It's not a goodbye

Assalamualaikum folks,

My final exams is just 2 weeks away. But I can't stop myself from writing this. Just a short one, promise!

So today there's May Fayre happening in Weston Park, Sheffield. It's like funfair, family kind of entertainment event. Sheffield University Samba Band was invited to perform. This is an annual gig that everyone in the band looks forward to. Some were gutted not being able to join today. And it was this event (apart from the show during Freshers' Week) that drew my attention to this band. Oh how happy I am to get the chance to perform in the bandstand which used to be shared by several famous band. Hehehe I can now crossed out this one from my list. 

Anyways, I am equally sad that this has to be our final gig. Lots of faces will be gone next year. Some are done with U, some goes for internship and some decided to just leave. But life goes on! I'm pretty sure there will be new talents and amazing people to meet :)

InsyaAllah, niat senior nak teruskan legacy Melayu Malaysian dalam band ni akan ditunaikan. 

Thanks for the wonderful year together, baterias!

Update: Made it to the cover photo he he he

Amirah Nasir.

I have a dream

to be better than before.

Knowing myself, I love talking. In fact, I talked a lot. Tak perlu untuk seseorang tu kenal diri ni, untuk tahu aku suka bercakap. Talking is my forte lah senang cerita. You can give me the mic, I’m ok with it. The thing is, I cant talk in front, as a leader. Selalu, selalu sangat aku buat kerja yang tak perlu untuk aku bercakap di hadapan. Macam dealing with people, socialise, call here and there. What a membership and networking people does, what a public relation people does - connecting people. That all, is a piece of cake to me. Yeap, tu semua bercakap juga. Yang bezanya kerja belakang tabir.

For the past 21 years I’ve been living, every single time people would ask me why I rejected some post, I had no answer (more to no confident). You see, people believed in me. Parents, family, teachers, friends. Well… I do jugak! But the question is, to what extend? 

Benda ni dah lama dalam pekuk otak ni, cuma tak sampai ke tahap realisation yang mampu nak ketuk kepala ni. Selama ni dia stay unconcious dalam otak. Sampailah duduk dalam komuniti Sheffield ni. I dont know who did, but I was nominated for President and Vice President of SMSA. I thought, “These people are either too crazy to think I can handle this or too jahat to prank me”. Hence, without thinking much, I forfeited. I still went for the AGM tho. Didn’t have anything better to do, so why not. When Fadhlan (our current President for SMSA 15/16 sess) talked about his manifesto, it hit me. In his speech, he said “I like to challenge myself and get out of my comfort zone. I set myself to learn and master a game every two years.” And he did! The best part is, he didnt just stopped playing the game when he starts a new one.

This got me thinking. Like wow! Pasaipa aku tak terpikiaq macam ni? Awat aku bongok sangat dok living in the comfort zone, tak challenge myself, taknak workload banyak, bagi studies as an excuse. So lame! I thought doing kerja belakang tabir is sufficient to boast myself. Enough is enough. I need to do something even better. So aku bangkit, berazam untuk berubah. Tapi takde channel.

Then, 2 weeks ago my name was nominated as the Director of SG. I was like whaaaaat, gilak ni gilak. Went home, think like deep shit and after consulting lots of people, I took it. Went for an interview (two parts - convincing the judges and answering their questions). I competed with my very close buddy here in Sheffield - Ikmal. He as always, came in prepared - physically (sharp looking suit! I wore whatever sweater haha) and mentally (good points to deliver!). But luck was on my side, alhamdulillah. Hence, you’re reading at an entry written by the Cik Director for SMG16. First female SG Director in 24 years. SMG as the second biggest games in the UK and Eire. I am so going to work hard with my team and make this as the best! We will prove that a lady can be a leader too :)

And yesterday, was the first ever SG meeting I chair(wo)maned. If I had the chance, I really want to thank the person who nominated me. Alhamdulillah!

Amirah Nasir.

Day 1 with Juliets Take Paris

Assalamualaikum folks,

Finally had time to blog on my trip to Paris last Easter break. Nope, nothing is ever too late haha.

The vacation went by #JulietsTakeParis. It was a 6 days 5 nights trip.

April fools not cuz we flew off to France with RyanAir (FR 3214) at noon of 1st April. Reached Beauvais Airport in 2 hours if I was not mistaken. Then we took a bus to Porte Maillot, the fare was 17 Euros. From there, we took the Metro (underground train) to Reuille-Diderot. 

While in queue to pass through France immigration

To Paris we go!

The subway

We were all too tired, so sat down before Alyaa decided to buy some bananas to eat. And suddenly the man replied us in Bahasa Melayu. Pergh!What a relieved! He had such sad story to be told :( 

"Duduk Malaysia banyak senang. Sini tadalah, susah. Saya banyak happy jumpa you orang. Sudah setahun tada nampak Melayu". 

