Season 10, Episode 2: Imagine.

"There's where my demons hide." - Demons, Imagine Dragons

So here i am, posting my second post of this last season in the second last week of the semester. Time really flies and lately, nostalgia accompanies the mixed emotions i am feeling. The semester and stress have been weighing in heavy on me, time filled with projects more than attending lectures. Sometimes, i felt the project was bigger than me, that i found myself struggling to rise to the occasion. But i'm not here to talk about it. I could only say that i had given my best and best be prepared for what is ahead in these remaining weeks.

Our days are numbered, some even began counting down the days. We celebrated our five years anniversary. Five years ago, i came in immature and young, not knowing what i was doing and not knowing who i wanted to be. Five years later, i can't say that i've known it all or know the answers to the questions. We had our last tutorial session (may be in my entire study life) and if any tutorial session is to be remembered, it is this. Years of being with my friends in class, helping one another to solve the questions, makes me think about the future. I am who i am today because of my friends too.

Sometimes over at dinner, or just hanging out and chatting, we recollect our memories of the earlier days of university life- the courses, the old neighbourhood, the spontaneous adventures, other friends and how some of us have changed, physically. There is a quote: good friends know your stories, best friends live in them.

In the past few weeks, we went for whitewater rafting in Gopeng, thanks to Groupon, one of my to-do list was fulfilled. We explored and favoured the Pusing food stalls. I had the famous Bota satay. The random movie nights and late nights. There's still much to do with so little time.

I've also read The Highest Tide and Life of Pi, both very interesting books. The Great House was confusing to fit the pieces of the story together at first but in the end, when i got it, it is pretty amazing. Oh, Man of Steel, The Lone Ranger, Monster University and Percy Jackson; so many movies. And not to mention, the craze over the minions by McD. Even the outlet in Seri Iskandar was sold out and people queued up at midnight for the new editions.

Why i titled this post Imagine is simple: just imagine. The future. I've mentioned about the uncertainty but what i am most concerned is, will i change in the future and forget the person i am today. I know i sound a bit sappy but this is a different industry and a different generation. I need people to remind me of who i am and not be lost in the many things i am soon to be in. Very soon, i am stepping into another stage of my life and time is of true essence and the quality of it is precious. I get excited and nervous just thinking of it.

Five years ago, i would never have imagined myself now. I was just telling my friends that five years ago, we imagined university life and the years we have to undertake and now, we are so near the finishing line. Time itself is a wonder is it?

wc13 has a powerful imagination, but at the end of the day, he needs to come down to reality and face the truth. In these few weeks, he needs to push through the presentations and reports before the final of final examination.

Season 10, Episode 1: Do To-Do List

"This is the book i never read, 

these are the words i never said, 

this is the path i'll never thread, 

these are the dreams i'll dream instead..." 

- Why, Michelle Chamuel

Remember in the previous post, i mentioned about a single entry apart from it being the only post of the season? Keeping to my word, i'll tell you what it is about. To begin, my semester started a week late, because i was busy being in Beijing, China for the first week. We (me along with four friends) were selected to participate in the Future Petroleum Engineers Conference in China University of Petroleum Beijing, China.

Two main reasons why i applied for this opportunity: conference experience and Beijing.

When i came into my uni (and now going to leave this place soon), i made one item on my to-do list, that was, to represent my university in a competition. I knew sports was not my forte, so given this chance on an international platform, i was more than thrilled and blessed, that ticking this item on the list was a pleasure. The build up to the event was exciting nonetheless. After being selected, we had to send our details for registration, prepare our technical paper for Paper Contest, brush up knowledge on oil and gas related topics, book our flight tickets, and apply for the visa. The visa that we applied for was a single entry visa, hence, the meaning behind the title. When all was ready and done, the journey began.

We arrived at the KLIA on time for our flight to Hong Kong then to Beijing via Cathay Pacific and Dragon Air. It would be my first experience on a Cathay Pacific plane; however, due to a technical error, the plane could not fly and we were delayed over six hours. For compensation, we had vouchers for Burger King. Pressing for time, we flew via MAS directly into Beijing Airport, arriving past midnight. Greeted by Jack, the committee in charge, we got to our hotel around 3am, slept approximately 4 am, and morning-called about 7am. We had our eye bags on.

Day 1 was not that tiring- opening ceremony, tour around the campus and meeting new people. The air in Beijing was bad. The weather still chilly after Spring. In the tour, i noticed the many bicycles! Basements for bicycle parking, indicate healthy lifestyle? Day 2 was stressful as it was one of the main highlights of this event- PetroBowl competition. We got fourth, and although we didn't win, i believe we put on a great show. If only i'd pressed the buzzer quicker. Nevertheless, it was memorable. At night, we went to a public park and joined in an aerobic class. With prying eyes at us, we returned to our hotel. Day 3 was the Paper Contest and it was good in the sense that we received feedback from professional in the industry to improve our projects. At night, we hung out with our committee and their friends. We went for karaoke after dinner.

