Do The Right Thing

The banners are up, security suddenly tightened, posters and articles trading accusations filled the walls of faculties. All these can only mean one thing...the campus election is around the corner.

Once again, the fight is on between the pro-aspirasi and pro-mahasiswa factions.

Although, student bodies are prohibited from being affiliated with any political parties, it's little secret that one faction is pro-establishment (pro-aspirasi) while the other is anti-establishment (pro-mahasiswa)

Student politics are a reflection of national politics, no matter how the authorities try to conceal it.

Perhaps mirroring the political situation outside of campus, the odds are heavily stacked against the opposition in the campus polls as well. The authorities are known to throw their backing behind pro-aspirasi candidates to ensure their victory.

During my 1st year, all Chinese students were made to attend a gathering to listen to some talk by the representatives of the Chinese student committee. We were told specifically not to vote for the pro-mahasiswa or 'green faction'

This is what happen when you let them win

If they came to power, the Chinese students will suffer. There will be strict enforcements on our attire & entertainment will be forbidden (except nasyid performances). Our campus will be turned into a Taliban approved learning centre!

Those possibilities alone are enough to make us gullible 1st year students make the 'right choices'.

Random picture, nothing to do with this post whatsoever

And for those of us who live in residential colleges, rumours that we will be kick out of college if we voted for the 'wrong' candidates will be passed around every year.

College authorities made it clear that they support the pro-aspirasi candidates. More intimidating is the fact that the ballot paper is marked with a serial number traceable to our names.

Doesn't matter whether those rumours are true or false, the majority wouldn't want to take the risk.

Nobody really cares about student politics anyway. Student activism is severely curtailed in Malaysia unlike their counterparts in other countries, where they are influential in initiating political, social & economic changes.

Student activism means standing in from of a tank to make a point

But here, the candidates are reduced to fighting over petty issues like prices of food in cafetaria and the bus schedule.

I hope I do not get into trouble for my rantings. Did I not mentioned that threats and intimidations aside, the campus elections are 100% clean & fair. And I promise that when election comes, I will do the 'right thing'

Der Die Das

My German classes are starting next week. I will be taking Level 4 but unfortunately, I can still hardly string a proper sentence in German. Listening to native speakers is a challenge but...I am going to persevere.

I know, it might not be as cool as learning Japanese or Korean. Yet, I am glad I am learning German as an extra language because :


1) when I see an object, I will quickly classified it as masculine, feminine or neutral. In German language, everything falls into those 3 categories.

So, a table is masculine, pig is neutral, a cup is feminine etc etc...

2) it makes me want to try & watch a German movie. I did watch 'Der Untergang' eventually.




It's a great movie about Hitler's downfall...but I gave up trying to make out what they are actually saying in German halfway through the movie. Reading the subtitles are so much easier.

3) when I order a burger at McDonald's, I knew that 'ich liebe es' written on the box means 'I'm lovin' it'




4) I found out that Deutschland is actually Germany, not Holland.

5) I discovered that some English words, such as kindergarten are borrowed from German.

6) I can spell using fancy alphabets like ü, ä, ö and ß

7) I will not starve to death if stranded in Germany, but what I eat will be limited by my vocabulary, meaning - bread, sausages, potatoes & onion soup.

8) I can pronounce Michael Ballack & Bastian Schweinsteiger's name correctly.




9) whenever I watch Project Runway (can't believe I actually admit it), I like hearing Heidi Klum bid farewell to the contestant using the German phrase 'auf Wiedersehen'

10) I can now curse in four different languages.

Fourth Floor Boys

A new semester begins bringing an end to my two months of parasitic existence. So going back to studying will be quite a transition, I will need to adapt from lazing around all day at home to lazing around all day in the campus. Tough stuff...



But the thing I dread most is moving back all my stuff into my residential college & the big clean up after it. And to make matters worse, I was assigned a room on the 4th floor!



Fortunately, the rooms are still in good condition, since they renovated them just last year. I also get some 'souvenirs' from the previous occupant of the room, 4 packets of Gudang Garam inside the drawer.





Also, living on the highest floor is certainly excuse for me to ponteng more classes erm,...exercise. Well, at least it will be cooler and the view is great too. Definitely a sight for sore eyes...I mean the greeneries not the girl's block behind it. Serious.





It seems that every time I move back in, the number of cats multiplied. They are everywhere now. I think it won't be long before their population outnumber the student's population.







Moving back in also mean having to take shower with icy cold water. Luckily, I have this box full of snacks from my gf to help comfort me hehe (no wonder they say I am putting on weight)





I am also glad to have this Happy sticker on my door to remind me to relax ^~^

Orientation Survival Guide

Results of the local university entrance are out! Congratulations to the fortunate ones who manage to secure a place. That's the easy part & now comes the hard part - the dreaded Minggu Orientasi (or whatever fancy name they decide to call it)

This 1st week of uni life is not going to be easy, as you are being thrust into an alien environment, trying to adapt while being subjected to a punishing schedule.

Here are a few steps to make it all more bearable....

Room
On the 1st day of orientation, it's important to arrive early & settle all the paperwork so that you can get the keys to your room. It's good to be mentally prepared before heading to your room though. Remember, you are not in your 'Home Sweet Home' territory anymore.

During my 1st day of orientation, I was shocked by the condition of my room, it's dirty, the furnitures are old & broken, the mattress is yellowish with brown stains, walls with graffiti...seriously, I had seen better prison cells!

Your room probably won't be as bad but it is still going to be messy & dirty. So, start cleaning up as soon as possible (that's when your family members will come in handy ^~^) because activities will begin in the afternoon. There isn't much time to spare really.

