my last *********battle*********

this is what i want!!! freedom!! i feel freeeeeee............. free after finishing all my three stages of simulated teaching this morning. could you imagine, we sat in the hall from 8 am until 12.45 pm. it was terrible, but luckily, we all have done done it except for Syazwan. he was not feeling well. how the story goes??

overall, it was okay. the night before, i slept a bit late to prepare my teaching aid. luckily my friend, Ziham helped me cutting the extracts. i really wanted to do my best for it. i planned my lesson and activities very well so that they were connected to each other. however, there was limitation for me. i only have one extract in the book "Now Read On". thus, i have to really make use of it. i chose the topic on how the point of view developed the character in the play. i designed the activity based on the extract to make it real and it worked! hahah. my teaching, huh! not really good i supposed. i have problems in speaking and grammar. it was normal i thought but it was a crime for TESL student. i will improve it in future, as well as my teaching skills. i followed exactly my procedure but one thing i left behind - i forgot to ask students how the could arrange the paragraphs (pre reading). what elements they consider in doing that activity. after all, it worked well i supposed.

this was my last battle for this semester. now, i'll be busy preparing myself for final. this monday...the sudden death....

blogging - through myself and confession

“How now…what art thou??” I’ve come to the end of this course. How I wish I could learn more about drama with Dr. Edwin next time. I gained lot of knowledge while studying and learning this course (EDU 3217) with our respectful lecturer, Dr. Edwin. 4 months seem so short to me. I promise to myself, I will continue to read as much plays as I could afterwards, so that I could learn more about the world of theatre. For one thing, I hope my visit to London next year, especially to Shakespeare house and the Globe Theatre will inspire me to be a play writer in the future. Hahahha!!! That’s funny.

Throughout this course, we are required to involve in web blog by writing our reflections on what we have learned. It was quite interesting as we could write everything we want after we learned something new without any limits to it. We could express our own feelings and opinions towards it, and anybody should not say whether it is right or wrong.

Through the weekly reflections, I have become aware of what I’ve learned in class or outside the class. I prefer to write my own reflections through the blogs rather than write it on the paper. Sometimes I felt like, I’m forcing myself to write something that I should not write. However, posting my own blogs gives me freedom to say things freely, like any other bloggers do. I own my own world – I am the master of my own homepage. This is real world of communication. Besides that, I could exchange my ideas with my friends by visiting their blog pages and give my comment for it. It was very interesting indeed you know!!! I hope I could continuously post my own opinions in future. I do not want to stop here and forget all my experience in learning drama. I want it to come back to my memory lane so that I could remind myself of being a part of world of theatre.

Finally, I’ve to been to live theatre in Istana Budaya Kuala Lumpur, but it was a Malay Theatre. I was stunted by the setting on the stage. It was real!! The props were amazing, the cast were absolutely great and the musical was unchallenged. It was fantastic to be sitting there and watching that theatre for three hours. The aura from the stage and the act made the theatre became live to the audience. After all, it was just a Malay Theatre, not an English theatre as required by Dr. Edwin.

Since last three months, we have been looking for an English Theatre in KL PAC, but we only managed to get the chance to watch an English theatre next weekend. We’re sorry Dr. Edwin. However, we will make sure it would be the most meaningful theatre we ever watched.

Live English ! Live Literature! closely with Kee Thuan Chye

Many Malaysians has ignored the existence of out English Malaysian writers indeed. Thus, the presence of Kee Thuan Chye to UPM was something great and meaningful to me as a TESL student.

There were about three classes sat together in the lecture hall and listened to Kee Thuan Chye’s speech. At the first glance, he looked so cool and professional. He deserved to get respect as one of the successful English Malaysian writers.

The way he talked yesterday about his backgrounds, career and Malaysian’s current politic resembled himself as well known English Malaysian writer. The thing that really awakened me was his background. He was not so clever during school time like any other excellent students. Yet, he managed to build his confidence to write in English. The first play he watched had inspired him to read the play itself hence encouraged him to make up his own play. Since that, he started to write stories and plays.