Day 4 was the day i really mingled with the other participants, exchanged contacts and be friends, and it was a day i was looking forward to. We went to the Great Wall of China! Then to Nanluguoxia and then to the Olympic Park! And for dinner, we had hot pots (liken to steamboat in Malaysia). Saying our goodbyes was not easy but i'm sure in time, we will meet again.

That was the end of the conference, but not the journey. We extended our stay to explore more of Beijing and honestly, Beijing blew me away- good and bad. It was much bigger than i expected. We went to the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, Wangfujing Street, Summer Palace, National Grand Theater, Temple of Heaven, Lama Temple, Confucius Temple, Donghuamen Street, Silk Market, and Beijing Zoo. More story on these places can be found in my other blog: wonderfoodtravel.blogspot.com. We flew back to Malaysia via Dragon Air and Cathay Pacific, but i was too tired to enjoy my flight experience- i was practically knocked out on the plane. The moment we took off, i fell asleep and when i woke up, i heard the co-pilot requesting the stewardess to take their seats for landing.

Returning to my uni, i expected to have post-hols blues but luckily, i didn't. This semester, this season, is my final year, final semester moment- and i only have one study course and two project courses. Every week can be said to be my mid-sem break; i have classes on Tuesday and Wednesday only. Sometimes busy, sometimes free, this season will also see much of me wanting to complete my to-do list.

Two weeks back, we had an outing to Pangkor Island- my first, ticked. It was a great trip; recalling the experience makes me miss the waves. Just this morning, my batchmates organized a Sports Day. I was in the Red House, the champion team, but beyond the competition, it was a wonderful bonding moment for all of us and definitely a memory we will all cherish far and out of this uni years.

So many things to explore, to discover, but time is limited. Let me return to the to-do list, prioritze and keep strong balance between the serious stuff and play time. wc13 is ready.


*Ratings for previous season was four star.

Season 9, Episode 1: Single Entry.

Can you believe it? The only post for this semester, in this blog, is at the end of the semester. I cannot think of any other fitting title than 'Single Entry.' because, obviously, it is a single entry to this season and because of another reason i shall disclose by the end of this post.

Final year student. People say final year is when your timetable becomes free-er. True, emphasis on the timetable, because while the classes became less, the workload or stress did not decrease. Instead, there were weeks when we were packed with things to complete or submit, and be evaluated. In this season, i took 5 courses; 4 subjects, 1 final year project. If memory serves me right, i will go through this post from Week 1, so the next time i look back, i will be able to remember what i had done.

I began Week 1 with my heart and mind still in the magnificence of Cambodia. Fresh from the holiday, filled with post-hol mood, Week 1 was nothing much. Some lecturers weren't even in yet, so classes were not entirely serious. The main highlight of the first few weeks is the selection of our final year project topic. While the proper way is to bid for our preferred topic on first come first basis, some, me included, went to the lecturer to get the topic beforehand. Much drama, much anxiety, i got a topic which is current and promising. Only time will tell how far i can go, with the knowledge i have.

One of the weekends was Thaipusam and since i was back in KL, i decided to visit Batu Caves for the celebration. If i can withstand the crowd, the next time i will go to Batu Caves is the next Thaipusam. The atmosphere was amazing, colourful and i simply enjoyed immersing myself in the vividness and variety of culture. Chinese New Year was next- so how can we really start the semester until later weeks? My friends and i had a reunion dinner to celebrate CNY and to celebrate our journey over the past 8 seasons. Food was good, companions were better. In the same note of cultural activities, a few of us went to a temple in Ipoh to celebrate Chap Goh Mei. Again, i enjoyed being there. The activities going on created and amplified the festive mood, knowing that it was the last day of CNY. I also liked the temple. There was an interesting bridge of rocks where we need to close our eyes and cross it. I did that. Then we hiked up the hill, in the dark, in the night.

We had other outings. Movie outings. Makan outings. The Impossible, definitely a tear-jerking, moving movie. Journey to the West by Stephen Chow had some really good laughs. Hansel and Gretel gives action non-stop. Had original white coffee hunt. Had nasi kandar people called nasi ganja. Had Swiss roll hunt. Visited wall paintings. Karaoke sessions. Late night mamak sessions or McD supper. Light paintings too! Oh, these memories of a final year student. Suddenly feeling that there is so much to be done with so little time left. Oh yes, my friends celebrated my birthday at Secret Recipe. Two two, yo!

It was not all fun all the way. Quizzes, tests, assignments and projects. Did our first filming for a coursework. There were times when work got so loaded, my head spun. The idea of final exams also too, is intimidating, after being almost a year without one. I think for the serious stuffs, i'll leave it until here.

And yes, before i forget, there's this sudden urge and desire to play Bridge, or Hearts, during our meal sessions. An interesting game, even more interesting if plots and twists are added to confuse the game. I think these add fun and complexity to the game, though not all will agree with me.

I did promise another reason for this title at the top of my blog, right? Check out my food and travel blog site. It's wonderfoodtravel.blogspot.com. Click it and you'll find nothing there related to this, yet, other than it being the same author.

So the other reason is, this title also indicates a single entry visa to a country. Where to? wc13 will tell you in the next post, at the end of the end.