He used to work in Malaysia for 20 years and thought he could make a better living in France. So he migrated, using his savings. And sadly, he regreted his decision. May Allah ease you uncle! Makes me feel so lucky, everytime.

The uncle

I remember it was really hard to find the place to our booked accomodation - an apartment. Probably because the locals gave us the wrong direction to start with haha. And we almost got kicked out by the guard, cuak. What an experience! So, for the first 4 days we stayed in an apartment with Ingrid Poitrimol, the landlord. Basically, the apartment was all to ourselves except for Ingrid's room, of course! Very recommended: as Ingrid speak understandable English, were supplied with variety of teas, shampoo, soaps and utensils, also three queen size mattress (too comfy!). Really, there was nothing to complain about. Unfortunately, I have no pictures (The day we arrived - my girls refused to get out from the bed they landed. The day we left - we were in the rush). Too bad though! :( But she's leaving for good to States this September. 

Our search, begins (with bag loads, cranky us!).

And that day ended with us gossiping and catching up with each other (last met everyone during Sheffield Games!).

Juliet,
Amirah Nasir.

Ponteng kelas

Assalamualaikum folks,

Universiti tempat berfikir (Sir Nasir, 2014).

I was just done with my advance final paper. Leaving me with 40 credits paper to fight on next month. And it got me thinking lah. Macam mana? Macam mana student (assume they're smartpants) yang tak pergi kelas, and yet still excels? Being smart is a thing lah, but having someone explaining and delivering is crucial, I must say. Not going to classes because you can study on your own, isn't it like defeating the process of learning?

Personally, I believe that even if we do not favor our lecturers, we still need to go to classes. It is impossible to not get anything from them (or in fact, everyone that crossed our path in life!). Rugilah kalau dah belajar overseas, masuk universiti terkemuka, dapat lecturer berpangkat Dr dan Prof, tapi kita tak berkejar kejar nak menuntut ilmu. And something different in the UK, lecturers do not like students to just come knocking on their door without informing earlier. But if we had, be sure to come on time. Unlike in Malaysia, we can just knock and ask bila bila. Best part is, if it is during their lunch break or after office hours, our lecturers in Malaysia will still entertain us. How berbudi bahasa and considerate of them nak menolong anak bangsa. Having to experience both local and abroad education system is such a blessing! :)

Disclaimers: I wrote the script before pergi exam sebenarnya, nak eased nervous. Kononnya.

Aftermaths revision for paper Chemical Engineering Design.

And me, after the paper, at the city hahaha

Yours truly,
Amirah Nasir.

47 days prior to Malaysia

Assalamualaikum folks,

Rindu.

Rindu mak bekalkan makanan untuk anak dia ni bawak pgi sekolah/asrama/kolej. Rindu mak message setiap pagi, walaupun sama je textnya. Rindu mak call cemas, kalau kalau anak dia tak bangun siap pergi kelas lagi. Rindu mak sakat sakat pasal kawan lelaki. Rindu nyanyi and enjoy lagu old folks dengan ayah dalam kereta. Rindu naik Satria, walau usang namun kereta paling bahagia. Rindu tengok ayah berkebun, menyapu tak penat. Rindu tengok ayah kena marah dengan mak sebab siram segala benda dekat luar. Rindu kena rotan dengan dorang. Rindu dorang hantar pergi tuitions. Rindu kejar van Pakcik before dorang pergi kerja. Rindu byebye dorang sampai dah tak nampak bayang kereta. Rindu ikut mak pergi kerja, tengok cara gaul dengan orang. Rindu tunggu ayah hon nak bukakan gate. Rindu tengok mak kabut tak tentu pasal.

Dan bermacam lagi rindu yang tak terluah.

"We lose some, we gain some". When the issue regarding overseas student have no other work to do than going for vacation rised, this is the first point to highlight - memang lah best merasa dunia student berjalan dan have fun, nampak glamorous semua, orang fikir kita pandai. But there's something very important we're losing, a year spend with family. Orang jenis attached dengan parents/family, lagi sakit. Like falling down to the ground, like being hit by a car, like being dumped by a lover.

When I was 17, approaching SPM, I brought my phone to school. Like the usual, I called home. And before I ended the call, I said "I love you, mummy". Little did I know I was being eavesdropped. Suddenly, a friend asked, "How did you do that?". I said, "What?". She said, "Expressing ily."

I was taken aback by everything. I didnt know that someone might had issues with that! She told me she was shy to express her feelings. While I in the other hand, dont mind at all. I could even shout those precious words across a field or whatever. Just my two cents, dont be silly feeling shy to let those words out of your mouth. They are after all, your parents! 

Sabo mummy daddy, nanti yah balik ye <3

My old folks - Encik Nasir & Puan Noraini.

Loving daughter,

Amirah (Noraini) Nasir.