Most of his plays were about Malaysian’s history. He really got himself into the current politics which he applied them into his plays. One of his plays was; The Swordfish, Then the Concubine, but it was not published. We learned this play this semester. Kee Thuan Chye asked for our comments about this play; do we like this play and why? Some of us gave good comments and he said that he would revise it again to suit the current situation. He worked for this play for ten years – it was a very long time!!! This is a real play writer who never satisfied with his own job and kept revising it to be the best play for his readers.

At the end of the conference with Kee Thuan Chye, I could feel the aura of English Malaysian writer in him. I regretted that I have been ignored about writing a piece of English work until I learned this course. If only I was inspired when I was nine, then only I could start writing my own writing since that, by now, I should have numerous pieces of English works which I dreamed on. Ahahah! I told myself, if I want o be successful like him, I should started early as I could. Yes, I should start now!!! Do not wait any longer Nelly!!!

Elizabethan Drama vs Greek tragedy???

The idea of watching plays or movies of Elizabethan drama was meaningful indeed. I got the clearer ideas about the theatre especially for Greek tragedy and Elizabethan drama. Watching these plays kept me alive of Ancient Greek as if I was there and I could see all the conflict and how it turns to be in the end.

The films we watched all related to our learning about plays and theatres – Elizabeth the Golden Age, Macbeth, King Lear, Oedipus Rex. One thing in common for all the plays, the title is the name of the main character in the play and the most powerful person in their kingdom. I wonder why the author named their plays based on the main character. Is it a tradition in their society to honour the main character or is it symbolizes something?? I will find it out one day.

Learning about drama this semester is really interesting. The world of drama is quite new for me. At least, it gives me more chances to know about various types of plays in Greek tragedy in general, and Shakespeare plays in specific. Overall, I love drama, especially the films part!!!!

Hail the KING!! Hail the KING of BRITAIN!!

Hail the King! Hail the King of Britain! Hail King Lear! The king who should be the people’s hearts is no longer there.

I love this play soooooooo mmmmuuuuucchhh!! For me, this is the greatest tragedy play by William Shakespeare I ever read. The elements of natural, unnatural, self ignorance and public perception become the common issues discussed in Elizabethan plays. The play King Lear has its own effects upon the mind. It touches me when I first read it. Even though I know it was because of King Lear’s blindness that cause he to be tragic, but his two daughters were too cruel to him.

This time, I could understand Shakespearean language. Few years back, I thought it was really difficult and I couldn’t understand every single line. I’m so gratefully to get the chance to read King Lear’s play. It teaches me not to say what I should to say, but what I feel – this I quote from Edgar’s last speech in the play which the most powerful speech by the most powerful character at the end of the play.

Honesty is important in our life, like Cordelia did. She did not flatter the love for her father, yet she said the truth. The love cannot be described by words in fact. However, she should pay for her honesty – her father disowned her by falling down her price and no dowry. In return, she was the one who came and saved her father instead of her two sisters.

I learned something from this play, no matter how difficult situation you were in, be honest although you have to pay for it. Am I right???

in the name of LOVE~~~

I know it will be nonsense if I’m asking myself – why should I do all these simulated teaching? For all and for now, I have to accept myself as future teacher. This simulated teaching will help me to be prepared as English teacher.

In preparing this simulated teaching, I have to do mini research on the play that I selected to be taught o my students. When I chose it – In The Name of Love by Ramli Ibrahim, I started reading it and did some surveys. I looked at the play closely, asked myself few questions. Is it will be difficult to my students? Can my students understand the entire play as the read it? All these questions were properly answered when I looked at its historical context. It is all about traditional dance which the Malaysian students are familiar with.

It should have not been any problems but the problems came in my preparation. I found it difficult to get the right activity for my set induction. I wanted to download the video clips about the traditional dance and modern dance to let them differentiate between those two dances. Because of the technical problems, I failed to get it. Thus, I changed my ideas. I only showed pictures of different types of traditional dances to my students with several questions to guide them into the topic. Fortunately, I did it and my students get the idea what they are going to learn.

I felt quite satisfied with my work but not too satisfied because it was quite the same with one of my classmates. Till now, I felt quite regret, why I couldn’t get any better ideas??????? Or geniuses always think alike??

oedipus rex - thanx to the reading!!

