How I Spent My Time After SPM

      It was finally over. As I walked out of the examination hall, I planned to try out new things like participating in youth camps or workshops during the holiday. Instead of that, I ended up doing things everybody does, which is to learn driving and find a part time job.

      Throughout my driving lessons with my instructor, he never failed to criticize my driving techniques. Sometimes when I wanted to turn right my signal showed left. There was this one occasion during the trial test when I accidentally stepped onto the accelerator pedal when I was attempting to slow down. The car crashed into a curb and I was not allowed to continue the test. Embarrassed with the whole situation, I was relieved when some of the instructors told me, ‘Aiyah, Ah Moi, bagi langgr kuat sikit baru boleh pass!’ those words was strange enough, comforting. Anyway my instructor gave me some good advice you must believe and be confident that you can do well. Anyway, I passed the driving test and I am really grateful for his patience and effort.

     The many years at school was amazing, believe me. I miss my teacher and friends very much. I remembered how reluctant we were when appointed to take care of the school pond. No doubt, it was a very enriching experience when all of us went into the water to clean the pond. We even organized a charity sale to raise fund to buy new equipment for the pond. Looking back, it was a glory to see the pond alive with fishes and I thank the teacher-in-charge for giving us a chance to brighten up the school! Oh, all the hard work, I remembered how I persuaded my parents to transport the water pump to school and how we got a fishpond expert to coach us around.

      After a long holiday, my mother decided that I should get a par-time job. I got my offer in January as a sales-assitant in a stationary shop. The shop is only a walking distance from my house. I was thrilled when my employer finally called to let me have a try-out. For the first time in my life, I was taught to operate a photocopier, laminating machine and binding devices. Beside operating those machines, my job includes keeping the shop clean, price tagging and buying dinner for my boss. On the whole day, it is rather monotonous and boring.

      So, do I hate my job? No, I love my job. I mean, I hate rigid routines but I do enjoy meeting people. Once, there was a man who come to look for a recorder ( the musical instrument ) and , after comparing the two brand available, asked, “ Boleh trykah?’

      Now that the SPM results are out, I wish my friends all the best with theirs future undertakings. As for me, I am still working at the same shop stationery shop, and at the same time preparing my futher studies. Well, everybody needs time to plan for the future and I am sure that slow and steady wins the race. To my friends who did not do well in SPM, never give up as every cloud has its silver lining. Remember this saying ‘IQ gets you hired but EQ gets you promoted’.

                                                                                                                                                                                    Tan Hui Jing