It's a Celebration that happens every year

I've already submitted my PO report and today, my CO report so it is already a cause for celebration. Raya is in a few days and it's already semester break. Well, a one week holiday. In any case, my KB colleagues went home and maybe some decorating the tutorial room will bring up the festive spirit once they come back.

Yipeee!

Sent the flier to Hjh Halimah and will start posting them today and during Raya. It's time to impress people with the kind of Marketing Campaign I did when I was in PTEB. Surely, everyone was pulled into the Comic Contest, so it's time to grab warriors for next year's PSK and other tournaments.

Afraid of the Darkness

Major blackout in two days straight. Interesting fact is that it is now one week till Raya starts. Sometimes I wonder is someone is messing with the power cables like some terrorist who is bent on destroying the week's festive spirit. It's be funny, if you think about it, with nearly everyone rushing to the shops to buy big bulks that will last the month just to find that the power went out and all the cashier queues are stretched long because the cash register is out of order.

To tell you truth, I dread the darkness even though I depend on it to catch sleep. It reminds me how you can get lost easily if you can't see whatever is in front of you. Some like myself would feel all claustrophobic for a moment but try not to break down from the anxiety. Imagine if you're a blind man but you can't hear whatever is around you. Believe it or not, I'd purposefully tap the metal railings of the staircase at home just so that anyone would know where I was or ensure myself I know where I was.

I haven't told anyone yet, but during that training scheme the seniors held for us in the beginning of the year where they blindfolded us so that we could communicate scared the hell out of me. It felt like I was walking in circles while everyone was calling me out. I froze a few times with my hands feeling the edges of the tables surround us guiding me where I was going.

I still keep the blindfold just to remind myself how lost I felt. When I think about it, I wonder why I was afraid of the darkness in the first place. I guess it reminded me what it feels to be lifeless.

Hakim Cherry leaves for Cardiff

Everyone will miss the Cherry Bomb because he's a great friend to everyone and well, I really respect Cherry (despite the funny nickname, long story). He's one of those irreplaceable friends in a group with a funny jamaican accent lol. Let's say he's a cool friend and I doubt anyone could be like Cherry.

You could see it from the doors of hello to the doors of goodbye, it's like we were eager to not let Cherry leave yet, a march of friendship. The most emotional for me I guess is when Cherry, Saffuan T-rex, Arif and myself scrum bind (because Dibs asked for a rugby pose) for a photo. I know Cherry as a great team mate and someone, how you put this, who doesn't leave anyone behind. Respect. Good luck Cherry and Godspeed.

With Zym leaving on Sunday, Zaty next week and Zul on my birthday, September is definitely going to be emotional.

Polar girl

Walking in The Mall, I met Kak Fae (Kak Naj's friend) on this booth for donations for the Polar Girl. There she explained about the Polar Girl, a woman named Era who will go on the Commonwealth Women's Antartic Expedition. Must have been a great honor, being one of the first few women and the first Bruneian to explore the Antartic.




I remember I dreamt of exploring the South Pole too, traveling the pure white desert of ice on my skis. Although a dream like this is almost impossible for me to realize, it's amazing to know that there is someone in Brunei who will be doing such a task. How it will fare for her with the weight of history on her shoulders. I salute you.

In any case, try dropping by The Mall on Monday and donate as little as one dollar. If that's not motivating, what about a bookmark and a free session in Rock Climbing? I promised Kak Fae I'd let all my Rugby mates now (lol!).

Guess who blocked my Hyundai T_T

After buying some DVDs and pick up Aira from Contessa, some car blocked us at our parking spot and well, apparently if you want to go home at 6.00pm hoping to reach home and smell the home cooked feast, then someone's got a problem. Luckily however there was someone in the car, which turned out to be Kak Siti my cousin's fiance. My cousin blocked us while he went to buy food... GAAAHHHH!!!

But considerning that his car is a beautiful new Lexus, I didn't mind waiting at the driver's seat hehehe. It's such an admirable machine, I could feel power and love when I caressed the steering wheel.. lol. We even suggested to Kak Siti we switch cars hahaha.

On the phone with Bang Ah Ping:

Azzi

"No problem plg, kami dalam krita kita. Nyaman steering wheel kita ani."

(Got no problem, we're in your car though. Your steering wheel feels so good.)

Bang Ahping

"Eh antah kau"

(Whatever)

Happy Birthday Jessica

A big birthday greet to my best friend. It's been awhile since I made a birthday greeting on my blog, but to make up for mixing up her birthday last year (3rd with 23rd, sadly mistaken) I thought I'd post this greet here on my blog, and maybe talk about Jessie for a bit.

Jessica turns 20 today

Jessie is apparently really sociable and isn't afraid to get to know people as weird as they are. Her hobbies include drawing but she's currently taking up writing stories like I did. She is studying in UBD and has just taken up Japanese classes. We share a common interest for manga and we would always create commentaries and discussions on the Japanese culture. I think what makes her a special friend is her ability to listen to anybody, a gift that not many people have.

Best friends for seven years. A friendship that survived being rocky in many occasions. The kind Jessie would call a Cat and Mouse friendship where I'm the cat with the goatee. Here's to turning 20, Jesse.

Bon Voyage Hidayat, Nabil and Faizul

It's not easy to see your friends off. Some do find it ridiculous though to cry over them who may return a year or so. I guess the reason why friends see each other off when one of them leaves the country is not for the sake of those staying, but for those leaving. We don't realize it but there is a part of us that pulls us into that airport for that person just so they could remember us the way we are before he sees the way we will be a year later. And only God knows what will change.

Here's to Hidayat, Nabil and Faizul who just so happens to share the same flight to the UK. It is definitely not easy to see three of your friends leave at the same time. May the world stay the way it is and if it is allowed to change, let it be a bright one.

My recent Tweet:
Hard to see some friends go. Bon Voyage @hayat1811, Faizul and Nabil. Maybe someday I'll be on a plane, far from here too. Someday.

ITB Rugby

I did promise Gmiee I'd take over the rugby team in ITB. Originally, it was meant for them to play for the UBD Sharks but seeing how the Head Lecturer of the club is hoping ITB would be recognized by the BRFU, much effort is needed. Yesterday, I went to meet Hjh Halimah who, surprisingly was already familiar with the Rugby culture. Even more so when I realized she played Touch Rugby with us a few months back. It is a small world after all.

I'm currently typing up fliers for both the Rugby team and and Women's Touch Rugby Team while inviting anyone interested to join. The women especially, I almost got a few interested. In any case, once I'm done with these fliers (now in the stage of picking out photos from this year's rugby season), I'll present them to Hjh Halimah before putting them up the notice board. You see, this is where the Mac comes in. A perfect advertising tool.

Last night, my Sixers Captain and rugby buddy texted:
"Bro, itb rugby, I'm in. All the pain and joy, I'll take it with you... all the way to the try line"

And just like that Saffuan 'T-Rex' brought back the spirit of Rugby. How he knew my intentions is a mystery but that's what I like about Saffuan. He has the heart of a Rugby player, something I've been trying to reacquire. I sense our Glory Days returning, like a flock of birds signaling the coming of Spring or like old veteran soldiers ready to share the battlefield again.