My reading on Oedipus is something new for me. I gain lots of knowledge by reading this play. I never notice this play before. As far as I could remember, my father had told me once about Greek theatre and the most famous theatre at that time was Greek tragedy. But I neglected what he said until I learn this course, EDU 3217 – Language of Drama with Dr. Edwin. Then, I got to know that Greek tragedy was divided into three main category; Aeschylus, Sophocles and Euridipes. Sophocles is known as the greatest tragic playwright and it is trilogy story. Dr. Edwin selected the first trilogy for us and I personally think it is the best among the three – Oedipus Rex or known as Oedipus the King. Thanks Dr. Edwin.

I did not really like this story at the first time because the opening is quite boring. However, when it comes to the raising action part, my nerves changed. I wanted to know more about the story. I read it few times before coming to the class to ensure that I understand the whole story. With the help of Dr. Edwin’s note on how to read the play – before and while reading the play as well as directed reading of the play. It helps me a lot in my reading. I paid close attention to the following aspects of the play; dramatic irony, reversal of fortune etc..

Dr. Edwin was true. As I read this play several times, I tend to understand about Elizabethan drama. I could relate the Elizabethan philosophy of accepted beliefs and what can happen if the belief is challenged. This is totally something new for me. I never noticed about reversal fortune in human’s life and how the human’s fate depends on the prophecies like Oedipus who cannot escape himself from killing his own father and marrying his own mother. The ancient prophecy has been fulfilled in each dreadful detail where Oedipus imposes on himself the penalty of exile which he had promised for the murderer of Laius.

For me, this is the greatest tragic play I ever read so far. I should read this when I was young so that by now I could read more plays. This play touched me deeply as I felt poor to Oedipus because of the prophecies; he was left at the foothills which in return, all the prophecies became true. I think, we cannot blame Oedipus 100%, because he did not know that King Polybus was not his father and he was left alone when he was a baby. However, Oedipus’s self ignorance has led him to kill his real father because he never took note who is King Laius. Overall, I love this play very much. The reading on Oedipus has widened my worldview of the theatre especially on Greek Theatre on tragic episode. Thanks to the reading!!

greek tragedy- sophocles [oedipus against tireseas]

The character of Tiresias in the play “Oedipus Rex” is significantly important for most of greek tragedy play. He was the one who has the clear insight and could see the truth although he was physically blind.

While discussing the play, Dr.Edwin assigned us to find out who is Tiresias. At the beginning, I did not understand why he asked us to do so, but later on I began to realize that Tiresias exists in many Greek Tragedy plays as a blind prophet of Thebes. It means that, this character is much more important to reveal the truth of the prophecies. However, I wondered how this blind prophet knows everything because he was not there. Yes, he is a prophet, so he should know everything in future and in the past. He tells the truth in details which the normal people like Oedipus could think of it. The things are; how he could know all these things, the prophecies, the incident that happened and the future?

These questions that I bore in mind gave me power to do a mini research about Tiresias like Dr. Edwin asked us last week. There were many histories about Tiresias himself and I did not know which one is true. I kept reading all the histories during day and night and finally I came to a conclusion. “Tiresias's background, fully male and then fully female, was important, both for his prophecy and his experiences.” This is the important part of the entire make up histories for Tiresias. I believe that his experience made him aware of the surrounding and he could see things clearly even though he is blind. I was solemnly respecting his role in the play Oedipus rex because I think he is genius. He did say thing directly to Oedipus as he wanted Oedipus to think deeply what he has done in the past by giving him some hints. Should I say Tireseas is genius or the person who created this character is more genius?????????

-: terengganu :- where nature embraces heritage

I come from Terengganu, a state where nature embraces heritage. I’m proud to be there but, I neglect about something precious about this state – its traditional dances.

Terengganu is not the only state which owns traditional dances, the other states too. I did ask my late grandmother, what traditional dance is and how it was formed in our country. She explained a little bit about it and I became more aware of our heritage. I hope that one day I could encourage the next generation to preserve our heritage.

