Za'ba RC- Chapter 2: Malam Kebudayaan

There it is again, every year around this time, the nites in Za'ba RC will not be silent anymore. This is the time of the year, where Balai Za'ba will be transformed from a normal outdoor experimental stage into three different cultural houses. 3 cultural performances, for 3 consecutive nites all under one roof...there's no other place where we can find sumthing similar.

Just imagine, the same stage...transformed into 3 different villages. The first nite, u see a Malay village, the second nite, u'll see an Indian village, and 3rd nite, u'll see a Chinese village. All under the same spot, the same environment, the same building (almost collapse dy) with the same trees. U dun have to go to India to see India, dun have to go China to see China....u can see all just three nites. That's what makes Za'ba a special place, with special spirit can't be found elsewhere.

It's hard to describe the feelings, but when u're there...even if u're nt involved, u can feel the aura...what makes it more special, is the aura lasts for 3 nites. This year it was more special. Bcz the challenge is - the weather. It's uncontrolled. Rain. Rain. Drops of rain. Instead of bringing down these tough 7th residents, it brought them together.

I missed MKM because of the rain as well. No transport to get to college. Would have been to support if there's transport. However, I found that they did quite well. The next nite, instead of goin to 12th to watch MKTH, I opt to go MKI. Because it's more special. They were great. Their dances were energetic and filled with stories. I even danced and sort of 'SS'. My body kinda can't control itself. Unfortunately, i had no camera to put up some pics. Even more sad, I had to leave early coz i was taking a ride home from a friend.

3rd nite, was MKC. Every year, excited to wait for MKC, bcz i was involved back in 2005. I know how it feels. When i arrived, and heard the college and cc song, my heart moved. Bcz there were so much memory in there. Every spot in college, there'll be a story to tell. For the first time..MKC was moving around the college. From Balai Za'ba to Dewan to basketball court to carpark. Things were out of control...and got confused. But the spirit of keep goin, grew stronger within the souls of these juniors. Too many sleepless nites to sacrifice...they won't give up to stop.

What struck my heart was...i heard: some juniors who at first didn't want to join MKC...suddenly miss MKC. They now understand how MKC changed their lives. So shame on those who didn't want to get involved in MKC. What was disappointing, was some juniors, who arrogantly refuse to join MKC came down to watch, wearing MKC shirt but not helping at all. Instead they sat down among the audience. These are the people who will fail in life, who will gain nothing but regrets. I know coz, MKC changed my life. And i've seen for my own eyes, ppl changed after MKC. That's what makes 7th Malam kebudayaan special than malam kebudayaan found elsewhere.

Za'ba RC- Chapter 1: Nama diabadikan...

Di sini bermulanya langkahku,
Menjunjung cita,
Perkasakan aspirasi negara,
Lahir generasi berjaya, bersemangat waja,
Kami berpadu, minda dicurah...
Akan kami sama buktikan,
Tuju kecemerlangan

Za'ba nama diabadikan,
Kolej menjadi kebanggaan,
Akan ku mahkota harapan,

Impian tradisi warisan...
Pelbagai rupa dan bangsa,
Hidup sejahtera,
Bersatu....bersama....Di Kolej Kediaman Za'ba...

Every year, around this time, where everyone else are at home, celebrating 'Dong Zhi' and Christmas, i would be at my 2nd home, Za'ba college. i used to be 1 of the first to come back during holidays and usually 1 of the last to leave. Not that i love the college so much, but i love the environment, the spirit of its residents and its tradition (although the facilities were quite outdated). During this time of the year, i would be busy practising Ethnic Creative Dance (Tarian Kreatif) for UM Festival of Performing Arts Competition, representing Za'ba RC (for all 3 years of undergraduate). We are famously and proudly known as Za'ba Dancers.

Top: Girls dancing by standing on top of guys (that's me!) in Lingkaran Hidup 2006
Bottom: Three men tier, bottom (me), 2nd level (Ah Guan), 3rd level (Wei Yee) in Kalong 2008

Top: Celebration after the dance, 2006, we're the Champions!
Bottom: Celebration with friends, 2008, 2nd runner up.

The moment i first heard the college song, (lyrics above) i felt a strong bond with it. I knew at that time, that this is the college, where i will build my foundation. And i knew as well, that this is gonna be the place where i'll face the brightest and darkest days of my campus life (or maybe i'm just bit different from others). How deep my bond to college, is indescribable with words. i would term it this way; if i were cut, i bleed Za'ba. It is that deep. At least for me, it is that DEEP.

To some, Za'ba RC is just a normal residential college. To most, especially ppl like me, Za'ba is a home. A home where all brothers and sisters, with different races live together as one. When one insults our college, the whole college will be all out to defend. It is THAT, that feeling i doubt i will find elsewhere. Some will opt to move out by 2nd year, but most will fight to stay. In their mind, they say convenience...bt i know in their heart, it's just the spirit. How do i know that? From their involvement in college projects and the will and heart they put, in making college project a success.

Some of the best photos of college project NVC (National Varsity Counselling).
Top: Just got down from plane in KK, Sabah.
Bottom: Makan-makan in Ranau.

