The Idiot's Guide to Surviving College Life

Well, with the holidays finally here, coupled with the fact that I and a few others are left 4 dead here in Kolej Cendana to face off the unrelenting hordes of zombehs trying to chew our brains out, I finally have the TIME to BLOG!

Oh, joy is me! =D

Finally, a time to schedule meaningful and not-so-random blog posts for my readers to read and enjoy!

Well, I think that this post would detail the particulars of what most of the readers here are anxiously waiting for: Nat's evil plan to dominate and rule the wor I mean, his getting through life in college.

For starters, I think it's best to acquaint my readers to the place which I call home for the following year or so.

So, this is Cendana College. An all-boys only college dormitories. Yeah, only god knows how I'm going to get through the year without turning gay.


Anyhoo, the college is located in Section 6 of Shah Alam and it has quite a decent locality (as in, not being in the middle of a jungle or anything, durh)

There are convenience stores nearby, a laundromat and varied enough a place to get food (so that you don't eat the same damn thing day after day).

Further down the main street of Section 6 will be an 4-way junction. Here you can find a Petronas, a 7-Eleven and the rows of convenience shop on each quadrant of the junction.

Things here are a wee bit expensive. But the Big Gulps are so totally worth it...

Ah, the row of shops which houses the convenience stores, the laundromat and the ever-infamous Dawood

A place to withdraw cash. 'Nuff said

At said junction, if you take a left down to where 7-Eleven is and walk further behind it, you will soon come to a row of mamak stalls* (or Mak Indon/RM 3.50/RM2.70 stores as we call it)

Not too hygienic, but at least they cook hot food...

They normally serve nasi campur or prepare hot cooked foods depending on the time of the day. Usually it's nasi campur during lunch and hot cooked meals during dinner.

The first night I ate here, I was puking my stomach all over the place in 5 mins. Don't get me wrong though, I couldn't stomach the masak merah and kangkong belacan.

XD XD

*But during Ramadhan (fasting month) they only open for dinner, so we poor students of Cendana can only resort to Maggi mee or the nearby (as in, 15 mins walk away) KFC and McDonalds for lunch.

Oh yeah, there's usually a pasar malam held at the local marketplace on Tuesdays and Fridays. But to call it a pasar malam is an overstatement. It opens at 5 and closes by 8. Some pasar MALAM, aye?


However, it's usually a god-sent salvation for us college kids. There's a lot of things to see, eat and buy at the pasar malam.


There's fried mee hoon, murtabak, nasi percik, lok-lok, kuih, kebabs, sandwiches, satays, you name it!

(And of course the ape cum stall as William so aptly describes it. Don't think dirty la. It's the stall selling those syrup drinks nia)



Okay, so that's enough about the locality of the place. Let's delve into the survival skills I employ to get me through a day in college alive, shall we?

Morning

So, my day usually begins at 6-6.30 in the every morning. (classes start at 8 am everyday, unlike some others...) While my fogged-up brain tries to orient itself to the waking world, I drag my sorry derriere out of bed.


While the rest of my roommates are rushing for the use of the bathrooms, I sit back and slowly enjoy my breakfast.



I usually get business done in the toilet beforehand and when I exit, everyone's already done with the bathroom so I take my time to bathe.

By the time I get down to the road outside to join in the queue for the buses, it's already 7.20 am. So I take my time to get onto the bus and doze off during the 15 minutes journey it takes to get from Cendana, Section 6 to the Intec campus at Section 17.


Since I'm the class representative (read: scape goat) of Boston, I head on down to the Office of Student Services and Placement (OSSP) to collect the attendance book before making my way up to class.

Boston-ians. "You can't touch this"

Once in class, I set my mind to auto-pilot, pay attention to lecturers*, take down notes and basically just cruise through lessons, eagerly awaiting lunch-time.

*Lecturers in the American Program are well, let's say, out-of-the-ordinary. Keep an open mind, and I mean a really open mind, and one will find that the American Program is one heck of a crazy place.

Afternoon

At lunch, I have the choice of heading off to one of three cafeterias dotting the campus:

1.AUSMAT cafe (which serves expensive, average tasting nasi campur but the cafe's air-conditioned)

2. A-Levels cafe (which has tons of people queuing up for the fantastic and reasonable nasi campur but the place's HOT HOT HOT)

3. ADFP/ACTP cafe (which is newly opened and serving only a small variety of nasi campur. At least the price is reasonable and it is so much closer to our classrooms)

I usually boycott the AUSMAT cafe.

Don't know why. Don't ask. =P

So, I usually have lunch at the remaining two cafes on alternative days. But then, they still serve practically the same thing at differing prices.

If I don't have classes in the afternoon or am not required to sit for the god-forsaken, 4-hour long SAT exams, I would usually go to the library to look up information for my assignments, make use of the uber awesome Wi-fi there and develop frostbite later on.

OR

I would take the next bus out of Intec to go back to either Cemara/Akasia colleges -for grocery shopping and the occasional ogling at girls- or Cendana for a well-deserved afternoon nap*.