Traditional dance does not belong to one society in fact. It becomes an identity for Malaysians in the eyes of the world. My participation in Zapin dance when I was in IPTI was an amazing experience. It was so fantastic and awesome! Since that, I fell in love with traditional dance and I felt I have become a part of it.

That was true – we will never know something till we try it. Whenever there was a cultural or traditional dance shown on television, I would watch it because I think it is an important element – especially in traditional Malay Theatre.

A unique blend of numerous races, each with it rich culture and heritage, and a strong influence from its neighbours Indonesia and Thailand, has formed the foundation of a very lively dance culture.

For one thing, I felt quite upset that our generations tend to forget our heritage. Some of them do not even know what traditional dance is and what it looks like. Are they become foreigner in their own country? Or it is not necessary to know about it? Who should be blamed? Our folk? Our government? Or ourselves? I can’t answer it but I really hope we should do something to keep it living for next generations.

script to be - i like prada

Writing a drama script was actually an impossible thing to do for me. I have never thought of writing a script – no matter a script for play or drama. Frankly, I have no talent at all to write any scripts. My English is poor so as my vocabulary. To write a script, one needs to have a high determination and good English. This is important for a script to be meaningful for a play.

However, I have no any other chances for this semester. Writing a script is a requirement for our coursework – EDU 3217. Hence, I have to develop my English skills in order to write a good script. It is just not only as a coursework, but more than that. Writing a script helped me to be wiser. I need to consider a lot of thing when writing a script especially the audience, the language, the setting and so forth. It is a piece of hard work actually. I can’t believe that I could write a script at the end even though it can’t be a good script among all of us. It was a very precious experience for us.

Besides, we need to write a note for teacher in order to guide them to have a clear idea what is the drama all about. The teacher can also change and modify the drama to suit the surrounding like setting and the character. If the teacher wants all of the students to get involved into the drama, teacher may add the minor characters to boost the students’ confidence. In all, it is up to the teacher on how teacher want it to be.

The title – it was very difficult to choose one. Ahhhhhhhhh.. What should we consider when choosing the title? Is it the message of the drama or the main scene of the drama? It is very confusing for us. Till now, we still consider it although we have submitted the last draft.

The language and grammar? Of course it was so miserable. As the three of us are just at the same level, we can accept any mistakes. It was okay then. We know there will be a lot of mistakes in our script. Hahahahha. No wonder. Harold has been so kind to us. Not too much mistakes only a bit on tenses for stage directions and time transition. Overall, it was a good experience of writing scripts. I think everybody should try once.

london's calling -:passport to europe:-

my blog title seems weird but it is my nightwish for tonight. i cant help myself from being lazy. however, taking this course for this semester requires me to be patient and smart. in what sense huh?? i suppose, i should be a critical reader because drama is not easy to understand. a careful reading is necessary especially the old play. well.. it doesn't mean i hate the ancient play, but the language makes me stay away from it. it is hard to be understood. i rather choose the modern play and so far i found it is very easy. although sometimes it has so many literary meanings likes the play "The Ring" by "Vincent Malachi", it is still quite easy compared to Shakespeare's plays. I'm sorry Dr. Edwin for giving this comment but it is true. maybe..maybe i am the only one who will say so but there are other people who will speak it out when it comes to old plays. Am I right this time???

guess??!!

I have never been to any theatres or drama. I mean a “real” drama such as in Istana Budaya in Kuala Lumpur or Globe Theatre in London. How I wish I could be there even once to get the feelings of watching the real play like Macbeth.

I did participate in national Drama Fest but it was a small event for me. However, it made me to be more interested in drama even though I do not really know how to act and frankly speaking, I never get the main character. That was not a big matter for me as I know who I am. To be more disappointing, I have lack of confidence especially while on the stage. I could not control myself from being nervous. Argghh!!

For my surprise, I have to learn drama this semester. Sooner or later, I need to love drama with all my heart in order to understand this subject (Really?). In the first class, we looked at the overview of the history of theatre or drama which origins from Greek and after that about modern drama. How shall I say about drama? I just got to know about the history of theatre and the types of drama. What a shame??! By right, I do not much about it and thus, I will learn more in future. Believe me!!