Gee…after writing such a long testimony how I had faced ‘death’, probably in this episode I should share something else…
Another miracle I had was - in my education. When I was in primary, I hated school and I hated writing. So most of the time, my exercise books were one page full while the next few pages were blank! Somehow I always have excuse. I made it through UPSR with marginal result. My dad was not too please.
I came to know Christ when I was in Form 1. Every Sunday without fail I will be out of the house for almost ½ day. Usually after church, Janet would take me ‘kai-kai’…Then came Form 3 when I needed to sit for SRP. My pre SRP test was in ultimate ‘disaster’ and my dad was super angry with me. He commanded me to stop attending church and use the time for revision. I protested but I promised to come home straight after service. We had a deal. My SRP results improved tremendously but still not up to my dad’s expectation.
I was angry. Then in form 4, half of my schoolmates and I was transferred to a new school nearer to my house. I hated the school and more so the new school did not offer the same combination of subjects which I preferred. It took me about 6 months to fight and return to my old school. I, was the only one who were eventually being sent back.
In my SPM, I turned a new leaf and worked harder as well as pray harder because I lost 6 months of studies in Form 4. This was the period I learned how to fast. Eventually my SPM, hmmm…let’s say better than SRP. This is the 1st turning point for me in my academic. Most of my friends from my SPM’s years went ahead with twinning programmes or A level. I, for one entered Sixth Form.
I was given a Science class which I hated! I fought for a year to be transferred to Arts. Practically I missed lower six. Thus STPM, I barely made it through. Thanked God I did not have E or F. Well, again all of my close friends made it to local universities. I was disappointed. I headed to TARC to take up CIMA.
With that I had another turning point. In TARC I met many more friends and still keep my existing high school pals. I stayed out in my college days and had one of the best times in my life! Along the way, I had a fear that I may not be able to obtain my professional degree and would end up with Adv Dip. A light came upon me and I must say it was a ‘perfect’ timing!
For the 1st time in TARC, an UK university agreed to offer degrees for Adv Dip students. A GOLDEN opportunity just dropped unto my lap…more so, my dad was due to withdraw from EPF. So, my dad was able to support me to obtain my degree in Sheffield.
Of course to qualify for the programme, we must be fluent in English and a threshold to meet in our final examination. I failed in one of my last 4 subjects on a very marginal point! I needed to re-sit. I had never been so pressured before. Again I remember how my prayers were answered during SPM. I fasted again. I was called for an interview together with another 20 students. We were perceived to be ‘marginal’ case.
The interview was supposedly to start at 9am. I was the last in line. The professor came late and only started at 10am. By 12pm, he was off for lunch appointment and only came back about 230pm. By the time my turn came, I was called to go in together with another boy. It was already 430pm. Damn tired after waiting for 8 hours plus. I can still recall the professor’s name – Brian. I was nervous. He asked us the purpose why we apply to enter Sheffield Uni. The boy gave his answer and I gave mine.
Brian nodded with agreement on our explanation. Brian turned to the boy and went through his results. One page after another and soon Brian found out that the boy failed to highlight that he failed and re-sat for one of the subjects. With that, Brian felt that the boy’s integrity is doubtful and told him that his application is not accepted. The boy was in shock and so was I. I gulped and the boy left the room.
I was almost in tears because I don’t know if I can take it when Brian found out that I failed in one of my subjects and show me the door too. That’s why the boy and I were the last 2 candidates to be interviewed – I thought. Brian looked at me, deep into my eyes. Perhaps he can sensed the fear in me as well as the disappointment which is soon to come…firstly, he apologized for having us to wait for him. I just smiled and told him I can wait even longer if I get to hear some good news. He smiled.
He commented on my results for my finals and I told him about my marginal failed subject. He acknowledged. He then told me that because I did well for other subjects, overall on average, the college had consider me as passed and he looked forward to have me in Sheffield the next few months!!!
HALLELUJAH…the relief in my heart and the joy I had was tremendous and I could not stop thanking God in my heart when I was still in the room with Brian. He again felt bad for having me to wait and commented that I had great patience…He remembered me well from that day onwards.
Well, you see. I always see myself as the ‘left one out’ in many of my passed experiences. Firstly in Form 4, I fought to be transferred from new school to my previous school by myself. When my friends went ahead to college after SPM, I was left alone to pursue Sixth Form. During my sixth form, I was one odd fellow whom fought for a year from Science to be transferred to Arts. Then again after STPM, I was left one out to pursue tertiary in TARC.
Now as I look back, I thank God for His brilliant planning for me. Every turning point looked challenging and I was forced to take on new changes. Every change I had was indeed blessings because I made many more friends and some whom have become my great pals. Also, God did not forget my grievances and gave me an opportunity to obtain my degree and best of all I get to obtain it from UK, which made my dad proud of my success…I have never seen him smile so wide since his wedding photos when he attended my graduation…Hallelujah, God, You are always listening…Thank you for Your mighty works on me…AMEN!I will always remember…
Another miracle I had was - in my education. When I was in primary, I hated school and I hated writing. So most of the time, my exercise books were one page full while the next few pages were blank! Somehow I always have excuse. I made it through UPSR with marginal result. My dad was not too please.
