Nottingham 2012!

This year, I went to the Nottingham Games again. And good Lord we were told to assemble at 3.30am like last year. Last year I didn't sleep at all and I was so sleepy that I literally slept at the side of the basketball court when Cardiff was playing! hahaha

So, this year I decided not to repeat my mistake again. I went to bed at 7 and woke up at 2 and showered. Damn I was shivering after showering! Put on my red sweater since we were told to wear red to represent Cardiff. I got ready and my housemate and I walked to the Students Union where we were supposed to assemble. Last year, the bus was on time but this year they were almost half an hour late! We had to wait in the cold ad rain for those 4 buses to come. Finally, some time before 4 we left Cardiff. We were given nasi lemak to eat on the bus.

New friends I make!!!!

We arrived in Nottingham University about a quarter to 8. There were just a sea of Malaysians at the assemble point. Me, Raisa and Ain just went ahead since they need to put on makeup first. haha... Then, we met Lisa, Yasmine and Aina on our way to the Food Fiesta. We arrived at Portland where the Food Fiesta was and my, there was already a long queue! We had to wait for like another half an hour! When we finally got in, to my disappointment, there were only 3 stalls. So I took the best one which is Nasi Lemak. But I only ate like half of it since the sambal did not really have any taste and since I already ate during the journey.

Me, Adrien and Lisa

Then, we went to the Power League where the football matches were. I was outside of the campus so we had to take the bus. After waiting for nearly an hour, we rushed into the bus before it got full sitting on the top level to enjoy the view better. We arrived at Power League and I went to see my friend Ekhwan who was playing. There were lots of pitches and I can't find him. Luckily I saw Ferdaus and we walked together to see Ekhwan. Anyway, Ekhwan is my friend since primary school and we're close since or mothers are friends as well. All of us hanged out there for awhile... till about 3.

Chilling at the Pub

By then, I was hungry again and wanted to catch the bus back to the campus to get food! But there were so many people waiting in line for the bus. Me, Yasmin, Lisa and Aina decided to take a cab back to the campus. When we reached there, to my disappointment, there was no food left! I was literally crying because I am so hungry! Luckily Raisa told me to go to the pub at the Students Union since they have food there. We rushed down and I was finally able to eat.... Macaroni and Cheese.. Yummy!!!

Izaredza, Lisa, me and  Ammar

So we hanged out there, waiting for the football finals. We went to the Sports Center. Ekhwan was playing and he managed to get 3rd place. I met my Kussesian friend,  Danial who is in Southampton and also my old friend from SAS, Shahir whom I haven't met and spoken for years!

My old friend, Shahir Yasin

Kusess mate, Danial!!

 After the game, I met my friends and chitchat for a while. I wanted to go to the closing ceremony to see Ekhwan take the prize but my bus leaving for Cardiff was leaving soon. So I had to say goodbye and rush to the assemble place. Later around 7.30 we were on the bus and went back to Cardiff, arriving around 11.

Me and Ekhwan before I left

All and all I was happy to be able to meet my friends and make so many new friends. However, I must say that I was a bit disappointed by this year's organisation and management. I preferred last year since the food was cheaper, the buses were on time and there were a lot more participants!

BonFire Night!

Hye people!!

So, today we celebrated the Bonfire celebration which we usually celebrate on the 5th of November every year. But this year, they held it earlier since the 5th is on the weekdays. 

Basically, this was held in remembrance of a guy named 'Guy Fawkes' back in 1605. The story was that this guy was planning to assassinate King James I and restore the Catholic monarch. So he and his seven accomplices tried to burn down or to explode the House of Lords or the Westminster. Guy Fawkes was in charge of the gunpowder they placed beneath the building. However, he got caught and was brought to trial together with his 7 accomplices. All of them were subjected to death by hanging. But immediately before he got hanged, he jumped from the scaffold and broke his neck. Since then, the people of England has celebrated his death with a bonfire accompanied by fireworks. the movie 'V For Vendetta' was made based on the story of Guy Fawkes.

Tonight, me and my friends, Raisa, Anyz, Shilla and Adam went to the Bute park to see the fireworks. It was amazing! The fireworks lasted for half an hour and they were massive! It was raining before it started but the rain stopped right when the fireworks were about to start. We did not go to the celebration as we were all so lazy to pay 10 pounds just to be near the bonfire and enjoy some side celebrations. We stood near the park but we were still able to see all the fireworks. There were lots of others there with us; families, students, couples, etc. I have lots of pictures but I'll just show some here. It is amazing that no matter how old you grow, you can never get bored of watching fireworks! 

Celebrating Eid Adha in Cardiff

So, this is my first year celebrating Eid here in Cardiff. Thought I've been here since last year, this is my first time celebrating it. I have no idea why I did not celebrate it last year. Probably because I did not have a clue when was it.

So, this year's Eid was on Friday. Me and my housemate, Aiman went for Eid prayer at the local community centre. There were loads of people especially postgrads, Malaysian families who have resided here in Cardiff and a few undergrads. It started with the takbir, the prayer then a bit of khutbah. Later, something which is a must to ALL MALAYSIANS......FOOD!!! hahahaha. Yes, we Malaysians are known to love food, especially when they are free! Booyeah!! However, I only stayed for awhile since I have tutorials at noon.

