the stars of the event

As I've written here, it's nearing the end of the 3-year term for me and my friends. The 3 years are just for formalities of course, in reality it's just a little over 2 years..but the time we spent together here are full of bittersweet moments.

We were strangers, we shook hands, got to know each other - some become close friends, some fought over something trivial, some swapped friends with others, then we got to know each other again. It's a never ending cycle. A little sneak preview of the world out there. I can be called a veteran already, because I feel like I can understand the gist of the things that happened - well, some of it. If it took that long for me to understand this, what can be said for the world out there? Centuries long before finding the rhythm??

Enough about that. I've been wanting to write about my Pre-graduation luncheon before, but I can only do it now.

The event was held last Saturday at A Famosa Resort in Alor Gajah, Melaka. It was supposed to be held at a different location, but they changed the venue and we had to be content with it. It's nearer to our house and campus..so we didn't have to start off that early.

We had to wait more than 2 hours before the event started though. It's bad enough that we were tired having to wake up early that day, and they had to arrive that late. Fortunately it meant we didn't have to listen to a lot of long speeches.

Some of us

After two speeches and giving away the certificates to those exceptional students, it was time to eat. They prepared a lot of dishes - mutton curry, sweet and sour fish fillet, lemon chicken, buttered prawns, potato masala, squid..but it was as I expected. They emphasis on the quantity and not quality. There were a lot of half eaten dishes left, and not to count those portion meant for all those Mass Communication students that didn't attend because they were busy organizing another event.

That event indicated we're ready to move on to another phase..no matter what we will be doing and where we'll be.

Oh, and I was surprised when a friend told me that I was a candidate for the Best Student for the course too. I thought the others had better chances than me. But she said it was between me and the one who got the title. Blame myself for not being diligent enough and not getting more As in the past..hehe. I wasn't hoping for that, because I knew just how much effort I put in during those times.

That said, I'm happy that I can understand myself better this time. Looking forward to an adventurous future ahead ;)

 

too excited :p

With the Rector

long-time friends

I haven't had this much fun catching up with friends for a while. Yes, I've always been busy whenever there's a gathering of some sort..

Usually I'd meet close friends only and get to know what already happened in their lives - and that opportunity doesn't even come often.

I applaud the guys for always initiating these gatherings - they're really great at organizing these things. There were two three events that they did in the past, but I didn't have the time to join them. They met up for an 'ikan bakar' dinner at Umbai, they organized a bowling match, and they even held an iftar session.

So this time I'm really glad that I had the chance to attend the Eid gathering with them ;)

My friend, Wani picked me up around 11 in the morning and we went to pick up another friend, Dayang before making a pit stop at Mariyah's house. Her mom's Nasi Lemak was delicious but we had only a small scoop of rice as there were loads of food waiting at the gathering. Then we picked up another friend, Fatin before heading to the location - one of the guy's house in Batu Gajah.

We were the second to arrive after our friend, Fairus..who were helping out in the kitchen when we arrived there. We decided to watch Cake Boss, though..since there wasn't much left to do.

 

Then we started eating since the sticks of satay were cooked and kept appearing on the table ;) There were ketupat, beef rendang, ayam masak merah, fried vermicelli and cake alongside the satay of course. I didn't eat much, and listened to the gossips and updates by the new arrivals..

We really had fun, alas for the part when the engaged-and-to-be-married-soon began asking us singles when will be our turn. That would be the downside of gatherings..definitely. We can stand it if people ask once or twice ONLY..but my friend had had enough of that question when it came repeatedly from the same person and she already said it's not time yet when asked for the first time.

They just need to be more understanding for that part.

a little do

As the number of high achievers has gone up last semester compared to the one before, we were treated to a lunch and not dinner like the first occasion. This semester's event was organized by the Accounting+Information System's faculty and I noticed several things lacking.

Our own  business faculty organized the first one, and even though it wasn't that lively, it was better in terms of the flow of the event. The second time around was different. The people in-charge didn't bother to double and triple check if the students are really there. They just randomly ask several tables if everyone was present. I laud what our lecturers did before, when they were very particular about where we sit - all according to the sequence to make it easy when we went on stage.

This time, some things went awry - the certificates got mixed up (luckily I got mine) and the way lunch was served was horrible. The appetizer was only served when we were eating the main course. Next semester's do is going to be organized by the Mass Communication's faculty and I'm really sad I won't be there to attend it. It would be totally different and delightful, I know.

high achievers

i have no idea what happened to the administration that made them super generous this semester - they celebrated us who made it into the Dean's list for last semester's exam at Renaissance Melaka (this was around two weeks ago). usually we would only go to each course/club's dinner and that was it. then, out of nowhere they sprang this one on us. we were flattered, of course.

the schedule left us less than happy though - we had to board the bus by 4.30 pm when the event was for the night and the dinner is scheduled at 11 pm. so we had to go there and wait amongst the strangers. we know practically no one before the rest of our friends arrived.

we were at loss of what to do, and my friend was busy doing her favorite pastime - camwhoring, when we were told to wait inside the 'changing room'. it was just a room full of people and we were bored waiting for the registration counter to be open.

our tables were coordinated to make it easier when the time for us to be on stage, but that was another problem. we were separated according to our names in alphabetical order and we had to sit with strangers. I felt like changing tables after the ceremony, but haven't got enough nerve to do that in front of the others ;p.
we were served sup soto ayam for the appetiser, and the main course was rice with ayam masak cili api, beef with dried chillies, fried seabass with sweet and sour sauce, and mixed veggies. i think the soup and the beef are the best among all. the others are just regular stuff. and the caramel pudding they served for dessert was too sweet for my liking. I was appaled when I realized that there are people who don't know the etiquette.  sigh. I know we had the dinner long past the dinner time, but the actions that the 'kids' showed that night were out of question - grabbing the utensils and thumping them on the table? eyeing the soup bowls being distributed with obviously hungry eyes, while grasping the utensils tightly?

I'm putting in a huge vote to have all the school children take another extra subject on etiquette - so they won't embarrassed themselves when they grow up.

the event was not as smooth as it was supposed to, but it was okay. the only thing that left us grumbling (together with our stomachs) is the time dinner was served. we ate when it was close to 11.30pm if I'm not mistaken. they should consider that part thoroughly, even though they want us to watch everyone go on stage they shouldn't hold the food..else, everyone of them would turn into the wolf in the Red Riding Hood.