Journey to the West

*A post of only words.

"To travel is better than to arrive. It's the journey, not the destination."

It all began when I submitted my resume to Student Industrial Internship Unit (SIIU). The initial deadline was set at the end of February. At the time, I was yet to complete my resume and hence, I missed it. In fact, I didn't have the intention to go for it. I just felt like want to go back to where I belong to. Attended the internship briefing and there is one part the officer was talking about the overseas placement. Talking about the allowance and all. Wasn't that interested to listen to the slot. For next few weeks, friends have been talking about seniors going abroad to have their practical. Oxford, Germany, Austria and so on. Never imagined I would be in their shoes. Seriously.

Checked the elearning. Guess what? The deadline was extended to end of April. By the time, I have done my resume because I planned to submit it during Technology, Education and Career (TEC) which was held in the same month. After giving it some thought, I was like, heck, why wouldn't I give it a shot? No harm applying. Plus, I always believe that things happen for reason. Lol. During the semester break, I get the news that I was shortlisted for an interview to be shortlisted for becoming potential candidates. Meaning, once selected, I am yet to have a placement but I would be considered and the application is all done by SIIU. I passed the interview. I remembered that I have to reschedule my slot because I was having 2-week study leave.

The waiting began. One by one, my friends were getting placement. Getting called for interview and everything meanwhile I didn't receive anything. Japan, Austria, Germany, France etc. All the placements were occupied. I was like, oh, perhaps I have out-listed. Wasn't really have high expectation though. Plus, I already have a placement back in my hometown. Have been considering the pros and cons for both choices, if I get any, going to intern in MLNG is not that bad at all. The time I was ready to stop hoping is also the time when I received an email from SIIU to attend an interview. Okay, there was a glimpse of hope again.

Doing a little research on the company to prepare myself for the interview. There were 20 interviewees and they only required 8. 40% chance to be selected. The interview session went quite smooth though. Frankly, I felt good about it. The thing is, the other students that I met who have been interviewed felt the exact same way. I didn't feel good again. Lol. I didn't put my hope high so that I wouldn't crushed as much. Though hope is frail, it is better than none. Good news came in 1 week later. =)

A little adventure began when I need to have my passport in the first place because I don't have one. Since I came from East Malaysia, I need to have a birth certificate if to apply in West Malaysia. I did bring along my birth cert along with me to the campus so I thought it wasn't a big deal until I realised I have misplaced and forgotten where I have put it! Nearly ransacked the whole room and I couldn't find that piece of paper. No choice but rushing to the nearby Jabatan Pendaftaran Negara to retrieve a new one. The officer mentioned it would took one week to process since I am not from local. Great, SIIU officer has requested the passport details in one week time and I was stuck with this. To make thing worst is I heard from my friends that even the passport would only be done in one week time too. What choice do I have anyway? Back to the campus that day, when I have calmed myself down a little, cleaning up the mess and boom! The birth cert appeared! LOL, it appeared in a file that I thought that I wouldn't have put it there. I went to Immigration Office on the next day itself.

I have visited the office thrice just to get my passport done. First visit was to fill up the application form where the officer said it required 5 working days of investigation before they can process it. Waited for a week and I came to the office for second time. By right I can have my passport done on that day but the machine or whatever they call it, break down. Did I mention that the Immigration Office is quite far away from my campus? I was really thankful to my friends who were willing to bring me there just to do my passport. 2 days later, my third visit, which was on 21st August 2011, finally, I have my very first passport in my hand!

Next was the Visa application. We have to wait for offer letter and supporting documents from the company before applying and we only managed to get them during exam week. Earlier, we have been studying the UK Embassy website. The website is kinda confusing. I was having a hard time to identify what I need to do. From online application, online appointment, payment mode, Visa photo requirement and everything. That's a lot of things which couldn't be taken lightly. Asking from seniors and friends who have been doing this last time lighten the stress a little. After having all the necessary documents, after exam, we went down to VFS Global Malaysia, a UK Visa application centre which located at Wisma MCA. The application went smoothly. No interview was needed for my case. It took a minimum of 5 working days to process and eventually, it was approved.