Below 1st pic: The crowd during opening in Kuching.
Below 2nd pic: That's me giving counselling!

The day we left college, the final day, i remember, i was in tears...i know the 3 years when i was there, i've stamped a mark in that college (though i know, the current admin trying to wipe out my name in college) so does it stamped its mark in my heart. Friendship, life, organizing, family values, love....all these, i've learnt from this college. No doubt. i can still remember, every single moment i had in that college. I could still see the shadow of myself, what i was doing at every corner of the college; my rooms (A425, A305, A205), lobby, tennis court, IS, Balai Za'ba, basketball court, futsal court, BRP, adin kemas and peka rooms, girls block (ok, i only go in during open floor and spot checks, that also being accompanied by fellows).

i came to UM with a mindset, not on academic only...but life as well. As the saying goes, the best youth life is campus life. That's where we meet our true friends, our love, our reason for living. But how many share the same feeling as i do? How many would appreciate this chance? We come to uni only once in our lifetime...and that's it. You'll never get it back. We only appreciate things when they are gone, and even if you get them back, they would never be the same anymore.

7th CC in memory!...

I was listening to the songs in my laptop, and out of random, 7th CC song was being played. The song suddenly reminded me of my days in 7th college, and thus inspired me to share my experience here.

CC, in short for Chinese Community (now as Chinese Cultural Club) was a community where the Chinese of 7th college organize activities based on cultural and celebration themes. Sometimes, v also hv some gatherings to celebrate (u knowlar, Malaysian Chinese always like to celebrate) say, seniors for convocation, seniors who are leaving college, or even juniors coming into college. It was kinda fun to have these activities that touches the heart. Of course, the existence of CC had caused some commotion among other races, sad to say, especially the Malays. I still dun understand, why they always question the existence of CC or even IC (Indian community) when they themselves have Balai Islam (and its religious). CC and IC activities have always been touching on culture, celebration and sometimes gathering for friends…no religious nor political agendas. Whenever we question back on Balai Islam but why not there’s CC and IC? They would always answer, “Perpecahan kaum”, or even said..Balai Islam is open for all but CC and IC are only for one race…(such a lame excuse).

I have this belief, “perpecahan kaum” doesn’t happen just because CC and IC existed. In fact, having CC was even an easier platform to form unity. It gives the opportunity, especially those Chinese educated ones, to understand the mindset and culture of other races. This is due to the platform of CC to explain and slowly nurture the knowledge among the Chinese. Besides, the existence of CC also helps to protect the welfare of the Chinese, when sometimes decision of the college admin was done solely based on the easiness of Malays (I hv to admit these do happen). Very good example… college can only serve halal food, so they sumtimes tend to serve beef as the only meat. They never thought that beef was considered ‘non-halal’ to Indian and some Chinese. But they still serve them. Another one is spicy food. It’s normal that Chinese don’t usually manage spicy food…but they never cared about this. All of the students paid the same amount of fees and should deserve the same fair treatments.

However, I hope that my juniors in college now, could still protect the existence of CC and the welfare of Chinese since the college din really care much of the minorities. And hope they do not misuse the platform for political or racial agendas. Sometimes I felt disappointed when some juniors with college posts, are more concerned about their posts rather than the welfare of the students (I’m referring to all races). They tend to be the ‘yes boss’ type and more worried of losing their posts rather than worrying about the welfare of students (how would the country be like in future, since they will be the future leaders).

Back to the main topic what I wanted to share is that how CC had played a part in changing my life. I was brought up in a more Malay lifestyle, and even had the malay mindset. Until I got into UM, I finally discover the true Chinese inside of me. I become more aware of Chinese culture, and their history. I even now regretted that I cant read in Chinese. Their language is so wonderful and very meaningful in expressing the right feelings in words. The idioms, usually in fours can already described precisely the right expression and feelings.

Joining my friends in CC had brought me to understand how important closeness of a family and friends. The moments shared between us were more to pure feelings in the heart. I get to understand, life is meaningless without friends. One of the big projects which had an impact in my life was MKC (Malam Kebudayaan Cina). Not only I get to understand the real Chinese culture and history..but I get to understand my friends. Closer than before. Sad to say now, some juniors now even told others “I’d been busy for few months, but dunno for wat”. To me, it was a worlds most stupid phrase. It showed how now people carry out projects blindly. During my time, we put every effort into making MKC a successful project. All efforts and even our hearts into it. To me personally, MKC have taught me about life…how to deal with friends and the joy of making sumthing successful. The whole CC was working with each other, although usually the 1st years are the organizers and do all the performances.

