School year here in Malaysia begins in January.

It’s that time of the year again.

The time when parents would be scurrying around with pens and folders in their hands, necks strained from peering to take a glance at their precious kiddos at school during the first days.

This year like the last, all of my Lil’Garties are going to school. makes me feel very ancient, seriously.

Aliya is now in her most stressful year, Year 6 and in September she’ll be sitting for her first major exam UPSR. Her cousin, Nor obtained 5A in hers and Aliya seems a little worried.
*am trying not to have a fit about it in January, though*

Ayisha hops over to Year4, in the morning session with Aliya. For once, both sisters are in the same session. This year, I aim to really hold Ayisha’s hands as she in need of constant supervision where Maths is concerned.

Primary education here sucks in that too much emphasis is given to academic excellence and if you’re not moulded that way, then you’re just an ordinary person, regardless if your outlook of life is far more enriching that the next 5A student. I digress!

Ariz is now in his Pre-Kindy 2 i.e. 5 year-olds. He attends the Bahtera Ilmu kindy , right here in the neighbourhood. I thought he would need a little more support in the first few days but he proved me wrong.

On Day 1, he refused to be sent to school by either of us, insisting to go with Auntie Manjit, out transporter. He reprimanded me when he saw me at school but went home with us anyway.

This morning on Day 2, he seriously told me not to be at the school ground. That’s it! My baby’s a big boy!! Sungguh la macho !*sigh*

In her line before entering her class. It’s 1 Beruas. Bukit Jelutong prides itself of being an environmentally and kayu-ish place. The classes are named after large hardwood trees.

Aliya’s in 6 Bakau. Ayisha is in 4 Mahang and Adani is in 1 Beruas. We used to have the girls in Dedali, Keruing and Resak. And apparently there’s a pokok named Jelawai. Mati-mati aku ingat Jelawat.

Adani meanwhile has the most change this year. Graduating from kindy to Primary School, the focus was more on her. And again, she over exceeded our expectation. She waltzed into her new class and immediately found her friends. At her KAFA, more of her friends. So, it has been a breeze.

MrGart thinks maybe tomorrow we can get back to work. Or go on a date, just the two of us, celebrating the year when the kids are old enough to not want to see them at the school. *sobs*

Adani in her class of 1 Beruas, SKBJ. She sits next to her friend from kindy, Iman and the boys in front of them are their friends from kindy too. So, Adani’s pretty much at home at this new school.

After the running around between SKBJ, Tadika Bahtera Ilmu, Ad-Daris and more sessions in the afternoon and not to mention Aliya’s night tuition sessions, I fell asleep at the couch before it was 10pm. Sedih sungguh!