Okay, I realised this is the account from the time I submit my resume, interview, passport and Visa. Oh well, the adventure of a lifetime, it didn't come by just by a snap of finger. It is kinda grueling as when everything is not confirmed, you would always be haunted by doubt and uncertainty. It is not cool.

Just for your information, I will be doing my internship at Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix Limited which based in Brackley, Northamptonshire, United Kingdom. A small township which is 1 hour and a half drive from London. Mixed feelings right now as I have the chance to go for a journey of self-exploration and learn more new things but also, being separated from the beloved ones here in Malaysia for 7 months. Well, this is just a temporary part of process in learning. This bounds to happen someday, may be not now but perhaps in the future. For me, now is the beginning of this part.

This post will be the season finale and last post here before embarking my new chapter of life somewhere. The month of October marks the beginning of a whole new adventure, not just for me but also to my friends. Hereby I would like to wish my batchmates all the best in their internship. Thailand, Japan, France, Austria, Germany, United Kingdom, United States and of course, not forgetting those in Malaysia. See you all in Final Year! ^^

I start to miss home now. Miss my family. Miss my buddies. Miss my friends. Hoping that later, I will get tired of missing so that I won't be too emotional to fly off this Saturday. Lol. Take care, everyone! See you when I am back! :)

*This post is scheduled to be published at 6.50pm, the time of departure from Bintulu to Kuala Lumpur, beginning of the new adventure! *saje*

A Walk to Remember

"I'm so glad you made time to see me. How's life? Tell me, how's your family? I haven't seen them in a while..."

Remembered the first day stepping my feet into University Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP) back in 2008 with high-school-innocent look. Meeting new bunch of friends from various parts of Malaysia and the world. First time being so far away from home. It was uneasy at first and was a little homesick but quickly I managed to adapt to the new environment. Not to mention I experienced culture shock although I am a Malaysian myself. Lol. Attending lectures, tutorials, co-curricular classes and so on were parts of academic activities. Hanging out with newly-met friends was how we spending our past times. Friendship grows. Sometimes misunderstandings and mild conflicts happened, it still grows. That was during Foundation.

Semester by semester. Year by year. We survived through freshman, sophomore and currently in our junior year. Time passed by. Things change. Inevitably, friendship changes, too. From strangers become friends. Become closer afterwards, having arguments, then being distant, reaching into the level of being nearly acquaintance. Some make it. Some didn't. It is tough to sustain the closeness when you know one another a little too well; when true colours show. Everyone has limit to tolerate but apparently, some have a little too low. I witnessed how the circle alters and I was once in the shoes as well.

Anyway, things happened. It just happened. I couldn't do much about it. The worst part is it left the wound and God knows only time can heal it although scar will remain there. Slight reminder will induce the same old pain. Nevertheless, I have always believed that things happen for reasons. I embrace this principle to focus on the good in my life and turn every negativity into something positive. I'm grateful that these actually help me to be better and better. :)

The journey here really has taught me a lot, a lot. Learned countless valuable lessons which are not parts of our course structure. It is not something that you can gain from the book. Pre-intern period has given me so many memories to be cherished.

For the next 7 or 8 months, I am going to miss the random conversation that we used to have; the games that we used to play; the songs that we used to sing; the path that we used to walk. Most importantly is the time that we used to spend. Bits of these moments play a significant part in my life because they beautify it and make it more meaningful.

Thanks for the memories. Thanks for being there all the time. It is definitely going to be a walk to remember. Wish you all the best. See you next time. Forget me not. =)

New chapter of my life begins in 2 weeks time. I am excited!