MKC preparation was challenging. That was when where we would hug each other for a task completed. Or even held each other’s head on shoulders for a task not completed. Or even cried together in a group for a task failed. There were even times we would quarrel for clashed opinions. All these were best times in CC…the effects were very obvious right after the day MKC was over. Everyone, including seniors were in their tears right when the night was finally over. The 7th CC song was loudly sung by all of us, as it was the first time this song was played in the public. Then followed by Za’ba College anthem…which even made our tears running even faster…there were so much memories in college and in CC…too much til I can’t bear to see all these spirit no longer exist within the hearts of 7th residents.Time flies and the generation had changed. Some of the juniors now refused to listen to advices, claiming them as brainwashing. They tend to see things by effects on current conditions rather than thinking the consequences in future. It’s good to have changes, but changes will then have to achieve its new objectives. What’s the point of having changes, when the objectives would be the same or even worse. Some may condemn me for what I’ve written but I hope they realize their actions before condemning. The younger generations now tend to pint point on others mistakes without realizing that they also have responsibilities. To forgive someone’s mistake is hard, but to admit own mistake is even harder. I hope the current residents of 7th would start to learn 3 important things:-

1. Make decisions and changes, bearing in mind what are the outcomes in next few years, not within the same year…
2. Fight for students welfare, not for protection of own position..
3. Carry out projects by putting the heart to achieve them, not for the sake of just doing it..

I just hope our juniors will in the end turn out to be a successful and unselfish leaders, as the future of our country lies within the hands of these future leaders.

7th CC ho seh,ho seh, ho ho ho seh!

Za'ba Champs again!

"7th college....power! 7th college...power! 7th college..power,power,power!. Za'ba power..yah! Za'ba power..yah! Za'ba power..yah,yah,yah!" - Those were the days...when i was the cheers leader for orientation week in UM (also known as Minggu Haluansiswa, MHS). When i first came in to Za'ba, i never expect to end my journey of college (not college in institutions, but residential college) in such a high note. The first responsibility given, unexpectedly was the cheers leader. I have never expected that coming, but nevertheless, i liked it (i meant i like cheers, not being cheers leader). Until today, the atmosphere of cheering in Dewan Tunku Canselor, still fresh in my mind.

A year before my MHS, Za'ba college emerged as champion of cheering competition (year 2004). Michael Ng, who was my mentor and the cheers leader for the year 2004, lead the team to champions. However, during my time, in 2005 we only managed as first runner up. I was disappointed myself, but it was an enjoyable moment for me. I was determined the next year I will be back to help regain the title by becoming Pembantu Mahasiswa (PM) to help our juniors to regain the title. Joseph, Fairus and Sanjivi were the cheers leaders that time. It was a different feeling then, being the one to guide the leaders instead of leading. However, luck wasn't on our side again. For the second time, we were in second place. The year after that, 2006, Za'ba finally lost its touch. There wasn't any placing for us. No one knows exactly where went wrong. No one knows. But the cheers leader that year, managed to bring back the glory, the trophy, this year, when he and his team guided the freshies to emerged as champions!..Bravo! Guess i was the bad charm for Za'ba...a year before i enter, we won...a year later after i finished, we won again. But the years that i was in Za'ba, we didn't win. Amazing, huh?...well, maybe i'm a bad luck for Za'ba.

Cheers competition, is a common thing in UM, and it has become a tradition in UM. No other uni in msia have the tradition that we do. This cheers tradition doesn't just stop at MHS, bt will be carried along all the way until the next year, and the year after...and so on. Even until now, it's in my blood. The rivalry between colleges doesn't just end after MHS, instead it will be carried on for years. But it's a healthy rivalry, bcoz from these rivalry, we get to know each other...just like the rivalry between MU and Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal. It goes on and on and on. In return, it makes the residents of that college becomes closer and have a strong relationship to the college (not all lar of course, some nerds wont ever feel the love to the college, but to the books instead). It builds a strong teamwork, communication skills and leadership as leading the team wasn't easy, and i'm not saying a team of 40 or 50...but 400 to 500. It was a challenge to all the leaders. It was a challenge to the team as well, for 400 to 500 people to be able to follow one's instruction and signal.

The situation is like in the battle scenes in Lord of The Rings, at Helms Deep and at Minas Tirith. The teams are eagerly to attack each other, and to defend themselves. Waiting for the command from the general, one shout, or even one hand signal, the war begins. The crowd in DTC will roar till walls shook, heart beat increased and blood pumped like waterfall. During my year, the best scene i'll never forget, was during the sports event...the horn was blown, and almost 400 of us, who were hiding under a tent, behind one big banner...ran out like soldiers ramming into war, just like the scene at Helms Deep, where Gandalf brought the Rohirrims to the rescue during the first light in the morning. We roared like dragons and ran thru the whole field, carrying banners (these banners are really damn big) as if we are really in war. The best scene for me a year after that, was the last day, when our college was split into two on the first floor, left and right of DTC. It was a difficult position becoz both sides are facing each other, and the leader cant be seen clearly. However, the strategy i planned worked out in the end, amazingly, both sides were very synchronized in their movement, and their cheeers, stunned the whole crowd watching us from below! These were the best moment which i'll never forget.

Looking back at the video now, i looked like sum crazy, hyperactive guy cheering like monkey. But when come to think of it, it was really fun and will never be forgotten in my campus life, in UM. I hope i can still feel the atmosphere just like in a stadium roaring when their team scored last gasp winning goal in soccer...during my convo this 7th of Aug. Well done Za'ba...once a Za'bahan, always a Za'bahan.