Later  that day, my friend Fauziah, a Bruneian asked me to cook rendang for her. At first I was a bit reluctant due to laziness to cook! haha...But then, I decided to cook. I was nervous since this is my first time cooking it. Plus, there are a couple of  ingredients that cannot be found here in Cardiff. But anyhow... this is the result!! tadaaa!!

My First Ever Rendang Daging!

So kire jadilah.... since all of my friends who tried it said its delicious! haha.... pphheeww!

On Saturday, I was invited to a couple of open houses. But I only managed to go to Zu's open house due to timing issue. No regrets for going since the food is amazing!!! Nasi minyak with ayam masak merah! My absolute favourite!!!! (tambah 2 kali kowt..x malu kan!) hahaha... and they have plenty of mouthwatering desserts!! 

Told ya the food was amazing!! Plus there was Shepperds Pie!! Another of my favourite!! 

And these are the some of the new people I got to know during the open house. I just know them now since they don't really hang out with other Malaysians in the society. 

Me and my housemate Vin Lum

On Sunday, there is a big kenduri held by Cardiff Keluarga, the Malaysian postgrads society. But everyone was invited. Who doesn't wanna go when you have free food! Plenty of food and they are all delicious!!

So, after the kenduri, a few of my friends came home to have some rendang and chill out, have a good laugh...

So, that was how I celebrated Eid in Cardiff for the first time!! The Malaysian Society is gonna hold another massive kenduri this weekend so will post an update later. It is acceptable to put on weight this time of year right?? hahaha. Till the next time. Tada!!

Projek Amanat Negara

The first two months of 2012 are really busy ones since all my formative essays are due, the Cardiff's Festival of Diversity, Projek Amanat Negara and lots more. In less than a week, I will be performing in front of a 700 hundred crown in one of the prestigious halls in Cardiff together with all other performers. Nerve wrecking,I know. Well, as per usual, practices became more frequent and more tense. All the normal stuff, but the spirit we have is still high. I guess we shall see what happens next Saturday :)
I think I would like to talk on the Projek Amanat Negara which was held in London last week. I was so glad that U had the opportunity to be there and experience what the students in Malaysia don't get. The first speaker was by Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz who talked on career and opportunities. I personally liked her speech. It was not the usual boring talk but rather an interesting one as she included jokes but in a way was still relevant. I felt that it was an informative one as we students, either we like it or not, are going to face the job world sooner or later. Her point on not to have intellectual ignorance is really good as I believe that is one of the reasons for the unemployment problem. How the graduates nowdays turned down jobs as they felt that it is not up to their expectation or academic qualifications. Well, everywhere you go, you will not get a high position in a company or have a very high salary straight out of universities. It is not how it works. There are a lot of other qualifications and criteria such as work experience and soft skills to be considered. So graduates, please don't be ignorant and learn to start from below.


The hot session of the day was of course the open debate between the political parties in Malaysia. This is exciting cause even in Malaysia we don't have this kind of open debate parliamentary style. Maybe one of the reasons is that we, the Malaysian students studying abroad are not bound by the AUKU. The two speakers were YB Khairy Jamaluddin representing UMNO and Barisan Nasional and the other is Rafizi Ramli, representing PKR. From my observation, the students here adore Khairy. But, truthfully, I really do solute both speakers for being able to deliver the debate in such a respectful and calm manner despite their partisan background. All the issues discussed were relevant and crucial. The issues brought up were Vision 2020, AUKU, the abolishment of ISA, the Media Act, phantom voters in Sarawak, unity in Malaysia and respective party's vision and aim. Each spoke with significant and relevant points supported by facts and statics. Both speakers even joked with each other.



As I mentioned earlier, this is not available back in Malaysia as the students are bound by the AUKU. Personally speaking, I do support the abolishment of AUKU. But in order to do so, all the students need to show their maturity in handling certain issues especially the sensitive ones. How do you expect the government to trust you to behave and do what is right when you're active in politics when you yourselves proved how immature you are? You said you want to be treated as adults, maturely, to be taken seriously, but you actions in the course is contrary to what you're asking. If you want something, ask or discuss nicely or give memorandums peacefully. Don't do protests and riots. That only shows how monkeys you are. You claimed that in the past, our ancestors did street marching in order to claim independence. Yes, they did. But did you observe the manner of the street march? It was peaceful, very proper and respectful to the local authorities such as the police. That was how they did it and compared to you? Its a big difference. Do you want our country to turn up like Egypt or Libya? Yes, they got reformation, but what happened next? It was a total chaos on the government. And how many needed to be sacrificed? Hundreds of thousands? I'm not saying that what you claim for the AUKU to be abolished is wrong. In fact, it is the right thing to do. But makesure that you're mature enough to handle it. I observed how the students all around UK and Eire responses during the debate. None shouted like monkeys over each other. All were calmed, listened attentively, did not make any one-sided judgements and they respected both speakers regardless of which party they support. That is how mature you need to be to be able to prove to the government that you are ready for the politic arena. Plus, we cannot only base our judgement with the stories from only one side or the party. Make an informed decision. Read everything. Than you can judge it for yourselves.
But this is only my point of view. I'm open to any contradicting views as we need to listen to all and not just one.