It Was My BDay... And Nobody Remembered...

The Reading Room

I was in the reading room on the ground floor of my dormitory block, when I received a call from my mother. It struck me as weird, as I had only sent her a text asking her to check whether the deadline of the KFC Star Create competition falls on the 15^th, and she, being the typical cheapskate when it comes to words, would reply one word; ‘yes’ or ‘no’. I picked up the call, and surprise, surprise, my sister’s voice rang into one ear and out the other, screaming ‘Happy 17^th birthday, Abang!’ Utterly surprised, I was, and glancing at my watch, I realised that indeed, the long hand struck 12. Now, now, before you say it’s impossible to forget one’s birthday, I did know it’d be my birthday, but as I’d been complete absorbed in checking my essay during the whole hour prior that, I’d completely forgotten. After chatting with my family underneath the coffee table (The school rules states in black and white that phones are forbidden.), I took out my parents’ gift given to me a few days earlier, on a Wednesday, since they couldn’t be with me on my special day (A solid reason why I shouldn’t be able to forget my birthday.) – a brand new, glossy red camera!  

Busy with work, even on my BDay...

 I spent the day unlike my previous birthdays before this; busy being undetected and low profile. There’s a good reason for this. There’s a tradition at my school regarding birthdays. The said tradition involves a large group of people (Preferably 15+) beating up the birthday boy, if possible in a dark classroom, at night, during preparation class. And I don’t want the same happen to me. So obviously, I made sure all sources that hint at my birthday, however miniscule it were, halts before the precious information gets into the wrong hands. Unfortunately, my dorm mate teased me, telling me he knew my birthday.

 And that was why I wiped off my birth date from my Facebook account temporarily. That, and another reason; to find out whether anyone would care enough to remember my birthdate. It was a regrettable action, seeing as none of my friends bothered to wish me a happy birthday. Well, one did, a close friend and a sensei of mine, but it was a tad late, but I don’t mind. All the wishes I received were from family members. Well, serves me right for being curious. But at least I knew how dependant people are for Facebook.

 At the end of the day, no one dangerous knew it was my birthday. Yeah, my close schoolmates knew my birthday, but they 

weren't the type to get all excited over an ambush. What was surprising was that my knowing dorm mate didn’t wish me. Turned out he forgot it. Then he tells me that a Korean star’s birthday falls on Wednesday. Guess I’m less important than his idols.

A Whole Week of Fun and New Friends in Malacca~! Day 1 and 2

 Two weeks ago, on a fine Sunday night, in the reading room, I was given a difficult choice; either to go to Muzaffar Shah School (MOZAC) for the Fully Residential School’s International Symposium (FRSIS) for a WHOLE WEEK… Or stay in school, due to drama practice. I initially declined, but after talking ‘bout it with a close friend, and much, much consideration, I changed my mind and packed my bags.

 It was the best decision of my entire life.

 To tell you guys my awesome and fun weeklong adventure, I shall tell the tale day by day (Mind you, it’s a tad long. This is personally for my own reference, and sharing it with you guys seems more exciting.):

Day 1: Monday

 After arriving at MOZAC at ‘round 11 and checked ourselves in, we did ABSOLUTELY NOTHING (Other than eating and sleeping.) The reason for the lack of activity is to let all 63 residential schools’ representatives reach the destination.

 63!? I hear you scream in terror. Yup. That would make the number of participants, let’s see… 4 per school… Times 63… Ah, 252. Excluding the twenty-something Indian exchange students staying at the girl’s dormitories (The symposium is part of their two week stay in Malaysia.) How is it that they’re able to fit all the guests into the dorms, already packed full of MOZAC students? Simple: Give the MOZAC students a week’s holiday. Lucky them.

The boys' dormitory. The open shower's behind the stairs.

 During my exploration of the school grounds (Which usually occurs whenever I’m bored.), I find one of many shocking discoveries; their showers have NO DOORS! And there’s a roofless shower on the ground floor, for all to see~ How was I supposed to shower without people watching me?

This is MOZAC. Did I mention it was on a hill? :3

Day 2: Tuesday

 Today was the day of the competition. I left for the hall at ‘round 7.45… After taking a shower in the toilet (Hey, I ain’t weird. Half of the participants did the same thing.). It’s basically a public speaking kind, where all 63 presenters present their presentations (Duh), based on the theme ‘Global Culture Generates World Unity’, and what better place to have it but at MOZAC, one of few multi-racial boarding schools in Malaysia? Most were common, like how food can start unity of races, and only a few managed to catch my attention (Like the Kenyah tribe in Sarawak, and the miniscule, yet fascinating fact that Fijians love fat people.) I didn’t managed to see all of the presentations presented (What, you expect me to be able to be present at all ten sessions simultaneously?) and unfortunately, I didn’t get to see my friend’s one, as his session was held in a small classroom, and there were limited spaces.

This is Hazeem. :)

 The ice-breaking session, for me, was the best activity of the day. Not only did it give me a chance to mingle with other people, I also bumped into my old friend (Hazeem’s his name.)! Such a funny coincidence, to meet because of the colour red (We were grouped into four teams based on the piece of coloured paper behind our tags.) We were then grouped by the numbers on the coloured paper, and would stay in the same group during the ice-breaking session with the international students the next day.

 Later that night, I, my schoolmate and an acquaintance we got to know with this wicked British accent auditioned for Master of Ceremony. Unfortunately and surprisingly, all of us failed. And the weird thing is, the boys they chose were not that good compared to my friends. The girls were marvelous, though. And that made me a bit green with envy.

 I shall continue this tale on a later date, as it is too long. :) Ciao. :D