Sheffield Malaysian Night 2012

We all know Sheffield is a big city. Homely, comfortable and tight-knit, but big. And we all know that University of Sheffield is a darn big uni too.

It surprises me that we never had a Malaysian Night until this year. And it certainly made me so proud to be part of the production that will set off history in years to come.

So I decided to get my ass off relaxing and watching drama at home, to actually join a stage drama. I missed the first two auditions because I was too shy and indecisive.. but one day while talking to new friends over lunch I realized one of them was the vice president of MASSOC and he immediately texted the president to say I was interested to take up a role (they were short of people). Long story short, got a role, practised like hell over the last month, and voila, the next thing I know, I was on stage.

Everyone applauded our effort in pulling it off, with less than a month's preparation. Apparently other unis start their rehearsals wayyyyyyyy back. I'll spare you the details and show you a couple of pictures.

This is the most flattering picture of me so far. People compared me to a certain first lady the rakyat has come to despise, and I wasn't so flattered anymore after that. Wtf. But it wasn't easy to pull off the tudung look! And the only way to look "rich" is to have big hair, apparently. I had flat hair during rehearsals and was being called mak cik all the way. At least the hair upgraded me to being Datin.

This is only PART of the stage crew! It was such big happy family!

And those are me on stage! I've got a small yet significant role :P It's really really weird because my character has a different attitude in every scene wtf. First I'm the loving yet stern wife. After that I'm the apologetic friend. Then I'm the concerned mother. Last I'm the happy wife & friend!

Anyway it was good experience. I don't remember being in a play before, so this really taught me a lot. Plus I met so many other Malaysians I never would have met if I never joined! 

I don't know if I performed well, but I loved every moment of it! Thankfully the crowd was also one of the most responsive, supportive and amazing crowd ever -they were laughing SO much! Actually they even laughed when one of the characters died wtf dono they really know what is happening or not wan, simply laugh oni.

My name is Alyson, and no I didn't save up money since I was a kid to buy fifty Hermes bags. So stop nicknaming me Datin R*, it's one of the worst comments ever and I might just start getting offended.

Power

As you grow older you'll start to see how power changes people.

It's sad.

That's one reason why I never liked being in charge or holding on to power. I'd much rather sit back and enjoy with everyone else. Sure, it would do me good. Sure, it'll help me grow into a stronger person with better leadership. But why bother, when power comes with so much emotional baggage?

Petty

I've kick started my diet on January 30th 2012. By February 29th (that's in an hour), I'm supposed to have lost the tummy. By March 31st, I'm supposed to be back to size 6.

Before anyone starts worrying, I'd say relax. I've been exercising and changing my diets. Haven't been starving myself or sticking a finger down my throat. But the thing is, it isn't easy taking the slow way to lose weight.

Inconsiderate guys around me laugh at my plans, saying they're never gonna work and if I really wanna see results I should do this and that. It's funny because they're not even "fit" themselves. They're not fat... just not in the position to be criticizing my diet plan. And it just pisses me off, because hello?! 1) You're males. 2) You don't know what my aim is. 3) I'm not in a hurry to lose weight, and my plan works perfectly well within my time frame.

The most important point -I'm not FAT. I'm overweight. I have bits of flesh I wish I didn't have. I may not fit into my bodycons as nicely as before, but that's pretty much it.

Perhaps I'm one of the few girls who can take harsh words and mean jokes almost all the time. But everyone has limits. Know your limits and I'll keep to mine. I'm starting to rethink what people mean when they say I have hot temper. When I'm patient, no one notices. When I lose it, everyonnnnneeeee talks about it. And when I lose it, I tend to argue with really good points so the wound I inflict would have been a bit deeper. Just because I can be blonde when I joke, does not mean there's no venom in me :D wa cheh damn scary.

And I don't think any of you are in the position to talk to me about the effects of alcohol. Pfft. Sai lou zai. Until you've been in a drinking rut as bad as mine, shush. Until you've tried and tested what I have, shush.

SO ANYWAY.

Yeah that's all. And yes, I have definitely lost weight -even if just a bit! I can't tell for sure but looking into the mirror makes me feel much better now :)

Don't know if this will end up offending anyone, but as usual lah, not blogging to offend anyone I simply needed to get this off my chest.

Finally some rest.

Life in Sheffield has been completely dull until I started dragging my lazy ass to do more activities and fill up my free time with something other than watching drama while having dinner.

Workload didn't start until after the exams and boy has it been crazy. I've joined the MNight drama team and rehearsals started off slow. With two weeks to go until the big day, however, we have all been running around getting to practice like a bunch of insane kids. I've also taken up the role of campus rep for TFM. Wasn't expecting much work there besides attending Msian events with some preparation to talk like a salesman xD Except this salesman doesn't have to tell tall tales and this salesman also believes in what she's "selling". Notice I didn't say salesgirl because I've always thought men are better at pitching these talks.

So last week had been full of rehearsals and preparation for TFM in Sheffield Msian games. Then it was also Jessica's birthday so that took up two whole days. Also had my experimental proposal due and socials to attend to widen my connections. Then I had to sort out my CitizenCard, damn ma fan. Also some of my stuff started selling on eBay!

In short, I spent very little time at home and had to tapau my meals everywhere to save money. With such an uncertain yet busy schedule, I can't help but feel offended when the adults ask me, "EH?! Not yet find a job ah?".

Yes I'm sure you've met so-and-so's son/daughter who gets excellent grades, has lotsa extracurricular activities and still found the time to work at the local Chinese restaurant downtown.

But if I'm not already reaching my limits at this point, I'll start to doubt my sanity.

Teach For Malaysia

Heard a very inspiring phrase from a fellow campus rep today,

"If you can lead a group of unmotivated children and make them listen to what you say, imagine what you can do when standing in front of a boardroom of directors."

I've never blogged openly about my interest in Teach For Malaysia (TFM) before, but this quote pretty much changed me. I want people to know that TFM is not just a teaching job, and not just a stepping stone for better things.

So many misconceptions. So many different views. We are steering away from the real cause TFM was formed.

Focus, people, on how education is important for all of us. Fine, so Bill Gates did not graduate yada yada yada. But he does not represent even 1% of the uneducated! It's stupid how people downplay the importance of education by using Bill Gates as an example. Why don't you quote the experiences of those who did not make it in life simply because they were unfortunate enough NOT to have received proper education?

Think about what you can do :)

http://www.teachformalaysia.org/