Who Khao Zen really is?

The picture of him at 4, taken at UM on 1999  

Wan Khairol Izlan bin Wan Zulkifli, a name given to the child who was born on February 7, 1995 at Kota Bharu General Hospital have grown bigger and mature to step further forward for something extraordinary in his life. Awarded by God to lovely couple Rosnah Mamat and Wan Zulkifli, this man now have gained sweet 18 and try independently to rely by himself all the responsible and works to archive brilliant future for next generation.

This young man got his mum eyes, strict and gentle characteristic from his dad. Something he could be too hyperactive and uncontrollable when he is ignored, to attract attention perhaps. Lived in small village which is surrounded by paddy field, he was taught to be a kampong boy by his grandfather and people around him. He once plotted paddy plantlet, climbed the coconut tree, gardening, eating local fruit and food and so many more that made him close to the nature. Living with his family, he is the third child of four siblings and he has one big brother and sister and the younger sister. Farah Adilah, the name given to his older and first sister is the caring and responsible one. She’s beautiful of course and has a strong faith, so she never surrendered to face her future life. The big bro, Ismail Imran has his eyes on him. Grown freely in his own life, he thought that his big brother never bother him at all. But he’s wrong, he do care him but doesn’t show it to him. And his little sister, the youngest perhaps, do what the child do on her age. Called as the passive family but we do have our responsible to each other. They do love each although they don’t show it bit only proven by their responsible and care in different manner.

The view of paddy field was always in his mind, anywhere and anytime.

During his childhood, he was a very hyperactive and friendly. He always played although he was alone. Everything around him could be his toys to play with, by creating his power of imagination on things. All the things were so special when he put his imagination. He once created his own friend to talk with and to play with. Influent by interesting television series and his feeling, he did the situation became to fun and attractive although it was nothing beside his empty and wide backyard. When time passing, he accepted the fact the he was alone and very need a lot of intention, so he travelled his village and met some friends. Then, he found the true meaning of being a child. The village children taught to deal with the environment of kampong. They swam together to water channel, collect river clam called “etak”, they built a bamboo raft and collect the rubber seed to fight with. Everything seem so joy when they created funs and invented some experiences together. It would be a story to tell and inherited to the new generation. Perhaps, tomorrow will be urbanized by the development and people will forget the nature. So, the thing is our next generation maybe not dealing with nature again, or maybe would. The time changes human civilization.

When time passing to fast, he was now as a schoolboy. He got his first pre-education at religion kindergarten called PASTI. He learnt religion aspects and other basic education like reading, calculating and writing. Taught to be a useful person, he was finally knew the philosophy of life. Obey to God the Almighty and love the Prophet Muhammad SAW by practicing Islam, the way of life. He was taught with moral values to practice with, rules and things that forbidden to do.  All the matters that he learnt provided him with social skill of life.

Sek. Keb Dewan Beta was the first school he received secular education

Then, when the primary school for him began, the most adventurous time began. Now, he was strictly practicing discipline and many other academic subjects that he never ever to deal with. During the time he first steps into the class, he met the different kinds of environment and social background, hierarchy and other family status.  And yes, other different friends with other behaviors. His social skill developed although he slowly reacted to responses. His academic achievements and lesson were slowly showing increment. But, he failed to follow his older brother who was active in sport as he really wanted to be. He played volley ball but always in reserve state.  Although his body was able to do something vigorous motion but he still failed. Never ever the things that he hoped to do and to be, realized. Then, he felt down for his weakness in skill for his co-curriculum. In, Year 4 on 2005 he was elected as school perfect and yes got the path to follow his brother, also a school perfect. His brother was always in his eyes. Then, his duty as school perfect was going well and he was also nominated as President of School Perfect although he was not elected. For him, nominated as president was enough satisfying because he knew he had potential and teachers trust. As the big examination nearly came, he worked hard to get what he wanted. Then, the result was given to him with flying color. 5A’s stated on his UPSR examination slip. How thankful of him.

He stood up and wiped his tear because he knew he was bargaining his future

In year of 2008, he got an offer as second-in-take for furthering his study in level of secondary education at MARA Junior Science Collage of Pasir Tumboh. A boarding school, that is mean he must adapt to the situation in boarding school environment and stand on his feet. The circumstances would differ to his normal life and nature that he missed a lot. No more swimming in the moat, no more trees to climb and no more playing with fire, cockerel and cow. All was the teenagers matter. Then, he found himself there was too complicated and depressing. So, he accepted the fate, the lump that hardly to swallow. He met friends and tried to become friendly. Attract more people surrounding to become his friends. With enjoyment and his freaky antics as a village boy. But, for sometimes he was not enjoy his moments as he thought that he had change into someone else. The word hypocrite came to his mind. His times with his friends there were becoming too wild and uncontrollable. He broke all the guideline and crossed the path that he once provided. And for sure, his achievement became retarded. All he need was only attention and love. The true friend, who can be with him in all happy and sorrow. He thought he made friends only to fill his times there. Not the friends for truly to be. Then, he quite spending his times alone and became a loner for sometimes. As the big examination was around the corner, his times there became harder. He could not focus on his study as he was still seeking the meaning of true friend.

He shared the happiness moment together   

Then, his problem became more complicated as he could not guide himself alone, he had committed crime and was caught red-handed. Making his parents sad and worried, tainted the family’s honor. He was grounded not stayed in hostel till the school end and his father need to send and fetch him. He spent his time crying. But, once bitten twice shy. He must move forward. He must stand to against every negative perception and expectation from teachers and his own friends. Many found him despicable and didn’t have mind-conscious. But, he just picked the wrong way and was too young to deal with the matters that he held. Proving that he was not that kind of boy, he focused on the most important things that he left long time ago, studying hard. And the examination began, with full of strength and mind, he did for himself. Not to bother other although sometime he fell, he rose alone on his own feet. Although he felt lonely, he must to face it. That time was only for him, himself. Then, again the success fetched him for his hardworking and patient with 8A’s for his PMR. His revenge was fully paid, stopped the all rumors and bad perspective on him. The he started to smile for himself, satisfied.

Tumpat, the place he really wanted to go

The exact failure is not when you fail doing something, but it is when you give up on doing something. He learnt well from his mistake. And now, he tried to do something well for himself. Everything was perfect as he got into MARA Junior Science Collage of Tumpat. He moved from Kuala Terengganu as he planned. At Kuala Terengganu, he stayed for one semester and waited to move to his most wanted collage. The application had verified and he moved there, the most fresh and new collage nearby the beach. It was officially opened on 28 Jun 2010 and had its pioneer-in-takes for secondary educational. They were the first Form 1 there. Then, his batch registered there on 7th February 2011 for Form 4-in-takes, the pioneer of SPM. But he, as a moved-student, he registered on second Jun 2011. His plan worked well. They were all newbie and need to know more about each other. So, it took times for all to get close well and to adapt to the circumstances. But for him, he so was glad to be with them. Having thing in common, the new ones and felt awkward to do weird things. Plus, they were the first senior, no one can’t ask and tell them what to do, and the simple word is no bullying and ragging.                                                                                                         

To be continued..