My room after extensive 'renovations'...those brown papers are to cover up the graffiti

The Tight Schedule
The whole week would be packed full of activities from early morning till past midnight. You won't be getting your 8 hours of beauty sleep during these 7 days for sure. A typical day will begin at 5am for the ceramah moral, continuing with various talks ending only around 1 or 2am.

The little breaks in between are usually for meals & if lucky, a quick bath. Lack of sleep is normal, heck I even stayed up to watch the World Cup final during my year. Of course, most will probably make up for their lost of sleep by taking a nap during those long boring talks. I used to do it too, that's why I did not remember much about the speeches delivered during my own orientation week hehe

Meals
Meals will be provided free of charge throughout the week. You will get about 5 to 6 meals a day but most of it will be spicy. Being tired both mentally & physically, you really won't have the appetite to gulp down all those stuff. But still you need them for energy. Drinking plenty of fluids is a must too. Sore throat is common due to eating all those curries & fried food so consult the PBSM guys for medication.

This guy doesn't seem to be bothered by the food though

Attire
Most of the activities required you to be in formal wear. Here in UKM, the guys are suppose to be wearing white shirts, black pants & gals blue baju kurung. Check your own university guidelines for confirmation & bring at least 2 sets of them.

Being in your formal clothes while rushing from one venue to another would not be pleasant. And with such a tight schedule, there is no time to wash your clothes. Even if you manage to do your laundry, it won't have time to dry. So, you will probably end up wearing the same smelly shirt for a few days (don't laugh) & 2 sets are the bare minimum to last you throughout the week.

My formal wear...hung & ready to be recycled for next day use ^~^

Footwear
You will do lots of walking during orientation so it's important to have comfortable shoes. Guys are usually fine with their leather shoes. It's the gals with heels that are going to suffer with cuts & blisters. Keep your killer heels at home & go with a more comfortable alternative. Also, bring a pair of sneakers for sports & other less formal events.

Most important of all is to have a positive attitude, after all you did manage to get into a uni right? Grumbling & whining won't do you much good...and although not exactly a pleasant experience, the orientation will be one of the things you remember from your university days (Damn! I sound so old)

Oh, to those entering UKM. Welcome to the #289 university in the world!

Of Hamsters & Ungku Omar

As a student currently pursuing my degree in a local university, I had to live away from home. For almost 2 years running, I had been living in Kolej Ungku Omar, a residential college in UKM. I treat it as a place for me to stay while planning my trip back home during the weekends. So, usually it's 4 nights in UO & 3 nights back home.

The long journey home usually begins
at the KTM station (sometimes with crazy long queues)

But, for others whose hometown is situated far away from Bangi. Going home weekly is not an option. UO is practically their home away from home. And they do go to great lengths to make it as such....

People do all sort of things to make their stay here less miserable, like bringing their own rice cooker or toaster or even water filter. While others stock up on all kinds of food stuffs - biscuits, Milo, Nescafe, Maggi...probably preparing for an American invasion of something *shrugs*

Some also decorated their rooms with small potted plants. I even saw one room with wall to wall carpeting!!

But the most outrageous act must have been this....

Bringing their pet hamsters to live with them in the college!!!

Besides keeping his hamsters in a cage outside his room, he had an aquarium inside. That guy must have been in desperate need of a companion.

I seriously hope he is not thinking of getting a dog next.

Videos From Malam Penghargaan BSMM

Below is the multimedia show that was aired during the Malam Penghargaan BSMM last week. Contains the history of the Red Crescent + photos of activities organised by BSMM Cabang UKM throughout the whole 2007/2008 session. Wait..why wasn't my face in any of them? Professionally created by King Wai......Enjoy





Meanwhile, this is the video that I made. Well, after watching the above video, mine certainly look very amateur-ish. What to do? Just know how to use Windows Movie Maker only mah. It is suppose to be a tribute to our retiring Pengerusi, Tuan Haji MMM.

Remember to look out for the performance of Sook Man as the reporter.........PRICELESS : )


[ REMOVED ]

PPC Simulation : Blood, Gore & Broken Bones

These are the pics of simulation (complete with fake blood) taken last Tuesday. I will let the graphic images do the talking this time around.

PREPARATION BEFORE SIMULATION

Making blood from flour, syrup & kicap

Beng Huat spraying blood on victim's hand

This senior is an expert in doing make up

Ouch!

Chia Yi + scratch marks

Kean, our victim of the night, literally

Injuries :Severed hand & broken leg with protruding bone

ACCIDENT SCENE

Got hit by car. Became bloody mess

The hand that flew away

Wake up lah Ching Lei, Don't sleep!

HELP ARRIVES!!

Fall asleep also need CPR?

Bondage, uh, i mean...bandaged

This is how you check you stretcher, ladies & gentleman

This is how to destroy one

Omg...What to do? What to do?

Insert your own quote : )

The serious & strict judges

CASE NUMBER 2

Johnny looks strangely happy at being dragged

Sakit A...Sakit B...Sakit C.....

Open mouth big big ya

POST MORTEM

Happy juniors

Even happier seniors

Simulation comes to an end, at last *phew*

JKMB's Sleepyheads

I would really love to blog about the Malaysian Open quarterfinals that I watched just now but I am too exhausted. So in I am just going to do a short post about on another subject.

There is this one post in Zao Qi’s blog with my pictures in it.....sleeping. Since I dunno what he wrote, I will just assume it’s something bad. Which is most probably true anyway.

You see, JKMB is full of sleepyheads. It is not difficult to find people 'fishing' in the middle of a kuliah.

For example, look at this pic of Zao Qi. This is what experts do in class, look like concentrating but in reality....sleeping.

Of course he does not sleep from start till end. When he is not sleeping, he usually took pictures of himself using other people's handphone.

Here are more pics of JKMB's sleepyheads

Goodnight & have a nice day ;)