*One can only resort to this recreational activity if one is sure there are no assignments to be completed. Or else, you're screwed.

Evening

After a good game of basketball, it's already dinner time! I would almost always head on down to Mak Indon for the nasi campur or Dawood (nasi pattaya and the teh tarik are a must try!) if I craved for some freshly-cooked food.

If it's Tuesday or Fridays, I would head on down to the pasar malam for nasi percik, satay and of course, the uber-delicious ape cum!!





Oh yeah, there's also a food van that opens daily from 6 pm to 9 pm serving dinner. Usually for those who are too lazy to walk out to get their dinner. Prices there are reasonable, I guess.

After stuffing my face full with dinner, I head back to my dorms and in the time before I prepare for bed-time, I spend it completing assignments or having late-night gaming sprees with William and the rest.

If I'm not gaming, you would see me busy doing laundry. It's during laundry that I decide to revert back to the olden ways.

Washing machines?

Hell naw........

Laundry services?

Puh-lease.....

Nothing beats the wonders of hand-washed laundry!


After getting down and dirty with the clothes, I finally take an evening bath and retire to bed. Only to face the same routine all over again tomorrow.

Sigh....

Weekends

I believe the chronicling of the sheenanigans I get up to on the weekends deserves another blog post on its own, no?

Till then, expect more updates soon.

=D

Relief and a Respite

Holidays are here at last. Finally!

Nat is happy, in nirvana even. No more classes. No more going to campus. No more stress.

I hope.

Anyways, time to give this baby blog of mine a little attention. Don't wanna be getting my ass sued for child neglect and abuse.

Got back from Ampang just now. Touched by Chi Liang's family's hospitality when it comes to treating their guest. Sob sob

Ampang chicken rice. Ampang Yong tou foo. Delicious. Tastebuds agree that it's a god-sent miracle from heaven.

Damn, I'm being random. Must be playing Prototype soon. To keep my sanity in check.

Awesome holidays are awesome......

=D

Dissecting the Manifesto!

As promised, here is a more in-depth look at the direction that my campaign is heading. First off, let's start off with the motto that I have so painstakingly thought of to base my campaign on.

"No. 1 in Academics, Discipline, Fun and Play-time"

Those with observant minds will immediately notice that the motto is another take on the ADFP acronym which my seniors playfully dub "All Day Fun and Play". As much as I would like to agree with them, college life doesn't quite work that way anymore.

So, instead of branding ourselves as an "All play and no work" kind of students, I've opted for a more accurate portrayal of the American Program students. After giving it much thought, I finally settled for this motto.

Basically what it means is that we American Program students can study our butts off when need be through sheer willpower and DISCIPLINE, but at the end of the day when work is done and finished with, we show the students of other programs how we PARTY and PLAY like a pro.

To put simply, why must studying be a dull and boring process? Whoever said that we can't have fun while we pore through our books? And that is basically what I intend to do if elected as Vice President of ATUSA.

I wish for people to think of a conducive environment which strikes a balance between both play and work. Sure, I think most seniors can attest to the fact that we have more than enough work than play in the American Program, so why not we inject a little bit more fun while we're here in Intec, right?

Remember the redundant and cliche idiom? "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy". Yeah, you get the general idea.

Events I plan for ATUSA to carry out:

Ah, before I begin, I would like to thank all those who have implicitly or explicitly commented on the flaws of my manifesto as well as those who have forwarded suggestions for my consideration.

Public input is really vital to helping me pinpoint the areas of which students -both seniors and juniors- think could still have room for improvement. Furthermore, I now have a better idea on the types of activities students would like to see ATUSA carry out.

So, thank you all for your suggestions, criticism and comments. They really mean a lot to me.

Academic Activities

From most suggestions, it seems as though most academic activities I have in mind are somewhat redundant. Most of them seem to already be implemented in the American Program on way or another. Anyway, as promised, a brief overview on the events I plan for ATUSA to carry out.

1. Field trips to the US embassy
Having heard from a lecturer that field trips to the embassy is somewhat unlikely as there are strict rules and regulations imposed, I have instead thought of an alternative. If a field trip to the embassy is impossible, perhaps a field trip to another place of interest might be appropriate and do-able.

2. Cultural Learnings of all things America
Thankfully, the seniors have pointed out to me that these lessons are somewhat redundant as American Cultural Lessons are already implemented in the American Program. Therefore, rather than focusing my effort into organizing such lessons, I figured my time and effort would be better off hosting other activities and events. Kudos to the seniors for pointing this out to me!

3. American Classroom Ethics Lesson
Again, same as activity number 2 above. Nuff' said.

4. Better Facilitation/Announcement of University Talks
I think that ATUSA can better provide for the students in regards of such talks. I was thinking of perhaps devising a better way to inform students of the American Program of such talks.

According to several students, they find it rather troublesome that they were only informed of such talks at the last minute. Even then, they were not sure of the details of the talks. Therefore, perhaps a better way to pass the information around could be devised.

