3rd January, 2008 - Orientation Day

I woke up with a fever and runny nose at 6 am. Got caught in a traffic jam near college. See, around Taylor’s (or rather next to it), there’s Sri KL International School, Metropolitan College and Inti College. Since it was the 1st day of school for the all schools, all the primary and secondary students were being dropped off by their parents. Not many school buses, perhaps because it’s an international school, or maybe simply because the parents wanted to send their children to the school personally.

Went up to my hostel/room first at around 7.30. My housemates were on their way out. 3 of them, two taking SAM, the other UWE - business degree. Left my things and then walked to college. Walked with Audrey, my roommate and then Jun Jie joined us… or Jonathan, like how he’s introducing himself. I was with Audrey for the first part of orientation which was to go to the classes according to the first letter of your name. That part of the block was packed. Everyone was already standing outside along the corridors and on the staircases - and it was even 8 yet. Mind you, orientation’s supposed to start at 8.30 sharp so it said in the letter. They asked us to go in earlier than 8.30 though since there were just so many just for “A, B, C”. We were supposed to get our student ID cards BUT, I didn’t get mine and so did quite a number of others. Why? Simply because I didn’t have my picture taken yet! See, when I registered on the 5th (I remember because it’s my dad’s birthday), the counsellor said that I could come on the first day and get my photo taken then and also collect the enrolment pack - which I later did and I think I look crappy in the photo, though I’ve really yet to get the student card tomorrow. So I just got the programme for the day along with the term’s timetable. Class S3. While waiting in the room, Beatrice was sitting next to us so she followed us after that. After that headed down since the next part was more than an hour away. Met Sandra, Jia Hui, Eileen and Marcus. I don’t think there’s anymore SAS-ers, well at least I’ve not heard of anyone else.

We went to our own classes. By the way, none of us are in the same class. So, I went in and just chose a seat somewhere in the middle. Sheen Yuee sat next to me. She’s pretty much the only one I’ve talked to in class. Okay not really, I’ve talked to Hui Ling and Edward but yes, she accompanied me to lunch and also to hunt for the ATM, which I shall talk more about later. At 9.30, my class mentor came in. Briefed us and all. She was asking us who don’t have an English name to give one. So I just said, “JY” but then turns out I could have opted to be called my real name itself. Oh well. Halfway through, my runny nose attacked me. It was not fun.

After that we had a break. Went to check out the cafeteria. Met Ee Ling and Ming Xiang. Jun Jie and I bought food but it was spicy. I, not a fan of spicy food and being sick, didn’t finish it so Jun Jie finished it. I had to eat something, to take medicine you see. So anyways, what followed were a series of rather, dull (except for one or two) briefings in the freezing-cold multi-purpose hall. Did you know, I’ve got to climb at least, 3 flights of stairs to get to these places? And then to get to my hostel, I have to climb 4 flights? Why oh why do they have to put our classes so high up. But it’s good - exercise right? After the briefing, we were held back because a lady - probably a lecturer - “lectured” us because some were making a lot of noise during the IT briefing and were chewing gum. She said she was “very disappointed” and etc. The usual very school-like nags.

My aunt picked me up. Went back to my grandma/2nd aunt’s house. I had lunch and then went to see the doctor. Gave me meds which I haven’t really been taking accordingly simply because there’s one specially for “morning”, but I don’t actually HAVE a morning. I don’t get up before 12 usually.. Yes very piggish (didn’t you already know?). Of course that’s only during weekends. I obviously can’t wake up after 12 on weekdays especially when classes start at 8. After that, sent my brother off. When he was checking in, we found out his baggage was overweight by 2 kg so the lady asked him to take out 1 kg and then he wouldn’t need to pay. But to open the bag was one heck of a problem. I don’t know why but he still used the bag’s lock - you know, the one with the number dials - even though he knew it was spoiled already. So took us quite a while, but in the end he forced it to open and broke that lock system. He took out all the wires, a lot of wires really, and put it in a plastic bag. The result? 19.8 kg. FYI, 20 kg’s the limit and well considering it was 2 kg overweight before the wires were out.. That’s.. quite a lot from just wires. Oh, I cried! Haha. I won’t be seeing him for more than a year and it’s been fun with him around. I miss him already, also my parents and my eldest brother who’s working in NZ and everyone in Brunei. Anyways…

I’m out of time to blog about my first day of class. There’s not much actually but anyways, even photobucket doesn’t want me to post pictures up - it decided not to upload my room pictures. So maybe, the next weekend then? Have a great week everyone! And as always, comments returned for previous post!

Happy New Year everyone! I know I’m not exactly on time with the greeting but, it IS still the new year. So what’s this year for me? It’s college year. New environment, new school, new friends, new chapter. But that doesn’t mean I’ve left all the erm, “old” friends, memories, to pass by with the year. I haven’t been keeping much contact with friends - I expected it really. I just hope we don’t .. drift too far apart?

Anyways, I’m supposed to be in hostel right now but my brother took the car so, I’ve got no transport. Change of plans. Going only in the morning. Orientation starts at 8.30 and ends at 1. After that, come back and send my brother off to the airport then it’s back to hostel again. So yes, updates about the hostel. It’s quite nice actually. Although there are 3 beds in the room, there’s still space to move around. I have to climb up to 4th floor everyday. That’s going to be fun. Only problem is the water pressure. The bathroom in the master (which is “my” room), the tap drips water, the toilet can’t flush and the shower’s water flow’s plain slow. There’s already a pail and bucket there. My brother said when he was studying in Taylor’s, and when he stayed in Pangsapuri (about the same as My Place too), he showered by taking water from the pail for the whole year. So maybe, I’ll have to do the same. Or maybe, my roommates and I go and file a complaint - though, they probably won’t do anything.

I haven’t met my roommates by the way. I went on the 29th. On the 30th, I went there again to fix up a shelf, which I’m proud to say I screwed everything in with my aunt’s help. (My dad usually does all this things so, it was.. fun! Although because of sudden “over-exertion”, I slept, or more like, half-slept with an aching arm and hand) My roommate about whom my aunt “found out” is from Penang, had already brought in her stuff. I think she’s taking a degree course too, so she’s probably older than me. Anyways, my housemate, who has been staying there since last year (have not met her neither), has so very many things. The shoe rack and kitchen’s practically hers. She even has a router and Internet there (which isn’t provided, mind you). I wonder whether she’ll clear her things..

Anyways, I shall blog in the weekend. Maybe with pictures of the room? To all those starting school/college, good luck and have fun! =)

p.s.: I replied the comments for the previous post.