We used to paste different coloured stickers on our books, tape it up, making it resemble a library book. My siblings and I used to play pretend and of the many berangan sessions we had was us pretending to be librarians – choosing, sorting, labeling and even did some lending of books for our patrons (2 siblings became patrons while the other 2 became librarians. Halimah totally missed the fun haha). This experience might have influenced my dreams and ambitions of joining this sector one day.
But realities serve as a better indicator don’t you think? The reality I face everyday has beckoned me to seriously consider being a full-timer here. (If it’s meant to be, then I would welcome it with an open heart!)
I used to be sad about me being rejected for the corporate communications role. As my second major, I was really looking forward to hone skills in that area even though I had managed to immerse myself in a corporate communications role from last year’s internship. Yet, as days go by, hearing the experiences of the intern that was chosen for that role made me reflect and be ever so thankful for whatever role I currently hold. For a start, the working style and environment is very different. My friend ends work as late as 7pm and can be seen as quite awkward with her seniors. While we, those who work in the branches and do numerous projects, get to travel a lot hence meeting different people both within and outside our spaces. Doing a month long project allowed us to interact with others of higher ranks. Not to mention, I really appreciate their emphasis on adopting a work-life balance. There were instances where fellow staffs reminded us to go home minutes before the end of the day. They allowed no lunch break for muslim colleagues during Ramadhan so that we can go home earlier and of course, a designated prayer room. Alhamdulillah.
Working on this project has allowed me to meet many enthusiastic people who wish for nothing more than to benefit the community. These people are not confined by the office tables or by our four walls but are constantly on the move to curate and execute programmes. I am someone who can’t stand being in one place for too long for I’ll naturally get sleepy. So when I learnt how these people work, their commitment levels, I got very excited. I am eternally grateful for the opportunity to shadow these awesome people to their meetings, email exchanges and execution. Alhamdulillah thuma alhamdulillah.
Every day, I fall in love with its culture, its mission and ultimately its people. Every day, I remind myself the repeated verses from Surah Ar-Rahman, about the favours that Allah has given us, who are we to deny them? So let’s count our blessings ❤
Allow me to end this post with bits and pieces of my thoughts about the latest event we had from Friday till Sunday. These are some notes that I quickly jotted down as it ran through my mind, whenever I could find time that is! Sit back and welcome to my random thoughts.
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I love today sooo much!
Allah has indeed eased my efforts in maintaining prayers. Apart from that, the opening weekend was full of opportunities for one to mingle and talk to others. I was initially assigned to monitor the installations and guide people (mcm fhm tour guide alert. Art really, to me, is a unique experience for each person. So, I don’t believe in tour guides. Actually I was really nervous thinking bout the possibility of the minister coming by and asking me about it. What if I’m stumped for words???) I was saved from embarrassment as there wasn’t much to monitor so I joined the mobile app team to help public borrow ebooks! The unofficial training I had by explaining to tbh about the app was clearly not enough as I had to deal with those in their 60s to 70s. I find them cute(!!) as these elderly intellectuals who read are such a delightful people to be with as they come off as nonjudgmental, willing to learn and very chirpy! <Did I mention how cute one them was? I had to help click for him each field to enter and accidentally saw his cutesy password :’) > Anyway! I realised such events brings many of us from different branches together. These friendly souls were very encouraging and gave us insights into how it is like working full-time there. Their eyes sparkled with love as they talked about it. They were raw in their sharing as they did not leave out info such as the high level of commitment and the downfalls of working here. What touched me most was how Kak Z encouraged us interns to consider jobs that is Muslim friendly especially with regards to prayers. This organisation is beyond Muslim friendly, it even has a wudhu area. ❤
At the end of the day, N and I decided to help the mother tongue language team to take a photo. I was really surprised when they pulled me in to take a photo with them, acknowledging me as their own. Nk nangis pls. That’s the beauty of our race. Our strength is silaturrahmi <Side story, today N told me how her raya visiting culture is not as happening as the Malays. She was taken aback as to how we not only visit close relatives but also classmates, schoolmates, teachers throughout the MONTH.>
Chanced upon a fellow schoolmate who’s currently interning at a local bank. Interesting sharing about Islamic banking that’s not so Islamic? I recall learning the basics during A-Levels about how hibah works and how we only earn dividends when the shares earn. But to promise our clients an absolute earning for every month is worrying. Something to read up on I suppose!
All in all, I managed to explore 3 areas where I might pursue upon graduation. Let’s Learn Outside is open for more trainers, libraries have such an authentic working culture with a noble mission and MOE is quite interesting.
Oh last one! N and I had the opportunity to have a chat with the family of 8 who home-schooled their 6 children (read more here). Apparently, their curriculum is based on an online platform. I’m not so sure which platform this is (something to look into huhu) but what attracted me to this idea is how each of them were not stressed about studying, the first positive thing they said about being home-schooled is how much free time they have, learning at their own pace and having a holistic education which includes house chores. This is so rare for Singaporean children as they come home tired and are excused from contributing to the house. Next on the list to read, their family’s travelogue!
Diarinsyirah 