Every time around the middle of the year, me and my family would celebrate this festival called Hari Raya Aidilfitri. It is a time when we go around to houses visiting relatives and friends and eating delicious food like my favourite, Ketupat. Ketupat is like a rice cake dipped in ‘Rendang’, which is something like curry. We would play games and have a lot of fun together. 

   But suddenly, this pandemic known as Covid - 19, became a very scary and dangerous virus that people have to stay at home to avoid getting it. I was so surprised but also upset and disappointed because this means that I couldn’t go out and meet my family, especially my Dad. I also felt my heart sink deeper. 

   My mom would tell me to not think about that often but look on the bright side and instead think of the things that we could do after this virus is finally over. She was right though, and I decided to listen to what she said. Time goes by in a blink of an eye, and soon it was already 2021. The last time that we celebrated Hari Raya with my family or even met my Dad, was June in 2019. And, well, that’s when I realised I haven’t seen my Dad for almost two years. But since it’s already June now, i guess it’s already been two years. Although I keep reminding myself to listen to what my mom said, the thought of my Dad keeps floating in my mind. 

   Day after day I keep thinking about him, hoping I could see him again. I love my Dad so much, I really miss him. Until one day, I couldn’t keep it on anymore, I needed to tell someone about my feelings. So, I told my grandmother, who is a very patient and warm - hearted person. After I poured out all my thoughts and emotions to her, I actually felt a lot better. 

   Everyone’s wishes now is for this virus to just go away so that people could be safe and live life the way it used to be again. That’s what I hope for right not too. In the end, I know that God hears me and I would get to see my Dad again. Even though I haven’t met my Dad for a long time of two years, I will always know that something good is coming in the future and I’m looking forward to it as well. I will always remember him too. So I think that the time that I spend with my Dad is the best time and most precious time to me ever.

Before this pandemic happened, I was a very bright girl in class. I always tried my best in all my subjects. Even when I don’t have the motivation to study, I'll still study anyway. I participated in many physical activities and competitions. During my free time, I will have a video call with my peers or have a playdate with my best friends. Things were doing fine but that didn’t last long.

The virus became worse as the days passed. Daily cases of infected people increased. Before I knew it, the government announced about having a lockdown. It was very sudden but everyone had a hunch that this was going to happen.

At first it was a very good thing to me, staying at home, no physical classes. As the lockdown extended, I realized that wasn’t what I wanted. I don’t want to stay at home, locked up in my own house. I wanted to go out and interact with people, meet my friends and go to school. Little did I know that this pandemic began infecting my social skills and interacting skills. I talked as little as I could with my family members, I rarely video call with my friends. It’s like I became someone else. During this time period, I began losing friends, as it was hard for me to interact with people. Some of my friends started laughing at me for lacking the courage to interact with others. Luckily for me, I got friends that helped me get through that stayed by my side till now, they never gave up on our friendship and that helped me a lot. After the lockdown was over, I got better, my interacting skills improved and I was me again.

What I have learned from this experience is that, although things may not seem to be in its best state, it doesn't mean we should totally give up. Instead we should use a positive attitude to face the problem. Running away will just make it worse.

   Every time around the middle of the year, me and my family would celebrate this festival called Hari Raya Aidilfitri. It is a time when we go around to houses visiting relatives and friends and eating delicious food like my favourite, Ketupat. Ketupat is like a rice cake dipped in ‘Rendang’, which is something like curry. We would play games and have a lot of fun together. 

   But suddenly, this pandemic known as Covid - 19, became a very scary and dangerous virus that people have to stay at home to avoid getting it. I was so surprised but also upset and disappointed because this means that I couldn’t go out and meet my family, especially my Dad. I also felt my heart sink deeper. 

   My mom would tell me to not think about that often but look on the bright side and instead think of the things that we could do after this virus is finally over. She was right though, and I decided to listen to what she said. Time goes by in a blink of an eye, and soon it was already 2021. The last time that we celebrated Hari Raya with my family or even met my Dad, was June in 2019. And, well, that’s when I realised I haven’t seen my Dad for almost two years. But since it’s already June now, i guess it’s already been two years. Although I keep reminding myself to listen to what my mom said, the thought of my Dad keeps floating in my mind. 

   Day after day I keep thinking about him, hoping I could see him again. I love my Dad so much, I really miss him. Until one day, I couldn’t keep it on anymore, I needed to tell someone about my feelings. So, I told my grandmother, who is a very patient and warm - hearted person. I told her about the happy times me and my Dad with my family used to have. The funny parts and even the sad ones but my Dad would always come to my rescue. After I poured out all my thoughts and emotions to her, I actually felt a lot better. 

   Everyone’s wishes now is for this virus to just go away so that people could be safe and live life the way it used to be again. That’s what I hope for right not too. In the end, I know that God hears me and I would get to see my Dad again. Even though I haven’t met my Dad for a long time of two years, I will always know that something good is coming in the future and I’m looking forward to it as well. I will always remember him too. So I think that the time that I spend with my Dad is the best time and most precious time to me ever.