Recreational Activities

1. More activities during American Indulgence Week
Just to clarify things, I am still planning on keeping tradition alive with American Indulgence Week. Staple activities such as parades, Halloween Night, dodgeball and Luau Parties are still going to be part of American Indulgence Week.

However, what I do intend to change is to add more fun activities into the mix, if budget and time limitations allow. Still, I will try to push for ATUSA to have more activities during Indulgence Week.

2. Spring Break!
Yes, we all know that it means holidays to us American Program kids. But to look at it in a broader perspective, Spring Break is actually an annual festivity that is synonymous with all American college kids. In short, Spring Break involves sand, sea, surf and a lot of suntan lotion.

I intend for ATUSA to organize an outing to the beach where the students can just sit back, chill out and have fun in particular in conjunction with our Spring Semester Break.

3. Wacky American Gameshows
I bet we are all familiar with all those crazy reality game shows that the Americans are capable of cooking up. Some may wish for more of these to be organized by ATUSA so that they may be able to take part and a few others may just wish for the American Program to break with conventions and organize other new gameshow-type events instead.

In the previous years, it was America's Got Talent. Perhaps, this year we could organize something else instead like Wheel of Fortune, The Amazing Race, Smarter than a Fifth Grader, just to name a few.

4. Competitive video games tournaments
We (guys in particular) know what this activity should be all about. DOTA and Counter-Strike and all those other video games in the USA that is being played profesionally which pits players against players in the ultimate quest to crown a champion in their respective games.

I realize the very high possibility that the HEP may not approve of this activity being carried out by ATUSA. Nonetheless, I will try my best to push for this activity to be given the green light. After all, one cannot deny that video games are the very thing that's been keeping us sane throughout college life, no?

5. Keeping Old Traditions Alive
As it name implies, that's what I exactly plan to do should I be elected as Vice President of ATUSA. Activities that students are fond of or have been implemented in the American Program for quite some time shall be carried out as usual but with better management and implementation.

I end this in-depth review of my manifesto here. (I'm sure some are already bleeding out of their eyes after reading walls after walls of text)

So, should you find me worthy of your votes, please, do vote for Nathaniel Sia.

Vote for Nathaniel Sia! Vote for a better ATUSA!

Elections will be held at:
Cemara Hall
8.30 pm to 10.3o pm
17th August 2009 (Monday)

*Buses will depart from Cendana to Cemara at 8.00 pm

Nathaniel for Vice President!!

No. 1 in Academics, Discipline, Fun and Playtime!

At ADFP/ACTP, we’re no. 1 in Academics, Discipline, Fun and Play-time!

As of such, ATUSA (American Top Universities Student Association) is in need of a new Vice President to see this vision through.

Do you:

• Wish for the American Degree Foundation Program (ADFP) or the American Credit Transfer Program (ACTP) to yield more academic benefits?
  

• Wish for a little bit more zing in your time here in Intec?

• Think that you are learning all but the things that you so desperately need to help you prepare for life in the States?

• Wish to further indulge in the culture of all things American?

No problem!

Should you be one of the many who share this view, then you’re in luck! Cuz’ good, ol’ Nathaniel is here for you! Let me first get it straight with you; I’m no miracle worker. However, what I do lack in the ability to make miracles happen, I can make up for by making your voices heard in ATUSA!

So, whatever your demands or suggestions might be so that ATUSA can better provide for its students, feel free to lay it down on the table as I will always try to lend a listening ear before forwarding them to ATUSA for consideration. That is, provided I get elected as Vice President for ATUSA, of course.

With the welfare of the students in mind, here are some of the activities I already have playing around in my head.

Academic Activities:

1. A field-trip to the US embassy

2. Cultural Learnings of all things America

3. American Classroom Ethics Lessons

4. Better facilitation/announcement of university talks by American universities for ADFP/ACTP students

Recreational Activities:

1. Myriads more of activities during American Indulgence Week

2. Spring Break! (outing to a beach resort during Spring Semester Break)

3. Wacky American game shows (Wheel of Fortune, Smarter than a Fifth Grader, Etc etc...)

4. Competitive video gaming tournaments (Counter-Strike, D.O.T.A, etc etc....)

5. Keeping old traditions alive like America’s Got Talent, American Indulgence Week, ADFP speech night and more!

None of these activities interest you? Not too big a fan of some of these suggestions? Or perhaps your idea of fun is not stated here on the list?

Fear not, for I am more than willing to entertain almost any and every suggestion you may have. However, I cannot assure you that all these proposed activities will come to fruition. As of now, they are merely suggestions.

So, if you dream for new life to be breathed into the American program, something to spice up the time you have here in Intec, or simply to just make college life all the more bearable on a daily basis, look no further!

I can assure you that I am the man for the job to shape and mould the American program into a model of perfection that other programs will envy (or admire with awe).

Please, do come down to Cemara Hall on the 17th of August, 8.00 pm to cast your ballots!

Buses from Cendana departs at 8.00 pm.

Vote for Nathaniel Sia as Vice President!

Vote for a better ATUSA!