FATIMI ESTAR

Being a teenager, I always liked to explore new things. Friends were very important to me. We spent time together doing many interesting things such as watching movies, hanging out at Mamak stalls, but our favourite was playing video games. We spent hours at cyber café after school, and sometimes even at night. My parents nagged at me for spending too much time on my leisure activities instead of focusing on studies. They always reminded me about the SPM which was just around the corner. They were worried that I might not be able to perform well in this important exam; hence my future might be affected. However, their words seemed to get in one ear and out the other. I was indifferent to their advice.

Some of us feel shy to speak English in their daily life just because when they speak they do not sound like the native speakers. Well, inferiority complex is the last thing we should have if we want to be good in anything in this world. Just watch the video and you will see that there are others who actually sound worse, but still they do not give up easily and keep on trying. Practice makes perfect, ladies and gentlemen.

Listen to the song and complete the lyrics below. Goodbye to you my trusted _______ We've _______ each other since we were nine or ten Together we've _______ hills and trees _______ of love and ABC's Skinned our _______ and skinned our knees Goodbye my friend its _______ to die When all the _______ are singing in the sky Now that the spring is in the air _______ girls are everywhere Think of me and I'll be there We had joy, we had fun We had seasons in the sun But the hills that we climbed Were just seasons out of time Goodbye papa please _______ for me I was the black ______ of the family You tried to teach me right from _______ Too much _______ and too much song Wonder how I got along Goodbye papa its hard to die When all the birds are singing in the sky Now that the spring is in the air Little _______ everywhere When you see _______, I'll be there We had joy, we had fun We had _______ in the sun But the wine and the song Like the seasons have all gon...

I had a best friend. Her name was Asma. We had been friends since we were in primary school. Our friendship lasted for a long time because we understood and trusted each other. We were more like sisters than friends. Asma was a beautiful girl. She had a lot of admirers at school. Even though she was beautiful, she had never boasted about her beauty. Her flawless face was heart shaped. She had an attractive pair of big hazel eyes with heavy lashes. When she smiled her eyes smiled too. Asma was tall and slim, just like a model. She always looked nice in whatever clothes that she wore. Her favorite outfit was T-shirt and jeans because she felt comfortable wearing them. Asma's skin was fair. When she stood under the sun, her skin would turn reddish.

I graduated from teaching college (Maktab Perguruan Temenggung Ibrahim, which is now known as Institut Perguruan Temenggung Ibrahim) in 1995. I was majoring in Pengajian Inggeris. Then, I started my teaching career in primary school and it lasted for three years. I furthered my studies at Universiti Sains Malaysia from 1999 until 2002, and graduated with BA (Hons) English Language and Literature Studies. When I was studying in USM, I was exposed to two things that later become the love of my life, which are literature and writing. Doing literature was not easy for me at that time since it was totally new to me. I struggled a lot. However, when I started teaching literature at school I have gradually grown interested in it and I could relate my teaching with everything that I learned at university.

Kim was nervous when the door opened that she could hardly breathe. She was hiding under her bed, hoping not to be found. The fancy frills of her bed-clothing proven to be useful in such time. Unless somebody flip them up and peep under the bed, it was a perfect hideout. Kim was studying in her room when she heard the noise coming from the kitchen. She was alone. Her parents went to Seremban earlier in the evening, and won't be coming home until the next day. They had urgent business meeting there. The first thing that came across her mind was burglars. She walked to the door. Too scared to open it, she just stood there and listened. She heard the noise again, and it sounded like somebody was cutting the iron grill of the kitchen window. This time she was sure that burglars were breaking into her house. Spontaneously, Kim pushed the lock on the door knob and switched off the lights. When her eyes had grown accustomed to the darkness, she paced to her bed. It was th...

It was a dream comes true. I just could not believe what I was experiencing so I pinched my cheek. Ouch! It hurt. I was not dreaming after all. It was my wedding day, and the man that I was going to marry was none other than my beloved, Khairi. Two years ago, I was driving home from work. Suddenly my tyre went flat. I had to stop on the road side to change the flat tyre. While I was struggling to take the spare tyre out of my car boot, a car stopped behind me. I turned around to see a young man coming out of the red car. He was tall, dark and handsome. He walked towards me and offered to lend a hand. Without any objection I let him change the flat tyre for me. When he had finished, I thanked him for his help. Before leaving, he gave me his name card and I gave him mine in return.

I looked at my friends who were writing furiously and I wondered whether they were struggling like me. I glanced at my watch and realized that it was already 10.30 in the morning. We would be going for Ali's funeral in about half an hour. How was I going to say goodbye to my dearest friend? He was there for me through thick and thin. When my father passed away three years ago, I was very sad. It was Ali who offered his shoulder for me to cry on. He had always been like a big brother to me. I would confide in him whenever I had problems. I could still hear his jokes, his clowning around with us after the exam yesterday. How could I not know that he was sick?

BEFORE THE INTERVIEW: 1. Do a pre-interview research on the background of the company (for job applicants), or the course/university/country (for students) that you are applying for. You need the information to support your answers. 2. Be prepared with answers to possible common interview questions. Practise speaking with clarity and confidence before going for the interview. DURING THE INTERVIEW: 1. Show the right level of confidence. Lack of confidence and avoiding eye contact could be perceived as being unprepared, while being nervous may give the impression that you are lying. On the other hand, being overconfident may turn interviewers off. You should be able to specify your strengths without sounding too boastful. 2. Listen carefully to the questions asked, be clear and concise in your answers to show that you understand the questions and are not just rambling. Good answers are straight to the point and usually short. Think before you say anything, to avoid saying something unnec...