 One day, after a delicious meal, I went out for a short walk.I was alone on a lonely road near graveyard. I was thinking  about  ghost, I suddenly heard a voice calling out to me.

   I looked back and saw an old lady grinning at me.She had long dirty hair.Her face was covered with blood and her nails were very long.She was wearing white clothes.I just stared at her in fear.I dared not move or try to run.

I saw her walking towards me.I was too frightened to move.Her long hands then began to stretch out to catch me.I heard her laughing at the same time.It was a horrible sound and my body turned cold.Just before she could catch me ,I made a desparate effort to run. But she was behind me and almost caught me.I screamed loudly in fear.

As i screamed, I woked up and realised that it was just a dream.I was so happy to know that I was safe in my bed.

  I locked the door properly when I when out and put the key inside my pocket. Then, I went to the restaurant to order a plate of fried rice. After 10 minutes, I finish eating and when I went back home. When I was at my house's door, I suddenly realized that my key had gone missing. I checked all my pockets and there was nothing inside. I went back to the restaurant to find the key but it was also not there. At that time, I had collapsed because if I had no key, that means I cannot enter the house and I need to be stuck outside for three days. The most important thing is, I didn't get my phone out so how can I call my mother.

 

  When I had completely collapsed, I saw something shiny brightly under my house roof. When I went near it, I realized that it was my key. I suddenly realized that I wanted to check whether I had brought my money when I put the key inside my pocket. The key drop out but I didn't realize it.

  At that moment, I suddenly felt that I was so stupid that I have cried for like 30 minutes but I didn't realize the key that has shone brightly under my house roof. The key was just in front of my leg.

I started learning and playing the piano when I was four years old. Remembering that time when I was shy and didn’t want to attend the first piano lesson, which made my dad very exasperated with me. Now come to think of it, I feel ashamed and burned with humiliation as red as a beetroot of myself for being such a shrinking violet.

Playing piano has been one of my favorite activities that I enjoy the most. It is a pleasurable experience for me. I feel calm and peaceful when I play the piano, and it stimulates my mind. It is very difficult to play, trying to get all the notes and timing right, but it provides me a challenge in every new piece. And for every piece I learn, I tackle what was challenging me at first. It's like an exercise, to tackle challenges coming to me. If I thought of doing calculations was hard, it might even been harder if I didn't have that stimulation for my mind. Playing the piano helps me motivate to try my hardest, and it is a very soothing hobby.

One day, as usual, I was attending my piano lesson every Thursday night. My father drove me to the music school and we went in together as my father needs to pay the monthly fees, we saw my piano teacher standing in front of the classroom door talking with a man. After my dad has finished paying the monthly fees, we both walked up to them with my dad asking my teacher who is this man politely. Then, the man replied with a deep voice, introducing himself that his name is 'Lee Yin Hwa', but we can call him 'Mr. Lee', and had come to offer me an individual ‘Master Class’. At first, I was confused and did not know what was ‘Master Class’, and asked Mr. Lee about it. After the explanation, both my father and I were clear and understood what was ‘Master Class’ all about. My father then decided to let me attend the ‘Master Class’. From that day onwards, I learned a lot from Mr. Lee and had become better at playing the piano.

Time flies. When I was 11 years old, I started attending piano competitions and won many dazzling achievements. My family, my piano teacher, and Mr. Lee were very proud of me.

Remembering on the day of my first piano competition, frightening thoughts raced through my mind, I was very nervous. My hands were sweating and cold. After a while, the host called my name. Then, my teacher told me: “The important thing is to feel your music, really feel it and believe it.” At that moment, I felt relieved and confident. Although I didn’t know where did the confidence come from. I went up the stage and played the piano assuredly. After I finished playing the piano, the audience clapped as loud as a culverin, even though I still hear a little laugh from the audience. As soon as I walked down the stage, I saw my family and my teachers laughing like a drain, I didn’t know why so I went to ask. It turns out the reason is that my legs were shaking like a leaf when I went up and came down from the stage. At that moment, I felt embarrassed and wished I was an emu to stick my head into the ground so badly. 

After a few more candidates performed their piece, the judges took around 15 minutes to discuss the winners. After a while, the crucial moment has came. The host called out the winner’s name one by one, from merits to bronze. At this moment, I thought that I might not have the chance to win this competition. I was down for a minute. Suddenly, I heard the host calling out my name when they announce the silver winner. I was on pins and needles, at the same time as happy as a lark. I went up the stage, took the prize, shook his hand and thanked the award presenter. I was on cloud nine and tears of joy streamed. That time, I was so proud of myself.

From this experience, I have learned that no pain, no gain. I'll be forever grateful and appreciate the love, support, and encouragement from my family and my teachers. I will continue to work hard and face even more challenges in the future.