Kuala Lumpur, the Transit City

Thought want to update about my post-exam moment as my last post in UTP before leaving for internship. I guess I was too tired when I finished my last paper on Sunday after grueling days of studying. Almost take a nap instantly right after the paper and there was once I thought it is Monday when I woke up. Papers on weekends. All the days were pretty messed up. Busy packing after that. Running stairs up and down for more than five times, carrying my stuff to the extent that my arms became numb. Level 3 is a deadly curse when it comes to packing.

That's that and I'm done with my third year second semester. Time flies. Same old, same old. After 3.5 years of academic commitment at UTP, it's about time to do some hand-on work. Looking forward for my 7-month internship which will start in October. Hopefully it is a right choice, though because the job ain't really related to my program of studies. Worry not, I take it as a new challenge in learning something new. Somewhere. Hopefully. :)

The post title is named so as I am currently at KL Sentral, staying here and later, Low Cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT) to fly home tomorrow early in the morning, to the land of Hornbill. It's been months being away from my homeland and I am desperately missing home and can't wait to be there. Earlier in the morning I was doing my Visa application. It went well, I guess and I can only hope that there is no complication during the process to get it approved. If not, I would have to fly back to KL to have it settled. :S

Went KLCC to hang out with my friend to spend the remaining time of the day. Watched Contagion which is surprisingly disappointing despite of the good rating. It is not just the fact that Kate Winslet died in the movie but the plot evolves around a circle. No rising action, no climax. A little overrated.

Okaaay, I'm feeling sleepy now and a hot Starbucks chocolate doesn't help me much to keep me awake.

See you all later.

Face the Books

It has been more than 2 weeks since the last update of this blog. The last post dated back in mid of August and it is now already early September. How time flies! I barely updated my tumblr too. *Have nothing much to update actually.* I guess I was a little occupied with stuff lately.

Towards the end of August I was literally drowning with so many assignments: individual and group assignments. The so-called "natural" leader has a real hard time when it comes to compiling the assignment before the deadline. Same old, same old. Oh, did I tell you about tests? All these pretty much sum up the towards-the-end moment of this semester.

And here comes the study week together with raya break. Still within the month of Ramadhan, the atmosphere on the campus was so deserted. Cafes were not operating. Majority of the students went back home for the festive seasons and left a bunch of hungry zombies hunting for food. That including me. Nearly relying only maggi to overcome my hunger until friends invited me to share group meals with them. My life was saved. You know, there are so many cats, we can just cook and eat them up. Kidding.

The cat is too cute to be eaten anyway. lol

Realising that this will be last final exams before leaving for internship. New academic semester will only start May next year. Another year before my next final. A good reason for me to really nerd (nerdify?) myself this time. Not to mention I'm having 3 reading subjects. Reading. Reading. Reading. Timetable is not really on my side either. Taking 5 subjects this semester and my first paper starts tomorrow. A day gap and for the remaining 4 days (Thursday - Sunday), I will have papers consecutively and I am done!

Wish everyone all the best. Good luck! :)

Oh, hope it is not too late to wish all my Muslim friends Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri. Maaf zahir dan batin.

Chemy Raya Dinner 2010

Can spot me in purple baju raya? :)

Not to forget, Happy Merdeka!

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"You are dead to me"

What a way to start my exam frenzy. This is not the worst that I ever get though. Past experience taught me a lot. Hate me if you want because I never hate you. True, I was mad at you but that was the history. Sometimes I do have resentment but I get it over. I never have the intention to flame. I'm letting it out so that I could forgive you. Then, I move on. I always accept you as my friend. My apology if I hurt you although I don't mean to. Good intention sometimes will be falsely interpreted. I understand. Been there, done that. Sorry, I just can't be your perfect friend. It's your choice to remove me. I can't do anything. There is always a great bunch of buddies will surround you. Lacking of me in the list is insignificant. Hereby I wish you all the best and just want to you know, "You will always alive in my mind".

Nuff said.