers around the world celebrated by students who appreciate a teacher's sacrifices. It's really not easy to teach someone. It takes perseverance, commitment and empathy to turn the ignorant to become the learned.

I've been teaching for almost seven years now. 5 official years as an educator in the university that I'm working now and another 2 years back when I was still a post graduate student. My experience covers dealing with students of all age groups: the primary school, the secondary, the diploma and the undergraduate.

Every student needs guidance, empathy and patience. Some of them who are labeled as naughty and stupid do not really possess those qualities as they crave people's attention. All the annoying things that they do are purposely to grab the attention of people around them for at least ask them questions before punishing. I've had this kind of student in my class and when I asked him one day about his parents, it turns out that they are divorced and none of the parents care about him. I begin to care for him as I care for my own family.

To be a teacher not only requires expertise in the field but should also possess love and compassion. I've always loved being a teacher. It's not all about salary that drives the love but the opportunity it offers in turning a person to achieve a better life. Nothing can make me happier than to know that my students are successful in life.

Thanks to all my students who have been supporting me and still remembering me though after all these years - to Siti Aisah Mat Yaacob, my first batch of Engineering student, Firdaus Shaari, Siti Yuhanid, Siti Fatihah and Mahadzir the Business Management students. May success always be with you all your life.

Speaking Test BEL311 BMD3BA

SPEAKING TEST
BEL311 ENGLISH FOR ACADEMIC PURPOSES
VENUE: L3-45

29 MARCH 2010 (MONDAY)

GROUP 1
8.15 - 8.45 a.m.
A AHMAD HAZIQ HAMDI BIN YAZID
B AHMAD RASHIDI BIN ABDUL RASHID
C AMIRAH SYAFIQAH BT ISLAHUDDIN
D AZRIN B ZAINAL ABIDIN

GROUP 2
8.45 - 9.15 a.m.
A FAIZIZZAT BIN HAMDI
B LAILA SUHANA BINTI MANSOR
C MARLIA BINTI MUSA
D MARZITA BINTI JAMALUDDIN

31 MARCH 2010 (WEDNESDAY)

GROUP 3
10.15 - 10.45 a.m.
A MOHAMAD AKIB BIN KASIM
B MUHAMAD SHAHID BIN MD AKHIR
C MUHAMAD YUSZAIRI BIN AHMAD
D MUHAMMAD ASYRAF BIN ZABANI

GROUP 4
10.45 - 11.15 a.m.
A MUHAMMAD KHAIRUL NAQIUDDIN B. MOHD NASIR
B MUHAMMAD SHARIL BIN M. ALI
C NOOR BAIZURA BINTI ABDUL RAUF
D NOOR SYAHIDAA BINTI MOHD ADZHAR

1 APRIL 2010 (THURSDAY)

GROUP 5
8.15 - 8.45 a.m.
A NOR EMEZIATON BT ABDUL RAHAMAN
B NOR MAIZATUL BINTI MAZLAN
C NOR ZATUL FITRI BINTI ZAINOL
D NUR FATIHAH BINTI ROSLAN

GROUP 6
8.45 - 9.15 a.m.
A NUR NADIAH BINTI AZIZ
B NURUL AMANINA BINTI DOLLAH
C MUHAMMAD AZAMUDDIN BIN ABDULLAH

Speaking Test BEL120 BMD1GA

SPEAKING TEST
BEL120 CONSOLIDATING LANGUAGE SKILLS
VENUE: L3-45

16 MARCH 2010 (TUESDAY)

GROUP 4
4.10 - 4.40 p.m.
A MURNI NAJWA BINTI HAMZAH
B NORFARAHAIDA BINTI ABDUL MUBIN
C NUR DALILA BINTI AZAHARUDIN
D NURUL AIN BINTI JAAFAR

GROUP 2
4.40 - 5.10 p.m.
A KHAIRUR RAFIQ BIN ABDUL AZIZ
B MOHAMAD MAHADZIR BIN MD MAZLAN
C MOHD SHAHRIL AIZAD BIN SUHAIMI
D MOHD ZAFFAN ZAMIR BIN MOHAMAD SAHAR

GROUP 3
5.10 - 5.40 p.m.
A MUHAMAD NASRI BIN AHMAD BUSTAMIN
B MUHAMAD REDZUAN BIN NASIP
C MUHAMMAD RAUF BIN RAFIE
D MUHAMMAD SYAKIRIN BIN MOHD AMINUDIN

18 MARCH 2010 (THURSDAY)

GROUP 1
4.10 - 4.40 p.m.
A ABDUL MALIK BIN MAHMUD
B HAZWANI BINTI ROSLY
C KHAIRUL ALIF AIZUDDIN BIN KHAIRUL ANUAR
D KHAIRUL EZHAM BIN KAMALZAMAN


