MY LIFE IN IPG

 

It was turning point of my life on the 27^th of August 2021 when I received the offer to pursue my tertiary education as a teacher trainee in Institiut Perguruan Perlis. My family, relatives and friends were simply overjoyed with this great news. I felt truly blessed to embark in this new journey which will determine my future. Being the second child in the family, it was such a privilege to follow the footsteps of my mother who is also a teacher and to continue the legacy in the family.  Not only did I make my parents proud but I also became a role model for my younger sister. Soon, after completing the registration formalities, within a week, classes commenced via online and it was a new experience compared to schooling life.  I was still able to continue with my hobby as I really love swimming very much. The most overwhelming part was that I got to celebrate my 18^th birthday with my family before leaving for college. After a moth of preparation, we headed to Perlis on the 4^th November 2021 which coincidently is a Deepavali day.  Although we did not celebrate Deepavali like other years, my family was in fact happy to travel to Perlis as it was the first step for my future.  My parents were so positive and they motivated us that as long as we are together, it’s a cause to celebrate. We took a slow drive and went a few days earlier as we anticipated massive traffic jam long the way. Before reporting to the college, we managed go sightseeing as I have never been to Perlis before this.

 

Finally, the most awaited day arrived, 6^th November 2021 marked the day I stepped in my college. Before driving in, we took a few photographs at the entrance of college to cherish the memory from this day forward.  Wow! the surrounding scenery was simply breathtakingly beautiful.  The padi fields all around the college are truly amazing as this is the first time I have seen padi fields this close.  The trees, ponds and the greenery was definitely a run away from the pollution and hectic city life where I came from.  When we reached the drop off place, the lecturers and seniors were so friendly and helpful. My parents were indeed so touched when my Madam Azurawati and Dr. Ummu greeted everyone and they assured my mum who was in tears that I will be fine and well taken care off.  Seeing the things that were being unloaded from the Hilux, Madam Azurawati was so shocked and she jokingly asked if I was planning stay here for good and get myself a suitor. It sure brought a smile on my sobbing mum’s face as she was too sad to let me go. Well, it is a universal truth that mothers are always very protective of their children no matter how old they get. After that, I bid my farewell to my parents and my younger sister, smilingly and assured them that I will be fine. The seniors were so helpful and carried my things till the block where I took over from there.  I walked up the stairs and opened the room door and said in my heart, “hello room, I am your guest”.  I was amazed when I noticed a beautiful pond and a tall mango tree when I opened my window and this is normally seen in films. I began carrying my things up and immediately started cleaning, disinfecting the pillows and mattress, following closely all the repeated instructions by my mum to sanitize every part of the room.  Soon, my roommate Judith arrived and I felt happy to meet her and I am not alone anymore. We did not waste much time and started our cleaning thoroughly.  By night, we were dead exhausted but we managed to buy some fried rice from the cafeteria for dinner and started mingling with our other friends from the next rooms. We had so much to share despite being so tired but we were all excited to meet one another.  The following week, face to face classes commenced and I was simply overwhelmed to meet my classmates and lecturers in person. Madam Azurawati sure made my day when she complimented me on my new Baju Kurung which I had specially got tailored for my first day in college. I also sent some photographs to my family as I know they will be anxiously waiting for some photographs too, since that technology has made everything possible.  I was so thrilled when I took photographs in class, outside the class with my classmates and some of myself with the surroundings of the beautiful college.  Knowing my mother, I am absolutely sure that she will proudly show her friends and colleagues all the photographs and be in tears after that. Once class was over, I went back to my hostel in the evening and started my laundry. Oh! dear, no mum to wash my clothes, it is not going to be easy and I know that sooner or later I will manage cause my mother has trained me to be independent and all that is coming to a good use now.  Then, later on, I am on my laptop again, assignments are coming in heaps. Day after day I became accustomed to the new way of life and the routines. The do’s and don’ts, the rules and the regulations of college and the hostels. There is no family here, my friends and my lecturers are my family now. Thick and thin, rain or shine, come what may, we shall sail together and make it happen. I came to IPG Perlis full of hopes and dreams to accomplish my goal as I aspire to be a future educator and serve the nation well.  My prayers to God that I get to accomplish my dreams successfully as well as to make my parents proud when I graduate as a teacher from this IPG .