I came to know Christ when I was in Form 1. Every Sunday without fail I will be out of the house for almost ½ day. Usually after church, Janet would take me ‘kai-kai’…Then came Form 3 when I needed to sit for SRP. My pre SRP test was in ultimate ‘disaster’ and my dad was super angry with me. He commanded me to stop attending church and use the time for revision. I protested but I promised to come home straight after service. We had a deal. My SRP results improved tremendously but still not up to my dad’s expectation.
I was angry. Then in form 4, half of my schoolmates and I was transferred to a new school nearer to my house. I hated the school and more so the new school did not offer the same combination of subjects which I preferred. It took me about 6 months to fight and return to my old school. I, was the only one who were eventually being sent back.
In my SPM, I turned a new leaf and worked harder as well as pray harder because I lost 6 months of studies in Form 4. This was the period I learned how to fast. Eventually my SPM, hmmm…let’s say better than SRP. This is the 1st turning point for me in my academic. Most of my friends from my SPM’s years went ahead with twinning programmes or A level. I, for one entered Sixth Form.
I was given a Science class which I hated! I fought for a year to be transferred to Arts. Practically I missed lower six. Thus STPM, I barely made it through. Thanked God I did not have E or F. Well, again all of my close friends made it to local universities. I was disappointed. I headed to TARC to take up CIMA.
With that I had another turning point. In TARC I met many more friends and still keep my existing high school pals. I stayed out in my college days and had one of the best times in my life! Along the way, I had a fear that I may not be able to obtain my professional degree and would end up with Adv Dip. A light came upon me and I must say it was a ‘perfect’ timing!
For the 1st time in TARC, an UK university agreed to offer degrees for Adv Dip students. A GOLDEN opportunity just dropped unto my lap…more so, my dad was due to withdraw from EPF. So, my dad was able to support me to obtain my degree in Sheffield.
Of course to qualify for the programme, we must be fluent in English and a threshold to meet in our final examination. I failed in one of my last 4 subjects on a very marginal point! I needed to re-sit. I had never been so pressured before. Again I remember how my prayers were answered during SPM. I fasted again. I was called for an interview together with another 20 students. We were perceived to be ‘marginal’ case.
The interview was supposedly to start at 9am. I was the last in line. The professor came late and only started at 10am. By 12pm, he was off for lunch appointment and only came back about 230pm. By the time my turn came, I was called to go in together with another boy. It was already 430pm. Damn tired after waiting for 8 hours plus. I can still recall the professor’s name – Brian. I was nervous. He asked us the purpose why we apply to enter Sheffield Uni. The boy gave his answer and I gave mine.
Brian nodded with agreement on our explanation. Brian turned to the boy and went through his results. One page after another and soon Brian found out that the boy failed to highlight that he failed and re-sat for one of the subjects. With that, Brian felt that the boy’s integrity is doubtful and told him that his application is not accepted. The boy was in shock and so was I. I gulped and the boy left the room.
I was almost in tears because I don’t know if I can take it when Brian found out that I failed in one of my subjects and show me the door too. That’s why the boy and I were the last 2 candidates to be interviewed – I thought. Brian looked at me, deep into my eyes. Perhaps he can sensed the fear in me as well as the disappointment which is soon to come…firstly, he apologized for having us to wait for him. I just smiled and told him I can wait even longer if I get to hear some good news. He smiled.
He commented on my results for my finals and I told him about my marginal failed subject. He acknowledged. He then told me that because I did well for other subjects, overall on average, the college had consider me as passed and he looked forward to have me in Sheffield the next few months!!!
HALLELUJAH…the relief in my heart and the joy I had was tremendous and I could not stop thanking God in my heart when I was still in the room with Brian. He again felt bad for having me to wait and commented that I had great patience…He remembered me well from that day onwards.
Well, you see. I always see myself as the ‘left one out’ in many of my passed experiences. Firstly in Form 4, I fought to be transferred from new school to my previous school by myself. When my friends went ahead to college after SPM, I was left alone to pursue Sixth Form. During my sixth form, I was one odd fellow whom fought for a year from Science to be transferred to Arts. Then again after STPM, I was left one out to pursue tertiary in TARC.
Now as I look back, I thank God for His brilliant planning for me. Every turning point looked challenging and I was forced to take on new changes. Every change I had was indeed blessings because I made many more friends and some whom have become my great pals. Also, God did not forget my grievances and gave me an opportunity to obtain my degree and best of all I get to obtain it from UK, which made my dad proud of my success…I have never seen him smile so wide since his wedding photos when he attended my graduation…Hallelujah, God, You are always listening…Thank you for Your mighty works on me…AMEN!I will always remember…