GROUP 5
4.40 - 5.10 p.m.
A RAZILA JASMIN BINTI JUPRI
B ROZALEA BINTI HALIM
C SITI FATIHAH BT AHMAD
D SITI YUHANID BINTI MOHD YUSOFF

GROUP 6
5.10 - 5.40 p.m.
A SITI ZULAIHA BINTI YAKUB
B SYAZWANI BINTI KAMARULZAMAN
C ZULAIKHA BTE HAMZAH

My adolescent novel revisited

I remember reading Julie Garwood's the Bride when I was 19. It was during the Taaruf Week (the first introductory week that all new students had to experience) which was full of briefing and other boring activities. So, instead of listening to the talks, I was so busy reading the novel.

Like Judith McNaught, Julie Garwood is another great story-teller in the romance genre. Most of her novels deal with the romance set in the previous centuries, the time when love emerges after marriage. So, the Bride pictured a young beautiful girl who was very innocent and naive forced to marry a wealthy handsome man who did not even like her the slightest. Somehow, the girl managed to make the man fall in love with her eventually. I'd say it's entertaining and suitable to teenage readers who dream of having a romantic fairytale love story. Anyway, where else can an ideal character be found other than the novels and movies. So, read Julie Garwood's novels and have fun with the dreamy world.

My current reading

My niece's encouragement influences me to read James Patterson's novels. I've known her for not really enjoying reading so much. So when she insisted that I read his novels, I could not say no. She was even willing to borrow the novels from the university library though they were thick and bulky. To check her claim that Patterson's novels were as good as Sheldon's, I picked one myself. I used the OPAC to get the details of the novels. Then, I borrowed ALL of these novels from the university library here.

The first novel that I've finished reading was 4th of July. It was thrilling to turn the pages as the murderers were only known as the watcher, the seeker and there's another one that I could not remember. The main character was Lieutenant Lindsay Boxer who was going through a trial after she had shot the suspects of a crime that she was working in. She had suffered poor image of a police officer who was then given a break from her duties. So, as she spent her holiday at her sister's place, brutal killings followed her. When she realised that the killings looked similar to one of her cold cases, she began to be the prime target of the three murderers (the watcher, the seeker etc). The revelation of these murderers caused excitement and surprise.

Overall, I'd say that James Patterson's novels are thrilling and captivating, but it's no match with Sheldon's. However, it's worth reading them and I can't wait to read the next Patterson's novel.

Best Product of the Week

Last week, I had an ice-breaking session with my BMD1GA students. My objective was that the students will get along with one another well since they have to cooperate to complete their assignments and homework. In that session, I asked them to create a new product or service that can benefit the society and bring profit to their newly founded company. Their product or service has to be of something totally new that it has not yet existed. To my surprise, their ideas of the product were so good. I had a tough time deciding who should be the winner. I had to consider its practical aspect, specification and target buyers.

The winner of the Best Product is GROUP 2:
KHAIRUL ALIF AIZUDDIN
MOHAMAD MAHADZIR
MUHAMMAD REDZUAN
MUHAMMAD SYAKIRIN

Their invention was ALL-IN-ONE LAPTOP: KERIS TECH MFL 1.0V which can scan, print, photocopy and fax. It is light, mobile and equipped with internal broadband device. So, with this product, there will be no need to spend extra RM to buy a printer or a scanner. It is practical and targeted as bestseller.

My fav authors of all time!!!

When I was 18, I started to rent books from a bookstore at Central Market. I read various novels from various authors - Danielle Steel, Jude Deveraux, Julie Garwood, Nora Roberts, among others. I came across 'If Tomorrow Comes' by Sidney Sheldon one day and decided to read it. My sisters always talk about Sidney Sheldon - how they really love his stories. The moment I read the first line of the novel, WOW! It's so amazing. I was more like watching than reading. The plot moved so fast that I had not had time to stop and think. I was so full of curiosity that I realised that I had to read it to the end. After a sleepless night, I finally came to the end. It was one of the most satisfying reading I have ever experienced in my entire life. After that wonderful experience, I decided to read all of his novels. Other than 'If Tomorrow Comes', I'd rate 5 stars to 'The Naked Face', 'Are You Afraid of the Dark', 'Tell Me Your Dreams' 'Master of the Game' and so many others.

Other than Sidney Sheldon, I really love Judith McNaught's novels. Unlike Sidney Sheldon's, she's into romance. Her best novels are 'Whitney My Love', 'Almost Heaven', 'Until You', 'Paradise' and many more. I'd love to read these novels over and over again.

Sidney Sheldon's and Judith McNaught's novels are available at MPH Bookstores and Kinokuniya, KL.