Wikipedia states that World Teachers Day is celebrated on Oct 5th. In Brunei Darussalam, due to the unfortunate wave of H1N1, it was celebrated on Thursday Nov 5th. So seeing that I'm away from the teachers I love, I'll just wish them well from here. This one's actually a tribute to one of the greatest teachers I have met, one who was a mother, a friend and a life changer all rolled into one. She teaches Bahasa Melayu (National Language in Brunei, Malaysia and Singapore... I think) a subject that most people find confusing, locals and me included. She's strict, her word will always be final in class. Unless you have a good reason, don't bother talking in class. Well, I have to admit, meeting here for the first time really had the hairs at the back of my neck stand up stiff, but who knew that one of the most strict teachers in school was one of the nicest and greatest teachers... in the world.

She has four kids. One of them actually happens to be one of my close friends in school. Cikgu Rokiah, a name that really is a head turner in school. Everyone knew her, both teachers and students respected her. Last years Teacher's day celebration with the theme 'Guru Pembentuk Tunas Bangsa' (Teachers; molders of the country's youth), was a commemorable one for the school. Cikgu Rokiah who has been teaching for nearly 6o years of her life, so experience is really on top of her achievements list. Held at the International Convention Centre, hundreds of teachers attended and thousands of viewers watched at the comfort of their homes. A special award was given to her and other teachers, which was for "Special Appreciation Award 2008", an award for being loyal and exceptional in the education field. She had the chance of meeting His Royal Majesty as well as other members of the Royal family that day.

I remember seeing her in the commercial of the event and how proud I was to say to myself that, she was my teacher. A moment of glory and pride was called upon, she was also honorably mentioned in the graduation. I remember during graduation, I was one of the students picked to sing on stage along with a few others and she was pulled by one of us, and she cried. The tears of a teachers for her students must really be appreciated for they have the love and good will that no mere grade nor diploma can ever replace. After high school was done for me, I would still occasionaly visit the teachers in school along with a small gift or as they call it there "sedekah". Cigku Rokiah was more than just everything that I mentioned, she had something that really mad us love her even more each day, she understood us, all the things we go through, about how hard it is to be a kid and about how hard it is to be alive, but believe me she will really change your life... I haven't talked to her in a while, but I can't wait to see her again... Terimah Kasih Cikgu, Mark akan sentiasa membuat cikgu bangga... Mark inda akan lupa apa yang cikgu ajar, dalam kelas dan dalam hidup... :)