I am going to be very quick. This is what I feel today, after a very long day at school. I have to wake up early because we have the training for our cross-country event this Wednesday. I work at evening session, but then because of the training, I have to wake up early, and wait at the checkpoint under the morning sun. I don't mind waking up early, but I don't like being under the sun. However, to my surprise, I have been in a very good mood since I stepped out of the house. I don't mind having to wait alone, and then having to replace other teacher and wait for two checkpoints, and afterwards, having to go back and forth the hospital because the hostel students are sick. Later on, I went into my class, teaching as usual. 

I kept telling myself - don't be too excited, something bad will happen. But I kept praying that every thing will be fine till the end. I am still praying hard until now. At 6.40pm, I was in my last period class - the 1.8 class (junior high), which is the LAST class. You know how these kids are.. some can't even speak English, or understand simple English. However, I am enjoying myself today - though being strict when in need and then, at 6.40pm, they said thank you and even added "see you tomorrow, miss!". All of them.

That really hit me hard. I was stunned, surprised to hear it from them, because it's been a while since I heard that - since I was posted five years ago. The students who used to say that were now in Form 5 (high school) That really made me smile and brought me almost to tears. Personally, I haven't felt this way since two years ago - when I was sent to morning session, teaching exam classes. Teaching exam class, you can't really have fun with the students, especially when the senior teachers will be like "have you finished the syllabus? have you done this test and that?" when all I want is for the students to understand whatever they learn, and eventually gets ready for the examination. 

I don't like the exam-oriented class, so it is hard for me to do my job in the morning. There's no fun in teaching anymore. When I was working as a replacement teacher, as well as during my first two years, I always felt tired at the end of the day because of the endless classes you have to teach every day. But, at the end of the day, you will go to bed and wake up feeling refreshed and ready (and even excited) to meet the students again. I don't feel that way for the past two years.

Thus, when I was sent to evening session again at the end of last year, I felt relieved, and I really hope that the "feeling" will be back again. Today, I feel it. I felt grateful, and I vowed to work even harder while enjoying the lesson with my students. I have to sacrifice going back home often, so that I can use the money to buy materials for the class. I really hope this will be better and even better starting today.

May Allah Ease everything.